| More people!
First Rott has suggested a method many use, no doubt. I would like to offer an alternative that I feel works better. At least it has for me--many times. And I rescue abused dogs regularly from local shelters and train them. So I have some experience in this.
Get her socialized better by getting her out and about. Take her to friends' or relatives' houses. Invite people to your hours. Walk in the park. Walk down the streets of town. Make it a point in the next couple months for the dog to meet every person in town! Dogs too if she growls at them. Try for a new person or group of people each day if you have the time. (Start throwng some parties or something!) Try for a variety of people: women, men, men with beards, men with hats, teens, children, two people together, etc.
Of course, take whatever precautions are necessary. Make sure she's on a heavy leash and can be controled. Tie her to a handrail or something in your house when visitors come if she is prone to approach them.
While exposing her to lots of folks, I would suggest positive training methods only. No punishment or yelling "Stop" or "So!" The worst way to deal with assertiveness, aggression, and dominant behavior is with the same! This idea is being promoted more and more frequently by more and more experienced aggression specialists and trainers. (See for example The Canine Aggreesion Handbook).
Instead, if she growls, increase the distance between the person and the dog until she stops. Give her a few seconds to calm. Then reward her with "Good dog," and a pat on the head, or a treat.
Let the dog feel safe and calm for a moment at that distance. Then try appoaching just a little closer to the person being growled at. Just a tiny bit at a time. Maybe one foot. Put her in a sit stay. If she doesn't growl, reward again. Take your time and settle for very little at first. (You may get one foot closer to the first subject the first time and that's all the dog will tolerate. This will take time; Go in small steps.)
It also helps IMMENSELY if you can do a lot of this meeting of people outside in a neutral place like a street or park. The more room and less clustrophic, the better! Space has a dramatic affect on aggressive behaviors, and a dog that won't tolerate a stranger in your house at 20 feet may well accept 10 ourside without a problem. In your house or yard is probably the worst place to start since the dog will feel a protective instinct to guard the place.
If you can get her just a little closer to a few people you know, then have THEM toss her a treat!
The general idea is 1) expose to lots of people so any one is not a big deal, 2) Control the aggression by increasing the space between dog and person, 3) use positive reinforcement, no negative. Ignore the growl and just use distance to make it stop. Don't reward too soon after the growl stops or the dog may associate the reward with the growl rather than the stopping!
Be very calm yourself while doing all this. Do not get excited, mad, afraid, etc. Everything travels down the leash! If you show no alarm and relaxation toward people, it will help the dog to eventuallu show the same.
Also make sure you spend as much quality one-on-one time with the dog as you can. Walk it as often as possible, Play ball, or whatever it likes. Cabin fever is a major cause of bad behavior. Rottwielers cannot be left at home for a woprk day and then be expected to sit quietly while you watch TV and unwind. (Just an example--don't take ofense. I am not saying this is what you do!) They must be active.
Finally, you did not mention if this behavior just began or has been on-going, or has been increasing in severity. If it is a new behavior, (and maybe even if it's not) you may want to have your vet check the dog out. Many illnesses, especially and most commonly thyroid problems or anything causing pain or discomfort can cause a Rott to start to exhibit aggression.
Hope this helps.
Barry  |