Pet companion? Or, a security companion dog?

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Storm


GV, what is your interpretation of a "protective-defensive dog"? I am very "pro" genetics and have always believed that there are limitations governed by genetics.

For me a dog's behavior or disposition should be appropriate to the environment and its requirements. What is a guardian? What is the behavior, reaction or disposition of a dog that is classified as a "guard" or "protector"? What training or level of control forms a connotation to the term guard/protect? Aggression manifests itself in many forms, then there is just plain open aggression or bad manners, where is the line? What sets the standard? What is the appropriate definition describing a dog's response in various situations where there is a form of reactive aggression, whether this be escalated fear aggression etc. Also due to various factors there are various attributes from alerting to full blown "combat" which may all be attributes of the "ultimate" dog. How do we know unless tested and proven?

You are making it all too complicated, bro. You want me to write a compendium about canine aggression? Well, incidentally I am in the process of doing so, by the way, but haven't you considered the limitations of space in this forum? :D You know the answers to you inquiry ;) However, for the record, I am not talking here about an uncontrollable aggressive (vicious) dog at all. So, for reference purposes, I recommend other forum members to check this thread out:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...&threadid=9134

It will help to clarify myths and misconceptions regarding this subject

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by cucciolone
I have not a single doubt that Diesel would guard and save me from any person who might menace me in any way; I feel a safety in walking the streets in the middle of the night that I would never have know before.

It is, however, an enormous responsibility in owning a dog like my boy. It is up to me to make sure that all of his courage and guarding instincts become and remain controllable, and that is a real challenge. But it's a challenge that I'm determined to rise to (with a lot of work, and the help and expertise of my trainer, of course!).

You got a great dog, and as long as you keep being a responsible dedicated dog owner, you will be fine :) Of course, being negligent and/or irresponsible while owning a mighty Rottweiler is not only plain wrong but a "recipe" for a tragedy... like a time bomb clicking :(

[2rotties2luv]

Interesting thread, German - thanks for getting it started.

Both my rotties are companion dogs who work as alarm dogs for me. I sleep well at night knowing that they will alert me to any suspicious noises in their territory. They also work as therapy dogs with 2 jobs. One job is to provide comfort and affection to the seniors at a nursing home once a week. Their other job is to assist me in teaching about dog bite prevention to young children in elementary schools.

My rotties came to me from a hobby breeder. After deciding to own a rottweiler, I did lots of research on the breed and realized what a responsibility I would have and so I decided I would look for an even-tempered and steady nerved sire and dam. Both sire and dam have numerous working, obedience and conformation titles in their lines.

Both rotties were in obedience classes for 3 1/2 to 4 yrs. I am still amazed at the bonds which developed as a result of working with them in training. It's almost as if we can read each other's minds. They are quite confident without being aggressive, and friendly without being "all over you". I attribute this to all of the time I spent training and socializing them.

They are usually friendly with strangers rather than aloof, but I think that this is because they take their cue from me - if I'm friendly, then it's OK for them to be friendly; they ARE aloof with people I dislike, however. The female, when a young adult, protected my daughter from an intruder in the home. Sierra positioned herself between my daughter and the intruder, showing teeth, cornered the intruder, but did not try to bite. My daughter held her collar and allowed the intruder to leave.

I don't know if their temperments are correct, but they are wonderful dogs. Before owning a rottie, I never imagined that calm confidence, alertness, desire to work, playfulness and the strong dog/handler bond could all happen in one dog. And I am fortunate to have two of them !!

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by 2rotties2luv
Interesting thread, German - thanks for getting it started.

Both my rotties are companion dogs who work as alarm dogs for me. I sleep well at night knowing that they will alert me to any suspicious noises in their territory. They also work as therapy dogs with 2 jobs. One job is to provide comfort and affection to the seniors at a nursing home once a week. Their other job is to assist me in teaching about dog bite prevention to young children in elementary schools.

My rotties came to me from a hobby breeder. After deciding to own a rottweiler, I did lots of research on the breed and realized what a responsibility I would have and so I decided I would look for an even-tempered and steady nerved sire and dam. Both sire and dam have numerous working, obedience and conformation titles in their lines

Indeed, you are fortunate to have two excellent ambassadors of the breed :)

[winniecnm]

Great post!:)

My dogs first and foremost are for companionship. They go out with me late at night to run errands to watch over me (who needs "The Club" when you have over 300 lbs of dog in your car):D Most people keep away from my car when even just one of the dogs are with me...just imagine all three!:D Just looking at them, I could imagine they are pretty intimidating to a stranger...

We always worked on obedience, and are looking forward to living in an area now (up here in Mass) where more clubs and trainers are availible to us to work on different things!:)

I am not sure if I will ever train for sch or PP. But I do know that I will make the most out of the time I have with my dogs.

[cucciolone]

To quote myself:

I feel a safety in walking the streets

(Er... you know what I meant.) :D

You got a great dog, and as long as you keep being a responsible dedicated dog owner, you will be fine Of course, being negligent and/or irresponsible while owning a mighty Rottweiler is not only plain wrong but a "recipe" for a tragedy... like a time bomb clicking

I agree with you 100%, and I will do everything I possibly can to fullfill my responsibility to Diesel in the greatest degree.
It's funny- when you first get a puppy and are just getting to know him, I suppose that in some ways you wonder whether or not he will turn out to be a good dog to you. But the exceptional character that Diesel is proving to have been born with has made me realize that I need to be the one striving to be worthy of him and all of his capabilities.
I want to be as amazing an owner as he is a dog!!!

