Puppy Behavior

[mikes5961]

Hi everyone,

I just purchased my 1st Rotteiler puppy a week ago. His name is Rocco and he is expected to be anywhere from 140 - 160 pounds fully grown. I have 2 children ages 9 and 3 (both girls). The puppy is pretty playful and fun for the most part, but a couple times he has gotten a little angry and starts to growl or threatens to bite. When he does this I put him on his back and hold him down. He continues to try and bite me and seems very angry, but he eventually submits, then I let him up once he is calm. Should I be worried? He is only 11 weeks old, but this sort of behavior cannot continue once he is older. Have I done the right thing?
Looking for any suggetions.

[brunie's mom]

I suggest you real all of the 'stickies" in the Puppy Development Forum...it will help you with the problems you seem to be having. Then I would suggest you read the "stickies" on the Breeding Forum. I'm afraid if you were told that your dog would weigh 140-160 lbs you bought your puppy from a BYB. Any decent breeder would not be breeding out of the standard for this giant type of sized dog. Most male Rottweilers are usually around 100-120 lbs...this is not a GIANT breed. I would be worried about health and temperament problems in the future.

Get enrolled into Puppy Kindergarten classes ASAP...so that the instructor can teach you how to teach your puppy. With this breed classes are a must for the next couple of years.
Stop rolling your puppy and making it submit...this is an out of date method that should not be used anymore. Start by putting a toy (rope toy, or stuffed animal) in your puppies mouth anytime it comes after you biting. It will have to be done a thousand times, but re-direction works.

Gina

[mikes5961]

Brunie's mom,

Thank you for the advice. The breeder I bought from is very reputable in my area and I am witness to many success stories, however their Rott's tend to be on the larger side. I am not overly concerned with this behavior yet, however this is my first Rottweiler and I am very anxious to have a well trained, good tempermant dog. I will certainly look into puppy classes as soon as possible.

Thanks,
Mike

[brunie's mom]

Since you live in the area, please tell me that you did not buy from Kimbertal Kennels??? One of the biggest puppy mills there is.

If you had bought from a reputable breeder it would have been in your contract to be attending Puppy Kindergarten classes and beyond.

Breeding dogs that are oversized, and not in the breed standard means that they are not reputable. What were the OFA scores on the sire and the dam of the puppy? I worry that you will have future health and temperament problems. This breed is so prone to many things, and lousy breeders that don't screen for health or genetics or temperament are giving the breed a bad name.

Get signed up for classes ASAP...having young children you need a dog that is very well trained and that listens and respects everyone.

Gina

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by mikes5961

....The breeder I bought from is very reputable in my area and I am witness to many success stories, however their Rott's tend to be on the larger side.....this is my first Rottweiler....

Oh, dear. I'm not getting a good feeling about where you got your puppy....

I so wish you'd found us first.