Problem with Maci guarding her people and toys, and Yogi too

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I wonder if anyone has ideas on how to solve my problem. My daughter is staying with us for a week. She has a one year old 67# Golden Doodle. High energy, very sweet.
Maci growls and snaps at him when he comes near us. She will even try to protect her older brother, Yogi. She also guards her toys. I tell her to leave it, and it works, a lot. My problem is I don't always catch it in time.
She has always been more reactive around other dogs which usually is not a problem because we can just avoid and control the situation.
I feel bad for both doodles. I know it's not fair to my daughters dog, nor Maci to feel she has to protect us. How can I help her to know "we've got it".
Any experiences?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You have rocked her world!  by avoiding  and controlling reactive situations Maci has not learned that you will take care of threatening situations.  Now this darn giant dog is in her house!  Yipes!

Maci needs lots of safe time, crate, bedroom whatever.  She needs time to chill between bouts of learning that everything is okay.

First, I would pick up all toys, etc.  I use the phrases "I've got it"," it's okay", to show that I have the situation under control, meanwhile you are right beside her "guarding" her.  Keeping yourself between her and the scary big dog. No coddling or feeling sorry for her, but do keep up a running conversation with her, in a reassuring but firm voice.   Any movement ( more relaxed body, eyes on you, general calming of attitude) toward the appropriate behavior is rewarded with small "good girl"  " good girl" then "no" I've got it" more sharply if she veers toward guarding, inappropriate behavior. 

Long times in her safe place or crate with short times exposed to threatening situation, always with your complete attention.   Total calm behavior warrants excessive praise and ear rub, or whatever touch she really likes that calms her.

Some dogs get this right away, others it is really an uphill battle.

   

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this is all great advice!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Annabelle is my dog. I am the one that wanted her and I am the one that takes care of all of her needs. The first year Annabelle was with us my husband's only contribution was serving as chief frisbee thrower and sneaking her table food. There was a time there last summer before she turned one, when Annabelle thought she had to protect me from my husband. He could not walk into a room where we were without her going into her guarding position right in front of me and growling at him. The first time she did it I put her in her crate, trying to reassure her there was no threat, telling her I got it. She would get rewarded when she behaved. Each time she did it, I would do the same thing. It took about 2 weeks for her to totally not growl at him anymore. It was not an easy fix. Maybe he just seems threatening to her because he is NBA player height. Good Luck

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Thank you guys for your input. Always great to know I have my DK buddies to fall back on :-)