Fear Aggression??? Or Authority Issues???

[BuckshotSableMolly]

Okay, here's the deal. We are currently looking for another housemate. I have looked at several over that past couple of weeks. Yesterday I found a 14 month old unspayed female. Her name is Lexus.

She is extremely active as most rotts are. Very well mannered in the house. Crate trained. Gentle with food. Listens pretty good to basic commands (sit and come).

My concerns are when it comes to correcting her and play time. She becomes very aggressive when you make her get off of the couch, try to get her to shake, sometimes when putting the leash on her, and if she is playing with a big ball. I know that her previous owner used to kick the ball away from her while they were playing, but...

She is the 6th Rott I have owned, and I have never had one act quite the way she does. I have gotten them from various ages and back grounds as well (12 weeks thru 6 years).

I have a physical scheduled for this afternoon with my vet and depending on how that goes, I will then schedule on with the trainer. However, if it doesn't go very well at the vet, I will have to reluctantly take her back to the lady I got her from. I have two children (8 & 11) at home and I can't risk one of them getting bit???

Do any of you have any suggestions on methods I could try with her???

[Bruce Lanthier]

You have known this dog for only day and have not earned her trust or respect. She could be a typical, fairly confident dog that may have not had a lot of leadership and, if that is the case, she will not let just anybody boss her around and man-handle her. I would suspect that you will need to earn her trust through fair and consistant training and then, once you have earned her trust, you can begin to earn her respect thus forming a lasting bond with her. This will take many months and not just a few hours together.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

This doesn't sound like fear aggression, just a dog that doesn't know her place because bondaries haven't been set for her.

[brunie's mom]

From the little information that you have given...you have given this dog that is unknown to you, WAY too much freedom, and trying to do too much with her.

A dog that does not know the rules, boundries or who the leader is should NOT be let up on the furniture. It sounds to me like you are expecting way too much from a strange dog that you have had for 1 day.

Put a leash on her when she is free in the house. Keep her crated when you cannot watch her and give her some time. She may be scared or overwhelmed in your house. If she is growling...back off..she is warning you.

She may be a terriffic dog...but you must give her a chance to settle...back off.
If you decide to keep her...then sign up for obedience classes ...she will learn that you are the leader and it will help to build a bond with her.

Gina

[Miabella]

Holy cow, what is a dog you've known for ONE DAY doing on the couch?? It's hard to know what is going on without seeing her, but I agree with Bruce, it takes months of consistent training to build a relationship.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

Well I'm going to guess she ruled her last home and easily made herself right at home. Another sign that this dog probably isn't fearful. That is why with the little supplied I "upgraded" her status from fear to dominance. The problem is how are you going to get her off the couch right? I would also crate this dog, she would learn where her place in the house begins and ends. It as nothing to do with a dog that is housebroken, I use the crate to establish that this is your place. Also a bed by the couch so again she learns this is your place and this is my place. I would not try to physically force this dog to do anything because you would probably get a big correction from her.

[BuckshotSableMolly]

okay... FIRST OF ALL, if you all would read completely, I was getting the dog OFF of the couch. You know, when you have to go to the bathroom... SECONDLY, she stays on the leash while in the house. THIRDLY... she is in the CRATE while not being tended to. Also, please tell me how I am trying to do too much with her. Are you telling me that I should allow a dog in MY house that I don't even know if you can touch her feet without her getting agitated???

Now that I got that out... Thank you for the comments, however she is NOT the first Rottweiler I have owned by far. The lady that I got her from said that she would not be surprised if she would bite because of the reactions that she gave them at their home. Especially towards her husband. She also cowars when you raise your hand too fast for her to completely watch what you are doing.

I understand that it can take months for a complete relationship to build. However, in the area we are from, the animals that are bred are NOT from high quality or high standards. Even our vet when I spoke to him last night seemed reluctant on some of her behavior at her age. That is one reason we are having the evaluation done now and not later. She is already UTD on all of her vaccinations...

Have you had your dogs from puppyhood or did you get them later in life, and what was their history?

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by BuckshotSableMolly

Have you had your dogs from puppyhood or did you get them later in life, and what was their history?

Both, but what does that have to do with anything? This dog may have a bit of a weak nerve but that only means you need to earn her trust all that much more. What do you expect from this dog that you have had only one day?

[Ilovemypuppy]

You know....I have to ask WHY do you need another dog ? If it's for company for the existing dog..I would not keep her. Dogs DO NOT NEED the company of other dogs to be happy...if fact..many ARE happy until another dog is brought into the mix.

People without children and without jobs, who are home all the time have their hands full dealing with more than one dog...if they are doing it right.

I might add..when you come here and ask questions and get answers....I wouldn't snap at those that have taken the TIME to answer...you'll find it much harder to get good advice.


Take the advice that suits you and ignore the rest..I have a feeling that will be what you will do anyways.

[BuckshotSableMolly]

Thanks Diane... Maybe I did use the wrong word by not using dominate. My biggest question now is, if not physically (with the leash), how do you get the dog OFF the couch??? without her growling or what do you suggest I do?

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by BuckshotSableMolly

Thanks Diane... Maybe I did use the wrong word by not using dominate. My biggest question now is, if not physically (with the leash), how do you get the dog OFF the couch??? without her growling or what do you suggest I do?

Do not let her on the couch. Easy enough.

[Patty1231]

How to get her off the couch? You said she's on a leash - take the leash and remove her from the couch. Firm "No!). What does she do if you do that?

[BuckshotSableMolly]

Bruce... Thanks, to a point it doesn't mean anything, however, I like to know where some of the insight is coming from. I know I need to earn her trust. The part that concerns me is having 2 kids at home as well. How long should I give her to learn that she is not the dominate character? The only thing that I expect is a mutual respect. I will give her space and I expect that she respect me and not growl when I grab the leash to get her off my furniture.

Ilovemypuppy - Why do I need another dog??? For company in the house... There is no other dog at the current time. I know that they do not need another dog around. I have dogs now for 27+ years. Seldom more then 1 at a time. I didn't SNAP... I clarified what I had already said. I am more than happy to listen to those with experience and knowledge, however I don't like those to insinuate that I don't know what I am doing with a dog. I am asking advise wether it be more time or training or whatever, because none of my previous dogs have had an issue with who was ALPHA.

I do appreciate ALL of the comments and suggestions because maybe someone can point out something I haven't seen. It is fustrating however, when you are trying to explain the whole situation and can't.

[BuckshotSableMolly]

Bruce - I had to go to the BATHROOM. Should I take her with me???

Patty - That's what I tried when I came back to the room and she was in my seat. She growled and snarled... That's where the problem is. She did finally get down and settled down, that is when I praised her... You know after the 'I am sorry' kisses on my hands.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by BuckshotSableMolly

Bruce - I had to go to the BATHROOM. Should I take her with me???

Until you two establish a relationship you should control her freedom. If you need to go to the bathroom turn it into a training session. Get a treat, say "kennel", throw it in the crate, she goes in after, close the door. You are teaching her "kennel" means get in the crate, you are controlling her freedom, she is secure while you go to the bathroom.