Michela

[whitney greenway]

Mine is my/our companion.

He also adds to my alarm system on the house. If you come onto my property, you will know he is around. He has a good set of lungs!;)

I have a very faithful companion, that is very loyal to me.

If Allen is out of town on business, I have never hesitated taking Cam out by myself at night.

He's very watchful over me!

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by winniecnm
Great post!:)

My dogs first and foremost are for companionship. They go out with me late at night to run errands to watch over me (who needs "The Club" when you have over 300 lbs of dog in your car):D Most people keep away from my car when even just one of the dogs are with me...just imagine all three!:D Just looking at them, I could imagine they are pretty intimidating to a stranger...

The crime deterrance effect produced by the intimidating looks of a powerful Rottweiler cannot be ignored ;)

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by whitney greenway
He also adds to my alarm system on the house. If you come onto my property, you will know he is around. He has a good set of lungs!;) He's very watchful over me!

Another Rottie at work :)

[Nash's Mom]

Wonderful post, German!

Nash, first and foremost, was adopted for companionship purposes. I thought that because he is a rescue he would not be a good watch/alarm dog. I planned on doing therapy and, of course, obedience with him. And I just thought I would get an alarm system.

Recently, however, he has amazed me with his watchful/alert behavior. We live in an apartment building and what has really impressed me is Nash's ability to distinguish between the"usual" apartment noises--like running and screaming in the hallway (same voices day in and day out)--with the unexpected noises-someone rang the doorbell at 3:30 am, on another occasion, someone knocked on the window. With the former, his ears go back, his head lifts up, his eyes look to the door and he sniffs the air, but doesn't bark; with the latter incidents, each time Nash gave the deepest growl I have ever heard him give and ran to the door (or window). Needless to say, no one has knocked on my window or rang my doorbell "accidentally" again.

I always feel safe when I walk Nash and I definitely feel better sleeping knowing he is alert and watchful over me.

[RSQRottweiler]

Interesting topic. :)

My Rottweilers are rescues, so their main occupation is as companions and "pets." The older one, Gretchen, is officially my parents' dog and lives with them. Other than having her CGC, attending occasional brush-up obedience classes, and possibly doing Therapy work in the near future, Gretchen is a "pet." She will bark when someone is at the door, but that's the extent of her "guarding."

Sebastian (18 month male, neutered) is not protection trained and I don't rely on him to physically "protect" me. To be honest, though, I do use him as a deterrent (to an extent) since I live, and usually work, alone. I taught him to bark in response to a whispered "is somebody out there" or "who's there" and settle down again when I tell him "enough." When we go to the park, pet supply store, etc. he is friendly and social with people. We continue to attend obedience classes and he got his CGC in August. My goals are to put at least a CD on him, maybe take him through the Temperament Test in June, plus do carting and trail/hiking. He's a companion/pet, but the barking on/off switch is a nice feature. :)

Audrey

[Ollie and Max]

my 7 month old male Max is already very protective even over his fearful big brother Ollie!!! He is freindly to most people but likes to sit outside the house and keep watch. I learnt early on that people are deterred by size as Ollie will run up to tyhe gate and bark but if anyone actually came in he would run away (he is not a rottie but a great dane cross)

[JonandMichelle]

Originally posted by RSQRottweiler
Interesting topic. :)

Sebastian (18 month male, neutered) is not protection trained and I don't rely on him to physically "protect" me. To be honest, though, I do use him as a deterrent (to an extent) since I live, and usually work, alone. I taught him to bark in response to a whispered "is somebody out there" or "who's there" and settle down again when I tell him "enough."

And here I thought I was the only person who does this;) I have taught Raja to "be alert" when I whisper "what is it." She goes in her "alert" mode and goes from window to window..door to door until "I" tell her "it's OK or easy." Again like you, I do not expect her to "protect" me....BUT IF someone was "out there," they would see and hear a Rottweiler looking ready for action;) You know that ol' saying...looks can be deceiving I know she scares the hell outta me sometimes when I hear that low muffled growl and the "snort!"

[Sampson's Mom]

We got Sampson strictly as a companion dog, but soon I learned to appreciate how safe I felt with him around. If someone walked onto our porch they immediately took 3 steps back once Sampson poked his head up at the window. There's something to say for that glare they have. Little did most people know, he was usually just checking to see if someone was there to play. ;)

The first time I really realized Sampson protective instinct it took me off guard. I was working an evening shift and we had gotten several new patients so I stayed over to help out. Mike and I had just gotten married, so Sampson wasn't quite used to me living there, let alone walking in at 3am. When I opened the door all I could hear was him thundering down the hall growling. I backed out REAL fast. I had to wait until he got to the door and told him it was just Mommy. After that I never had any doubt that I never had any doubt that the dog I only saw as my big baby would come to our defense whenever needed. We live in a very quiet area in the country without much crime, but I really miss that extra sense of security that he gave me.

We plan to do a little more with our next puppy. It will still mainly be our companion but we also want to get into therapy work with him.

By the way, great topic German. The responses are very interesting. Thanks!

Lisa

[Emily]

Jonandmichelle, RSQRottweiler: How did you teach your dogs this? I would like to begin teaching my dog this "skill" Right now she alerts when she thinks she hears something. Anna is 8 months old and I dont think I ever want her to train in PP but it would be nice to have her look the part. Thanks
Emily