I'm Pregnant, and Rotti's getting Aggressive

[NKL724]

Im going on 6 months of pregnancy, and all has been fine up until this last month. The mornings usually go great, and when I'm feeling well, I like to take Baby (my rotti) for a walk to the mailboxes. She likes the attention from all the people. (She's now turning 8 months) Today, I was getting ready to take her for our walk to the mailboxes and she seemed a little hyper but we started our walk. After leaving the driveway, she got REALLY hyper, and started jumping on and around me. I couldn't risk tripping or having her jump on my belly, so I brought her back home while I walked myself. Unfortunately the mail wasnt there yet so after a few hours, I decided to try again. This time was even worse! She didnt even wait to get out of the driveway before jumping and snapping. I told her to sit and gave her time to relax. I pet her and started to walk again, but she started to bite my feet and legs, and would jump up to try and bite my face and hands. She gave me the scare of a lifetime today. I'm worried that she'll continue this behavior and possibly get worse. Is there any thing I can do to change this? I don't want it to continue once the baby's here..

[JemarsSerena]

When we got our first rott Isabelle, ny wife was pregnant. This did not stop us from going to OB classes. Please do not let it stop you. YOu need to let Baby know who is charge before the human "baby" comes home. Three more months is plenty of time to get started in the right direction.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by NKL724

I'm worried that she'll continue this behavior and possibly get worse. Is there any thing I can do to change this? I don't want it to continue once the baby's here.

There's plenty you can do to change her behavior.

How much training has she had? Is she in class now? Do you practice NILIF? And, how much physical exercise is she getting?

[NKL724]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

There's plenty you can do to change her behavior.

How much training has she had? Is she in class now? Do you practice NILIF? And, how much physical exercise is she getting?

She's only had training by me. The schools around here said they wouldn't accept her until she was 6 months (which I know is ridiculous). My husband teaches her NILIF more than I do, and she's very fit. As of right now, I can't afford to send her to obedience school, with all the dr. bills and such, but I need to do something! My husband was thinking of getting one of those collars that shock, or send a high pitch noise or something, but im not sure that would help. I've heard both good and negative feedback on it.

[moondog]

It sounds like training hasn't been consistent, so now you're going to panic and go to a shock collar to make up for what you didn't go previously? Isn't that just a bit unfair to the dog????

How about filling up your pockets with treats, putting a leash and collar on her and dedicating 2 fifteen minute slots of time each day and working with her? Teach her sit, down, stay, come, off, place, leave it, get it, bring it, easy, etc., etc., etc. Make a commitment to her, and she'll make a commitment to you.

[SABELLESMOM]

Great idea! Fill the pockets up with treats (small bits of hot dog, leftover meats, cheese: 1/4" dices) and do short obedience sessions several times a day. Work with her. You won't regret one minute of time you invest in training. Your return from her will be multiplied many times, both in behavior and her loyalty.

[Anne]

How much exercise is this dog getting on a daily basis? How long does it take you to walk to the mailbox? A good long walk every day would be good for the dog and good for you. A dog who is not getting sufficient exercise will surely try to burn off the energy any way he can.

An Ecollar is no subsitute for training, it's taking the easy way out and can do more harm than good if used by someone who has had no qualified instruction on how to use them. These collars should not be used unless a trainer has trained you in how to use one, which I gather is not on the cards.

When I did group class obedience there were two pregnant women training their dogs. One kept up the training until 10 days before her baby was born and she was back two weeks later. The second one was promoted to a higher class than the one I was in so I didn't keep track of her.

I would just like to ask that since your husband is practising NILIF with the dog then why are you not supporting his training?

[LavenderRott]

It sounds like you have a pup that isn't getting enough exercise. From reading your discription of the behavior, I am not seeing anything that suggests aggression, just bored puppy.

If your husband is using NILIF and you are not, then you need to get with the program too. Inconsistancy in training is the just about the worst thing you can do when trying to have a well behaved dog. If your husband is making the dog behave and you are not then an e-collar is just going to make matters worse.

A good e-collar is going to cost about the same as an 8 week class. Your money would better spent on the class then the collar. And I would suggest that YOU be the one that take the dog to the class. It sounds like you are the one spending time at home with the dog and the dog needs to respect you and what you say. Especially with a baby coming.

