Will my Rottweiler puppy grow up to be mean and aggressive?

[Lady Dakota]

I recently bought a Rottweiler puppy and I love her to pieces. I think she is adorable, but my family on the other hand disagrees. They think that I made a bad choice in buying a Rottweiler and that I shouldn't have bought her. They only say this because they hear the stories about Rotts being bad dogs and all the fear. I am trying to convince them that she is a good dog and that she is going to be a good dog when she grows up, but they are not believing me. I plan on taking her to Puppy classes and getting her into being socialized, but they still say that she is going to be mean. I have been reading them statistics and everything that I find about Rotts being good dogs but they are still not believing me. I really like her and I dont want to get rid of her, but after hearing them all talk I am getting a little nervous that she is going to be a terror. I am trying to do everything that I can to play with her and keep her socialized right now, but she is only 10 weeks old and I dont know what else I can do. Should I be worried that she is going to be a terror when she grows up??

Advice Please!!!!

[Judi W]

If you are nervous and unsure, you should not keep the pup.

[carolynnl4]

You need to have confidence in yourself and in what you're doing. As long as you keep up the training, present your dog with a calm, stable, and effective leader, then you SHOULD have confidence.
As an owner, if you are nervous, upset, and you don't trust your dog, then your dog won't trust you, and behavior problems will ensue.
And a "terror" is a very subjective term. I call my dog a terror because she likes to tackle and hump other dogs, jump up on people, and slobber on my black suits. However, we're working on those things, and I've often had owners with yippy purse dogs tell me Athena is a pleasure to be around.
Some people even find it charming that she's so playful and affectionate.

Have faith in yourself, or build it by involving yourself in the dog community. Don't just go to training classes at Petsmart, try to find a local training club that will help you find activities to do with your puppy. (Puppy kindergarten, beginning obedience, agility, competitions, etc.)
I think doing those things will build up the relationship between you and your dog, and help you realize that you can trust her.

[theoriginalflyingl]

Do you still live with your family, or are you out on your own? If you live with them, it will be hard to raise a happy pup in a hostile environment. What were your reasons for getting a Rottie?

[carolynnl4]

I just saw your other postings... If you're worried because your puppy bit your sister, yes, that was wrong of the puppy, and you need to teach her that, but I've never met a puppy who wasn't mouthy and didn't like to nip. (Until taught otherwise.) Do a search on the forum, there are many suggestions for mouthing and nipping. Among them, redirect your dog to another, more acceptable object. Or, trade. If she has a shoe or other inappropriate chewing material, give her one that is. Also, keep a better eye on your dog, so she can't get into inappropriate things in the first place -- you don't want her to settle into a pattern of misbehavior.

[Lady Dakota]

Thanks, I am not unsure myself I just feel like people are trying to make me unsure. I think and know that she is going to be fine and I have faith in myself that I will raise her right. I know what is wrong, I have had dogs all my life and I am just amazed that people like to think they know everything. I am actually looking into a Rottweiler Club and joining that, and then I live across from a park so she has all that interaction. And my vet informed me of a couple classes and then doggy daycare so she is around other dogs. I am confident that I am going to do good in raising her. And I am not having doubts, just people amaze me.

And I don't live with my family. But they stop by all the time. The biting of my sister was a fluke, dog thought she was playing and didnt understand. She was set in the other room for that and she hasnt bit anyone after that. She has her approved toys, and knows to just chew on them only. She has yet to chew on anything that she isnt supposed to, and i hope we can skip that stage.

Thanks for the advice.

[sarahd]

The best thing you can do for your dog is stop trying to argue your point that she will be a good dog...just get the training and PROVE THEM WRONG! When I first got my rotti people said things like, "are you stupid?" "did it eat you yet?" "they are monsters, why would you get a rotti?"

Just be a responsible pet owner and once you have a well behaved dog your family can think what they want...the proof will be there that your dog is not a "Terror" in the bad sense of the word. People love to think they are right about things even when they know nothing about it...just ignore the negativity and stick with making your dog a good citizen.

Good luck and hang in there!

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by sarahd

The best thing you can do for your dog is stop trying to argue your point that she will be a good dog...just get the training and PROVE THEM WRONG! When I first got my rotti people said things like, "are you stupid?" "did it eat you yet?" "they are monsters, why would you get a rotti?"

