Charging

[BertaB]

Hello all this is my first post. My big man Syrus, has a problem charging at us when we leave the house. It's to the point that I try to distract him by throwing a toy so he will look the other way while I get out the door. I have tried water shots(works for most other bad behaviors) but no luck there. He's a rescue dog, and I'm still learning his commands, but what can I do to get him to stop the charging?? It's scary for me cause I think if he gets too close to me he will snap at me. I need some help.

[jakesfostermom]

Berta, what do you mean by charging? As in he wants to go out the door with you? Or as in, I'm going to nip you for leaving? Or what? I'm sorry - just trying to understand what you mean by charging? Some dogs want to go with you so badly they will rush the door with you, in hopes of "going".......can you explain a bit more? You said you are afraid he might snap at you - which leads me to believe you see these charges as aggressive in nature?

How old is he - do you know any background on him, where did you adopt him from and how long have you had him?

[moondog]

He certainly hasn't earned the right to freedom, has he? If he was my dog and pulling a stunt like that, I would make sure to crate him before leaving the house. Each time he succeeds with this behavior, it reinforces his confidence that it is okay by you and of course, escalation usually follows. Have you attended any obedience classes with him?

[TrishB]

I agree with Moon - this dog should be crated. No one should ever be afraid that their own dog is going to bite them! Crate him when you go out and enroll in obedience classes ASAP!

[SABELLESMOM]

Absolutely, get a crate. Look at it as a calm friendly den in which he can relax until your return. Most dogs sleep when crated in the owners absence. Moondog is right. He has not earned the right to freedom in the house.

In fact his behavior is that of a bully, who's doing as he pleases. It's working on some level for him and, obviously needs to stop.

Find an obedience class and work with him dilligently. You'll find Rottweiler's are very smart! He's probably a wonderful dog who needs to see you as a leader, and help him get rid of a few bad habits.

Additionally, it may be useful for you to hit the upper search button and type in NILF. (nothing-in-life-is-free) It may give you some other ideas.

PS: Bless you for rescuing!

[bleh60]

PS: Bless you for rescuing!

Yes, I second that. how old is the dog and where did you get him? are you afraid he will actually bite you?

try the crate it should work just fine.

[hokisteph5]

I also recommend the crate. On a side note, one command I worked on training mine was "wait" for when I was opening the back of my vehicle. I also use it in connection with a sit when I'm getting ready to take them outside to go to the bathroom. The vehicle was particularly important because they would try to charge out.

[BertaB]

Thank you all for your advise. It's not like a charge to attack but it "I want to go and you BETTER take me with you" charge. And he usually makes his 'charge' in the middle of the hall, but just yesterday I wasn't paying attention cause I was running late to get my kids to school, that he 'charged' so hard that it pushed me out the door! He is 3, been with us since May and has been through obedience class before but his previous owners didn't keep up with his training, thats why I'm still learning what he knows. He doesn't have a crate....yet. And the only background that I know of him is that he had been rescued from a mean old family. Trained and back in good health and adopted to a farm. Then farmer wanted a fresh dog and thru my big man to the waste land. We got him made him all better and he is use to being the boss, but momma is going to win. I will definatly get the crate. But also is there like a list of commands that are uniform in obedience school? I'd hate to waste time and all I needed was to say it differently.(ie. Drop it but he know Leave it)

[Ayoka]

You know what.

I'd go to obedience class with him. Even if he does know the commands it would be a great refresher for him and a great learning experience for you and help you to establish leadership! (Obedience classes are more for the people than the dogs).

The thing about dogs is not often what you say but how you say it or how the dog precieves you.

[SABELLESMOM]

Wiser to go to class with him. He needs the reinforement of you being the leader, and class will do that for you. Most commands would be quite similar. Somehow dogs focus more on body language and voice tone than actual words.

There are things you will learn as well. I've had dogs all my life, yet I can honestly say I've actually learned something I didn't know, or gained an insight form every instructor! You will too. And the bond you'll develop thru active training will be invaluable! Not to mention what you learn about your dog.

You won't regret one minute of time you spend training your dog! Don't talk yourself out of it.

[guppyfry]

Good for you for taking on this guy and giving him another home. Unfortunately now you have to deal with the neglect and irresponsibility of his previous owners. But sounds like he is in a good home where he will be well cared for and trained to be a well behaved and obedient dog.
I know its an expense, but a crate will help him a lot, and obedience classes will help both of you a lot! Not only does the crate keep him from misbehaving, but it re-enforces your position as the leader. You have control over his freedom and his comings and goings. Him charging you and pushing is VERY disrespectful, and he needs to learn to show more respect. (Not your fault, he was just never thought any different).

I wouldn't worry too much about the exact obedience commands he has learned in the past. Being in a new environment with a new owner, he definitely will need a strong refresher, and taking him to obedience will help in developing your relationship with him, and he will learn to listen to and heed whatever command YOU teach him, as his new pack leader.
I was amazed at what regular, formal and repetitive obedience exercises did to focus my rescue's attention on me and make her accept me as the Uncontested Supreme World Commander :o) It wasn't so much the obedience exercises and the commands that changed her attitude, but more the relationship that developed between us during the work we did.

What the others are saying is also true: Never let him get away with bad behaviour, not even once, because each time he does it, it re-enforces the bad habits. With such big powerful dogs as Rottweilers, you can't let the little things slip. He will be just fine with you though, I can tell that you will be good for him. Start with these suggestions: Crate and obedience classes, and this will give you a good solid foundation to build on.