Help My dog is becoming dog aggresive

[2rottiesmom]

My male is intact and is 9 months old. I am planning to have him neutered at 12 months. I socialized him with people until he had all of his parvo shots and then attended a puppy class for 8 weeks with him. I have an older female who he is with all of the time. Several weeks ago our friend came over with his very large male rottie. He was standing in front of our house and my male came running out of the house and started barking and acting like he was going to attack our friend's dog. The other dog looked at my guy like he was crazy. Nothing happened to either dog and as soon as we said leave it he ran back into the house. My boyfriend and I had been arguing and I thought maybe the dog was just taking out his frustration on the neighbor dog.

Last night, my two decided to use there paws to lift up the fence and squeeze between the chain and escape. The neighbor saw it and was coming to tell us. But once again my male ran to his female boxer and started acting like he was going to attack her. My neighbor lifted his girl up off the ground and put her in the back yard. Then he came over to get us. When he called our dogs they both followed him back to our house.

I am getting ready to put my male back into intermediate training class. I work with him for about 30 minutes 5-6 times a week. What am I doing wrong? Is it because he isn't neutered? I am almost afraid to put him in another class with other dogs because of his recent behavior. We just watched two dogs for a weekend and he was fine so I don't understand what is going on . I am sure he is protecting his area or testing his boundries but I really am concerned.

Thanks,
Rachel

[RottiMomCT]

From the infromation in your post it sounds like your dog is telling the other dogs/people that your yard & house are his, and he wants to 'protect' them from intruders.

Other than people coming to the home and puppy classes, how much is he out in public?? For a walk in the park trip to PetCo, etc?? Take him everywhere, expose him to as many different sights/sounds/smells ;) as possible. That way, things will not appear to be a threat since he's "seen it all before"...

Is there a medical reason why you're waiting until he's a year old to have him neutered?

Other than that - I'm guessing he's testing his boundaries and you to see what he can and cannot get away with. Getting him back to class is a great idea...will help reinforce the notion that YOU are in charge - not him ;) .

Have fun in class - keep us posted!!

[Judi W]

And fix your fence please before someone gets hurt. They could be impounded as dangerous dogs or if someone didn't know them, shot by the police.

There is no reason to worry about classes but rather the other way around. I would worry about not attending classes and about thinking a puppy one would cover the bases. Plan on attending until he is about 3 years old with no time off to learn the bad stuff.

[2rottiesmom]

Thank you so much for your feed back. The fence is fixed. We have a chain link fence that has to sides that are chained together. When the garbage was brought in the chain was not tightened and there was enough room for them to sneak out. IT is very tight now and there is no way out. Something I always was proud of is that my dogs had never gotten out. I am just thankful that I was home and that it was my neighbor and not the mail man:D

As for training, I have questions. I took him to puppy class as 4 months old after his last Parvo shot. At the end of the class I asked when I should sign him up for his next class because I know that these dogs need to have constant training. They said not until 8 or 9 months. I am in California and I am wondering: Do you go to class not stop? and where do you go? I went through a Private trainer that did group classes. I know that Petco also has classes. Maybe I could supplement with them.

Thanks,
Rachel

[Judi W]

Contact your local trial giving obedience club. They usually have very reasonably priced classes. Sounds very strange not to recommend that he simply move on to the next level or repeat the current one. It is not uncommon for a dog to stay at one level for a bit before being ready to do more complex work but I can't imagine recommending the dog take a vacation especially during critical adolesence. Well, anyway, that will have him out and around other dogs and learning to behave. It'll be fine.

[Carina43]

Rachel, you could be me a year ago. My (then) intact adorable little puppy turned into a hormonally stupid teenage Rottie with attitude ...he had always been so mellow and friendly, I didn't see it coming (and I should have, my fault! He's by no means my first Rottie, and about my 20th dog...my bad.) Right between 9 & 10 months old, yep, right on schedule!

Anyhow - YES keep going to classes, that was odd advice you got. Cooper has gone fairly consistently since he was 12 weeks old, repeating some, doing extra drop in classes, sometimes twice a week, some agility classes for extra fun, too. It was all positive training, really structured play for him & he loves it. It took a few months of fairly consistent work with him, and I don't think he would have "turned the corner" without it. He can still have his stupid moments, but I've done fun matches, taken him to the Renaisance Festival (three times this summer! :) ) and he does very well. He passed his CGC & got his therapy dog certification, no problem.

Feel free to PM me if it gets frustrating...I had an awful experience with one training facility that I think could have ruined him had I stayed on - a very highly regarded school & trainers. However I had a couple of insights into his behaviour, and found some wonderful trainers to work with - inexpensive, too. I actually have taken him to two different facilities; the methods are the same, and exposure to numerous & different dogs is helpful, I think. Just make sure the other people in your class are aware that your pup is reactive & can respect a bit of distance as warranted.

Anyhow, it will work out, you just have a teenager. I did not get mine neutered until very recently, & he is 21 months old now. Definitely all boy - but at least not the lunging roaring idiot he was for a while there!