[calmeida2]

I'm so glad I found this forum! Hope you can give me some input.
I rescued a 5-6 year old rottweiler from a shelter here in NY last year. He is the most wonderful sweet boy in the world with the members of the family, especially with me, (I guess because I brought him home), gets along with my other rott, a 5 year old female I"ve had since a pup and my two cats.

Not sure why he was given away, his file said the usual bs, allergies, no time, etc...but at some point he was given some training as he knows basic commands.

My question is this: As time goes by, it's been a little over a year since we've had him, he's becoming a little more protective of the house and of us, and instead of more relaxed on the leash, he is now more aggressive when he sees other dogs, often lunging at them, and he gets startled by loud squealing kids and I can tell he'd give them a good chase if let go.

We live in the city right now, but thankfully just bought a house with a fenced yard, so it won't be a problem, but I wanted to try to get him to soften up a little with other dogs and not be so jumpy with kids - Do you t hink it's just who he is, higher prey drive (he does not bothe the cats AT ALL though) or what?

This is not really a problem, but more of a quality of life thing - I adore this dog and just wanted to be able to bring him to Central Park, Bear Mountain etc, where I can bring my other dog and have a fun walk. At this point I think it would be more stressful than fun for us to go. He's 130lbs and people don't take it well when he lunges after their small dogs even if it was their dog who started barking in the first place. Not to mention that if a little kid runs by screaming, their parents would freak if he jumped at them...(and I don't blame them)

This post is making him sound mean and he isn't, I wish you could see him...

Any ideas?

Thank you so much

Claudia