Dog is starting to BITE

[legend1983]

As hes getting older im running into new problems, and im not sure what to do. Little background hes a 7 month old pure rotty bought from a good breeder. I feed him canadie asl 2 times a day. Every morning I feed and walk him for 30-40 mins. Then on my lunch break I come home and take him out again for 15 mins. When I come home after work I spend atleast 2 hr with him playing and going thru some training. I no longer crate him he has his own room in the basement and no longer kept in the garage when im not home.
So this weekend i was on my way to the dog park he was in the back seat and I had one of my friends in the passenger seat. My dog comes and sits on my friends lap and all of a sudden starts growling and tried to snap at his face. At the park he plays with everydog does not show any sign of aggression he runs up to people so they can pet him. later that day when I got home I was trying to take his leash off and he barked and bit my sleeve, I quickly pulled my hand away so he didnt get any skin. Before I feed him i make him sit for atleast 2 mins, but last night i made him sit for close to ten mins and i can see him getting mad but stayed in lay down position.
I was gonig to take him to obedience training this spring but i dont think it can wait, how is the 8 week class at petco or petsmart is it worth it or should I find another place. also untill I can take him there what do u guys suggest to correct this behavior. sorry for the long post and spelling/grammer error im at work rushing. Thanks

[SABELLESMOM]

What did you do when he growled/snapped at your friend? He was already taking advantage AND the upper hand by sitting on your friends lap. That should not have been allowed in the first place. He feels he's in charge..not you, and not your friend. Go to the top of this page, hit the "search" button, and look up NILF. (On another tack, 2 minutes waiting for his dish is too long. He's forgotten the purpose of the exercise by then, if you see what I mean.)

Do not let him dictate to you what will and will not be. Do not let him lap sit or couch sit or lay on beds. If you have already allowed him, stop. He needs far more to learn his place.

Get a Ruffrider Roadie seatbelt harness. It's the only brand I know of that has been safety/crash tested. You can find the site online. Seatbelt him in to his place in the back! Always the back, too. Riding in the front with you will make him feel displaced when you have a friend along. He may feel it's "his place" again perpetuating his feeling of higher rank.

Go to AKC.org and search for local kennel clubs. I've never watched a Pet Smart class, but I've heard they're not the best but, better than nothing at all.

Try for a class thru a kennel club, or an individual with experience. We have a section in our newspaper, here every Tuesday, about shelter pets available, available classes, related pet activities, rabies vaccine clinics, etc. Perhaps you have something like that? Ask your vet or call a shelter. If not try the yellow pages.

Once you get into classes...KEEP GOING. UPS is reluctant to deliver his upcoming brain shipments unless you do. Even then, sometimes you have to tip the man.

GOOD LUCK!

[zorro13]

First of all, a dog should never be allowed, on his own choosing, to come into the front seat and sit on a passenger like that. Keep a leash on him, if he tries to come in front, grab his leash, and tell him to back it up. I teach my dogs a back command.

I'm not a fan of dog parks and certainly any dog off leash without owner control. He should not be running up to anyone to get petted. Start controlling your dog's life here. If you must take him there, put him on a long line and control his movement, only allowing positive behaviors.

I would seek a better qualified trainer other than petsmart/petco, in my opinion. But keep in mind, you can have the best obedience trained dog and still have issues like this. The dog still has to learn the rules of everyday living and general manners. Your dog is constantly learning from you, your attitude, your tone of voice, your stature, and your movements. Never be angry in your training or direction, but matter of fact and firm, and always fair and consistent. Obedience training is needed here, and it will also make you more aware of what you're doing and not doing. He's taking more liberties and getting away with it, this is where you come in.

As for the bite on your sleeve, was your dog worked up in play mode, excited in any way, or do you really think he wanted a piece of you? I think he sounds like a nice boy, just needs some direction and leadership from you, he probably wants to please you but doesn't know how.

[legend1983]

Originally Posted by SABELLESMOM

What did you do when he growled/snapped at your friend?

Well I was driving at the time so I couldnt do too much, I pulled over as soon as I could and made him go in the back seat. My friend was so sacred he wanted me to leave him there on the street corner and pick him up after I droped the dog at home.

[legend1983]

As for the bite on your sleeve, was your dog worked up in play mode, excited in any way, or do you really think he wanted a piece of you?

My dog was at he park playing for about 2 hr he was pretty tired so i dont think he was excited. He was alone with me in the house when i tried to take his leash off. it seemed as if he didnt want to go in the house but I took him in anyway soon as i steped in the house I went to unhook his leash at he came at me.

[Obelix]

this is a dog that's taking over .,he does what he wants whenever he wants.He takes advantage of the situations where he feels you have lesser controll.Do as everybody here advices you ,and get him in REAL training ASAP.High time to do something on this behaviour,if you don't,things will only get worse .

[jakesfostermom]

Legend - you surely have some leadership/respect issues to deal with here - and sooner rather than later - but since you noted he was in pain recently, I'd think you should have him checked over by your vet too. You posted that he was limping previously, right? Is he possibly still in some pain? (I need to finish reading your posts).

Have you talked to his "good breeder" about this behavior of his? A good breeder will have trainer recommendations for you - as well as any insight into temperament concerns in his lines. They'd be first on my list to contact!

I also agree with Zorro on finding a more experienced trainer than those you find at Petsmart......Petsmart is a decent starting point for puppies, but you've got a budding adolescent male on your hands and both of you need some serious professional guidance before he hurts someone. I also agree on the dog park concern.......dog parks are NO place for dogs with ANY issues - particularly a dog showing signs of aggression to people, when simply being expected to do something he doesn't want to do.

