Very shy and timid pup......HELP

[winniecnm]

Gladd to hear you have found some contacts to meet your pup and to help you thorough this problem.

I forgot to ask how old Reese was when you brought her home - she may have been taken away from her littermates a little young - you say she is 13 weeks now and you had her last month?

If you haven't already - read the sticky on the forum: http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/pup...velopment.html

Very informative IMO. - Good luck!

[Tracyd]

*sigh*... I truly hope for your sake, and Reese's, that this is something that you can work our through socializing and training. I'm gald you have someone coming out to see her, but don't let that give you a false sense of security. She will be in her own home, where she's comfortable, and may not react at all like she does out and about.
My husband and I own a small pub. I take Cannon in about three times a week in the morning when it's not too busy, just the bartender and maybe a couple people may walk in. He has been great, but I never let my guard down, EVER. Body language is everything. This, of course, has only confused me more because a trip to the pet store could be a disaster. Perfectly friendly people would get bit in a split second if they reached out to pet him. I don't put him, or myself in that situation any more.
Pay close attention to her, because when she gets bigger, she may lash out instead of hide. That is the number one problem with fear, it is totally unpredictable.

[nsgoddess]

The dog trainer was here today and met Reese, and she stayed for an hour and assesed her. Reese is not going to be a fear biter nor a mean tempermant dog. She said that Reese was simply going through a puppy stage and would grow out of it.
She went on to say that Reese actually has a very nice tempermant and will make a great family dog, and that she is a quick learner.
Needless to say I'm one happy mom :)

[Ilovemypuppy]

That's great news !!!! I had a feeling that would be the case....onwards !!! :o) Are you going to take her to obedience classes ? Glad you got a first hand, in person consult...way to go! Give Reese a snuggle from us !

[winniecnm]

I am relieved to hear the good news about Reese.

[rottnpagan]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

Rhiannon...where are you in Nova Scotia..maybe I can help find a trainer for you.....

That was going to be my question too. :)

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

That is great news. I'm just curious what her credientials are to be able to assess the situation. I would also be curious as to why this is not a behavior found in Rottweilers puppies proven to have stable temperments. What is experience with this breed? I don't want to disappoint you but I don't want you to believe this is just a "stage" if it were than we would all have to deal with this, it is not a stage but a sign of unstable temperment. The backing up and growling is fear based and unless this puppy has a had a terrible, traumatic event accur I could not attribute this type of behavior to anything besides weak nerves and fear based aggression.

If you are going to safely keep this dog you will need to become an expert in reading her body language. Also, be prepared to keep the public safe and her safe as well the liability is huge when dealing with a dog that has unpredicatable temperment. I just hope I'm wrong in this situation.

[nsgoddess]

Reese is doing amazing and her attitude is a 100% adjustment. She is outgoing and friendly now, doesn't growl, back away or anything of the sort. Her temperment is not going to be an issue at all.
As for the person who came and saw my dog...she is a dog breeder/trainer of over 16 years and familiar with the rotti breed and many others. She was HIGHLY recommended by numerous vets and dog owners..........

[winniecnm]

I am glad to hear that things have straightened out with Reese...

Seeing results from training is just the best reward. Had you not been so vigilant perhaps things would not have worked out so well. Good for you guys!!!!

[ula's new mom]

YEAH!!!!!!!! Never give up on a dog!

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

That is very good news. It is very important when working with a Rottweiler that the trainer knows the breed. I've seen many people go through puppy classes at PetsMart or seek help/advice through trainers that have no certifications and/or do not come recommended.

As far as never giving up on a dog, a puppy perhaps might be different, but I've seen many people hurt and injured because they didn't know when to give up on a dog. We just had one board member that had to put her dog down because she was afraid to even be in the house with the dog. Her trainer advised her now was the time. Don't put yourself and especially others in dangerous situations. That is why temperment must always be the first consideration in any breeding program.

Good luck with your puppy and keep us posted on her progress.

[ula's new mom]

why why why are so many people here willing to kill a dog? Just because it doesnt conform? I have talked to many trainers that say with Rotties people refuse to give them a chance if they snarl one time you have to put them to sleep. really makes me sick. I had a black lab that got really nasty I didnt put him down i worked with him and in the end he was fine..

In that respect this forum is awful KILLKILLKILLKILLL should be FIXFIXFIXFIX 90% of a dogs problem is the owners fault

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

Because as much as we would like to save all the dogs in the world the cold hard facts are that alot of them cannot be saved. If the dog is improperly bred and is, by it's very genetics unsound it cannot be changed. Otherwise we would be encourage to breed dogs that were aggressive and fearful and then just socialize the puppies and that would make it all better. Why even have a standard for temperment? Just live in fear that at any moment your dog will attack you, the neighbor or the dog down the street. I prefer not to be held hostage by my dog.

[ula's new mom]

Who knows I have never been held hostage by a dog. I am the pack leader and they know it end of story. Many people humanize these dogs that by nature live in a pack environment there is social order in a pack that dogs have to have to be good and happy dogs.ANY dog can be agressive if made to be that way. Agressive dogs can be brought to control if one works at it.

Alpha- you
Beta- the dog

Never the other way around.

Anyway I respect your veiws I just dont like them.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

The operative word here is "LIABILITY". That is why in rescue we don't take bite cases. There are people here who have done everything correct, researched lines, were experienced Rottie people, did obedience, etc and in the end the dog had to be euthanized. One person opted to pay big money for behaviorist only to end up with multiple stitches on her face. The dog was euthanized. She had this dog since it was 8 weeks old and did everything as she should have. If the dog is not "wired correctly" there is nothing you can do to change that and the dog becomes a huge liability. We are on the verge of not being able to own this breed, safety for others if not for ourselves must come first.

If you spent as much time rescuing as I have you will find that there are dogs to dangerous to put in homes and expect to interact with the general public and be 100% safe at anytime and in every place...99.9% is not good enough when you are talking about a dog that is able to kill.