aggression

[spoiledbabies3]

That's why EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion. You have yours and I have mine and it SHOULD be okay if they don't necessarily agree.

[damp]

Here is another thread I think you should read,
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/beh...d-hurt-me.html

[damp]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

People need to stop dancing around issues and stop trying to save every dog. If a dog has bad temperament and is a loose cannon, it needs to be put down. The dog is not happy, the people are not safe and the breed doesn't need the bad PR!!!!!

I couldn't agree more and I do want to say that I find yours and poohbearsmom's posts worth to reread.

Originally Posted by spoiledbabies3

I ran a Rottweiler Rescue group for many years and in most cases the biggest issue was lack of firmness from the "get-go". I have all of my rotties either neutered or spayed and you will be amazed at the difference in behavior, especially with the males. Please try to save her...she's worth it. And perhaps you might consider adopting her to someone that trains rotties and understands them. I hope that you don't have to put her to sleep...that's a rough decision...

...but the rottie breed is stubborn and strong-willed...and all owners must remember that when they acquire them. If you are persistent, they will respect you and learn from you. You have to obtain Alpha...no other way with them. But once you do, they are the most loyal, dependable and loving animal out there. They give you back three times the unconditional love you give them.

I am sick and tired of reading about saving them all... and I can't help to say, there are many ways to to add to BSL
namely save dogs for a months or two (that have no place on this earth) just because you don't have the courage or the understanding of aggressive and unstable dogs. It makes me sick to my stomach.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by spoiledbabies3

That's why EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion. You have yours and I have mine and it SHOULD be okay if they don't necessarily agree.

In this case it's not - why? you ask?? - because people are in DANGER.

By the OP's description, this dog is a loose cannon, as gretchen so poiniently stated.

A dog like this is nothing but a liability.

I value my right to own the breed of my choosing. It's opinions such as yours that endanger that. I take that very seriously.

While I'm a to each his own kinda person - the rhetoric you are blowing around here is dangerous. I take that very seriously, as well.

[gucci350]

my rottweiler is now 2 1/2 years old. she understand commands and when we
go for walks she doesn't bark or bother other dogs or people. she seems to have a problem with the vet and mostly my son. we have taken her to another vet and she acts the same way the first vet she has been going there since we got her she is very protected of me she was a gift to my husband but she has turn into my dog. we have never taught her to be aggressive last summer we went on vacation and left her with the vet she had a problem with her eye the vet couldn't look at it due to her been aggressive this is when it first started the vet is the one who suggested that we put her down due to the fact that she has a record on file about her aggression. the vet had suggested a new trainer but this last time we took her in for a minor check up she went into full attack mood the vet said that a trainer wouldn't help her at this put in time. last nite i was holding her and my son was petting her and she sip at my son just that fast. she doesn't bother other people she is not cage she sleeps beside my bed on the floor at night i don't know why she is so protected of me if any family member gets to close she has a problem with it and started to bark. i don't want to put her down but my husband and i feel that we have no choice in the matter do to the one time if she does bite someone we could get into trouble. her parents are not aggressive the granddad is a champion. I am very sad and trouble by this whole situation she is a very frienly dog otherwise she just want you to play with her and pet her all the time. she doesn't even bark if someone rings the doorbell or come to the door. i do live in va. any help is greatly appreciate.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by spoiledbabies3

I ran a Rottweiler Rescue group for many years and in most cases the biggest issue was lack of firmness from the "get-go". I have all of my rotties either neutered or spayed and you will be amazed at the difference in behavior, especially with the males. Please try to save her...she's worth it. And perhaps you might consider adopting her to someone that trains rotties and understands them.

While I do agree that lack of demonstrating clear, uncompromising leadership from the instant the dog sets foot in your home is the root of many problems, I disagree that neutering Cujo turns him into Pussycat.

Perhaps rescue is run differently in your part of the country than it is in my part of the country, but my rescue group wouldn't consider evaluating a dog for inclustion in our program that, even with the owner around, will "go into full attack." Nor would be recommend anyone consider making such a dog part of his or family.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by gucci350

