overprotective mother dog

Question
I am fostering a small terrier for our local shelter.When she first came, she was very fearful and aggressive if approached. After about two days, she began to trust us and became very friendly and affectionate. She had 7 puppies one weeks ago and will not let anyone approach them. She snarls and snaps if we get too close to the box with the puppies. When she leaves the box, she is very friendly and playful with everyone but undergoes a complete personality change when she is with the pups. I am afraid that they may be under socialized and wonder what I should do. Will this behavior subside as they get older? She continues to be very fearful of anyone she does not know and will growl at anyone who comes into the house. She does not go after them and it seems to be strictly a fear aggression as she is fine once she gets to know someone.

Answer
Dear Margaret,

Don't worry about the pups being undersocialized at this point.  As long as they are with their litter until 8 weeks of age, they are learning what they need to know from each other, and from their mother.  

As far as the mother's protectiveness of her litter, this is normal behavior.  The pups do not need to be handled by humans at this time and she knows it.  They need her and each other, and like any mother, she is protective of them.  Leave them alone.

Regarding her fear toward people she doesn't know, this too is also normal for many dogs who have been undersocialized from age 8-24 weeks or longer.  As you saw, she warmed up to you very quickly when she learned that you were trustworthy and her food source.  Visitors who come over should toss her one of her favorite treats (if she's away from her litter) and move about casually, not trying to be friends with her until she gets to know them.  If they are only over for a short or sporadic visits, she may easily not warm up to them for quite some time, but if everyone who comes over tosses her a treat, doesn't try to approach her, and doesn't hurt her, she'll learn that strangers aren't necessarily to be feared.

A good behaviorist can go through the specific details of how to properly socialize her, increase her confidence around strangers and lessen her fear.  You can find one in your area at http://www.apdt.com

Good luck and thanks for writing.
Suzanne Harris, BSc, CPDT