First Post - Serious Advice Needed

[Velma And Charlie]

Originally Posted by Burnsway

Thats just plain sad. You know I understand many not seeking training for certain issues and i even understand winging it myself attitude as I'm one that does that often, but if it ever came to a situation of having to rehome any dog that I'm responsible for, I couldn't get in my car and find paid help fast enough.......

Rehome him before he gets to much older and harder to find a home..... :(

And if there is nothing in the wallet to pay that trainer? You know a trainer that will work for dog biscuits?

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Velma And Charlie

And if I can't afford to hire a personal trainer? Sounds like most of you think this is beyond "normal" problems if a professional has to be called in.

actually it is perfectly normal behavior it is exactly the behavior i would expect from a dog from abreeder that didnt know enough to separate the pups at 8-9 weeks the rest of the time (8 weeks ) before you got him he probably spent dominating and bullying the other puppie so in turn he will dominate your dogs.....you have how many of the same sex dogs???? thats is a real problem and most of the time they end up being separated for life.... they get toys at the same time ??he is possesive--food and somewhat dog aggressive they cant have toys at the same time together.... the dog came to you with no manners and no training and as mary dvm says training is the way...... when you say you give him time outs???? time outs dont work for children they certainly dont work for dogs... now this dog has had 2 months to climb the pack ladder at your house he has bitten you and your roomate...... your only hope here is with a professional trainer and even then this dog in the evirormant with the other dogs will probably be a task that is beyond fixing...... if the dog could be taken out of the situation at his age he could more in likely be fixed.. the real fix to this problem would have been not brought this dog into a failing no win situation for him in the first place spidey-mick-excellarott-mojaves mom and the others have given great advice that you now should accept and follow

[Judi W]

Sorry I missed the Boxer's age. That does not invalidate my post however. Please find out about training classes, which if sponsored by an obedience club are fairly inexpensive. You don't know if you need something more than that until you get involved. If you cannot invest an hour a week in class and an hour or so a day to active training, I agree, rehome the dog. The first person you should contact is the breeder who mistakenly placed the dog in a situation where it was not suited in the first place. The breeder might take the dog back or certainly help to place it.

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Velma And Charlie

And if there is nothing in the wallet to pay that trainer? You know a trainer that will work for dog biscuits?

yea you can work for yourself for free and do it but it sure don't sound that your willing to. I mean in your eyes the dog has done become a pain and upset the whole pack. Your whole attitude is give me an easy fix it or the dog goes. well then let him go before its too late!

[Velma And Charlie]

I'm willing to put all the time in the world into this dog. I just don't have the cash flow to pay a professional trainer for one on one training. (And I don't think a class sounds like a smart idea.)

I am not willing to put my other pets at risk because of this dog.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Velma And Charlie

I'm willing to put all the time in the world into this dog. I just don't have the cash flow to pay a professional trainer for one on one training. (And I don't think a class sounds like a smart idea.)

I am not willing to put my other pets at risk because of this dog.

so take him back to the breeder or put him down

[Burnsway]

Velma you have had the dog 2 months. The way I read the post he was 4 months old when you got him and now 6 months old. You have not given this much time before spouting the rehoming him attitude.

Issues do not develop over night nore do they go away over night. Exactly what problems do you have with separating the dogs while you work on this. Please don't tell me you don't have the room. I lived in an apartment with three dogs and found the room when separation was called for. And this was with a kid and a hubby added to the equation.

If you want to do it you can.

[tilerspop]

Velma, the people here are devoted to Rotties and their owners. The advice given is sound and sincere, even if sometimes it seems brusque. After you've been around the site awhile you will learn that.

Unfortunately it sounds like you need some professional help, if you cannot afford help, try to find a local rottweiler club where they may be able to assist you somewhat. Rottweilers are a different breed and not for everyone. They need a strong leader and a definite social order. If you are unable to provide that, and are also unable to learn and do what it takes, financially, physically or mentally, the best for you and you household may be to re-home the dog. You need to make the decision soon before the problems escalate

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by Velma And Charlie

Keeping them permanently separated will not be an option.

Why? Why is it not an option? Very curious.

[KatMc]

What's wrong with a class? At least that will be time you will be working with the dog on a leash and him having to learn some boundaries. Granted they aren't the best solution but they will be a step in the right direction.

Kathy

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by Velma And Charlie

I'm willing to put all the time in the world into this dog. I just don't have the cash flow to pay a professional trainer for one on one training. (And I don't think a class sounds like a smart idea.)

