Alpha Female Aggression

by Courtney
(Wichita, Ks)

I have a two year old black lab, who really is just the sweetest thing. She melts when anyone pets her, strangers included. However, yesterday I saw some very alarming behavior that worries me to no end.

Last year, we took PetSmart training, and Matti was just a doll with other dogs. We often go to the lake, and she meets other dogs without issue. However, yesterday we went to PatSmart training, and she tried snapping at every dog that came near her. Luckily, she stops when you yell at her, but she goes right back towards lip curling if the dog approaches again.

The only thing that has changed is our oldest German Shepherd died, and Matti has taken the role of pack leader. We babysit other dogs, so we have up to 6 dogs in our yard at any given time (the same 6 dogs). They all are very submissive and give her the leader status without any thought.

I am not comfortable with her now, I feel I can't trust her with another living thing (dogs or humans). I find this very disturbing, but I don't know how to show her this is not correct behavior. I can kind of understand if something "breaks" into our backyard being a threat, but I don't see how another dog on a leash at PetSmart is a threat.

Is it too late for her, do I just need to keep her locked up to protect everyone?