1st post, about my Rott and my problem...

[Tusk]

Hello all,

I'm happy to be part of this forum, I'm a longtime Rott owner. My boy, Gage, is 5 years old, and a fantastic dog. Perfect combo of protector and friend. Can count on him to bark and growl at anyone he doesn't know, or to put my 5 year old neice back there with him, and have him play fetch with her. (she'll put her hand in his mouth.) He's really just a great dog, and of course, my best buddy.

Here's my problem. I'm newly married, and now living in a townehome with my wife, (her place for 4 years, I moved from a big home with a sibling. )

We're currently house hunting, but in the meantime, he's in a small yard, (very small) but doing fine. I take him walking every day, sit back there and play with him, you name it. In fact, he gets more attention now than he did when I had him in a huge yard.
BUT.... he barks at ONE neighbor. He won't bark at a nice, elderly couple on one side, but on the other? He HATES this guy. I feel bad for the guy, but, I also think he's an ass. I politely told him I was sorry, and if I could bring Gage over to meet him, to see if that would change things. He said, "no thanks, not interested.." and was very short with me about it. At that point, I was pissed, and said "fine."
Well, I don't want this to remain an issue. It could be months before we move, and I feel awkward from the minute I get home, waiting for this guy to go into his backyard and have my dog go nuts. I don't feel it's proper for me to punish Gage either, he's doing his job, right? And he only barks at this guy, and he's not the nicest person, so maybe Gage knows something the rest of us don't?

With that all said, does anyone have any suggestions? Do any of those barking collars work, and is it worth the money? I thought about giving the guy a box of dog treats, and throwing one over the fence whenever he got home, but not sure if that would be "rewarding" Gage if he barked at him.

I'm open to suggestions and comments, and I'd like to thank everyone in advance! I'm happy I found this forum, I'm very eager to discuss with others one of the best, yet misunderstood, breeds of dog.

Thanks again.

[Wookie'sMom]

I don't really have any advice on the barking, but dogs usually have pretty good instincts about people. I would guess that if he just has a problem with that one person, he's not a very good person.

Are you around when this is happening? Is there any possiblity that this person has been messing with your dog when you're not there or something?

[LavenderRott]

My Chase has a neighbor that she doesn't like either. Which is really odd because Chase loves everyone. I live in a mobile home park, so my girls go out to take care of business on a tie-out. When it is nice out, Chase likes to lie on the porch, soak up some rays and watch the world go by. The minute one of my girls barks, for whatever reason, they come directly in the house. That way, I don't have to worry about anyone complaining and they aren't likely to get in trouble.

[godfreyc]

Bring him inside when that guys out.

[dnj90]

I think gage knows something you dont.He senses something in your neighbor that your not aware of.As far as the treat thing I think that your neighbor would be rewarding him for not so nice behavior.From everythng I have read on the site it would be better if he was introduced to him while he had kibble on him and gage ate it from his hand,but if your neighbor doesent even want to try then its pointless.I am new to rottweilers too and I may be wrong,but I dont think so.Good luck on your house hunt.

[Tusk]

Originally Posted by Wookie'sMom

I don't really have any advice on the barking, but dogs usually have pretty good instincts about people. I would guess that if he just has a problem with that one person, he's not a very good person.

Are you around when this is happening? Is there any possiblity that this person has been messing with your dog when you're not there or something?

Gage barks at him if I'm around, or if I'm not, it doesn't matter. I did think about that, maybe this guy did something to him, threw something at him, I just don't know, but I certainly couldn't prove it. If I came home to a hurt or dead dog, I'd immediately go over there and break the guy's neck. Like I said, it's an uncomfortable situation, but I don't want it to escalate.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by Tusk

I don't feel it's proper for me to punish Gage either, he's doing his job, right? And he only barks at this guy, and he's not the nicest person, so maybe Gage knows something the rest of us don't?

Actually you should punish him. He's doing YOUR job. He's determining who is OK or not and THAT is YOUR job. If you determine someone is OK then he should listen to you, not the other way around. He definitely should NOT bark at anyone he doesn't know. That just show a lack of confidence on his part. He is barking because he is afraid and trying to tell them to go away. NOT because he is doing anything remotely like protecting. Be the leader here and tell your dog to stop barking. Tell him YOU will decide who is a threat and who isn't, NOT him. He is in NO WAY equipped to determine who he should threaten. Take charge of your dog.

[danyp1]

Originally Posted by Tusk

Gage barks at him if I'm around, or if I'm not, it doesn't matter. I did think about that, maybe this guy did something to him, threw something at him, I just don't know, but I certainly couldn't prove it. If I came home to a hurt or dead dog, I'd immediately go over there and break the guy's neck. Like I said, it's an uncomfortable situation, but I don't want it to escalate.

