Respect the Power

[leachna]

You know I have to say, just the few stories, and post I have read on this sight has got me wondering about our Kyzer.
Duchess was a wonderful girl and very easy to train, a joy to work with. I had the most respect for her power, and the potential she had of doing damage. Case in point when another dog (granted a lot smaller than Duchess, but one that always barked at her from the other side of the fence) Duchess did bark at times I would say maybe 5 for every 10 times he barked. Anyway one morning I let her out 6:30 we had a secure fenced yard (6 feet wood) Duchess never did dig. Well I guess the other dog had somehow got into the yard and Duchess got a hold of it and was shaking her. Long story short the other dog survived, I went next door a.s.a.p. to make sure the dog was OK he was. I do not want a aggressive dog unless it is to protect our family.
But now we have Kyzer and his father Sir Winter hawk Von Kodiak Grizzly was a large dog. I have the utmost respect for the power he possesses, I understand the hierarchy of the pact, or at lest as well as a human can. And I understand the dominance factor, and not to let him have that over us. But reading the post from misteroman about putting his 2 year old down is awful.
We want Kyzer and are willing to do whatever it takes to train him. But at times I wonder did I bite off more than I can chew? I guess I have to take the attitude of “failure is not an option”
My wife and I will be taking turns when we take him to school; I think this will help her with him any thoughts?
Also has anyone else felt this way about there male puppy?

[jakesfostermom]

Kyzer is two months old right? Are you socializing him to lots of different things & people? Are you enrolled in Puppy K? He's at a very young impressionable age - and if he is genetically sound with a stable temperament - you didn't bite off more than you can chew, unless you expect him to raise himself and then one day don't like how he turned out. Do right by him, yourself, your community and the breed as a whole - keep him in training - treat him fairly and consistently and I'll bet in a year or two, you are here bragging about how many people compliment him and how you can take him anywhere and do anything with him because he was so well prepared as a puppy. Is he comfortable in new settings? If he's not, how do you handle that? Do you coddle him? Or do you speak positively to him and move on? Many puppy owners here are much more versed in where you should be at 8-10 weeks of age with your Kyzer - but you're reading here and that's good - lots of good info - lots to learn by other peoples experiences - both positive and negative. Good luck with your Kyzer - make him, you and us proud with the way you raise him!

[Sharon Marples]

Welcome from another Idahoan......

I think that because you have the knowledge that he can be a problem, you are way ahead. You are already thinking of what you need to do in terms of his training, etc. The post that you referred to is a perfect example of someone letting their dog run their lives. They gave him no consistent training, they let him do what he wanted, they did not neuter him and now they have a time bomb on their hands. You can prevent that by following the suggestions you are being given.

Read through all the puppy development and behavior threads, familiarize yourself with the problems that have already been talked about and you will be prepared to deal with them if they should start to surface.

Get him in obedience classes as soon as he is old enough and keep him in them. Plan on taking classes throughout the first couple of years of his life. You will both enjoy it and it creates a great bond. Be fair to him in your corrections, but don't treat him like a baby or think that he thinks like a human. Dogs do NOT have human feelings! The idea of both you and your wife trading off for schooling is a great one. That way he will learn to respect both of you, not just one of you. He needs to know that he is at the bottom of the ladder in terms of who runs your household and that he can grow up to be a well-mannered dog that will be a pleasure for you to take anywhere.

Plan to neuter him if you will not be showing him. That will eliminate lots of alpha problems.

And, most importantly, come here and ask questions if anything shows up! Don't wait for months, let us help you as soon as problems arise. If something comes up, first do a search for it, and if you don't find the answer, then post your question in the applicable forum.

Welcome to the boards and I know you will be a success with your puppy!

[llwaxan]

My male pup is 6 months old now. He is sweet and smart with good manners for the most part. The first 2 months of his life with me really scared me because I had never had a Rott pup before and he was very aggressive, unpredicatable, growley, and I thought I had an unstable dog on my hands. But I learned that time takes time with these pups and the phases they go through are clear and blessedly temporary.

A wise member here once told me that you don't really know what you've got with your dog until they are about 2 or 3 years old. Follow the advice thus far and train, and definitely socialize. I believe that the socialization my pup receives is the most important and responsible thing I can do for him.

Good luck (luck being directly proportional to the amount of work you do!)

[JuneyB]

It is so nice to read your post...I feel you have the commitment to make your dogs life a good one. And I am no expert, but socialization; training; spending lots and lots of time with you dog.....those things are critical in producing the type of dog everyone wants to own.

Please read the "stickies" posted in the forums....there are words of wisdom from experienced breeder, trainers and those who understand and support this breed. We can all learn something here.....and having the ability to share our experiences with other rott people, its awesome.

There are many, many people here who will bend over backwards to provide new owners with all the advice they could wish to have.....listen to what the members say...try and put their advice into practice....and you will have a great dog. And, as Sharon said, if you perceive a problem...do a search here...see if others have run into the same thing. If you cannot find anything....ask. That is one of the biggest benefits of this forum.

Welcome.....and if you can...post some pics.....we love pictures!!!

[winniecnm]

One comment I want to make in the addition of the nice advice already given is that while you do need to respect your dogs natural strength and capabilities, he must grow to respect you and that respect is garnered through consistancy and setting clear boundaries and guidelines for ANY sex dog.

So you must be a bit full of yourself and act the role as leader and provider. Your dog need not see you "bare your teeth" to learn to respect you. Body language and "who goes first out the door" type rules (and obedience classes) speak volumes! These forums are full of wonderful advice to help you and your family to develop a healthy, positive rapport with your rottweiler. Ask or search BEFORE a behavior becomes a mountain of a problem.