Just be a responsible pet owner and once you have a well behaved dog your family can think what they want...the proof will be there that your dog is not a "Terror" in the bad sense of the word. People love to think they are right about things even when they know nothing about it...just ignore the negativity and stick with making your dog a good citizen.

Good luck and hang in there!

This is great advice! I was trying to think of something to add, but this post has it covered! Well, maybe I will add, come here for advice and read up on raising a wonderful dog.

[JudyP]

If you are near one of the Rott Stock locations, that would be a great place to meet some experts, and some not experts from this great forum who are so willing to share their expertise.

Good luck with your puppy, and we LOVE pictures.

j

[reddog21]

At 10 weeks you should already be training your puppy both in obedience and socialising. Rotties are very intelligent and will take to short bursts of training say 5-10 minute sessions at this age. You sound fearfull of the dog and at this stage you shouldn't be. Do not play agressive games with your pup as this will only lead to trouble later. Rottweilers are one of the most loving ,loyal and intelligent dogs you can get. Train it to behave and do what you want it to do. They will test your resound,talk back and pull all the other tricks to try you out. Be firm and the pup will love you for it. Go enrol into some training classes today,not tomorrow.

[reddog21]

LD I have just read the Sticky above by Mick Trainer. This sums up where you are at present and the action you have to take. Thanks Mick, an excellent overview

[gomer9855]

My mother was terrified of Tasha, my boss's rottie when I started taking her to therapy (the dog, not my mother ). We visited seniors and the disabled. Tasha had to stay outside of our house at all times and mom wouldn't pet her for ANY reason. Eventually she got to know Tasha and learned how wonderful she was.
Now she absolutely loves my Frau and thinks she's the best dog ever. She's not a big dog person but says she'd adopt Frau in an instant.
It takes time and patience.
I had a husband and wife pet Frau when she was ten weeks old saying how sweet and cute she was, then ask what kind of dog she was "a rottweiler" I said. They stood up quickly. "Well, she's cute anyway" the husband said. Wife was like "yea still she tears a kid's face off" and they walked away.
Unfortunatly, being a rottie owner you have to learn to ignore ignorant people. You're going to hear it, and you're going to hear it a lot. Just do your best to prove them wrong, like sarahd said. Unfortunatly with rotties, one bad owner punishes many good owners via breed bands.

[TamieK]

When I got My Lex, I had the same thing. My uncle who is my neighbor was terrified of her. She knew it and when we went for walks, I would be sure to go around the farm to his house. Lex would sit on his feet until he petted her. Probably, the best advice is train, train, train. Also lots and lots of socialization, Petsmart, parks just walking through town. I live on a farm and always take Lex when I go anywhere and just walk her through town and all the county parks. Unfortunately, you come across lots of people who seriously believe they are "devil dogs". Ignore people when they say the bad stuff, think about how good she is.

[rottnkidd]

LD- Congrats on your new pup. I think enough has been said about the negative comments you'll be facing, but I just wanted to add a couple of things. Firstly, are you using a crate for your pup? Also, don't stop training after a puppy class or 2. Keep the formal obedience training going for at least 3-4 yrs. Consider joining a breed club, and get your pup involved in a structured activity aside from obedience. This is a great time to introduce your pup to Tracking! The day will come when you'll be beaming with pride that your Rottweiler pup has grown up to be a fine, well-trained adult!
Best wishes -
kathy

[kk0926]

I am in your same shoes.... My parent's wouldn't talk to me for weeks.... I don't live at home either. They were so mad I got a rottie. Claimed my home was to small for the dog. Mind you I live in a cape cod 3 bedroom single family home with a front and back yard. They kept telling me that Raven is going to be a monster and that one day she'll attack me. It was so bad that I took the puppy to my sons baseball game and they wouldn't even sit by me.
To be honest I told them to get over it and it's all about how you raise the dog. If they aren't going to talk to me because of a dog then who needs them.... Besides I wouldn't give up my puppy for the world. She makes me so happy and she is sooo good.
Needless to say, they got over it! Don't worry about your parents, they will come around.