Hi, i need some more advice!
My 14 month old golden retriver bitch (as yet unspayed) has started growling at people who come into the house. As a pup she was very well socialised, and i used to have a job stopping her excited jumping all over people. However, since she came into deason, she has become quite aloof with strangers, which is unlike her, but then i suppose she is maturing. She always used to bark at people entering the house, but as my other dog has always done this, it was not a problem as she is quiet when asked. The last couple of days, when people that she has previously been friendly with have come in she has laid there/sat there growling softly. She doesn't move towards the person, infact the other day a man walked in (he didn't even think to knock - didn't he notice the message on the gate?!) and she sat at the top of the stairs growling but didn't move. Two weeks ago i was house sitting with the dogs and two male friends came round to visit (she has met them before) and when ever they went near her she growled, so they just left her alone. I undrestand she is uncomfortable with the situation, and i won't tell her off for growling, i just ignore it, as i have been advised that it makes them skip the warning and just attack.
I am at a loss what to do, as i don't like this behaviour, and am very surprised at it, because i cannot understand where it came from. When she growled at someone for the first time i thought it was hormones as she came into season three days later. This was in may, and i am waiting until august to have her spayed.
I would be grateful if anyone could give me some advise.

If she was in season in May she may be having a phantom pregnancy.  She may well be warning people away because she sees herself as being in a 'delicate' situation and is protecting the pups she thinks she is carrying.  She is unlikely to attack if people ignore her or crowd her.  If she is having a phantom the advice is usually to increase the exercise, decrease the food and don't sympathise with her.  It should soon pass and if you are having her spayed in August that will cure it totally.  There is medication the vet can give, but it is a very powerful hormone and my vet is reluctant to prescribe it unless the symptoms are extremely severe.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Ahh, that could be it. It is so out of character for her, and she is definately acting a little more clingy. She has got to have her boosters some time this month, will the vet be able to tell? (Is that a silly question?) I've been getting a little worried about her recently, as not only has her behaviour changed but she is so sleepy. She is always up for walks, but if you stop she will just lay down and go to sleep. I took her to a fun dog show yesterday, and we had only been there 15 minutes before we went in the ring, and she fell asleep! (and no she didn't win.) She is also falling asleep during training, even if i don't exercise her before. On saturday she hadn't even had a walk because i had been at work. I thought most Goldies of that age tended to be mad?!