Unfixed 11 month female, Aggressive, what do i do?

[Mistertue]

Hello everyone!

this is my first post but ive been on here doing research for a while now, and now i need some advice...

11 month old female rottweiler, Ive had her since 6 weeks old and have been socialized almost everyday since she was a pup until I recently began to work full time.

Facts
- 11 months old
- well socialized
- dominate female behavior, when playing with dogs she is vocal (heard this was common in german breeds)
- not fixed, she just had her first cycle (I read to wait until her first heat to get her fixed)
- lives with another female, 6 yrs old mutt, real submissive
- completed general training class where she was named most valuable, training is not the issue, it is more behavior with other dogs

Background
- has always shown the dominate behavior, however nothing out of the ordinary
- she is ending her cycle now and I do not know if this has any affect on her behavior
- hasnt been to dog park for a month now, since my work and her heat
- been getting daily exercise and demonstrated normal behavior with all family members

Recent Issues:
- snapping back at my older dog, esp when it comes to food and treats...usually she just lets the older one do her thing, but recently she has become real possessive
- off leash boxer ran up to her yesterday and sniffed and had a scuffle, my dog was on leash and was calm until the boxer came into her comfort zone
- i feel that if there are any dogs that show any aggression, mine will not back down, which is SCARY

What should I do?? Sorry for the long post, but I am really concerned

Things I have been doing:
- schedule neutering appointment....will this have any affect?
- having her on leash with my other dog and correcting her as she displays the possessiveness
- what else?

she is an angel with kids and family members and most dogs...I've been thinking to purchase a Dogtra training collar as ive seen it help in police training and at off leash parks. What do you think?


Please help with any advice would be greatly appreciate, thank you guys!

[hokisteph5]

It sounds like she's testing boundaries. My male was a real butthead from about 12-18 months old.

You say "class" but with this breed continued training classes is almost a given requirement. My suggestion would be to find a class starting up soon and get back to training. For me, if I'm not in class with my dogs I tend to slack off. Mine behave really well when I'm exercising their minds and their bodies.

If training's not an option right now, take a look at the areas in which you may have given her more privileges than when she was a puppy. I remember both of mine went through a phase where I took away their furniture privileges. They've never been allowed on my bed at home, but I will allow them to be on the couch, chair, or ottoman in my living room area.

[brunie's mom]

You have a Rottweiler that is starting to mature...forget about going to the dog park. Rottweilers ,as you are finding out are not dog park material. They may not start a fight...but will not back down if one starts. Many females can be same sex aggressive...my China hates other female dogs, but is fine with male dogs (she is a rescue so don't know her history).

Get her spayed, and get her back into classes. Training is not finished at 11 months. Keep her in classes for another year or so. She will learn to work and listen to commands with distractions all around her and to behave with other dogs around her...or learn to ignore other dogs. Classroom setting is best for this.

I also think you should be warned that she may try to attack your older female...please keep them separated when you cannot watch them. Keep toys and anything that could possibly start a fight put away. Learn to read body language and to read when there is going to be trouble...try to break things up before anything starts.

Gina

[Mistertue]

great advice from both of you, thank you.

i plan to continue training classes once my life settles down, i think the dogra training collar will be most effective at dog parks, regardless if rotties are not known to be there, my will with some time and work.

thanks again, keep the suggestions coming!

[jlaack]

- snapping back at my older dog, esp when it comes to food and treats...usually she just lets the older one do her thing, but recently she has become real possessive
- off leash boxer ran up to her yesterday and sniffed and had a scuffle, my dog was on leash and was calm until the boxer came into her comfort zone

Feed the dogs separately even if you have to feed them in crates. If that isn't necessary make sure they are feed in different areas. For treats ask them both to work for their reward and if the youngest isn't behaving then she does not get a treat. Try a down stay and treat the older dog first. If she gets up, gets pushy, no cookie.