I hope you'll get serious and get on the phone to find a qualified trainer in your area - someone who is experienced with large breeds, someone who is comfortable working with a dog who might be a bit edgy at receiving 'direction' initially. Good luck - he needs to be knocked down a peg or two or four - to the bottom - but without help and/or done improperly, this process could get you bitten!

[jakesfostermom]

Legend - I did a quick search in your area - I'd start calling all of these folks and asking lots of questions:

Dog Training by Bob Maida - A Dog Trainer for Your Pet - Dog Training by Bob Maida

Canine Obedience Unlimited

http://www.compliantcanines.com/

APPLEWOODS DOG TRAINING - About Us (these folks are in Laurel)

I know NOTHING about these groups - but neither will you if you don't start contacting them - and asking for referrals or recommendations to get the help you and your dog need. There were many others near you - I just googled "dog training laurel maryland" . Good luck Legend!

[sweetlee]

Look up these training places and talk to them about your issue. If your dog was not play biting at you and the leash, that's REALLY bad.
I am lucky to have a dog who is very submissive and non dominant. BUT were he EVER EVER to bite at me, or even growl at me or anyone else, I would do some bootcamp heeling, you can do a search on it here.
Mr. "I'm getting too big for my britches" needs to learn who is the boss.
This guy needs obedience school now, and you need to take back charge of all that's good.
No riding in the front seat, no couches, no laps, no coming to you for pets, if you decide to pet the dog call him to you and pet him.
I agree that making him wait for two minutes for dinner is a bit long. But he DOES need to wait for dinner, to go in and out of doors etc.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Oh and please stay out of dog parks, where you don't know the people and the dogs running at large. I try and make Playdates with others who have dogs that I know, and I supervise the play as well.

Always,

Sharon

[legend1983]

Thanks for all your help everyone...jakesfostermom I took him to the vet when he was limping they said he pulled a muscle he's just fine now so i dont think thats the reason. Thanks for the list of trainers I will call them ASAP. As far as dog parks go im in the process of getting my backyard fenced in soon as thats done I will stop going there. Even though he doesnt leave my barkyard I dont feel safe with cars driving by and other dogs in my neighborhood. Yes he does wait before going in an out of the door I make him sit before getting in the car and even before going into the dog park.

[jakesfostermom]

Keep us posted Legend! With hard work, dedication and consistent leadership and training - your boy will respond positively, if he is not genetically pre-disposed to do otherwise. I'd like to hear how he came to have two owners at such a young age? Why was he rehomed by his first owners? Did they return him to his breeder and his breeder placed him with you? Or did the first owner rehome him directly to you?

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by jakesfostermom

Keep us posted Legend! With hard work, dedication and consistent leadership and training - your boy will respond positively, if he is not genetically pre-disposed to do otherwise. I'd like to hear how he came to have two owners at such a young age? Why was he rehomed by his first owners? Did they return him to his breeder and his breeder placed him with you? Or did the first owner rehome him directly to you?

I also wonder why he was re-homed ? If the puppy had come from a "good breeder"....most insist that at least two sets of obedience classes must be attended...at least a Puppy Kindergarten and a basic obedience level. "Good breeders" want to make sure that their puppies have the best start in life and training classes are a must with this breed.

I'm wondering where he came from...because his temperament could be lousy? If already at 7 months of age he is behaving like this it has me worried.

Sounds like you've got work and training ahead of you for the next couple of years.

Gina

[legend1983]

The original owner got him from a breeder which I have all the information to, they had to rehome him due to divorce. I was provided with all the papers upon adopting him they did have him in basic training. He is housebroken knows basic commands such as sit, stay, paw, laydown and Im trying to teach him to drop it due to another incident I had with him. I called a few of those facilities you provied me with so im hoping to get him in there ASAP.

[Ostory]

The best thing to do is to avoid these type of situations. Any time you have two individuals in close contact with each other a conflict is likely to occur. Just a mentioned in the first response, the act of sitting in the lap is an act of dominance. More than likely your friend felt easy in this situation and tried to manuever the dog in some manner. This in return caused a negative response from the dog.

This is where owners need to understand that, Owners have the responsibility to control the enviroment. At that point in time you had very little control. The owner should never allow themselves to be in such a situation. Dogs should travel in Crates in Cars, period.

Being the Alpha is more than just "obedience". It means being in control at all times, and to consider all situations with a dog that is more than just a "puppy dog".

An Example: Many people come up to my dogs, and ask if they can pet my dog. They do this as they start to pet my dogs without even considering that I might say, "No". They just expect it to be OK. I watch out for such idiots, and I block them from my dogs and I tell them NO. It is not because I don't trust my dog, I don't trust the intruders. Besides, I don't like for strange people to rub my head, so why would my dog like it? Other dogs may be weak enough to accept this invassion, but a good strong dog might not be so forgiving. The point is that Rottie owners have to be more aware that Rotties are not going to be passive. And with that awarness, take on the responsibility to control the enviroment.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by legend1983

The original owner got him from a breeder which I have all the information to, they had to rehome him due to divorce. I was provided with all the papers upon adopting him they did have him in basic training. He is housebroken knows basic commands such as sit, stay, paw, laydown and Im trying to teach him to drop it due to another incident I had with him. I called a few of those facilities you provied me with so im hoping to get him in there ASAP.

I'm sorry to say that just because he has his "papers" it does not mean that he came from a good breeder. A good breeder would have had it in the contract that if the pup had to be given up....it would have gone back to the breeder....not given to someone else.

Do you know of anything of the sire or the dam? What titles did they have?

Glad that you will be getting your pup into a training class...it sounds like he is full of himself...and needs to get back on track with things.

Gina