my rottweiler is now 2 1/2 years old. she understand commands and when we
go for walks she doesn't bark or bother other dogs or people. she seems to have a problem with the vet and mostly my son. we have taken her to another vet and she acts the same way the first vet she has been going there since we got her she is very protected of me she was a gift to my husband but she has turn into my dog. we have never taught her to be aggressive last summer we went on vacation and left her with the vet she had a problem with her eye the vet couldn't look at it due to her been aggressive this is when it first started the vet is the one who suggested that we put her down due to the fact that she has a record on file about her aggression. the vet had suggested a new trainer but this last time we took her in for a minor check up she went into full attack mood the vet said that a trainer wouldn't help her at this put in time. last nite i was holding her and my son was petting her and she sip at my son just that fast. she doesn't bother other people she is not cage she sleeps beside my bed on the floor at night i don't know why she is so protected of me if any family member gets to close she has a problem with it and started to bark. i don't want to put her down but my husband and i feel that we have no choice in the matter do to the one time if she does bite someone we could get into trouble. her parents are not aggressive the granddad is a champion. I am very sad and trouble by this whole situation she is a very frienly dog otherwise she just want you to play with her and pet her all the time. she doesn't even bark if someone rings the doorbell or come to the door. i do live in va. any help is greatly appreciate.

gucci, I can't believe there's a child in your house being terrorized by your dog, and the dog isn't dead yet.

[Mavides]

Originally Posted by gucci350

any help is greatly appreciate.

I think you've heard lots of suggestions on this thread so far....I'll tell you mine once again. Get the dog evaluated by a trainer/behaviorist that is experienced with Rottweilers and let them help you make your decision. Although I do know some vets that know a lot about dog behavior, I know more that do not...they are taught how to take care of health issues, not behavior issues and I have had many vets give wrong information about training to clients....so PLEASE make that phone call TODAY to get someone that knows what they're doing out to your house to help you with this immediately - you are just asking for trouble by allowing this behavior to continue...especially when it involves your child!

[BrandiJ]

Originally Posted by Mavides

I think you've heard lots of suggestions on this thread so far....I'll tell you mine once again. Get the dog evaluated by a trainer/behaviorist that is experienced with Rottweilers and let them help you make your decision. Although I do know some vets that know a lot about dog behavior, I know more that do not...they are taught how to take care of health issues, not behavior issues and I have had many vets give wrong information about training to clients....so PLEASE make that phone call TODAY to get someone that knows what they're doing out to your house to help you with this immediately - you are just asking for trouble by allowing this behavior to continue...especially when it involves your child!

Shawna is right! I work for a vet, who is also a good friend of mine. She is very smart and a great vet, but I have heard her say things about breeds and/or training, that I knew were not right. They are not always experts on behavior in general, they are experts on health!

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by gucci350

she seems to have a problem with the vet and mostly my son. we have taken her to another vet

Many dogs are not fond of vets, but that does not give them the right to be aggressive towards them. "Having a problem" with your son is of great concnern. How old is your son?

she is very protected of me

This sounds like a highly undersocialized dog who is head strong and has decided to make up her own rules. You did not recognize the problem and the source of the behaviour when it started, and now at 2, it's pretty well set in stone. It is NOT the dog's choice as to whom it protects or from what. Your family is not presenting aggressive movements towards you, there is NO reason a sound and stable dog should be protecting you from normal people.

this last time we took her in for a minor check up she went into full attack mood

Again, she's deciding her own rules. She's tried this a few times, it worked, and so now she's taking it to a higher level. She's running the show and that is NEVER a good thing with this breed. Never.

last nite i was holding her and my son was petting her and she sip at my son just that fast.

I don't know how old your son is, but there are several aspects to this:

a) You were "holding" her, thus to some degree restraining her.
b) Dogs have 2 modes of defense: fight for flight .... if by restraint, the dog PERCEIVES "flight" to have been removed, they will fight.
c) Kids at eye level are often presenting a dog with a direct challenge by staring at the dog. The child means no harm, but an unstable dog will read direct staring as a challenge and react to it.
d) Again, she's running the show and that is dangerous. It is NOT her decision who comes near you, and yet that's what you've allowed to develop.

i don't know why she is so protected of me if any family member gets to close she has a problem with it and started to bark.

Because she has been allowed to do so. I'm guessing this dog has been spoiled and molly-coddled, lots of hugging, etc. She's not been given a firm set of consistant rules and since you and your family have not stepped into a leadership role, she's done so. NOT good.

i don't want to put her down but my husband and i feel that we have no choice in the matter do to the one time if she does bite someone we could get into trouble.

Not "could," WILL!! You will be in BIG trouble if she bites someone else. She already has a record at the vet. Any lawyer worth their weight will have you out of your house and belongings faster than you ever knew imaginable, for fostering an animal known to be dangerous.

her parents are not aggressive the granddad is a champion.

Granddad being a champion means nothing. It does not in any way guarantee anything about your dog or her behaviour.

