Aggression In Rottweiler’s - By: Lea Mullins

The American Kennel Club describes the Rottweiler as calm and confident, with a naturally aloof manner toward strangers and often with an aggressive attitude toward other dogs. Rottweiler’s were bred as cattle herding and guard dogs, so they can become aggressive if not socialized and trained early as possible. This is not to say that an adult dog or a rescue dog cannot be trained to be a good pet, but the earlier the training, the easier it will be.

When you bring your puppy home, invite guests to come over and sit near him or her, without reaching out at first. Seeing hands reaching out toward it is likely to scare a Rottweiler puppy. When the puppy begins to show interest in the strangers, going toward them and exploring or sniffing them, they can gradually reach out and pet it. Picking it up and holding it might not be a good idea unless you are okay with a 95 to 130 pound lap dog when it grows up. Taking your puppy to a dog park where it can romp around with other dogs and people will give him or her experience with strangers and teach it that strangers are not to be feared. Walking around the neighborhood or in a shopping center where people are likely to want to pet the cute puppy will also help with socialization.

If there is another dog in the house, introduce them slowly. Take something such as a toy from your older dog and introduce it to the puppy before bringing the puppy home. Let the puppy get familiar with the scent of the other dog. Take something that has touched the puppy, like an old blanket or the same toy after the puppy has played with it, and give it to your older dog for inspection. Introduce them at a neutral place, such as a park away from your home. When you bring the puppy home, put it into a room where the other dog does not go, but can hear and smell the puppy. The puppy will also be able to hear and smell the older dog. Put the puppy into a crate and allow it and the older dog to encounter each other in a safe environment. Finally, when they appear comfortable together, allow them to come face to face. Always feed the older dog before feeding the younger one. In nature, pack leaders eat before other pack members. If it is clear that the older dog has higher rank than the younger, it will help to prevent fighting. Dogs fight when their families treat them as equals and they feel like fighting for dominance. If the order of dominance is clearly established there is no need to fight to try to determine it.

In nature, wolves fight to establish who is the pack leader. A dog who feels that he or she is the pack leader is stressed with responsibility. A dog who knows that he or she is a subordinate member of the pack, or family, is a happy dog who will not try to fight you for your dinner. In the pack, the one who controls the food is the pack leader. Always eat your meal before the dog, to show that you are the leader. When it is time to feed the Rottweiler, give a command before feeding him or her. Teach your puppy to sit by gently but firmly pushing down on its hindquarters until it is in a sitting position, while saying, “sit” clearly. When the puppy is sitting, give a treat. If it gets up suddenly, do not give the treat while it is standing up or running off; only give the reward when the puppy is actually sitting. Another good command is “settle.” Gently put the puppy into a lying down, “sphinx” position, while saying, “Settle.” The Rottweiler should lie down and not make any vocal noises before it receives its reward. Approach your dog with its bowl of food and give a command. When the Rottweiler obeys, put down the bowl of food and leave the dog to eat it undisturbed. (Some dogs become fearful when touched while eating, so this is not a good idea). If the dog does not obey the command, do not keep repeating it too many times. Put the food away and try later. Repeat until the dog finally obeys the command. Be sure during this time that the dog has plenty of water.

Dog Breeds with behavior problems such as aggression often do not sleep in the same room with the family, so allowing your Rottweiler to sleep in your bedroom is a good idea. This will make him or her feel that you are all members of the same pack.

About the Author

Lea Mullins narrates tips on how to control aggression in Rottweiler’s. Visit TrainPetDog.com to learn about puppy and Dog Breeds.

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