Rottie problems

[Dumi]

Hi. I`ve got this 8 month rottweiler, I think I manage to decently make him respect me, using voice mostly, but when case is needed, a really easy palm over his back has to come. Anyways, I`ve got this problem and I really think this is the place where I can find help. Food issue. He eats everything, starting from apples and onion to bread and meat. When I keep some food in my hand, at his head level, he tends to come and grab it, but when I raise my voice he stops and waits for me to give him the food. How can I make him not attack me when I try to take food from him? And another issue is, when I try to lift him up with my hands, he tends to get angry. Same thing when I try to give him a bath, he gets angry. How should I stop this behaviour? Otherwise, he is a smart, affectionate dog, he loves me to bits, I think. And he is really glad(he even pisses himself)when I come and play with him. I`d like to make him put away his attack dog capabilities, at least with family. Please help. thank you

[fuzzdomestic]

I'd suggest you start some obedience classes. They are a great way to work on basic obedience and you'll always have a knowledgable trainer just a phone call away if you start to have any problems.
If he attacks you when you try to take things from him, start with something he likes, but is not incredibly valuble to him. When you go to take this from him, offer a nice squishy training treat such as Pupparoni or K9 Carry-Outs. One thing I've found that dogs love that are really cheap and easy to find are frozen hot dogs cut into bite-size pieces. As soon as he lets you have the toy, give him the treat and his toy back. Rottweilers learn quickly, so it shouldn't take too long before he realizes that you taking away whatever he has in his mouth is actually a good thing. Then you can start working with things he's a little more attatched to. Don't ever try to forcefully pull something out of his mouth unless it's dangerous to him. It has to be voluntary.
Picking him up should come fairly quickly once he realizes you are not a pushover. I think the problem he may be that you are putting your hands on his flanks, which is usually considered a dominant behavior. Start by touching his flanks, then giving him a treat. Once he stops growling when you touch him, put a little more pressure on him, giving a treat everytime he lets you push on him without growling or showing aggression. Once he hasn't growled at you for 5-10 times in a row, you can move your hands down underneath him and put a little upwards pressure on his belly as if you were going to lift him off the ground, but don't take any of his paws off the ground. Eventually, he'll figure out that there is nothing wrong with you having your hands on his flanks or picking him up. I think once you have those two problems sorted out, bathing will fall into place.
This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, do not push it. You have ten years to spend with this dog, just take it slow and make sure you do a good job with this training. Do not use harsh reprimands until you are sure that softer ones will not work. Before you try any of these excersizes, make sure the dog knows you are there and is aware that you are going to put your hands on him/his toys & food. You will gain nothing but scars by sneaking up behind a dog and taking food or making dominant maneuvers. Make sure to break up any training session into short 10-15 minute bursts and make it as fun for him a possible. If he sees you are in a good mood, it will make him more responsive to the training. If you are in a bad mood or frustrated, do yourself and your pup a favor and take time to calm down, even if it means cutting a training session short by 10 minutes.
Good luck to you and your puppy! And don't think you're going to get away without showing us some pictures!

[Drazhar]

and next time you have a puppy, make sure you put your hand in his food right froom the get go... let him see its harmless and get him around people while he is eating, then they never grow up food agressive.

i too own a rott, i have my own ways of training my dogs and have never used an OB class, i also am a proud owner of a rare breed dog that is notorious for agression to other people, but the most fun loving creature in the world with there families, and i have had no problems with him, ever.

[fuzzdomestic]

OB classes are great for the unexperienced dog lover. It just gives you the backup you need if you have problems later on that you didn't see before.

What sort of dog do you have, Drazhar? I'm going through my mind of all the rare breeds that are prone to aggression and I can't think of one I wouldn't love to see a pic of.

[Drazhar]

i posted pics... of all 3 of my dogs. in the introduction thread and in my pics

[fuzzdomestic]

Oh, now I feel stupid. Gorgeous pups!

[Drazhar]

Oh, now I feel stupid. Gorgeous pups!

haha, no need to feel stupid and thanks for the coment ;)

[JessMaster]

I don't think 8 months is too late. I can't tell you how strongly I agree with Drazhar!!! I have never permitted any of my dogs even the slightest growling over food. Imagine the next time someone visits you with a toddler or baby and it wanders over to the food dish? Or has food in its hand? Thousands of lawsuits and tragedies are based on this scenario. One of my best friends was scarred for life by his loving family dog and the food dish. One other caveat, dogs don't always associate babies with being human.

In your case you have to spend a lot of time developing the total trust of your pup. It is a good suggestion to practice taking the toy away and then rewarding with a treat. Eventually you should be able to take the food dish away.

Fuzzdomestic gives excellent advice also... but I would add, "Never show your dog that you are even the slightest bit afraid of his growling!!" Unlike humans, dogs are very comfortable with a dominance based hierarchy. They can absolutely love someone who dominates them physically. Not abuse, of course, but just complete confidence about who is the boss. Don't pull your hand back in fear because he growls, speak very forcefully to him in response. Remember, it is far better for him to bite you than someone else!

If he does bite you... well I would like to hear what others have to say about punishing an 8 month old Rott that has bitten you in anger. I haven't had to physically punish my past two dogs, but I had a male shepherd once that I "inherited" that was initially poorly trained. I would grab his muzzle with my hand and beat my forearm with a rolled up newspaper. The noise was terrific and it did not beat him directly... and it was very effective at stopping the behavior. He stopped baring his teeth and nipping people for many years. Interestingly, his bad behavior returned again when he was very old.

In case anyone gets me wrong, dogs do not respond to beating and I don't advocate beating dogs!!! They do respond to physical pressure such as being held down, grabbed by the scruff of the neck, or grabbing the muzzle. These are all behaviors that a mother dog employs with her pups and they don't cause injury. I don't recommend grabbing the neck, however, as an angry dog can easily bite you in that situation.

[luv4gsds]

You can look into nothing in life for free (NILIF) training.

http://www.dogstuff.info/nothing_in_life_is_free_dfl.html

http://www.k9deb.com/nilif.htm

[JessMaster]

Hey, the advice that is given on those two sites is so perfect and so true! Thank you! It's basically how I have come to have such a pleasant and proud relationship with my dogs after many years of experience. It's fun to see it confirmed somewhere else!