One person or multi person dog?

[theoriginalflyingl]

I was just curious as to whether the rottweiler in general tended to be a one person or a multi person dog? I've had Morpheus for about 2-3 months now and he is very bonded to me (which I love), but becomes quite upset if I leave and just my partner is home with him. However if he knows where I am (in the house) he is quite content to be with my partner, until he hears me move So from just experiance with him, he seems to be a one person dog. Is this the norm for the breed, or is it really just an individual thing? Is he likely to change from this as time goes on?

[Judi W]

No, neurotic worry just because a specific person is not around is not normal or indicative of proper character for the breed. The Rottweiler should not just be physically sturdy, but mentally and emotionally sturdy. You need to look carefully at your interaction with him and see if perhaps you or your partner might be inadvertantly fostering this behavior. If you think that might be the case, do all that you can to teach him to be confident and independent. A TB Rottweiler is most unattractive.

You might want to read the following thread which discusses something somewhat similar.

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49821

[theoriginalflyingl]

Thank you for the link. When I go to work, he is crated and has no issues with this. It is only (and it is very rare for me to not be home when my partner is) when I go out and he is free in the house with my partner home. He will watch for me and is reluctant to come with my partner when he says it's time to retire. He will join him, but will (I am told) watch the door and react to every noise in hopes that I am returning. Is it best to just ignore this and let life go on? (which is what I did when he was first introduced to the crate. He whinned for the first couple days in it as I left, but has had no problems since).

[Judi W]

Absolutely, it should be ignored. and tell your partner to make sure he is not "soothed" or coddled in any way when he acts anxious as he will take that as reinforcement for his behavior. It should either be ignored completely, or he should be told to knock it off.

Yeah, the thread was not really about crating other than as a way to interupt that particular dog under discussion from acting up so much. (way beyond what you are describing, but the basic idea of making sure not to encourage or enable dependence is the same).

[RottyMom]

Although I would say that Bear especially is really bonded to me...both dogs are happy to be with whatever family member is home with them. Both dogs go silly when my daughter comes over (she lives part time with her dad)...they just love her and will push past me to see her.

[Judi W]

All of my dogs have at some point in their lives gone off with someone else for a weekend or so when I was unable to take them to the shows. They had a blast. I would not want a dog that was so insecure it could not enjoy life without being glued to me. In fact, I would lose respect for it in a hurry.

[jas'smom]

Jas's motto is "if you can't be with the one you love....love the one you're with"

[moondog]

Originally Posted by jas'smom

Jas's motto is "if you can't be with the one you love....love the one you're with"

LOL...this was Luna's motto, too! She "preferred" me, but if I wasn't available the next in line would do quite nicely..

[theoriginalflyingl]

That is a great motto!

Originally Posted by Judi W

Absolutely, it should be ignored. and tell your partner to make sure he is not "soothed" or coddled in any way when he acts anxious as he will take that as reinforcement for his behavior. It should either be ignored completely, or he should be told to knock it off.

Definatly no soothing here :) Perhaps I need to go 'out' more often to get him used to it? It's funny though, if someone takes him from me, he's fine, because he knows where he left me, but I can't leave him behind I am sure he'll go over it. He has made such amazing progress in this short time. Thanks again for you imput.

[craftylady]

Hmmmmmmmm could this be Sativa the Diva we referred too???? lol Well I just want you to know that the first trip to the city she will get a crate....we are very rural here ...in the mean time I have been making her go lay down with a stay on her blanket when I leave....I have come home and curtins are in tack....husband has not thrown her out of the house, and ofcourse she is not on her blanket but standing in the window whinning when I come in the door....I do think she is quieting down tho until she hears me pull in...He has been telling her to get to her blanken and lay down and knock it off........we are working on it. I know Judi is giving you/me rock solid advice....and it has made me look at her a bit different....and expect more out of her. But I have to admit ...I laugh everytime I think of it and call her "titty dog" now....and if it is any consulation...I don't think she likes it! I do have a trip planned for 5 days at the beach....Sativa is being boarded at her vets......I have decided to take the worry out of leaving her as I know she will be taken care of....and after all.....as Judi said....she is a dog.......I guess........LOL :-)

[Judi W]

Originally Posted by craftylady

....and after all.....as Judi said....she is a dog.......I guess........LOL :-)

Oh, thank goodness I have made such an impact!!!! The physical differences are so extreme isn't it amazing that the confusion can even occur?

Human babies - hairless, cannot walk for a long time after birth, wear shoes.........walk on two legs

Dog, covered with hair, need four legs to walk but start at a very early age, early maturation



Once you decide that a good mature and confident Rottweiler is indeed the most attractive kind of Rottweiler, you are off and running.........

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Oscar loves EVERYBODY...family, friends and strangers. LOL! If you pet him or so much as look in his direction, he's your new best friend. Poor guys going to have his heart broken many times when he's full grown and finds out some strangers will avoid him like the plague. :(

He's definitely more attached to me though. Don't get me wrong, he's bonded with my husband as well but if I leave the room that dog is beside me or looking for me. Every where I go there is a dog at or under my feet! haha!

If I leave the house and dh stays home, when I get back it's like I left the country for a year. haha! His trainer has us practice "come" between my husband and I because if Oscar's with me and dh calls him, Oscar will look up at me like "is it okay if I go see him??". Which obviously isn't a good thing...so we "practice" and work on him automatically going to dh's "come" LOTS. haha

I've never owned a dog who's soooooooo into being with you and part of the family etc. It's pretty cool...they really are "family" dogs.

Oscar and I have a "special" bond (as my husband puts it). He's my boy!

Julie

[Lorrie]

Originally Posted by Judi W

All of my dogs have at some point in their lives gone off with someone else for a weekend or so when I was unable to take them to the shows. They had a blast. I would not want a dog that was so insecure it could not enjoy life without being glued to me. In fact, I would lose respect for it in a hurry.

Exactly!! I have been telling people for years that separation anxiety is not love .. in fact it is an illness. Yet people continue to apply human emotions to their dogs and cultivate these very behaviours.

[TrishB]

When you leave, you shouldn't make a production out of it - say nothing to the dog. When you come back, you shouldn't make a production out of it - say nothing to the dog.

While you're gone, your hubby should only pay attention to him if he wants to. If the dog is fretting, ignore him (or if he gets to the point of irritation, tell him to "Cut it OUT").

Think of it as someone (you know, in your family, normal, healthy) running around muttering and fretting - saying "The sky is blue. The sky is BLUE! BLUUUUUUE! Sky.... BLUE!" You'd look at them like they're a nut, tell them to knock it off and go about your business. Of course the sky is blue and no amount of fussing over that fact is going to change it. So don't fuss!

Your dog should be treated the same way. He's just being silly - no reason for it and it's a waste of energy.

I should add: Parker loves everyone. He's been handed off to his conformation handler and doesn't look back, puppysat by my parents without blinking in my direction and walked into the back of the vets office with a tech without hesitation. Our dogs are supposed to be confident, good assessors of situations and stable. They shouldn't fret over nothing.

In the end, Parker is my dog - but he's happy and confident where ever he may be.

[Ninasmom]

Nina loves anyone, any animal, any thing in the room with her. She goes with the majority of the people in the house. Even though she is officially dh's dog, we have both handled her in competitions. She even takes commands from our five-year old.