IMO do not leave your dog outside unattended. Train him for staying in the house/or a room or crate in the house if you are gone. This way he can be safe.
As for the barking I would tell him to knock it of and redirect. If that does not work back in the house.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by Tusk

If I came home to a hurt or dead dog, I'd immediately go over there and break the guy's neck. Like I said, it's an uncomfortable situation, but I don't want it to escalate.

I really suspect your dog is reading your emotions about this guy and acting on them. You don't like the guy, your dog reads your body language and determines it is OK to threaten the guy and try and scare him away. Take charge of your dog and tell him what to do and what NOT to do.

[Wookie'sMom]

Anytime my dog barks I go and see what she's barking at and tell her "enough". You do have to teach an "enough" command (or "quiet" or whatever).
I'm sure someone with more experience (I'm rather newbie myself) will correct me if I'm wrong but here's the idea behind this:
The dog alerts the alpha (you) to possible danger, the alpha checks out the situation and the alpha decides whether there really is a problem or not, it isn't the dog's job to decide who or what is danger, just to alert.

Like LavenderRott I also bring her in the minute she starts to bark outside, just cause I don't want my neighbors bothered.

[Tusk]

Thanks for the responses. Couple points, and questions.

Bruce, you're right.... it is up to me, and Gage shouldn't dictate who's a threat and who's not, I should. I agree with you 100%.

So what do I do about it? Gage is a tad "big" and not a house dog. He comes in on occasion, but for the most part, lives outside. Bringing him inside, if he barks, doesn't make sense to me at all. That seems like rewarding him.

I'd have to read up on the "enough" command. He's a well trained dog, (at least basics, heel, sit, stay, etc..." but I don't know how to teach "enough" or stop. Of course, if I go out there and tell him to stop, he will.... but I can't be on beck and call at all times, nor do I know when my neighbor will come outside at any given moment.

Oh, and by the way, Gage is NOT feeding off my emotions on my feelings for this guy. This started, and I was so open and cool with this guy about fixing the problem.... like if it were any other straner, or heck, even a friend. I had no ill feelings towards this guy. It was only after I suggested he meet Gage that he was an ass, at that point, sure, I formed an opinion about him.... but not beforehand.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by Tusk

So what do I do about it? Gage is a tad "big" and not a house dog. He comes in on occasion, but for the most part, lives outside.

The best thing for this problem is to
1. sign up for training classes. This will benefit your relationship by helping you understand how to train him and him understanding your relationship (you as the leader)
2. along with the classes take him out and about more. He is afraid of things and reacts by barking and trying to scare them away. I would not mix him with people just yet but get him out in your car more. To the park where people and other scary things are at a distance so that he can get used to them slowly. Schools in the evening because of all the outside activity and the distance once again.
3. bring him in the house more. being outside he feels like he is on his own. show him that he is, in fact, part of your family. I suspect the reason he is outside a lot is because of the lack of training and respect for your relationship with him. As you train him in classes and do more with him, show yourself to be a very good leader, his respect will grow, he will listen better, calm down more, and be very good inside the house.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Tusk

So what do I do about it? Gage is a tad "big" and not a house dog. He comes in on occasion, but for the most part, lives outside. Bringing him inside, if he barks, doesn't make sense to me at all. That seems like rewarding him.

.

So you feel like bringing your dog inside is a reward?? - And you choose to leave him outside most of the time??

That is so sad.

:(

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by Bucky's Mom

So you feel like bringing your dog inside is a reward?? - And you choose to leave him outside most of the time??

That is so sad.

:(

It may be sad but in this case the dog may see it that way. Once Tusk builds a better relationship with his dog and teaches him to obey the dog may be able to be a good house dog.

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by Tusk

It could be months before we move, and I feel awkward from the minute I get home, waiting for this guy to go into his backyard and have my dog go nuts. I don't feel it's proper for me to punish Gage either, he's doing his job, right? And he only barks at this guy, and he's not the nicest person, so maybe Gage knows something the rest of us don't? .

No, with all due respect, it is NOT his job. It is not his job to determine who is acceptable and who is not. It is YOUR job to determine that and convey it to him and train him to abide by that. It is not his job or even remotely acceptable for him to harass a neighbor with barking every time the gentleman goes out in his yard. It is your job to keep him from doing that. This is what the AC/police can and willc lassify as a nuisance dog if reported.

I have a rescue bitch that is an alarmist. She will bark at people, kids and other dogs, birds, trucks, you name it. No amount of training we have done over 5 years has corrected it out of her. Because of that my husband and I go out into the yard with her. As soon as she even looks like she is going to bark at a person or other dog she is taken in the house and then brought back out later.

We have a new neighbor and she is gunning for their Golden that they obliviously let run our fence despite the fact it is quite apparent that it agitates her. As soon as I see them come out/or if they are already out, we take her in or wait until they go back in.

Its just courtesy and beat's the hell out of a fight with your neighbor or a visit from police or AC! :)