Hi,
My six 1/2 month old pup has been aggresive of two seperate occasions at the dog club.

I take her to agility,but because she's too young just yet, we sit and watch the first class class before i train my older dog. (good for socialising....i thought) but this week and last week she has launched her self at any dog that has attempted to come near me when I'm sitting down ( i have treats in my pocket), and tonight a friend had left his treats on the chair next to me, when another dog came and sniffed them she tried to leap across me to get to that dog snarling and snapping on her way.

I am very upset about this......she has been been going to the club and another one for obedience since she was able to and has been fine

She is obviously food possesive so it would be wise to avoid situations where another dog seems to be trying to take what she considers hers.

Will she not work without treats?  Does she know h9w to sit quietly while your share treats?  Is she an only dog?

No she is not an only dog....i have two others  and she doesn't seem to bother with them. They take her chews and she seems happy to let them.
Just at the dog club !

Do you always sit in the same spot? It sounds to me as if she is simply guarding her space and her pack and belongings. My dogs do that too at dog club, and I know I am to blame myself as we have claimed the same spot each time forever now, so they see it as THEIR space, just like an extension of our house.(Compare to a car for instance.) We simply make it clear to eveyrone to leave my dogs alone when they are in "our" spot, as they will behave fine and leave anyone alone if they are left alone. Once up on the floor in the hall they are fine with the other dogs, no problems at all.

Well its definately the same area....cos there only half a dozen chairs or so to sit on....

Does anyone think this is a bad sign for such a young dog to show such aggresion?

I think it's a sign that there's something to work on but, after all, puppies in a litter can be aggressive towards each other!

I do know someone whose dog had a guarding issue as a puppy and she dealt with it and knowing the dog now, you would never believe she could have done that, she's such a softie.

It's definitely a bad sign, but don't despair, there are some things you can try.

I suggest you get hold of a book called "Mine!  A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs" by Jean Donaldson.  It's available from Crosskeys books: http://www.crosskeysbooks.com/product_info.php?products_id=451

Using a technique called systematic desensitisation (using rewards and kind methods), you can teach your dog to realise that these other dogs are not a threat.  Since you're just sitting and waiting at agility, that would be the perfect time to work on it.

Thanks.......

I'm just so wrried thats all, as my last dog was rehomed becasue she was constantly fighting with my old dog, I just really couldn't go through all that again.

Just as an extra bit of info.....she seems to be quite clingy with me ....as in she won't let me out of her sight and sits whinging at the bottom of the stairs if i go up them..... she seems to have over bonded with me (i live on my own) ! is that possible and if so could she be guarding me?

Yes, dogs can guard any number of things: any member of the family, a location (sofa, their bed), their food bowl, bones, chews, or in the worst cases, anything in their possession.

Hello.  I wouldn't necessarily think the dog is food possessive as much, maybe as owner possessive?  She may be unsure of herself at training classes and is defending herself and you against strangers.  Can a member of your family take along one of your other dogs and see if that calms things down a bit?  Is your pup socialised with people and dogs outside the family when you're not at the classes?  The more socialisation, the better!  I'm sure she'll grow out of it as she gets more confident!  Good luck

She is well socialised away from the club, although she is a bit of a scaredy cat.....as in she somes running back to me when other dogs approach her...then she eventually plays with them.

could it be that the whole situation was a bit over exciting for her and she was reacting to the frustration?

What breed of dog is she? If she is a small breed she may be coming up to her season, which made my bitches a little grumpy.

She is a small cross collie retriever! I must admit I wondered that, then thought am i just making excuses for her!