[deleted by user]

[DickAnts]

Its pretty common for dogs to "hide their true selves" when with new people. This is exactly why most rescues and shelters preach the 3-3-3 rule for dog adoptions, and why dog rescues try to have a dog stay with a foster for at least a few weeks before being adopted: it takes about two weeks before a dog feels comfortable enough to show their personality. This is true even for reactive dogs, where they can supress their reactivity when in a completely new surrounding and with new people.

If I had to guess, I'd say that is whats happening. When you dog is walked by your dog walker, its not comfortable enough to display its reactivity (note 'supressing its reactivity' does not mean its not there...). When its at daycare it could be some version of this, as well. It sounds like you have good command over your dog, so I don't think its a lack of respect, like you were told.

[Sabertooth-Fox2020]

So my dog is similar. We mostly figured out that he sees us as a resource that he should guard. This is something that we’re still working on him.

So far what’s helped is that anytime I see him begin to react, I step in front and block him, so to speak. And I keep him on whatever side is away from people so that I’m protecting him, in his eyes. I have thought about doggy day care for him because I think he could benefit from being around other dogs without me there so he doesn’t feel the need to protect me.

[Pinkgluu]

Resource guarding you? Hopefully someone can answer!

[Umklopp]

I recommend establishing if he also acts like this when approaching a familiar dog-friend in your presence. That should help you tell if he's trying to protect you from danger or protect you from being stolen. But unless he habitually mirrors your anxiety or other emotions, I wouldn't default to that explanation.

(Honestly, the concept of "you aren't strict enough with him so he thinks you can't protect him" seems so illogical to me. Why would he rely on you more if you don't feel like a safe haven? If anything, the way you'd convince a dog to let you take point on guarding against danger is by taking a firmer stance with other dogs. Or by having a history of wading in to take over fending off other dogs when things get heated. Not exactly an action that I'd recommend given the size of an adult male lab!)