I am not willing to put my other pets at risk because of this dog.

http://www.dogscouts.com/responsibleowners.shtml

http://www.rottrescue.org/education.html

Read these links - a TON of very very useful information. I'm NOT going to buy into the excuse that you got the dog at 4 months and his life ways were already set for him. You have had plenty of time to set limits and get this dog to mind you yet you decided not to do it, and now you want a quick fix - it's NOT gonna be a quick fix. You have to have the time dedicaiton and PATIENCE to change this dogs attitude.

I adopted my dog at ten months and he WAS a butthead until I got serious about changing his attitude. He is now a Therapy Dog, CGC evaluation dog (he helps me) and a great example of what a rottie CAN do if owned by the right people (mind you, I am NOT tooting my own horn here - I have busted my butt to make sure MY dog is an acceptable canine citizen and I'm proud of HIM...not me!).

My father in law adopted a SEVEN year old rottie who was, until her death at age 10 of cancer, a loving and obedient family pet - AFTER she graduated training classes.

Put your mind to it and you can do ANYTHNG - make excuses and you will be doing nothing except hurting your dogs and possibly the people that he lives with. Find a qualified rescue group or behaviorist to evaluate your dogs temperament and FOLLOW the advice they give you...it could mean the life of your dog.

[samanthac]

No one is trying to be condescending, You should REALLY listen to Mick and Judi. We are SO fortunate to have these two EXTREMELY knowledgable and experienced Rottweiler people on this board. The rule here is that if one of these two say it...it is gospel. I've had Rottweilers for 13 years and these two make me look like I've owned them for a week.

PLEASE listen to what these people are telling you. They know and they are trying to avoid a dangerous situation and help you correct issues. This dog needs SERIOUS evaluation now. See if you can find a local breed club or Schutzhund club that can help and GO thay can help you get these issues under control!!! I

have a really hard time with people who own animals and then say they cannot afford a certain aspect of their care. Care is so much more than contact, food, water and a roof. Its also medical attention and training. A dog is no different than a child that if you cannot afford to care for it then you should not have it. And you own four. :( Its better to own one that you can completely care for than four that you cannot.

Please, if you choose not to seek the help that this dog needs, please for the safety of a future adoptive home, put this dog down. I am not being mean here but it would be SO unethical to dump your serious dog problems on someone else. What if that unknowing someone else had kids and that dog hurt the child.

[RottieGirl86]

Velma & Charlie,

something you said really stuck out to me:" I'm not as concerned with him disobeying me as I am concerned with the aggression and biting."

this is your problem, cart before the horse.

this situation exists because he doesn't respect you.

I've owned dogs all my life but never all male, never so close in age. When each one was introduced, the alpha was present & it was smooth sailing.

I'd suggest: The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Sket. It's an excellent secondary resource for understanding dogs/puppy/human communication. Culture Clash is also a book title used by a lot of readers here to understand human/dog relations and training.

Please read the forum as much as possible, all issues you brought up have been gone over in the past 6 months in depth, it may help you view what's happening here in a new light.

You aren't alone, but there's a multitude of issues on hand, 1st being: becoming alpha.

It's taken 2 years, but Athena knows what 'cut it out' means - by my posture, tone of voice, etc. behavior stops and she will do as commanded. Max was a bit different, as I got him adult, but he had to learn thru interaction I have with my female.

best of luck and happy training!

[TrinityRun]

The only way to establish yourself as a fair and consistent leader is thru formal obedience. That means you have to take him to class and place him and yourself under the tutelage of someone who is experienced.

When a problem occurs and your commands are falling on deaf ears, you have to do the Dr Phil thing and ask yourself, "How's this working for me?" If it isn't working, stop. Very simple stuff. If he guards all the toys - don't leave them lying around. If that means you have to rotate dogs for a little while - while you gain some control over things, then fine. He will be no worse for the wear and don't kid yourself that he will be all depressed. He's a dog.

He needs to get over himself and learn some rules, and how to constrain himself. He doesn't call the shots. You are going to help teach him that in a motivational, positive way. You do this with your head and not so much with your muscle.

[TrinityRun]

Originally Posted by Velma And Charlie

He gets "time outs" in his crate for being bad.

Well, stop that. Dogs do not understand the concept of Time-Out.

First it's YOU who needs to be trained. Then you train the dog. This is why you need to be with a professional instructor.

The problems here are you - not the dog. He's right - he's the dog.