aggresive behavior

Question
My 8 month old lab/hound recently has been showing some aggresive behavior. Recently I purchased a rawhide bone. She had been chewing it in the living room and when I went near her, she starting growling etc. She then went into her crate of which she became VERY teratorial (?). I know many say I should not tolerate that and repermand her etc. But she looks like she will tear my hand off. So I just yell at her and lock her in her crate. Any advise would be appreciated.  

Answer
It is common for dogs to challenge their owners any time in the first 3 years as they mature.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages.  If you are not
there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs.  Keep a
close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
pieces.  Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
chewers such as Labs.