[scooterjohansen]

Originally Posted by LavenderRott

It sounds like you have a pup that isn't getting enough exercise. From reading your discription of the behavior, I am not seeing anything that suggests aggression, just bored puppy.

The cause of the problem.. 8 month puppy...bored. lots exercise and frim commands will assist you greatly. Best of luck.

[NKL724]

Originally Posted by moondog

It sounds like training hasn't been consistent, so now you're going to panic and go to a shock collar to make up for what you didn't go previously? Isn't that just a bit unfair to the dog????

How about filling up your pockets with treats, putting a leash and collar on her and dedicating 2 fifteen minute slots of time each day and working with her? Teach her sit, down, stay, come, off, place, leave it, get it, bring it, easy, etc., etc., etc. Make a commitment to her, and she'll make a commitment to you.

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. Now before you start to be rash, I've never said that I would allow that. My husband is not much of a dog person so he just said that. I will try that though.

[NKL724]

Originally Posted by LavenderRott

It sounds like you have a pup that isn't getting enough exercise. From reading your discription of the behavior, I am not seeing anything that suggests aggression, just bored puppy.

If your husband is using NILIF and you are not, then you need to get with the program too. Inconsistancy in training is the just about the worst thing you can do when trying to have a well behaved dog. If your husband is making the dog behave and you are not then an e-collar is just going to make matters worse.

A good e-collar is going to cost about the same as an 8 week class. Your money would better spent on the class then the collar. And I would suggest that YOU be the one that take the dog to the class. It sounds like you are the one spending time at home with the dog and the dog needs to respect you and what you say. Especially with a baby coming.

Like I had said before, my husband was just looking into it, but I never said I would allow the collar. I don't not support him using NILIF, but it's harder for me. I feel like I'm being mean to her, but I'll try alittle harder to use it more often.
A walk to the post office usually takes about a half hour round trip. Sometimes I'll feel like walking more, and we'll take a walk around the block which is probably another 10-15 minutes, or a walk to the lake, which is about 1/2h-45 mins. And she'll run around outside on her runner for sometime. So is that enough excersise? If not I can try to take another walk later on in the day if I have time.
Any other tips or advice is welcome. But please don't accuse me of anything. It seems like that's what most of the users on here do. Accuse more people than actually try to understand thier problem and help.

[scooterjohansen]

waling is fine but to release built up energy a healthy rott needs to run and run lots. try and find a place where she can have a run and explore. It helps greatly with the mental too as it allows freedom to explore. dogs love to sniff and explore.

[frontierrots]

not enough for an 8 month old, no.

Runners? as in a cable runner? Those are very dangerous. I can't even tell you how many dogs I personally know that have either died on them or gotten serious back and neck injuries.

Any way you can spend the $ to fence in part of your yard with chainlink? (no less than 5' high) then you could throw a ball for her and get her a TON more exercise

[SonnyRott]

She is getting far too little exercise! It is no wonder when you go to get the mail that she wants to GO...GO...GO! And she will use whatever behavior to burn off pent up energy (even if it is negative).

At her age, I wouldn't be breaking up her exercise into smaller 15 minute periods, but giving her two looooong walks per day, plus small blocks of practiced training throughtout the day, and an off-leash time as well. The off-leash can be done in an enclosed area such as a tennis court.

If you stick to an exercise routine, she will come to expect those times, and relax the remainder of the time she is with you at home.

Treats in the pockets, along with the added exercise will do wonders. I would also make sure one of her loooong walks is before you go to the mail.

Don't baby her either. Make her mind and mean it.

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by NKL724

I don't not support him using NILIF, but it's harder for me. I feel like I'm being mean to her, but I'll try alittle harder to use it more often.

My brother and new SIL brought home a boxer puppy about two months ago. My SIL looked at me a little nuts when I told her the high-level concept of NILIF. The last time we took the dogs for a walk, though, I noticed she had incorporated making the puppy wait at the top of the steps while she went down.

There's nothing inherently mean about NILIF and I think of it as teaching dogs their manners, while reinforcing that I'm the boss.