My very overly protective puppy

Question

Marla :)   Hello! I adopted a four year old Corgi/German Shepherd Mix (I think that is what she is..) from the shelter about 2 years ago. I could tell when I first got her that she had been abused and was very shy and timid around everyone she met. For a while she had a problem with chewing on things (everything at first) and then after a while it just became my clothes when I left. Eventually I guess she realized that I would come back and began to settle down. About 4 months ago I move cross country with her to live with my grandparents and go back to school. Beside having to get used to the new climate and the new grandparents (which spoil her rotten) she has also had to get used to being around 10 kids, under 5 all week because she has a daycare. It took her about a month to not be afraid of the kids.   After that I noticed that she would start protecting them from the evil squirrels in the back yard by sitting at the base of the the entire time, or nudging the kids to run faster when they are outside. When someone throws a fit or cries she will push her self inbetween the child and who ever is trying to pick them up. They are her puppies, which I think is so sweet. Here comes the problem. When the kids are here no one is allowed to come in the house besides me and my grandparents. A few of the daycare parents she has gotten used to, but otherwise she will bark and even sometimes growl when they try to touch "her" kids. I have tried putting her in a different room when they come but she becomes so distressed and barks and scratches and the door. I have tried showing her that its ok, but I just dont know what to do. I wont get rid of her over this, but I want her to be happy and not have to worry about the kids when it comes to their parents.

Also, this is completely off topic, but she will also randomly in the middle of the night scoot really close to me and growl and the door to my room. Its starting to creep me out. No one is out there, there are no bugs, or anything making noise (that I can hear anyway) It makes me feel haunted.

Answer
HI,
the answer is really simple, but may not be easy to find.  You are going to have to teach her to herd (she is a herding dog). Once she learns the commands to herd, then you can teach her the command to stop herding.
Go online and try to find a local group that you can take her to so you can learn this.  Or find someone who has sheep, goats, etc. and maybe he will teach you how to do this.  I think you might have fun with this and I know she will enjoy it.  The growling at night could just be the house settling and she hears the subtle noises.
nancy