I am very sad and trouble by this whole situation she is a very frienly dog otherwise she just want you to play with her and pet her all the time.

Again, demanding attention (wanting to be pet all the time) is another sign that she feels she's far dominant over all of you and that is NOT a good thing.

I personally still think that this dog needs to be put down. She's developed some strong behaviours that have been allowed to continue for 2 years. She makes rash decisions about people based on no "common sense" input. Therefore, she's a ticking time bomb. You don't know who she is going to decide next is unacceptable.

You have a child in a house with a large strong dog, with a demonstrated history of aggression. Said dog thinks it is in charge, and that is the most dangerous aspect of all of this.

I think that most of hte problems that you are seeing are ones that you have created. I say that NOT to be cold and heartless, but so that you will begin to open your eyes and try to understand the situation, instead of just looking at parents and saying "but they are nice dogs."

From my original post:

Behaviour is influenced by both temperament and training. Part of training is socialization. .... If a dog has a genetically sound temperament, but is poorly socialized or poorly trained, you again can create a real mess which may well never be over-come, and you end up in the same situation as above: you must manage the dogs' environment and encounters for all of its life.

Based on the little that you've said, this is where I believe you fall in this category.

This is NOT a problem that can be solved by sending a dog away. Because the problem is equally you and your family as much at it is the dog. You need someone who will come to your house and watch your interactions and show you what you are doing wrong. "Telling" you what to do is NOT going to make you understand. I've helped teach enough puppy K classes and beginner obedience classes to know that "telling" people what to do with a dog is not usually the same thing as them doing it. They continue to make the same mistake over and over, without realizing it. In your case, that could be a deadly mistake.

I still agree with your initial decision. If you change your mind, do NOT send this dog away for training, that will NOT solve your problem. You need someone to come in and work with you. That said, I would NEVER EVER have such a dog in MY house around my child. NEVER. Dogs can be replaced, children can not.

[rottielover2004]

I agree 1000000000% with gretchen..( Dogs can be replaced, children can not)I too have a young child. And let me tell you if that behaviour was at my house, the dog would have been gone long before. No way will i stand for an unstable dog around my child. Your child should not be living in constant fear of being bitten for any movement. Not fair for the child, and extremely dangerous.
I would think about what you are putting this child through. What would you do if your child became a statistic. You would never be able to live with yourself.
Do what is right by your child.......

[toshida]

This is a little off subject but does relate.... my dog became very ill .... she was the perfect dog anyone could have asked for to have around there small children ... after being ill for so long and taking so much medication I think it was 'messing with her head' a bit ... she'd start trying to take food out of my daughters hand and once accidentally bit her hand trying to do so ... we had been discussing her health lately and whether or not to put her down .. once this incident happened I realized what had to be done I loved both my dog and love my daughter like nothing else - but I couldnt risk my daughter getting hurt because my dog was to drugged up to be careful with her actions.
As you can see my situation is a little different than yours ...but the safety of my child made the final decision.

[tangelo53]

Originally Posted by Mavides

I think you've heard lots of suggestions on this thread so far....I'll tell you mine once again. Get the dog evaluated by a trainer/behaviorist that is experienced with Rottweilers and let them help you make your decision. Although I do know some vets that know a lot about dog behavior, I know more that do not...they are taught how to take care of health issues, not behavior issues and I have had many vets give wrong information about training to clients....so PLEASE make that phone call TODAY to get someone that knows what they're doing out to your house to help you with this immediately - you are just asking for trouble by allowing this behavior to continue...especially when it involves your child!

I totally agree with Maldives. Before putting the dog down, why not talk to a vet/behaviorist/trainer...someone that deals with this type of issue. They should be able to give you the best advice. Even after doing that, if you still don't feel confident having the dog in your house, there are many rescue organizations that may work with you. I would hate for you to put this dog to sleep when it is something that can be altered. Let the professionals make this decision. You do have to think of your family first, but would it really hurt to talk to someone that is certified to give you correct advice on what to do with the dog. Why not talk to a bunch of professionals to get several opinions. This is quite a decision you have to make. I know you must be so confused...I feel for you. Hopefully, everything will work out. Good luck.

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by tangelo53

if you still don't feel confident having the dog in your house, there are many rescue organizations that may work with you.

Don't kid yourself or give the OP false hope. Rescue is NOT going to adopt out an aggressive dog. They will either refuse the dog or put it to sleep themselves.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by tangelo53

...there are many rescue organizations that may work with you.

Unless you know this for a fact and can provide contact info for these groups, you shouldn't be saying this.

For a fact, my rescue group wouldn't touch the dog.