6 week old growling

[nontocchi]

Hi... I am new to the site, but joined b/c we just got a 6 week old pup and we've read a lot about the breed and know a few people with rottweilers, but have a question about her temper. I dont know if I am over reacting b/c of how careful we have to be with her training or what, but she growls at us whenever she doesn't get her way. I know she's young, but how can we get her to stop? Last night she growled at my 5yo and bit him hard enough to make him cry, and when he cried she crept up to him and cried beside him. She's done similar to me when she's bit me and I've yelled OW! she's licked nice where she's bit, but she's still growling. The biting seems to be getting better with our postitive reinforcements of "drop it!" and "good girl" but her growling worries me... she looks really mean when she's doing it... even if she is just playing and practicing being rough and tough. What are some suggestions to get her to stop? We plan on putting her in obedience school when there's an opening and she's old enough (by the way, we havn't asked the vet - my husband forgot when he took her to get shots - but when is a good time to start obedience school?)

Other than these two things she's great... she's so smart and usually cooperative (and of course very cute!)

Thanks for any suggestions!
Leslie

[Mick Trainer]

Leslie,

What you are experiencing is not uncommon with such a young dog, she just needs to learn how we as humans play (as puppies that is how they play, rough and full of energy). You are doing the right thing with Obedience classes and should start as early as possible especially with early socialsation (there is a thread at http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...&threadid=5170 that you may find helpful).

As too how to stop her from biting and growling simply either have her outside or somewhere set up that you can leave her. Bend or sit down and start playing with her (you can use a tug toy if you like) and as soon as her play gets out of hand (for me that is biting me directly) simply mark the behavior (the words ARRT or NO are the most common ones, it helps the dog to make an association between the behavior (biting) and what follows) stand up and walk away from her leaving her on her own. Wait a couple of minutes and repeat. She will soon learn that when she bites you walk away and leave her on her own. When the sole objective of her behavior is too play and interact with you she will quickly offer something else. Keep playing with her until she bites you and she will get the idea if she plays nice she will get to continue to play with you. Be consistant in your training and you will see results.

One possible problem people experience from this is the as they walk away the dog latches onto the their pant leg to try to motivate a continuance of the game. If this happens simply bend down (without looking at her if possible) remove her from your leg and move on. No fuss or fan fair. She will soon get the idea that this achives the same result.

Hope that this helps,

Mick.

[Chilimson]

Hmm..I think it is a little young to have allow you to take the pup at 6 weeks, because I think she should spend a little more time with the litter mates and the mother, both from learning to play, socialize and discipline. I think you must watch her to ensure she is not learning to be domineering, otherwise you will have to correct her later.

I remember importing a 12 weeks old puppy and he growls when we took away some kibble after clearing customs. It signals "red" to me and he (7 months old) was attacked by an adult Lab when we were at an obedience training class. Believe me, he remembered that incident so well that we could not go further than competing in the intermediate level, because he will always react to a fair coat dog moving around his "perimeter". It's amazing, but could correct this "memory" over the years.

[nontocchi]

We had actually got her at 5 1/2 weeks... which yes, I know, is really early. Her mother wouldn't take care of her (or her 8 brothers and sisters) after 3 days and the owner had to make the mother lay down and nurse, but couldn't be "made" to pay attention to them other than that. So her litter was weaned from their mother early.
We own a family daycare and it was recommended that we get a pup b/t 6-8 weeks b/c if we introduced her to a lot of children after that she may become fearful and be stronger. She has been absolutely fabulous with all the kids, other than typical puppy nipping at the socks. I can't believe how much she's grown and has learned just in the week and a half we've had her.
Anyway, thanks again for the responses to this thread. We have started leaving her when she plays rough - sometimes she cries about it and other times she just goes and finds something else to do.
Leslie