female pup - mounting?

[scsrot1219]

Just a quick question, and not sure if I'm over reacting. I know that mounting can generally be a dominance issue when it's not done between two mature dogs ready for breeding. We have a approx 9-10 wk old female pup. She is very good natured, very puppy mouthy, etc. She loves to be constantly touching us (sit in our lap on the floor, lay across our legs when she chews toys, have a paw on us when she's sleeping).. the other day I was sitting on the kitchen floor with her.. as usual she was walking all over my legs trying to get comfortable to chew her bone. The next thing I know, it seems like she's stuck trying to get past my leg, then I notice her doing the mounting motions on my leg!

Needless to say I stopped her behavior right away! And put her on her back for a minute just to remind her who's dominant (had read this is a technique, please don't get mad at me if I was wrong).. Just want opinions if female pups at this early age even know what they're doing, if she was mounting me to be dominant, if she was just doing that out of curiosity, etc... Any insights would be appreciated.

[Burnsway]

Other then putting her on her back I think you handled it fine. Some dogs do it for dominance while others do it just to do it...... Sometimes during play they get excited and do it which sounds like what your pup was doing. 10 weeks is pretty young and I wouldn't over correct it. Just take her away from what is getting her excited. maybe a verbal tough NO! but I feel she is really young to even need that.

But I do highly suggest no alpha rolling. Bond with your pup........not fight or bully.......

[scsrot1219]

Thank you for the advice. The reason i thought I'd needed to do alpha rolling is:
1. the breeder had told us she was going to be a "hard" dog and we'd need to be alpha
2. the book "The Ultimate Rottweiler" said that you need to be always alpha with your dog and ensure that any game you play, you always win to reinforce this.

She is such a sweet pup I can't see her being "hard".. I think he meant dominant... She does listen well except when it comes to being so mouthy. I don't think she meant anything by it, just thought I should be ensuring she doesn't try to be too dominant because I have 2 small children and I want her to understand her place in the family pack.

I do believe the breeder released her to us too young.. he said she was 6 wks and she'd be about 11 wks, now, but I think he was off by 2 maybe even 3 wks for her size, behaviors, etc... Even my trainer thought she was younger then the paperwork said and warned that there are breeder out there who will accidentaly or deliberately put a wrong date down and not correct it. She was 4lbs when we go her.. about 12 lbs now.

We are also having problems getting her to not piddle in her crate or in the home.

[brunie's mom]

Since your "breeder"....let this pup go at such a young age...I would not be listening to any advise they have given.

I would not be saying "alpha"...but leader.
You want to be the leader, and you want the dog to learn and to listen.
First of all I would get off of the floor with your puppy. Puppy stays off of your lap, legs,etc. You sit on chair or sofa, pup lays on the floor.

Don't pet and fondle her everyminute...she will soon think that you are here to serve her. Don't carry her around either.

Get signed up for a puppy class....obedience classes will teach her that you are in charge and a bond of leadership will come with training.

If she knows the "sit" command...make her sit before she gets a pat or a treat or her leash on,etc.

Gina

[scsrot1219]

She knows "sit", "come" and her name. She's learning "inside" & "crate" fairly well. I have been taking her out to socialize her for neighborhood walks, to play with dogs who I know are up to date on shots, and to certain stores, etc (that I know are safe). She is due for her last set of shots in about 2 wks. She's had 2 sets already.

I don't allow my dogs ever on furniture. But I thought it was important at this age to bond with her, touch her, etc. But I see the logic in getting off the floor so I'm not consider her toy.

I have had a dog trainer come and meet her, but am having a hard time finding a dog class in my area to enroll her in for puppy socialization and basic obediance. I don't like the petsmart one very much, but may have to sign up for this.

She also does socialize with our 6 yr old shep mix male who has been tolerant, but taught her a few lessons about his ankles being off limits!

I do make her sit before we give her treats or her food bowl. And I have been working on her sitting each time I stop at a walk as well.