Fine until we play

[Kman223]

I've had Freki, 3 yo male, for about a year. He was my sister's dog prior to me taking him in, and he's spent time around my entire family since he was a puppy. The issue I'm having is that he's started to be very protective when my daughter, 12, and I rough house a little. She lives with my ex, and is only around every couple months. She likes to sneak tickle attack me, and the instant she starts giggling Freki wants to run over and get involved. He barks and won't stop until we separate or I make him go outside. I know how loyal and protective the breed can be, but I'm not sure how to approach the situation

 

[April Nicole]

It seems like he sees here as beneath him in the pack order, maybe cause she's not there all the time. Everyone in your household needs to be above him in pack order. I would have your daughter get very involved in his training. When she is over, have her do some basic obedience training with him. And have her reward him and praise him when he performs. Things like sit, down, stay. And have her do it frequently. He has to realize that he does not have authority over her...
And of course if he persists in aggression towards her, I would call a professional trainer and make sure no horse playing in his presence until you could get a trainer involved.

 

[CeeCee]

It sounds like he wants to join the fun. I think I would approach this by teaching him the "Place" command (if he doesn't already know it). Once he knows that, work up to longer and longer durations that he his remains in place and then slowly add distraction in. If you live alone, you may need to move the place command to outside. I would be looking for places where there are kids running and playing, people moving fast, etc. You're most likely going to need to work at a distance at first and as he remains in place start to move closer to the excitement. If you move outside, I would suggest using a mat as his "place." As he gets more successful remaining in place in low or moderate distraction, bring your daughter in and start playing with her.

Once you are working in distraction, this may be super hard for him so I would be sure to reward with his favorite game and really cool outing or anything that is super special!

The goal is to get to the point that when you and your daughter place, you can tell him to go to his place and he chills while y'all play.