Regarding the boxer, these types of circumstances can be frustrating, I have had my fair share of at large dogs charge us barking the whole way or dogs on retractable leads 20 ft from their owner trying to play with and even mount my dog. I pay close attention to what is going on around me. If I see what could be trouble I will avoid the situation. If it isn't avoidable, I immediately move into working my dog with commands that require him to return his focus to me. If he is in a heel the sky could fall but all he pays attention to is me. I will sometimes do puppy pushups though I have found it is best to keep him moving. My dog is not one that I would worry about aggressing towards another dog but I don't want him to be hurt if the other dog is agressive. As you have seen a dog fight can start in an instant and I'd rather avoid the possibility of one starting. We just returned from a walk, turned a corner with a lot of vegetation that blocks the view around the corner and nearly walked into an off leash golden. I took a small step towards my dog shifting him to the left to navigate around the dog but the golden ran right up to us. Since I had to wait for the owner to retrieve his dog I used the puppy pushup method: sit, down, sit, down.

[Weltterr]

I don't think puppy pushup will work for many dogs in this situation. A sit, quite possibly, but a down will make many dogs feel too vulnerable. Just a caution to other owners.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by Mistertue

great advice from both of you, thank you.

i plan to continue training classes once my life settles down, i think the dogra training collar will be most effective at dog parks, regardless if rotties are not known to be there, my will with some time and work.

thanks again, keep the suggestions coming!

The dogtra collar could also make her more aggressive at the dog park! Just stay out of the dog park. Take her out and about, but she does NOT need to be playing with strange dogs. Get together with a friend that has a nice dog (a male dog would be best) and let them run and romp together in a safe place.

Gina

[rencook]

Just putting a Dogtra collar on and zapping her at the dog park will not help the aggression-in fact it could make it worse. You need to work with a professional trainer who knows how to properly use the e-collar if thats the route you want to go with her. Personally-I would stay out of dog parks from now on. My girl is not out right dog aggressive, but she will defend herself if pushed-I would never, ever take her to a dog park-not fair to her or the other dogs.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Mistertue

Hello everyone!

this is my first post but ive been on here doing research for a while now, and now i need some advice...

11 month old female rottweiler, Ive had her since 6 weeks old and have been socialized almost everyday since she was a pup until I recently began to work full time.

Facts
- 11 months old
- well socialized
- dominate female behavior, when playing with dogs she is vocal (heard this was common in german breeds)
- not fixed, she just had her first cycle (I read to wait until her first heat to get her fixed)
- lives with another female, 6 yrs old mutt, real submissive
- completed general training class where she was named most valuable, training is not the issue, it is more behavior with other dogs

Background
- has always shown the dominate behavior, however nothing out of the ordinary
- she is ending her cycle now and I do not know if this has any affect on her behavior
- hasnt been to dog park for a month now, since my work and her heat
- been getting daily exercise and demonstrated normal behavior with all family members

Recent Issues:
- snapping back at my older dog, esp when it comes to food and treats...usually she just lets the older one do her thing, but recently she has become real possessive
- off leash boxer ran up to her yesterday and sniffed and had a scuffle, my dog was on leash and was calm until the boxer came into her comfort zone
- i feel that if there are any dogs that show any aggression, mine will not back down, which is SCARY

What should I do?? Sorry for the long post, but I am really concerned

Things I have been doing:
- schedule neutering appointment....will this have any affect?
- having her on leash with my other dog and correcting her as she displays the possessiveness
- what else?

she is an angel with kids and family members and most dogs...I've been thinking to purchase a Dogtra training collar as ive seen it help in police training and at off leash parks. What do you think?


Please help with any advice would be greatly appreciate, thank you guys!

Every one of my girls comes from lines in which same sex aggression and dog dominance are prevalent. Dog dominance and aggression RARELY has anything to do with people dominance/aggression. I don't mind this in my lines (although it would be nice not to have to check gates 3x !), as the dogs are wonderful and very stable with people.

