Update on 'Feeling like a complete failure' (KANE)

[eva247]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for not coming back to you all sooner with an update, I was working very hard on finding behaviourists and with Kane.

Firstly thanks for all your comments, even though I must say some did seem quite harsh! but not to worry, I did respect what each one of you said.

Well - heres a turn around for the better. Kane is found to have no bad temperament, he was not even found to be dominant natured or showing signs of dominance.

It turned out that (a) his sickness has been a contributing factor to his behaviour and (b) he only seemed to show aggressive behaviour when he was corrected with scruff shaking etc...

I had 4 different 'bodies' check him out including my trainer (who kindly stated that if he ever thought I had an aggressive or dominant pup on my hands he would be the first to take it on board to advise to rehome him with him).

I know how strongly some of you feel re scruff shaking and that it is a good correction method however, every person that I consulted believed that 'aggression breeds aggression' and that he became very defensive when corrected this way. I was told that I was doing it correctly however, as people, dogs have very different characters and what works for one does not mean it will work for another and with that, dogs will react differently but does not mean that they have a bad temperament. Well - thats what I was told anyway.

You may all be pleased to know that I am NOT a QUITTER and since, Kane has been an absolute diamond . I have arranged for the trainer to have a 1-2-1 inhouse session once a week at my house plus his weekly classes at the training school 'just' to be on the safe side and to ensure I (and the family) are doing things correctly - I see it as the training is for me and my awareness. It is costly however, worth every penny to ensure I have an obedient dog who proves to be a positive contribution to the community rather then a 'threat'.

Kane also now has a very good friend who we arrange to meet up at the park with on a daily basis and they play really well together. And yep, his friend just happens to be another rottie male pup who is only 2 weeks older then him. Its hilarious to see his stub wag so hard when he sees Zeus (other rottie) in the park waiting for him where I park my car!

Anyway guys - It feels so good to be able to come back with positive results. It has been a huge eye opener and learning experience for me and I'm so glad I didn't just 'give up', I suppose if he was older I would have thought differently but as many of you mentioned (and I thought to), what kind of problems could a 14 week old pup really be demonstrating.

I will of course keep you all updated as we progress and I truely believe from here on in, my posts will be more on the positive side

For any of you who may be interested to hear, Kane has become an expert in 'speaking'. I've trained him to 'look' at me and then ask him to 'speak' - when he wants a treat his 'speak' is a loud, sharp bark. When its a cuddle or pet he's after, his 'speak' is more of a whiney soft bark. Its amazing how clever these little pups are!!!! and its brilliant as we seem to be able to communicate this way really well and he does really focus (even in the park with other distractions going on)

Again thanks to all of you and of course, German - a special thank you to you for all the support and advice/help you've been giving me over PM's, to have someone believe in me and my ability to turn this situation around really gave me a lot of strength and confidence to do it. I will also try and post pictures of Kane as soon as I can so you can all see what a handsome pup he is.

Eva

[lblax]

have fun .

[eva247]

Originally Posted by lblax

have fun .

Thanks Larry - I plan to!!!!

[Roxibear]

Good news. Keep at it.

[cryjay]

I really am so excited for you and Kane! Way to go!!!!! I hope everything from now on turns out to be just as good for you guys

[jas'smom]

I salute your perseverance with your pup. I am glad thing are working out for you

[Denise L.]

Oh Eva I am so glad you and Kane are working through this!

Good for you!

[Judi W]

Something seems to have been left out of this analysis or the report. Did the people you consulted with come to your home and observe the pup's aggression with your daughter? Did you tell them about him biting the boy who attempted to pet him? He certainly was not being scruffed prior to these incidents. In fact he had never been scruffed prior to biting the boy and only scruffed as a result of aggression towards your daughter.

While it is correct that scruffing can stimulate fight back, the above incidents were unrelated to scruffing so either you did not tell the behaviorists all or it is the same thing of putting behavior in isolated boxes as if they were all unrelated. Working with the pup is a good thing but working with him as if each minute is totally unrelated to any previous minutes is not going to take you where you need to go.

[Judy Chrusch]

Glad to hear it Eva . Stay consistent and use a method that works for you. I was never able to do any type of physical discipline with Czar, UNLESS it was really needed and then he took it and respected it but even the scruff shaking made him worse, so you find what works, be fair and get to know your dogs limitations and body language.

Best of luck to you with your trainer, keep it up and don't give up, Kane is countin' on you to make him a dog you can be proud of. The ball's in your court . Keep us posted and let us know how things are going.

Judy

[eva247]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Something seems to have been left out of this analysis or the report. Did the people you consulted with come to your home and observe the pup's aggression with your daughter? Did you tell them about him biting the boy who attempted to pet him? He certainly was not being scruffed prior to these incidents. In fact he had never been scruffed prior to biting the boy and only scruffed as a result of aggression towards your daughter.

While it is correct that scruffing can stimulate fight back, the above incidents were unrelated to scruffing so either you did not tell the behaviorists all or it is the same thing of putting behavior in isolated boxes as if they were all unrelated. Working with the pup is a good thing but working with him as if each minute is totally unrelated to any previous minutes is not going to take you where you need to go.

Hi Judi,
I appreciate your comments and yes, they did come to the house (hence why it cost so much!!!!! the nearest one was nearly 50 miles away!).
I did explain re the incident with the boys and it was commented that it could have been fearful aggression however, again they did tell me what the rest of you said, he is not to determine who can and cannot approach him, I am to determine that.
I am and will continue to monitor his behaviour very closely and have made sure that for the time being I have the trainer at my house once a week to continue to work with him and my daughter - I do feel a lot more confident and feel very positive. Over the last few days we seem to understand and respect each other ALOT more (including my daughter) and it seems to be paying off.
The vets advice re redirecting him with other commands is helping extremely well and for now, it all seems like a positive road ahead however, I do appreciate specifically your last comment re previous minutes and will monitor and work with him accordingly.

Eva

[Judi W]

I am glad. Your post about the aggression only relating to the scruffing made me think that you were still not looking at the total picture. As long as you pay attention to the Gestalt, you will be fine. As I said, most of management has to do with attitude of confidence on the part of the owner. Dogs survive mistakes just fine, what they do not survive is weak leadership which puts them in charge.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Sounds like you have done the right things to learn how to read your boy Kane and I wish you all the success in the world. It's great to see owners take those extra steps to ensure and successful, lasting and loving relationship. I am on board with using gentle redirective measures and showing strong leadership Keep us up-dated on your boy and post those pictures as soon as you can.

[samanthac]

Good for you. The only thing I would advise you is not to get too confident...its only been a week , he is very young...you have a long road to walk with this boy. A road which will be frought with ups and downs and a myriad of challenges along the way. Hence is the life with a Rottweiler.

I would caution that overconfidence breeds carelessness...what is meant by that is that if you get to confident, that breeds complacency and you may get too trusting. You will always need to be on alert and stay one step ahead of this big boy.

Keep working with him and never give up on training. The training YOU receive is the most valuable thing you can have in order to handle this boy properly.

[SABELLESMOM]

Sounds as if you and Kane have taken some strides along the learning curve. Good for you both! Be consistant and keep it up. BEST WISHES! Let us know how things are progressing, OK?

[Lookie]

Awesome Eva! I'm so glad to hear you've got things worked out...sounds like you're doing everything right by Kane!

Keep it up Chicka, he's gonna be one great Rotti!