Aggression...12wk puppy

[guns dad]

I am new to owning a dog of any kind but have had my eye on owning a rott for quite a few years now. I recently purchased one that was 8 wks old and is now 12 wks. I've noticed that he tends to get too agressive when playing with members of my family and close friends that he comes into contact with almost every day but he gets extremely aggressive toward myself. It gets to the point of having to hold his snout and hold him down to the ground. What would make him act this way?

[LavenderRott]

First off, stop holding his snout and don't pin him to the ground. It is counter-productive as I am sure you have notice that he is struggling to get away from you. As he gets older, pinning him to the ground will become more dangerous for you.

There are several threads that talk about puppy biting. If you do a search, I am sure you will come up with several.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Please take the time to read this wonderful post by Damp.

Aggressive & Dominant Pups

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by guns dad

I am new to owning a dog of any kind but have had my eye on owning a rott for quite a few years now. I recently purchased one that was 8 wks old and is now 12 wks. I've noticed that he tends to get too agressive when playing with members of my family and close friends that he comes into contact with almost every day but he gets extremely aggressive toward myself. It gets to the point of having to hold his snout and hold him down to the ground. What would make him act this way?

He is a puppy. He is still learning. Give him a toy to redirect him.Tell him no in a firm voice and ignore him, but don't pin him to the ground. If you feel yourself getting frustrated with him, put him in a crate until you can regroup. These guys can be land sharks with fur when they are babies, but with paitence and redirection, he will soon settle down and become a good compainion.

[Judi W]

I suspect that you all are playing a bit rough with him and he is playing rough right back.

[mrsgrubby]

Several "old wives tales" really don't work and shouldn't be used to train a dog.

1. Grabbing the snout and looking them in the eye. Rotties have extremely strong prey drives and also are strong willed. If you try to match your strength and your will against theirs, you will never win. You need to make him want to please you and obey you by using positive reinforcement, not negative techniques.

2. The scruff shake and alpha roll. Again these are not recommended as training aids, especially for someone new to the breed.

3. rubbing their nose in their "pee accidents". This does no good at all, and only breaks down the trust between puppy and owner.

Rottweilers have strong jaws, there is no doubt about it, probably only second to a pit bull. But you still have a puppy and need to redirect the attention to a toy.

Please read some of the other threads on this site.

Also just as a side, Judi guessed you were playing rough. Please be careful not to play rough with your rottweiller puppy, he will get big and strong. One of the breeders I deal regularly with suggest no "tug of war" or wrestling for the ENTIRE first year. the reason is two fold. One, both can be hard on joints and legs, and secondly, it is rough play and difficult enough to train a rottie with stong prey drive, let alone one that your regularly play rough with. Interestingly enough, another breeder I deal with says absolutely no wrestling ever, ever, ever, and my trainer just gave me a book that says the same thing.

[guns dad]

Thanks for the info. I understand that it is still a puppy and it has a lot to learn. I have already signed up for some puppy classes that start tuesday, so I am hoping that it helps myself better understand what is expected of me to communicate to my puppy. The behavier is something that concerned me due to the fact of having him possibly get to rough with my children or possibly have a mishap. like it nipping at their face. I will look through some of the other treads to help with learning communication as well. But I guess at the moment I truely do not know how to properly communicate with my dog.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by guns dad

Thanks for the info. I understand that it is still a puppy and it has a lot to learn. I have already signed up for some puppy classes that start tuesday, so I am hoping that it helps myself better understand what is expected of me to communicate to my puppy. The behavier is something that concerned me due to the fact of having him possibly get to rough with my children or possibly have a mishap. like it nipping at their face. I will look through some of the other treads to help with learning communication as well. But I guess at the moment I truely do not know how to properly communicate with my dog.

You should get some good advice in puppy class and it will be a big help to you and your relationship with your pup. Sounds to me like you are willing to learn and do what it takes to keep all involved safe and happy and raise your pup to be a nice dog.

[guns dad]

thanks for the kind words Montanarott. And yes I am willing to learn. I want Gunner to be a member of the family and so does everyone else involved.

[LavenderRott]

Well, you have certainly come to the right place!

Welcome to the forums!

[pazzo]

mrsgrubby, just had to add the rottweiler's jaws are NOT second to a pit bull. Infact thier jaws are stronger! To my surprise I was watching a show on national geographic and they measured the bite pressure of a wild dog, a pit bull, and rotti. Our rotti won out. I am not 100% sure about the wild dog, but If I remember correctly I believe the rotti was strongest. Just wanted to add a tid bit.

[rhylmarova]

Just to ad my experience. I have a 14wks old male now (own him since he was 9wks). Got the same problems...or thought it was a problem. He is nipping at my feet in the morning, at my partner's feet in the evening. Jumping and nipping when he gets hyper active. I just learned here to keep calm (even though I still struggle at times), be consistent and we will get there.

We have seen few improvements. Definitelly, he is nipping with less frequency. Starts hearing the 'NO', stopped chewing the carpet etc. He also now asks to go out to toilet. So I guess, we need more patience and time...:-))

Good luck