New rottweiler owner in need of help!

[ODOG77]

My wife and two kids acquired a rottweiler puppy, called Phoenix. He is know 13 weeks old and we got him when he was 8 weeks. He was great for the first two weeks, but then he showed signs of aggression (I think). Especially if he's sleeping and we go pet him a little, he'll growl and then if we keep petting him he'll snap at us. He'll also act like this if he's tired. It makes me extemely nervous because I have a one year old and a five year old. If he acts up like that we lay him on his side and tell him "NO BITING," and he looks away and settles down. Yesterday he had one of my wife's socks and my daughter went to grab it and he bit her on the arm almost breaking the skin and sending her into tears. There's times he can be such a sweet heart and I'd hate to get rid of him because of these few instances but i don't want my kids to get hurt. Phoenix is great when we have company or are visiting people. We have a trainer comimg over next Monday to evaluate him and his behaviors and to help us. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks ahead of time.

[zorro13]

The trainer coming over next week will be your best bet, as this person will see the behaviors. But keep a few things in mind here:

1. Puppies bite, your dog is teething as well-which is a stressful time in and of itself. Plus, socks and anything you don't want your dog to have should be put away, but taking the sock away initiates instant play in a pup; hence the play bite. Don't get your shorts in a bunch, this is not aggression. Start training your pup to trade, offer up some high value treat to retrieve anything it shouldn't have. As you're trading, you should be training the 'drop it' command as well. Always verbally praise the pup and offer a treat.

2. For biting instances, there is no need to put any pup/dog on its side. Instead use re-direction, take a toy and teach the pup what it can bite instead. For teething periods, where biting can be excessive at this time, you can offer a chilly bone (sold in pet stores), ice cubes, frozen pieces of hotdog, and/or a frozen cloth/rag. (soak it, wring it, roll it up, put in freezer, great chewing item for a teething pup--all under supervision of course)

3. Growling/snapping while sleeping. Is anyone in the house constantly hovering over or annoying the pup at all times? If your pup doesn't sleep in a crate, you will want to purchase one, even they need alone time, respect this. While I have never experienced this with any of my dogs, I see this more as aggravation coming from humans.

4. Remember to always supervise all children w/ dogs regardless of ages of both. While pups learn proper behavior, so must children.

5. I recommend a training class as well.

[Baxter's Mom]

Why did you get a rottweiler?

Some dogs don't like to be startled out of their sleep... I would start with puppy classes...

[ODOG77]

We got a rott because friends of ours has one and he is great with kids. We used to have a pit bull and he was great with my daughter, but he was also 14yrs old.

[ODOG77]

Thanks for the info. If we do get into a situtation where Phoenix growls at us (not in a playful manner), how do we defuse the problem and leaving the instance on a good note. Thanks again zorro13 for the good info.

[JoJo]

Please read ALL the stickys in the Puppy Development Forum.

You have to first realize that this is a PUPPY. They aren't born trained. You as a responsible owner need to train this pup as you have to teach your children. Same difference.

Do you like being messed with when you are sleeping? I didn't think so. Why would you think any different with your pup?

What makes me extremely nervous is that you don't seem to know anything about puppies, more so Rottweilers. Please, please get into a puppy class and read, read and read more of this forum. You must learn how to handle and understand puppies first, then how to rear this pup as he gets older and bigger and stronger. Rottweilers are not for everyone.

Also, please teach your children how to respect the dog and his space while you are teaching your pup.

[ODOG77]

The last time we had a puppy was fourteen years ago, so it's been awhile. I'm not a breeder of any sort so we don't thru this stage offen. We had a pitbull which was hyper when a pup that i can remember and well behaved as he got older. That's why i joined this site to become knowledgeable and get useful tips on how to raise a rottie correctly from fellow rottie owners and professionals. Thanks for the constrcutive criticism

[hill0523]

The first time this happened to us with our puppy who is now 9 months old it scared the heck out of my wife and I . We to have young kids and thought what the heck did we get ourselves into. We too had friends who had awesome rotties. Our first "aggression came when she was on the bed and we went to mover her and she growled at us." The way we handled it was we would say "knock it off" in a stern voice. We did not try to avoid these situations or try diversion tactics. We simply reinforced we were in charge and that type of behavior is not tolerated. We actually put her in situations that we knew would trigger her, like giving her a tasty bone and taking it away from her. It took about 3 days before she realized we were in charge, and she slowly stopped the growling. Occasionally she gives us a grunt to show her disapproval but she knows exactly what "knock it off" means. The only time we occasionally get a grunt from her now is when she is on the bed and does not want to come off. If we say "knock it off she knows exactly that she did something we do not approve of or tolerate." We use knock it off for all bad behavior and it has worked great. We even have our 4 and 7 year old doing it. She knows she is at the bottom of the totem pole. Remember Rotties will challenge you!!! They want to be the boss and will be if you allow it!!!! Backing away from her only reinforces that the dog has gotten his way with this behavior so he will keep doing it. Our girl is an awesome dog who is friendly with all dogs, kids or anyone. You must socialize, socialize and socialize. Plently of exercise will make your rottie a much better behaved dog and he will listen to you much better. You must put a stop to the behavior now before the dog gets too big and tries to run your home. I do have to say that I do allow aggressive behavior such as growling and barking when I play with her but noone else. I have a trigger phrase which is "No Bite" which means we are done playing. She really enjoys the roughhousing but when I say No Bite her ears instantly go back, tail wags and she licks my face and she knows we are done. I start the play and I stop the play. Continually reinforcing I am in charge. This conditioning in all aspects of her training has definitely made her one of the best dogs I have ever been around. Good Luck, stay firm. Also some people will not agree with the "alpha type" tactics I have used but I can tell you it has worked awesome. Exercise, exercise, exercise.