2 of my girls are wonderful with other dogs (male), and the 3rd will only tolerate males who play the game HER way. We separate girls in our home.

As well, dogs are fed separately, and high value items are only allowed in kennels, not all over the house. No need to start problems where none exist.

Be careful attempting to correct this issue yourself, especially with electricity, as you might end up with opposite results of what you were hoping! Remote collars are a training tool, but you should be taught properly how to use it.

As well, spaying can increase aggression in some bitches.

You would do well to have your girl evaluated by a qualified trainer/behaviorist (or two), as it's very difficult to know what's going on from a discussion forum.

Hope this information helps a bit. Please keep us posted.

[Mistertue]

hey guys,

i am extremely pleased to hear each and everyones suggestions. I do feed my girls separately and only suggested dogtra training collar because ive seen them work successfully for the german breeds in regular training, k-9, and hunting. I love the dog park, but i guess this might not be an option in the future.

Another reason why I want to use an electric collar is because we go hiking in the woods quite often, most of the time we are good until we see a turkey or deer or something that they love to chase, i guess this can be solved through more training which is definately something I plan to do, but at the same time it is extremely diffcult to get your dog to come when their mind is set on something. my girl comes 85% of the time when commanded to, but once there is that little creature that moves she goes buck wild. ive trained her to stay and come from all distractions, even going to the outdoor shopping centers and having a long led and having her attention set on something and then calling her which has worked.

like i said, once off leash and she knows she can get away with stuff, its a different story, thats why i think the dogtra training collar might help.

I plan to take my dog back to the same trainer who we adore and move on from there.

thank you for all the suggestions once again, i feel like there are really nice and caring people here.

[jlaack]

Another reason why I want to use an electric collar is because we go hiking in the woods quite often, most of the time we are good until we see a turkey or deer or something that they love to chase, i guess this can be solved through more training which is definately something I plan to do, but at the same time it is extremely diffcult to get your dog to come when their mind is set on something. my girl comes 85% of the time when commanded to, but once there is that little creature that moves she goes buck wild. ive trained her to stay and come from all distractions, even going to the outdoor shopping centers and having a long led and having her attention set on something and then calling her which has worked.

Believe me this IS doable though it takes work and consistency. We lived in Bend, OR and could have our dogs recall in pursuit of deer, rabbits, etc, etc. If your dog is responding to the recall only 85% of the time than she isn't being taught correctly or you are progessing too quickly. Basically the goal of training (especially the recall) is to make the command so automatic that when your dog hears it they automatically come running back to you without any hesitation because the association with the command and the action is so strong. Practice on a leash moving to the long line and don't let her off leash until she is 100% on the long line. Gradually up the distractions. Right now expecting a dog to recall around wild turkeys who is 11 months old and only recalling 85% of the time is like expecting an 8 year old to be in high school. I would never substitute the time and training of this command by using an e-collar. If the dog makes the association that right before they return to you they get a shock, what motivation do they have to want to come back to you?

I plan to take my dog back to the same trainer who we adore and move on from there.

If this trainer suggested an e-collar in lieu of hard work and patience, considering your dog is only 11 mo I'd find another trainer.

[Zumie05]

A female in heat will definitely act differently than normal. I have an intact female chihuahua that comes and stays here about 3 days a week, and when she is in heat ohhhh man she is real snippy with the other dogs. She doesn't want any other dog near her or her stuff. It may not seem like much since she is just a small dog, but if you can imagine that sort of behavior coming from a larger dog it would be quite scary.

Once her heat is completely over, she's a whole different dog. Really submissive, sweet, and wanting to interact and play and shares her toys.

My advice is like all others; continue the training and continue exposing her to being around other dogs while maintaining her attention on you. Some lines of dogs just may not be all that dog friendly or be very particular about the dogs they get along with, and in this case you want a dog who pays attention to YOU and not what else is going on.

