Q: I just got a 1 year old mixed breed dog named Winnie, her mom is a Canaan Dog and her dad is a Saluki. I got her at an Adopt a Pet Weekend. Her human parents were there with her brother so I got a little history from them and we have exchanged photos, etc. Winnie and I have a lovingly magical relationship, she is incredibly smart and sensitive, and stunningly beautiful. Now that you know she is "practically perfect in every way" I'll ask my question -- what can I do to stop her over protectiveness of me? She barks incessantly at visitors in my home, and often growls and shows her teeth, and mimics a biting action if they get near my things, such as my coffee cup etc. I anxiously await your response.

A: Your best bet is train, train, train in a positive manner. Teach her lots of commands, and teach her to get her mind on the business of listening to you and obeying you the minute you give her a command. This need not be harsh training, just diligent.

When you take this approach, she will naturally learn that you can lead, you can handle things, you are not super-vulnerable to contact attack. She will not lose the ability to protect you, but she will be able to moderate it, and have much more confidence in you, in herself, and in her environment.

She is trying to do the right thing. She just needs a lot more structure, a lot more direction from you. The book The Canine Good Citizen, by Jack and Wendy Volhard, has great information on dog personalities as well as a good training program to get you started. But get her in a class as soon as you can too. I would not expect this to be an easy dog to train, but I would expect that she can excel. Enjoy her!