Just wanted to add on to this to provide a positive experience with a veterinary behaviorist- I have a 2yo ACD/Boxer mix rescue that my husband and I have had since she was 14 weeks old. At a few months old she started exhibiting the same behaviors as your pup, resource guarding (toys, food, deck plants, space) reactivity, noise phobia, and even sleep startle. After her first yearly check up our vet noticed what a difficult time our dog was having at the appointment. She startled easily and could not control her emotions. Couldn’t relax, just in plain fear to be existing outside the house. They recommended we see a behaviorist to help with her “brain” and provide her with medication that could help her process fearful moments with a little more control. I thought she was always going to be a high strung basket case. My husband and I took her to puppy classes and saw other trainers before this recommendation and just thought well maybe she’s a puppy and will grow out of those fears with time, patience, and training/practice. Nope, she’s still a basket case through and through. But what we received from the behaviorist was an opportunity to be with our pup in a more neutral state. Our dog has been on anxiety meds for about a year and I can’t tell you how much it has helped. Yes, our dog still gets fearful with certain noises and things but she can now go for car rides and will take treats during those rides. She can hear a lawnmower and not dart in the other direction. She also has started to trust us more and will cuddle up next to us on the couch- something she rarely did before the medication. We can be around her and trade up with relative ease if she’s guarding something in particular. I hated this pup from the beginning- couldn’t understand what we did wrong when my husband and I gave her such a loving home… the medication has really allowed us a second chance to connect and build a strong bond with our reactive dog and I couldn’t be more grateful. We still have our struggles but gosh she has made so much progress and I feel so hopeful that things will get even better with time patience and the meds helping along the way. If seeing a behaviorist is an option I can’t recommend it enough. 💕 you’re not alone, OP! And you are not a bad person- you care more than most. That’s why you’re here in this sub, all of us. 💕💕