If there is a chance your girl could end up in a fight, even if she didn't start it (usually they are not the ones to start a fight), you are right that a rottie most likely won't back down. In the end, the other dog is the one who ends up hurt, and who gets blamed? The big bad Rottweiler of course. I wouldn't go to dog parks anymore if there is even the slightest chance that something like this could happen.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Mistertue

hey guys,

i am extremely pleased to hear each and everyones suggestions. I do feed my girls separately and only suggested dogtra training collar because ive seen them work successfully for the german breeds in regular training, k-9, and hunting. I love the dog park, but i guess this might not be an option in the future.

Another reason why I want to use an electric collar is because we go hiking in the woods quite often, most of the time we are good until we see a turkey or deer or something that they love to chase, i guess this can be solved through more training which is definately something I plan to do, but at the same time it is extremely diffcult to get your dog to come when their mind is set on something. my girl comes 85% of the time when commanded to, but once there is that little creature that moves she goes buck wild. ive trained her to stay and come from all distractions, even going to the outdoor shopping centers and having a long led and having her attention set on something and then calling her which has worked.

like i said, once off leash and she knows she can get away with stuff, its a different story, thats why i think the dogtra training collar might help.

I plan to take my dog back to the same trainer who we adore and move on from there.

thank you for all the suggestions once again, i feel like there are really nice and caring people here.

The Dogtra collar would definitely help in the situations you've outlined above, but again, learn how to use this tool humanely and fairly with your dogs. Not all trainers are created equal in regards to e collar use. Shop carefully.

Dog parks are not a favorite haunt for most of us. We never know the level of training (control) or level of vaccination other owners have over their dogs.
As well, rottweilers *tend* to be a little domineering with other dogs, and it's also sometimes difficult for other breeds to get a good read on a rottweiler's body language. Dog parks = Accident waiting to happen, in my book.

[Mistertue]

Originally Posted by jlaack

Believe me this IS doable though it takes work and consistency. We lived in Bend, OR and could have our dogs recall in pursuit of deer, rabbits, etc, etc. If your dog is responding to the recall only 85% of the time than she isn't being taught correctly or you are progessing too quickly. Basically the goal of training (especially the recall) is to make the command so automatic that when your dog hears it they automatically come running back to you without any hesitation because the association with the command and the action is so strong. Practice on a leash moving to the long line and don't let her off leash until she is 100% on the long line. Gradually up the distractions. Right now expecting a dog to recall around wild turkeys who is 11 months old and only recalling 85% of the time is like expecting an 8 year old to be in high school. I would never substitute the time and training of this command by using an e-collar. If the dog makes the association that right before they return to you they get a shock, what motivation do they have to want to come back to you?

If this trainer suggested an e-collar in lieu of hard work and patience, considering your dog is only 11 mo I'd find another trainer.

well said, i will continue to work with my young female and purchase a longer lead...what do you suggest for the length? I think the e-collar would be more of an insurance policy against other dogs or emergency situations. I will continue to train my pup as well as looking into how to use the training collar most effectively.

i understand the the e-collar would be a neg association, but at the same time it would work similar to a pincher collar, wouldnt you agree? when you are training with the pincher collar it pinches to correct, similariy to the e-collar when the dog doesnt obey and is off leash, a quick shock with correction and then praise, could do some good.

I am not an expert, nor have i consulted my personal trainer for my dog, Ive just read and spoke with many different people on they successes for the e-collars.

thanks again for everyones words of wisdom!!

[LynnS]

Mistertue

just want to chime in as I live in Sf and it took me a while to shrug the common mentality that all dogs should get along...I feel blessed to live in such a dog friendly city but still accept my dogs temperment (will tolerate most dogs but wants to play with very few and can be a snot to ill mannered dogs)...part of owning a Rottweiller...So we do the right thing and besides all of her training we keep her on leash....