And finally, though males are oftentimes larger than females, do not assume that they are more of a handful to train. Bear was by far the easiest of my three rottweilers to handle, he is a robust 110 - 120 lbs. The bitches are 90 lbs. So don't burden the relationship you are forming with Kyzer with preconcieved notions that he will learn less or wish to please you less than a bitch. I will lend you Jas for a few minutes if you want a demo.

[Brooke&Ryan]

I love that you are thinking ahead!

I agree with everyone else! Julius is our three and a half year old intact male. He is the joy of my life & I just love him to bits....but I know that he has a full mouth of teeth....and yes, he's a dog. I have respect for that. I also have an obligation to the Rottweiler breed to make Julius a good representation. I don't want people to see him straining against his leash downtown. I want them to see a calm, confident Rottweiler. And believe me, that took a lot of work with Julius.....at least the confidence part did. Julius was my first dog and was my boyfriend's second dog. I have always been a bit intimidated of dogs that I don't know & so I wasn't sure what I was in for raising Julius. I wasn't scared of dogs that I KNEW, just dogs that I wasn't familiar with. So I was a little bit unsure about how I would deal with Julius as an adult. Classes helped soooo much. They formed a bond between me & Jules. There is a trust there now that I don't think would have formed as strongly if we had not attended classes. Like others have said, classes are key! We'll all be here for any questions you may need answered!

Sounds like you are on the right track!

[poohbearsmom]

Socialize. Desensitize. Show your pup the ropes in a positive but matter of fact manner. Get into a puppy K class as soon as possible. Continue with your obedience classes well into the 2nd-3rd year, with refreshers after that. Training is a life long game for you and your boy.

Exposure to as many people, places and things as is humanly possible is the name of the game right now. A good PuppyK instructor will show you exactly how to build confidence and assist your pup in recovery of what startles him.
IMHO, that is the most important thing you can do for your boy at this particular age.

In addition, reward the behaviors you do want. Do not allow the behaviors that you don't want.

Now is the time to instill a healthy, consistant relationship with your pup, and have a good time doing it.

Oh yeah.... read, read, read.

[leachna]

Yes Kyzer is a little over two months. Thank You for the responce!! He is and isn't secure with new surroundings. We reassure in hopes of building his esteme, we do not force him in to new surroundings. A friend came by the other day, he growed at her and wouldn't come up to her. When I got home I got close to Dayleen and re-assured Kyzer that she was OK, he then came up to her and licked her hand and let her pet him, and Kyzer was fine after that.

[leachna]

Sharon, I was playing with the idea of using him for stud. But it sounds like I may be better off by nuetering him?? I will not be showing him, I know the nuetering takes some of the aggretion away, correct?

[onthedl74]

Originally Posted by leachna

I will not be showing him, I know the nuetering takes some of the aggretion away, correct?

People think that neutering takes away their "manliness"( is that a word?)
so to speak. Males can still develop testosterone from other sources in the body- just not as much. Neutering will take the edge off but not replace socialization and consistent training.

[leachna]

Originally Posted by llwaxan

My male pup is 6 months old now. He is sweet and smart with good manners for the most part. The first 2 months of his life with me really scared me because I had never had a Rott pup before and he was very aggressive, unpredicatable, growley, and I thought I had an unstable dog on my hands. But I learned that time takes time with these pups and the phases they go through are clear and blessedly temporary.

A wise member here once told me that you don't really know what you've got with your dog until they are about 2 or 3 years old. Follow the advice thus far and train, and definitely socialize. I believe that the socialization my pup receives is the most important and responsible thing I can do for him.

Good luck (luck being directly proportional to the amount of work you do!)

YES!! Kyzer is doing the same thing, the growling when we pick him up, or when we take him away from or out of somewhere (by his collar) he is not supose to be. I really do not remember alot of the puppyness with my first Rott. But i am releved to know there are other people dealing with the same things. Thanks for the addvice, it will be taken to heart..

[leachna]

Thank you for reminding me about the door thig. I learned that while training Dutchess and it sliped my mine, I will start doing that.. Thanks again for the advice..

[JuneyB]

Please read the stickies here about breeding dogs....most of us are very passionate (and vocal!!!!!) about who should bred; what dogs should be bred...and so forth. And there are many, many reasons why we feel this way...they are explained in the stickies.

Some of the behaviours mentioned earlier are quite "normal" for 2 month old pups. Would suggest that you get yourselves into classes right away....ideally with a trainer who knows and likes rottweilers....and that will help you learn what is "appropriate" behaviour....and what is "acceptable". In addition, please keep reading the posts in this forum. You will get a much better feel for the nature of this breed.

properly training and socializing your rottweiler is helping all of us who own these dogs to counter the negative image these dogs have obtained. Thank you for reading.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by leachna

Yes Kyzer is a little over two months. Thank You for the responce!! He is and isn't secure with new surroundings. We reassure in hopes of building his esteme, we do not force him in to new surroundings. A friend came by the other day, he growed at her and wouldn't come up to her. When I got home I got close to Dayleen and re-assured Kyzer that she was OK, he then came up to her and licked her hand and let her pet him, and Kyzer was fine after that.

Reassuring the dog actually makes the dog more nervous/fearful. They then think that there really IS something to be fearful of. My dog, Julius, was horribly hand-shy as a pup. Anytime a stranger would go to pet him, he would jump back & try to hide behind our legs. Instead of reassuring him with pets or words, we would laugh & talk to the person who he had jumped away from in a happy voice. When you have a dog that is unsure in different situations, definately get out & socialize...but don't reassure the pup. Just talk to the "offending" object in a happy voice. Believe me, I've talked to a lot of weird things....garbage cans, election signs, etc. It does work & soon enough your dog will go investigate. But soothing your dog only backfires.