Growing up???

[Bastianboy]

Here's a wierd one for my Bastian. He's as I have said before extremely friendly and loves everyone and every dog (and cat, he loves to nuzzle our little kitty as well). We had our intermediate obedience/agility class today where he is Mr. social and usually is the class clown and showoff. We were doing agility when a lady walked past the ring with 2 adult rottweilers. I had a bad vibe from them which is hard for me to admit, but I have learned that you can't trust them all. Bastian actually went wild!!! He was lunging, growling, snarling and barking at them. He wasn't the only one that reacted. His brother who is normally very calm and cool and nothing bothers even stiffened up as they were near. I didn't see it, but apparently one of the other rotts actually stuck his head through the fence and bit at one of the labs in our class. Bastian is 11 months old and I know he's going to try things, but how concerned should we be with this. Trust me, he didn't get away with it. He immediately got the prong collar (power steering) and was put on the ground. I understand he's not going to like everyone, but that was a bit much. Even when he was held down and repeatedly bitten by another rott, he didn't fight back, he just screamed and tried to get away. Could the other biting incident have something to do with this?? THanks!

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Bastianboy

Could the other biting incident have something to do with this?? THanks!

it probably has everything to do with it.... now he wants to frighten them away before they have a chance to hurt him

[Rott-Wiley]

Well, there are going to be dogs around at training class and at shows and other events that just bring out the worse of everyone. The best thing the rest of us can do is exactly how you handled it. Don't forget to praise him for any good that comes out of these things. He's at the age now that training is very important and just keep up with it.

Yes, the other incident could have had an effect on how he responded to this situation but again you did the right thing and just move on.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Bastianboy

He immediately got the prong collar (power steering) and was put on the ground.

like rott said its good you moved on but if you meant by put on the ground that you put him in a down... this really isnt the thing to do because he was already afraid of the rott and then you put him in a submissive position... just correct him and do obediance fast paced hgeeling and such whatever to redirect his attention. if he got severly beaten up by another rott this could stay with him for life unfortunatly

[Bastianboy]

We did put him in a down, but it was forced (I would never hurt him, but stepped on the leash). What makes me wonder about this is that he has met other Rotts not related to him since the bite incident and he was fine. I'm wondering if there wasn't something about these in particular and how do we deal with it?

[Rott-Wiley]

Well, as Larry said, you shouldn't put him into a submissive posture. And as I said above, there are going to be dogs that are going to trip this off in him. My girl was jumped by a black Lab when she was young and to this day she watches them to see if they are going to make the first move. I know this and tell her to "Don't even think about it," long before they get in range. It's knowledge that you have, you need to work with it.