Recently Aggressive/Protective dog... what should I do?

Question

I have two mini Australian shepherd brothers. They go to daycare every week and play and they also get plenty of exercise. My one male has started to become aggressive lately towards people and other dogs. 
Tonight, I went in to pick them up from daycare and the guy who works there offered to carry one of them to the car ( he knows I’m pregnant and trying to be nice). He then grabs him and picks him up and proceeds to place him in my car. No big deal. As I’m putting his brother in on the other side, my one dog starts growling at the guy who just placed him in the car and starts attacking and trying to bite him! I was mortified!! 
My boys have been interacting with this worker at the daycare since they were little pups (They’re almost 2). They know him and my one dog decides to turn all Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on him. I felt horrible and he was very surprised that my dog acted that way. 
I cried on the way home. I don’t know what to do now. Is this normal for a dog to become this aggressive/protective while I’m pregnant? He only acts psycho when I’m around. If my husband deals with them it’s no issue. Anyone have any suggestions or experience with this? 😔

Answer

Why did the employee pick up your dog to put him in the car? Are they unable to get in on their own? 
Also, your dog may definitely be protective of you and the car and confused as to why the man was in their and your space. It’s one thing for the dogs to interact with the employee in the space of the daycare but totally another for a stranger to be in your space. 
I would not be mad at my dog for this or worried. Are they neutered?

Answer

That’s totally normal. He’s a herding dog and they can become very protective of their herd. They’re also more anxious and nervous than other breeds. The worker may have done something or made a movement that your dog interpreted as a threat. This is a stretch, but your dog may have noticed a change in you and your behavior as well (moving more slowly, looking like you’re in discomfort, people helping you more) so he may think that you’re not as able to take care of yourself and now he has to step in. I would recommend displaying a calm, confident demeanor around him when you can especially in public and around others. Don’t freak out (difficult, I know) when he becomes aggressive because it’ll just make it worse. Just be calm and redirect him. Side note: I haven’t looked into it, but I have come across dog rehabilitation videos, sections in pregnancy books, and articles about ways to introduce your dog to a new member (baby) of the family.

Answer

He’s literally always around and guarding me. The last thing I want to do is have him hurt someone and I have to give him up or worse. 😭

Answer

My golden has been acting so weird. She has separation anxiety when we are sleeping she cries all night and she’s been having accidents in the house. I’m so overwhelmed idk what to do

Answer

My pit bull has always been like this even before I was pregnant. When my husband is around he’s an angel but if I take him anywhere he would literally kill someone if they even stepped to close to me. Unfortunately I’m worried now that he may exhibit this aggression towards the baby when it’s born because he’s so protective over me so he’s been enrolled into a dog training class for dogs with behavioral issues. He’ll be living with the trainer for 4 weeks and I’ll be going there 2 times a week to watch and learn. Hoping this helps him because he’s such a good boy I really don’t want him to end up hurting someone because he’s trying to protect me

Recently Aggressive/Protective dog... what should I do?

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