“My Dog Is Just Protecting Me” Why That’s Almost Never True

The Dog People Podcast · Jan 1, 2026 · 12m

One of the most common things dog trainers hear is: “He’s not aggressive, he’s just protecting me.”

In this episode, Max O’Neill explains why that explanation is almost always incorrect.

We cover:

• Why dogs don’t “protect” owners the way people think

• How dogs can see owners as a resource, not someone to defend

• Why reactivity often shows up when people approach you

• The uncomfortable truth about what would likely happen in a real emergency

If your dog is reactive, understanding the real cause is the first step to actually helping them.

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