growling

[JennsNakia]

hello,
i have a 3 month old female named Nakia. i am a first time owner of this breed. i have a question.... since nakia cannot jump from high places like the couch or bed i pick her up. but everytime i do she growls and at times really aggressive. is this common??? help

[Candie]

My Zeus is a little over 18 weeks, and he does the same thing you mentioned with just my hubby..like for example he's on the bed and hubby wants him to get down and tries to pick him up, and move hm to his bed..someone more experienced will have to answer you on this one, but Im glad you brought it up, and it came to mind. I just take it as Zeus is happy with where he's at and would rather not be booted off the bed, this is not a problem with me, b/c zeus often listens to commands more from me, and i dont ever have a reason to move him from the bed, I think he is just fine all snuggled up with us

[Judi W]

Well, my first suggestion is to note these are dogs and do not really rate furniture or the master's bed. Then you won't be lifting them like they were a human baby, they can get from point A to point B on their own perfectly good 4 dog feet. Giving the dog furniture privilege makes them believe they are you equals, then there you are fighting them for the best places and of course they object. If you don't give them the impression they are all that important they won't be thinking they are entitled to fight you for posession. Much easier for you to turn this around right now instead of when you have an 80 or 90 pound full set of teeth telling you they don't want to move.

[fifi]

I tend to agree with Judy. We've never let our dogs onto furniture or beds and haven't therefore encountered this problem.

[Greg_1111]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Well, my first suggestion is to note these are dogs and do not really rate furniture or the master's bed. Then you won't be lifting them like they were a human baby, they can get from point A to point B on their own perfectly good 4 dog feet. Giving the dog furniture privilege makes them believe they are you equals, then there you are fighting them for the best places and of course they object. If you don't give them the impression they are all that important they won't be thinking they are entitled to fight you for posession. Much easier for you to turn this around right now instead of when you have an 80 or 90 pound full set of teeth telling you they don't want to move.

That really said it all. In a soft kind of tongue in cheek way. But the message is crystal clear. Spend time reading about dominace issues, how dogs think, and related topics. You will find that the above quote makes a lot of sense

[brunie's mom]

I agree with the others...get these pups off of the furniture and beds. Pups must learn right from the beginning where there place is.

Pups do not need to be lifted up and carried...put a leash and collar on and start getting the used to it. The only place where I can see a pup needs lifting, is onto the vets examination table or into a car...then put one hand around the pups chest and one behind the bum and lift gently.

I would also suggest you get your pups into Puppy K classes and keep going into classes. This is a breed that needs training for 2-3 years.

Gina

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by JennsNakia

hello,
i have a 3 month old female named Nakia. i am a first time owner of this breed. i have a question.... since nakia cannot jump from high places like the couch or bed i pick her up. but everytime i do she growls and at times really aggressive. is this common??? help

Welcome to the Forums!

Her behavior is unacceptable. Nip it in the bud now, or she may soon dictate places you are (or are not) allowed in your own home.

Do not allow her on your bed or furniture. Stay above her (don't lay on the floor with her for the timebeing). Eat before she does and make her sit before you give her her food. Make her wait before walking out the door....you exit first. We tend to overlook little things, but they can play a huge difference on how our dog views us.

Your dog revolves around your life......not the other way around.

[groupieindenial]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

The only place where I can see a pup needs lifting, is onto the vets examination table or into a car...then put one hand around the pups chest and one behind the bum and lift gently.

Gina

Yeah, and Vegas still when getting into the car and he's too lazy to jump in himself, he gets his front paws up only, turns his head and looks at me with his stump wagging, as if to say "come on, lift my bum in". Ha ha! Right! I'll get in the car, start the engine, which then he finally gets his rear end in.

[damp]

She is only 3 months old and already so smart telling you, her place in on the floor.

[Dave Brown]

Tabitha does not go on the beds or furniture and if she does (which she has tried a few times) it is met with a immediate "get off my bed command". She knows better. I have never allowed dogs on the bed or furniture and never encoutered a problem with the exception of the occassional sneak attack.

db

[snhagood]

I made this 'mistake' with my last dog. I thought it was cute, letting him sleep in my bed, and sit on the sofa with me while I read or watched TV, and then was oh so surprised when I needed him to get off of these things that he growled at me. Didn't know then what I know now - my 3 month old Rottie isn't allowed on any furniture, I don't want to get that started all over again. And she doesn't mind, because as far as she's concerned, her place is on the floor or on her dog bed, or in her kennel. I do, on occasion, lift her up, just so she'll get used to it. She still needs a lift into the car but I suspect that will all be changing soon. So even though I'm new here, my advice would be to start keeping the dog off the furniture, tell her 'NO!' when she is about to climb up on any, and then praise her when she's got all 4 on the floor. Good luck to you!

