Roadside Horror.

[roadkill]

First some info on my pup/dog. He just turned ten months on Monday. Around our other dogs (Shi Tzu, female Boxer, female Rottie) hes fine.

The main problem is when i take him into public, when he sees another dog he goes psychotic. He's becoming increasingly large and extremely strong, and i have a hard time restraining him. He'll normally obey commands at home, but when in psychotic mode he hears nothing.

Its annoying because when walking with me on his leash (as in with no other dogs in the vicinity) he walks perfectly and respects my pace.

For the first time since October, we took he and the little Shi Tzu out in public. My Rottweiler seen a Husky, for whatever reason this time he lost it completey and temporarily over-powered me - pulling me onto the road.

Like i said around home and family hes very goofy and affable, anything but agressive.

I am now avoiding public excercise untill i find a resolve for this problem. I let him freeroam in a quiet nature reserve beside us. However i've noticed he is begginning to lose respect for the word "come" when i let him roam. Its odd that thats the only command though, the others (sit, lie down etc) seem to be fine.

However the agression is where i mainly need help. Any suggestions?

Thanks :)

[debbiej]

this is a problem that only gets worse if you don't address it. Get your dog into a good basic obedience class, start learning how to handle him now while he is young and can be turned around a lot more easily than when he is older. he needs training and socialization. I was looking around the internet today and found this page. there is some good information on how very important constant training is for a rottie.

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dogs-faq/breeds/rottweilers/

[CuteCookie]

My first Rott was an adoption from another family. She was never socialized with other dogs so on walks, just as you described, she behaved badly. I almost wanted to walk around with I'm sorry letters to toss at the other people because of her bad reactions to other dogs on walks.

This was a dog who had done her obedience training, with the other owners, and again when I got her. What I was told was that the dog is trying to protect you. To keep potential dangers away from you like a pack leader. Protect the subordinate, that being you.

The way I broke my dog of the habit was to place her in a down stay, while holding a toy or treat in my hand. I kept my body in front of her so she could not see the other dog directly. I did this at a distance from the other dog. Try it in a park area where the other dog will be more than 50 feet from you and passing by not staying to play in the park. If my dog tried to come out of her laying down stay I would correct her right away.

Keeping myself between her and the other dog with her in a stay showed her that I was the boss and she needed to be submissive. I would be the protector, not her. I would keep my dogs attention on me by using the treat or the toy. She grew out of it in time. When trying this remember to keep your distance from the other dog. Do not let your dog out of stay, so keep control of the leash. Also what kind of collar makes a difference. I used a pinch collar. One or two corrections with this and she never tested me on the command.

[poohbearsmom]

Training training training.

Get into an obedience class ASAP. You must gain respect from your dog.

Make sure that any encounters with strange dogs right now are in a CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.

You'll likely need to desensitize him slowly - in other words, in a controlled environment, a distance away from other dogs... as you gain control through training, you'll be able to get closer to the distractions.

Find a qualified trainer to assist you with this, please.