from simple "rose ear" to snapping at child

[swigdzinski]

I was going to post a question regarding my 5 month old's budding rose ear issues which, while unimportant in the grand scheme of things, I still figured that I might try to fix if possible. His disposition has been great, he's small (44lbs), but healthy and we love him very much!

PROBLEM... instead of asking for info about rose ear, tonight I am asking for help with what may be aggression!

My 2 year old niece, while under supervision, was hugging the dog. she let him go when he walked off, but followed him to where he lay down. She then proceeded to hug him again and sort of gently leaned on him. Suddenly he barked and snapped at her face. I instantly rolled him on his back and scolded him, but did not hit him or get all crazy. Honestly, I was just shocked! Of course, the first thing I heard from a visitor who is not a rottie person says,"oh yeah, rotties are great with kids! Isn't that what you said?".

I have him enrolled in puppy obedience. He is very good in class (and out). He goes everywhere and meets everyone. We have cats, rabbits, chickens, alpacas and 3 labs and is gentle except while roughhousing with the labs.

Well, is this a puppy thing? Will he become a threat to kids? I met his parents, they appeared friendly. I just love him and am so worried that he will be a problem animal. I so wish that someone could say, hey-don't worry about it! What should I do???????????

Please, please help! I feel sick about this!!

[moondog]

Originally Posted by swigdzinski

My 2 year old niece, while under supervision, was hugging the dog. she let him go when he walked off, but followed him to where he lay down. She then proceeded to hug him again and sort of gently leaned on him. Suddenly he barked and snapped at her face.

Actually, he did exactly the right thing to communicate that he doesn't appreciate being hugged - he walked off. Apparently this gentle gesture wasn't understood by the child or the adults in supervision, so he said it again, louder - he barked and snapped at her. Also, just because you're present doesn't mean your supervision is adequate - it wasn't in this situation. The little girl should have been prevented from hugging the dog to begin with, and certainly should have been stopped from following him to do it again. That's on the adults.

A hug in "dog language" is a sign of dominance and can be perceived as a threat. The puppy did nothing wrong. He's the one who did it right, the adults got it wrong. If a child needs to hug something, give her a stuffed toy to hug, not a dog. She needs the adults to help her learn how to interact with dogs, how to respect their space, and how to pet without hugging.

Originally Posted by swigdzinski

I instantly rolled him on his back and scolded him, but did not hit him or get all crazy. Honestly, I was just shocked!

This is very old school, counterproductive, and unnecessary. By doing that, you did get "crazy". I understand you were shocked, but with a better understanding of the behavior of dogs you will see that this was not unexpected behavior from a dog, given the circumstances.

Stick around and read, read, read. There's much to learn here.

[ajemons]

Pretty much I could not better what Moondog has told you.
Raising puppies is always a learning curve, new things happen all the time. I appreciate you were shocked, of course, but although, in human terms what your puppy did may seem 'rude', he was acting very appropriately.
In wild dogs the alpha roll is an action carried out by the subserviant dog, the dominant dog does not force it. It is an appeasing action of apology, if you understand where I'm coming from.
What's the problem with your dogs ears ??? :)

[stale]

something to add, for the alpha roll crowd. the only time the submissive posture is "forced" is before an animal gets itself killed. the whole reason being on their back is submissive is because all the tender bits (belly, throat) are exposed when the dog is on the back.

as mentioned above, it is a voluntary behaviour. forcing it is just sending the most god-awful confusing message to your dog.

[swigdzinski]

Thank you all for your replies. Honestly, I wanted the fault to be mine and am glad that it was. I will continue to read more on dog "language". I love my little guy and want only for him to be the perfect ambassador for the breed.

I'll try to post a picture of him soon. His ears are quite fly-away (creased in the back) all of a sudden! I followed a helpful link that another member posted a while ago with regards to taping. Doesn't look too comfortable.

Thanks again,
Steven

[moz205]

Agree totally with above posters. I had a very aggressive Rott and when my son was young, he tripped over Rommel. Rommel's reaction was to growl for a second, get up and leave the dining room and head into the front porch which was his space. He could have easily done serious damage but held back and gave his warning followed by avoidance.
I still don't understand that alpha roll thing! Why people pretend to be a dog without knowing the basis of the dogs actions they are trying to mimick.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by moz205

I still don't understand that alpha roll thing! Why people pretend to be a dog without knowing the basis of the dogs actions they are trying to mimick.

People watch the Dog Whisperer and think that Cesar Milan is just great. They see him do it on t.v. to the dogs and think the way to show "dominance" is to roll the dog....just like Cesar.

I wonder how many people have been bitten by their dogs/pups because of this????

To the OP: You've been given good advice. Rottweilers, and other breeds are not the huggy/feely type of breed. Hugging is considered rude by dogs. Some dogs will tolerate it....and some just plain don't like it.

The child needs to learn how to behave around a Rottweiler...and you need to keep your pup safe. Please do not set up this pup to fail. Keep everyone safe and happy.

Gina

[Jaegersmom]

The alpha roll thing has been around long before Caesar. I remember people doing it back in the 70's, and I've read books written in the 60's that also mention it. But some of those authors seemed to think the best way of dealing with a dog was to beat it into submission.

Not that I'm a Caesar fan, just like to point out that he had to have learned his techniques from somewhere, even if they are antiquated and debunked.