Maturity Level

[Jedi690]

My Rottweiler is now one year old. He has been well socialized so far, and trained. He is a great dog, friendly toward strangers, obedient, and eager to please especially when treats are on hand.
My question is this...
We have gone through a minor stage a month or so ago when he would purposely not listen, but he came around with some motivation and is doing great. I have read that they do go through certain stages as they grow up and I was wondering when you would say that he has entered and finished "puberty" for lack of a better word. I know that at one year he is still mentally more a puppy than a dog....when do they go through the "teen years" and what can I be watching for and expect.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[ June 19, 2001: Message edited by: Jedi690 ]

[Ethár]

If you go to my website and press the link "development" you can read all about the stages.

...but do not forget that a rottweiler will TRY to test you in various way throughout his entire life...hahaha that's just the way it is.

Example of testmethods:

- stubborn
- pretend to not listen to you
- obey your commands in slooooow-motion
- run towards you and see if YOU move...

Many other ways depending on dogs personality.

[mightyrebel]

Jedi, My pup still isn't a 'teen' yet either, but a lot of my buddies' dogs are. Most have told me the same thing, more or less. "Between 11-18 months is when you're really gonna find out what kind of dog you got, and can expect to deal with in the years to come." Apparently, this is when you find out just how well your early effort's worked out with him, and when you'll see the first vestiges of the temperament, etc. he'll possess as a full-grown adult Rottie. (At 2-3 years.) So, by that criteria, it sounds like you've just entered puberty, and have a ways to go yet. Hopefully, all the lessons you imparted earlier stuck, and the next several months won't be too difficult. If they didn't (like with the guy across the street here!), then it may be a long decade! Of course, it's far from too late to learn still, so...Anyway, good luck! I hope it works out well for you. Sincerely, MightyRebel :) :p ;)