aggressive behaviour

[lisa wilson]

Hi, can anyone give me some advice on my seven week old rotti bitch.

I bought her home last saturday and she has been settling in well, but about three days ago she growled at me when I picked her up. Yesterday she was asleep under a chair and I was going out and wanted to move her into the kitchen. I called her and she didn't move so I picked her up and she growled at me again!

Is this normal behaviour or is she developing an aggressive streak?

[Steve Craftman]

She's still a very young child - what you're getting is the beginnings of a tantrum: "I don't wanna!!!" Like a young child, she's testing limits. What she needs to learn is that you, not she, sets the limits.

You pick her up, she growls at you. First thing to check is that you're not causing her any discomfort by picking her up. If that's the case, then you hightail it to the vets.

So she's not in any physical discomfort when you pick her up and the vet finds nothing. Welcome to Rottie Attititude! Pick her up. Frequently. "ooh, aren't we a scary girl, in fact, we're such a scary girl that we're going to sit here for another ten minutes or so, by the way, did I tell you that I'm boss and you aren't?"

Work on the "down" command: make her lie down for increasing periods of time beside you. No problem if she passes the time by going to sleep.

Her behaviour is perfectly normal: she's looking for where the limits are...

[Judi W]

I am also a great believer in putting a finger through the collar and "marching" that pup out from under the chair and where you want it to be.

[rottnkidd]

Great post Judi! I have to laugh to myself when I recall my Diva at 8 wks of age. It was the day after we brought her home, and we were outdoors enjoying a beautiful early summer day. I was
seated on the steps of the backporch, and Diva crawled under the steps to 'investigate' a couple of leaves. I called her to come out from under there, but in true Rottie fashion she refused! I
simply reached under the steps, and under her collar, and gently
'marched' her out of there. Did she like it? No, not at all! She
growled and snarled and even flashed the pearly white puppy teeth, with her muzzle all wrinkled up. I wanted to laugh, because she really had the attitude going on. Instead I said something like, "Oh really? You think you're going to talk like that to me? I don't think so! Now you're going to 'settle' right here and now!" Of course she wiggled and snarled for a few seconds, but she realized VERY quickly that I would not be intimidated! There were a couple more 'incidents' where she would attempt to assert herself, this is natural; but don't allow it.
Almost 2 and 1/2 yrs have passed, and Diva wouldn't think of growling at me, or not coming when called! You don't have to scream and holler, be gentle but firm and always be consistent in your discipline. If it's not ok today, then it will not be ok tomorrow! And don't 'ever' strike your puppy. Best wishes to both of you!
kathy