thinking about adding rottie

[astroxik]

I've had Sophie, my rescued pointer/terrier mix for about 6 months, and with a fence soon going up in my backyard, I've been considering getting a second dog. I've always loved Rotties and have been seriously considering adding one to the menagerie. (3 cats as well as the dog.)

Sophie is about 1.5 years, and she's happily crate trained and is fairly obedient. I've realized after reading all your posts that I need to get her much better trained before I can even think of adding a new puppy. Even assuming all that goes well, I still have a potential behavioral question to ask.

Sophie is passive-aggressive jealous. She doesn't bark, and she never ever bares her teeth and I've never seen her do anything even remotely malicious. However, when a cat jumps on my lap to be petted, (or my son gets in for a cuddle) Sophie will stick her head in front of my face. Not in my face, in front of, looking perpendicular to me. Inches away. It's a little weird. It's very calm, like, "la di da, I was just walking by and thought I'd stick my face right here..." I make a serious effort to make sure the other animals (as well as my son) all get the affection they need/want/whatever, but Sophie is always there reminding me that ...well... that she's there.

She also has no concept of personal space. Particularly with the cats. That sometimes gets interesting.

I think with real (as opposed to in-home sort of casual) training, I can get her to behave a little better, but am I opening myself up to a world of trouble if I try to bring a rottie puppy who'll grow up into a much bigger rottie dog into my house?

I'm not in any rush to make this decision. I don't even know where to find the right breeder around here. I'm just trying not to "fall in love" with the idea before I'm sure it's the right thing to do...

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,
laurie

[Judi W]

I always believe it is best to earn your bones with one dog before adding another. In other words, if you haven't managed to get an admirable level of behavior out of the dog you have, don't get another one (especially a Rottweiler) until you have. Learn on the one in your home and then you will also have a better example set for the pup as well as the added experience. My biggest cringe was a few months ago when a lady called me looking for a Rottweiler puppy. They have a Beagle which was off living with a professional trainer. All I could think was, if you can't train a little Beagle to be housebroken and not to bite, what the heck are you going to do with a Rottweiler. Now I know this is a gross exageration from what you are talking about, but you get my point. If this girl is pushy just wait till she sees a pup getting attention. And if pushy is the name of the game, just wait till you've got about 100 pounds of it!

You are a wise lady Laurie. Take this kid to obedience classes. You'll learn much, make many new friends and then be ready to welcome a new pup.

[AngelBunny]

astroxik:

Judi W has given you sage advice that I urge you to take to heart. You're not ready for a dog such as a Rottie because Sophie's training is weak. Rotties are such a different kettle of fish it's hard to convey this to someone who hasn't had one or is relatively unfamiliar with the breed.

While Sophie may not have to date, barked nor bared her teeth nor done "anything even remotely malicious," this is likely due to the face she's the only dog in the house. The cats are a threat, but are certainly *not* the threat she'll surely perceive another dog to be. When you have another dog in the house, you don't want Sophie's face inches away from your face--and Sophie's face *shouldn't* now be so close to yours.

When Sophie's perfectly, reliably trained and would never think of disobeying you, is the time for you to get a Rottie. She needs to behave way, way better before you add another dog.

[astroxik]

Agreed with both replies. I've never really tried very hard to train Sophie because I've never had any issues with her. She's sweet and her little quirks are at worst annoying to humans. I completely realize that the 80% "sits and downs" and 60% "comes" aren't good enough, though, for another pup, so I'll be starting obedience with her in the next week or so.

I can promise you that I will not even consider another dog until I'm certain I can control the one I have as close to 100% as I can hope for.

What I was more concerned with is whether or not her "you can only pet the cat if you're also petting me" behavior will be something I can control with training or will she be permanently "passively jealous" regardless? Does her behavior sound simply like an untrained dog, or like a dog who will not take to another dog in my house under any circumstances. (she is very social, LOVES other dogs, particularly big ones. Just is protective of her proximity to me.) If it's just training, then I will work like the devil to get her reliable. I would very much like another dog...

thanks,
laurie

[Judi W]

Training helps establish the dog's place in the world. It teaches them they cannot induldge in all their whims and to be responsive. Will it make a difference? You bet, but only if you also utilize that authority in general living when she becomes obnoxious. Learning to respond to "commands" also transfers to learning to respond to informal instructions. "Sophie, I told you to get out of my face and go lie down somewhere" ..... Put cat down for a minute, take Sophie by the collar and march her across the room.... All dogs should also know "Knock it off". and "That's ENOUGH"! It is the learning of respect for authority that obedience helps implement. (of course you must mean it and not just be fooling around).

[astroxik]

Excellent. Thanks so much. Most of the time she will actually do this, (ie, lay down if I tell her to when she's pestering the cat) but it's not 100% reliable. I'm also not afraid of marching her into her crate when times demand. I'm not particularly weak-willed, or I'd never even consider getting a Rottie.

Thanks again.
laurie