[JoJo]

This PUPPY IS NOT BEING AGGRESSIVE at 13 weeks! This puppy is BEING A PUPPY! Please OP, do not listen to hill0523, for they do not know what they are doing. They have been lucky so far. Their dog sounds like a very tolerant dog with a good temperament. Please do as I suggested, read ALL the stickys in this Puppy Forum and hillo523, you need to read ALL the stickys in the Behavior and Training Forums BEFORE someone gets hurt, meaning your children. They shouldn't be giving this dog any commands for they aren't old enough to even know what a command is!

The only thing they have correct is "

Also some people will not agree with the "alpha type" tactics I have used

These aren't alpha type tactics, they sound more like "making my dog submissive and breaking his spirit" tactics. There is no positive reinforcement being used whatsoever. Nothing fair in being a bully.

[1rohttor]

Puppies this young are putting you to the test, they are trying to find there place in the pack. It up to you to show them there place, you have to train them and get them into classes. This is never ending as the same as your kids would do. but puppies do it more often. Everyone on this forum will tell you to enroll him in classes. It is also fun for both of you, it will give you and your rottie a true bonding.

[ODOG77]

We joined a seven week puppy training class, which starts this Sunday, and on this Monday we have trainer coming over to give us, I guess you could say a game plan on how to train him properly and answer our questions. The trainer is the same trainer teaching the puppy class, which will work out good. Thanks again for everyone's individual opinions and ideas.

[ODOG77]

Due to everyone's input, we've put some of our fears to rest. We now know that it's mostly puppy behavior and have to train him. Also enrolling him in these classes should be be extremely helpful.

[Barrie]

Originally Posted by ODOG77

The last time we had a puppy was fourteen years ago, so it's been awhile. I'm not a breeder of any sort so we don't thru this stage offen. We had a pitbull which was hyper when a pup that i can remember and well behaved as he got older. That's why i joined this site to become knowledgeable and get useful tips on how to raise a rottie correctly from fellow rottie owners and professionals. Thanks for the constrcutive criticism

Hang in there; I was just there a few months ago. How old are your kids? Mine are 10 and 12 and yes, they got overwhelmed with the biting/zoomies episodes. Redirecting is the key. Get yourself informed with NILIF, and also make sure your kids are wearing long pants with pockets (to fit redirecting toys).

Puppy classes will make a world of difference I can assure you. Just remember to sign up for classes that allow the kids to take part in them. Mine are expected to do at least two 10 minutes training sessions each every day.

My Bear is 5 months now, and though he has a way to go, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And oh yeah, he's over 50 pounds already, so trying to turn him on his side to get him to settle is SOOOOOOOO out of the question, so redirecting is a much better way to go.

All the best to you!

[ODOG77]

Thank you so much for the support. Our kids are 5yrs old and 12 months old. Our rottie, Phoenix leaves the baby alone, not sure why. It is good to know that we are not the only ones going thru this. We really hope that the puppy training class helps out. My wife is planning on taking my 5 year old daughter with her to the classes. We are trying to get our daughter involved as much as possible. Phoenix is already almost 27lbs. Thanks again for the support and input. Will keep everyone posted on the training and what happens on Monday when she comes to evaluate Phoenix.

[hill0523]

Nor do I think that this dog is being aggressive. He is testing you. We absolutely used redirection, praise and tons of treats for good behavior not some sort of submissive yelling and beating. We believe there is no problem having a trigger word or phrase that is said in a firm voice, (not yelling) to let the puppy know what is and is not acceptable. When the dog bites you and you say "No bite" firmly and give him something to chew on it is much better than just diverting his attention. Even if the puppy doesn't understand at 13 weeks with repetition the dog learns. If you go to move the dog off the bed and it growls, grumbles or whatever, are you supposed to say good dog? ignore it? A firm command saying it is not acceptable has been extremely effective. Treats and positive reinforcement are essential.