Excessive barking/toy aggression

Question
Hi. I have a 5 month old husky and just inherited a 10 month old lab/mastiff mix from my boyfriend who just went back to school and couldn't take her with him 3 weeks ago.

1)When she lived with him she was always energetic but never aggressive about playing and never ever barked or growled at people that came over. She was always curious and friendly. Ever since she moved in with me its almost as if she has decided she is a guard dog. She barks whenever someone comes near the house (inside or outside). She growls at the neighbor kids if they are playing in their backyard. She growls and nearly drags me away if another dog is within her eyesight (this is painful!). If she is in her kennel, she starts whining. Very insignificantly. If I don't respond, she gets louder and louder until its a full fledged bark and I can't ignore it any longer. Once new people are in the house she jumps all over them. If my husky comes anywhere near her food or toys she growls and bites at her. My husky, who used to 'own' the house is now very submissive and quiet.

Now, don't get me wrong. Penny (the lab/mastiff) is a wonderful dog who is eager to please and has many redeeming qualities. I just don't know what to do about the not-so-redeeming qualities and how to make it so Kaiah my husky feels like she is still a 'big deal' in the house.

2) Will an electric fence keep a 75 pound lab/mastiff and a growing siberian husky in a chainlink fenced backyard?

Answer
For the variety of problems you're experiencing, I really don't think on-line advice is going to be that helpful. It's not unusual when household dynamics change (and the people in the household are also shuffled/missing) for a dog's behavior to change. Dogs who feel a vacuum in leadership frequently will test the waters to see if they need to take on that leader role. Dogs who try are frequently anxious and over-reactive, because dogs don't judge these things that well, and they feel a little out of their league. You need to start daily training and self control exercises. Set fair and consistent rules and routines. Ask her to work for the things that she wants. To get started on a good plan, the advice of a professional who is knowledgable in positive techniques is essential. I would leash her and work on obedience when people come over (or if you are not in a position to concentrate on her - being hostess - put her up. For whining in the kennel, you need to hang close and immediately reward any silence (even if she's only drawing a breath). If you wait until she is loud and you can't ignore her any longer, she is training you to let her out when she demands it. To the electric fence - maybe, maybe not. If the dogs do go over the fence (and in an exciting situation, they might take the hit) they will be unable to come back in the yard. When using an electric fence, it's important to actually do boundary training too. And even with that it can cause additional problems. I might opt for the bars that angle in, to block the dogs from jumping (think security or prison fencing - but you'd string chicken wire instead of razor wire. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com