[ckrott]

Our rottie pup is not allowed on the furniture. But she did go through a period where she would test us. She knows she's not allowed on the furniture, heck, she's not even allowed in the master bdroom, but she would try to get on the couch, bed, etc. Everytime she did, she got a tongue lashing that results in her in a down position looking very contrite and put in her place. It took a bit of time (cause she's stubborn) but this isn't a problem anymore.

Once the dominance issue was addressed, we picked up a pet bed for her and put it between our couches. Whenever we're watching TV or reading, she's there on the bed with a toy. it makes her feel included and because she has her own "furniture", she doesn't get on ours.

Hope this helps

[maravu]

.
I haven't heard anyone mention, in the replies, what my breeder told me, before I brought her home, @ 3 mos.

He told me that while she is laying down or I can, @ anytime, have her lay down & hold her head down as I position myself over her, looking in her eyes. Of course, none of this done harshly. She is giving me eye contact, but, she did glance away a few times, which is a good sign of a submissive & good nature. She was belly up. As she grew, she was somewhat belly up.

In doing this, I am establishing/proving that I am the alpha female. She will submit to me. After which, I'd pet her, not play & get up. I did this for almost a year. When I fussed @ her, she would assume this position.

I don't allow Akita, on the furniture or bed, either. She's 2 y.o., now & will put her paw on the bed with some momentum sometimes, I give her the look. If I gave into her looks, she be on the bed. She's precious.

One time, she was about 9 mos., I was SOUND asleep. On the internet most of the night. It was winter & the house was cool & the kids were @ school. As I moved around a little under the covers, I noticed warmth. I was so dazed with sleep. As I began to come out from sleeping, that's when I really noticed the warmth, like a radiator. Then, I wondered who was home, in bed w/me {single mother}? I opened my eyes. Low & behold, it was Akita, with her back to me. As I looked up @ her, she rolled slightly over & glance back @ me. It was the cutest moment. I'll never forget it, but, it didn't last long. I wasn't upset. My quick reaction w/a slightly groused 'get up, Akita' was all she needed.

I instituted early with Akita certain tones of voice with my commands & normal, & happy voice. It was this time when she learned the words that were associated with them.

I love my girl.

I couldn't afford formal training. I had to work with her. Establishing myself, as alpha female, setting bounderies early, mealtime, playtime, etc., made training a breeze.

Akita, @ 10 mos., growled @ me once because she was sunning & didn't want to come indoors. She straight way assumed the position {I had to PUUUUSH her over}, with a pop on the bum, which I didn't want to do with my hand, but, I had to seize the moment. She hasn't growled @ me since.

I read that rottweilers are quite smart & good @ bluffing. Epecially the males, even when they know the loving human is the boss. It was said to 'call the bluff' back @ them or they will pull dominance & they won't be bluffs much longer. They usually won't attempt the bluff again, if one calls the bluff back. I would ask a trainer. Thank the Lord, I have a female, but, I think I could handle a bluff.

'Never the them see you sweat.'

You can not be afraid of canines & own rottweilers.

.

[SABELLESMOM]

Most folks don't have their Rotties on the furniture. But either way I would never lift her onto it. My pup since about 3 months of age has tried (successfully) to land herself on the couch. I'm working hard to keep her off. Because at this point she feels rather exhuberant and attempts to incorporate the furniture into her "zoomies!" NOT a good idea!

I've never alpha rolled my older girl, not popped her on the bum. Tho it's not totally unfamiliar thinking. Voice and posture have worked for me, and she's 3. I have grabbed her collar once or twice to emphasize a point.

[RottiMomCT]

I've never hit my dog or had an issue with him regarding who is 'top dog' - he knows I am. He is allowed on the furniture (bed & sofa) by invitation (we get settled and then allow him up). He know this, and also knows he can get on the furniture when we're not home. He WILL get down when told, no fuss.

Our newest addition, Baron, is NOT allowed on the furniture - especially the bed. He jumped up once and gave major attitude when we wanted him off. He lost that privelege before he even earned it. He has his own bed, on the floor, and is perfectly fine sleeping there.