Not happy with how relative handled my dog.

[natesmom14]

Please be patient with me. I am new to Rottweiler ownership and reading everything I can get my hands on and doing the very best I can to give our girl a good, solid upbringing and home. I question this b/c the behavior on the HUMAN'S part felt wrong to me, but I need to know if how I handled things or what my Nikki did was in any way out of line. My gut feeling says no, that she wasn't, but I want the more experienced Rottweiler enthusiasts to give me your take.

My brother-in-law came over yesterday- and at that time met our Rottweiler for first time since we got her 1 month ago. She was very sweet to him- but within literally 5 minutes of meeting her, he said "Let's see how sweet of a dog you are" and proceeded to try and examine her teeth to see how she'd react! When I say examine, he was bent over the top of her (too threatening for someone who JUST met her I think???)and didn't get her mouth in a very gentle way. I think she was stunned for a second (as was I) and then she gave a quick, low growl. Her growl actually sounded less threatening than it does even when she's having fun wrestling w/ her Kong- but was still either a warning or a plea to leave her alone. I was stunned as it happened so quickly I didn't expect it and I told him that she had just met him and would appreciate it if he didn't do that with her- but I tried not to get angry or overreact b/c I didn't want her to feel that there was something to be afraid of or upset about.

My questions are: is this the manner in which a judge at a dog show would examine a dog's teeth (I know our vet wouldn't just jump in like that and WOULD be more gentle- and not that I'm showing her or have plans to, but I want to do all I can to make sure her manners and behavior are top notch) and SHOULD she have tolerated something like that from a stranger and her growling was out of line?

Let me say that the first night I brought her home, my husband sat on the floor with her and was able to gently handle her paws, mouth, etc. without any negative reaction on her part. She is fine w/ her mouth being handled by both of us- and last night, I had my sister (who has been around her several times and ADORES her and they get along beautifully) pull up her gums as if to examine her teeth and Nikki was completely ok w/ it.

I know they should be tolerant of many things and she really is- but I felt like this was too much and out of line and I need to know if I'm wrong and should have corrected HER behavior for that or if he was lucky he didn't get more than a growl from even the most mild-mannered of dogs for how he approached her.

Amy

[Bruce Lanthier]

I think you both handled the situation wonderfully. She started with a low key warning, you listened and got her away from your very rude bil. You did not scold her for giving a warning, which is good. You actually showed her that a low key warning works and she didn't need to escalate it. Now you know to protect her from this idiot.

If he gets bitten doing dumb stuff like this, then he deserves it.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lanthier

I think you both handled the situation wonderfully. She started with a low key warning, you listened and got her away from your very rude bil. You did not scold her for giving a warning, which is good. You actually showed her that a low key warning works and she didn't need to escalate it. Now you know to protect her from this idiot.

If he gets bitten doing dumb stuff like this, then he deserves it.

I agree 100% with Bruce.....and it sounds like your brother in law needs some manners training..lord knows where you could send him for that ! I would tell him not to handle your pup unless he can be gentle and there's no reason he needs to get in her mouth..leave that to more sensitive humans. It sounds like he was trying to be a macho ^%$%^.......get him a crate.

The saying goes....."You can pick your nose and you can pick your friends, but you don't get to pick your relatives".

[lady bridget]

I completly agree with Bruce.
I think you were completly correct in handling the situation, the both of you. It is good that she gave a low key growl as a warning. I think of it as a way of saying "hey back off I don't like that" why correct a good behaviour, if you scowld her for it she may be compeld to skip the low key growl and snap insted. As for your bil, obviously you are not gonna stop contact with him, he is family, I would tell him that he is lucky that all he got was a low growl and not worse. Id tell him not to handle your dog that way and that he should plan on spending time with her before he plans to go poking around her. After all, How would he like if a complete stranger MUCH larger than him hunched over him and starting poking around his mouth?
I wouldn't worry about your girls behaviour at all. And congrats for being advid about having a polite dog.

[moondog]

You did good, Amy! And it was a head's up for you that people can and will do some really stupid stuff and to be on the watch for it so your dog is not subjected to them.

My dog only had one stupid person incident...we were at the office and Luna was laying on the floor with one of the guys in the office sitting next to her, visiting. He was petting her and talking to her, and then he just popped up quick on his knees and forcefully tried to roll her over! I just about had a heart attack! Luna didn't do anything....she just looked at him, cemented her belly to the floor, and refused to budge. I told him he "best not be doing that to her" and he was very apologetic, saying that he played like that all the time with his Jack Russells, and thought he could play like that with Luna, too. I don't think so!

Moral of the story....always be aware of what people are doing, even "nice" people, and always remain in control of the interactions they have with your dog.

[natesmom14]

Thank you all so very much. Your responses were very reassuring.

If a Labrador would have growled, he would have worried that he'd hurt her- instead, people are constantly looking to find fault in a Rottweiler- God Forbid she growl b/c he manhandled her just so she could get him to stop.

My brother-in-law once dated my sister's friend- when I told my sister last night what happened, she said "Oh, yeah, when he FIRST MET Gwen's German Pointer he grabbed her head and BLEW IN HER FACE- and was surprised when she snapped at him!"

Moondog- much like the man who "thought he could" w/ your Luna b/c he did w/ his Jack Russells, he must've thought because he used to play w/ his English Pointer that way (had her for YEARS) and she loved it, this other Pointer (that he JUST MET) would too.

[bej9863]

You handled the situation beautifully. However I would have reprimanded bill to his CRATE. He was behaving poorly. No kong for him. :)

[RottiNkids]

Your brother-in-law could have learned a very valuable lesson, but lucky for him your Rottie thought better of the situation and the spared the know-it-all some deserved pain. As best you can keep him away from your pup until he learns how to behave.

keep up the great work!

[poohbearsmom]

Sounds like your BIL needs to attend a 'Bite Prevention Seminar' the next time one is scheduled at a local Elementary School, and learn a little dog etiquette.

When a judge checks the teeth of showdogs, these are dogs who have been handled and trained for the ring since early puppy hood, and sometimes the judges do it themselves, and sometimes the handler does it for them, but the dogs know the ropes, and are used to the handling.

Companion dogs should also allow their masters to do this, and be comfortable with the vet. You've only had your dog one short month. You were correct, and your BIL is lucky your girl handled the situation so well.

Welcome. Stick around.

[natesmom14]

Thanks- and it makes sense as to why and how a judge in a ring would do this- after time and training...

Oh, believe me- I am HOOKED on this site- I won't be going anywhere any time soon- you all are a total wealth of information!!!

Amy

[SABELLESMOM]

In my experience, the handler is more often the one to show the dogs teeth. Some judges like to do it themselves. If you were showing, you would most likely attend a show handling class. (Folks who've shown before often start looking at teeth and working on occasional stances months before classes start.)

At class, you as the handler, make this a routine and pleasant experience. The instructor will show you how. The dog will have had many repetitions in preparing for her first show. This would include others (instructor, classmates, or friends of yours) touching her mouth.

It's not, actually a horrible thing. Unless it's done the way your b-i-l tried to do it. You handled things well.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by natesmom14

but within literally 5 minutes of meeting her, he said "Let's see how sweet of a dog you are"

Hi Amy - this statement is what tells me that you did the right thing. Anyone with this type of attitude shouldn't be doing ANYTHING with your dog.

It kills me - why is it that people feel that just because a big dog is behaving nicely and correctly that they then have the right to challenge that good behaviour??

You did beautifully. If you are EVER not comfortable with how someone is treating your dog - remove your dog from that situation. Trust your gut. I've had people bring their dogs up to Parker, because he's well behaved, saying "Well let's see how you like THIS big dog." I step in between them and ask - doesn't your dog like dogs? The answer is usually no. In which case I say "No thank you." and walk away.

Now that being said - if you keep hearing the same advice from different people, then you might want to give it some extra consideration. Especially if they're educated / dog savvy or dog professionals. But feel free to get a second opinion or third for that matter to set your mind at ease.