22 Week Old Rottweiler - Aggression In Back Yard

[Cara001]

Hello All,

I have a 22 week old Rottwieler bitch (Cara), and i have one issue I would love some help or advice on ...

Background:

During the day (generally 9am to 5pm weekdays), Cara is outside of the house in the backyard. The backyard is about 75 foot long - for approx. 20ft from the the back door it is laid to concerete slabs (on which Cara's kennel is also loacted), and the remainding 50ft is laid to grass.

Cara tends to use the grass area to toilet and does not keep to specific area, just where she pleases. The grass area is cleaned up on aregular basis.

Issue:

When I go out into the backyard to see or play with Cara going onto the area laid to concerete slabs is ok, and we can play and have a fuss.

However, as soon as i walk down the yard on the grass area, there is a personallity change ... she will start barking generally, runs in front of my direction and continues barking, jumps up, will snap (not bite) at me, and if i ignore her and continue walking she will nip my legs/back/hands and generally get more annoyed.

Over the past few weeks I have tried different methods such as playing a game in this area, giving her a treat is she is 'good' and walks with me, distraction with a toy. Unfortunately, this is having little affect (although distracted she you can see that she is still aggrevated) and shortly after (say 60 seconds) she will start up again.

Help please!! ......

Many thanks in advance.

Best Regards, Lee

[groupieindenial]

It sounds like your describing puppy zoomies, since my dog ALWAYS gets this ANY and EVERYTIME we're both in the backyard together. Zoomies, runs really fast, usually in circles, crazed look on their face..no? But yu say it's aggressive...is it like she's staking out her territory? Is she showing teath, lowered head and low deep growl? <----that would sound more so aggressive. You say she's barking, is it a higher pitch bark? Maybe she's bullying/instigating you to play? Is she mainly an outdoor dog? This may have some impact on how she views you as the leader, or does she think she is the leader?

I'm not sure I understand the description well. First glance I get the impression its zoomies.

[Miabella]

It sounds simply like she is not getting enough exercise and mental stimulation. Being outside in a kennel is boring, and dogs do not exercise themselves. Put her on a leash, take her for a long walk, and start teaching her something!

[Cara001]

Yes, it's more like she's staking out her territory than zoomies. Sometimes she stands proud and barks, other times the head does lower and the teeth show. I don't think she is instigating play, as i have tried dsitraction with toys, balls, treats, ropes, etc, and it makes little different. Its like she wants me off the grass, as soon as i return the slab concrete area she is fine again!.

One other thing i didn't mention - she only EVER toliets on this grassed area in the backyard. In the 14 weeks i have had her, she has never urinated or gone the toilet anywhere else or during walks.

I don't think it is a lack of exercise ... she does get exercise (and maybe too much for just 22 weeks). She is walked for 30 minutes in the morning, and 30 minutes in the evening. She is learning lots of new tricks and picks them up quickly.

Please any more idea's??.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Cara001

I don't think it is a lack of exercise ... she does get exercise (and maybe too much for just 22 weeks). She is walked for 30 minutes in the morning, and 30 minutes in the evening.

Despite what you think, Cara isn't getting enough exercise. An hour's walk a day isn't nearly enough for a young, healthy, energetic dog.

I free walk our two girls for at least half an hour every morning before leaving for work. When I get home, we go for another free walk for about an hour. During the winter, this means I'm out walking with a flashlight. We walk in the rain and the snow. About the only time we don't get our usual amount of exercise is if I'm sick with a migraine. On the weekends and holidays, we're out longer. We have about 80 acres and many paths cut thru our property. I power walk along--no strolling--and our girls move right along. Our dogs are 5 yo & 6 year old and have been on this exercise program since we got them at around 6 mo old. Our younger girl has a very high energy level and is an infernal pest if she's not exercised and worked.

Not only does Cara need lots more physical exercise, she needs mental exercise to wear her out. Is she in class?

Up her exercise level--mental and physical--and you'll have a different dog.

[Miabella]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Despite what you think, Cara isn't getting enough exercise. An hour's walk a day isn't nearly enough for a young, healthy, energetic dog.

...

Up her exercise level--mental and physical--and you'll have a different dog.

I have to agree with AngelBunny 100% here. My 5 month old puppy also acts like a little savage when he hasn't had enough exercise, and he needs way more than you would expect. But once I realized what his exercise requirements were, it was like a magic bullet. When properly exercised, he is a charming young man.

[flyballmom]

And "exercise" isn't always physical. Sometimes exercising the brain muscle is more successful at tiring young heathens than anything else. In addition to lengthening those walks, or adding another one, teach her new stuff. Tricks, obedience behaviors, do a search on tracking......there are lots of things you can do to wear her out. Good luck!!

[Cara001]

Guys,

Thanks for your replies.

Please read my original post and second ... getting agressive in a certain area of the back yard is my only problem with her!, other than that she is an angel.

I do not think the issue is exercise related - the agression only starts when i go to a certain area of the back yard, and agression stops again when i'm no longer in this area!.

She goes to training class. Is learning new tricks all the time at home with me, and picks them up very quickly. We play together at home, and regularly free walk over the nearby fields.

I was advised by the breeder and trainers exercise only a little up to 12 months due to bone and muscle developement. After 12 months two walks a day (30mins, and 1 hour) ... which i intend to do.

Best Regards, Lee

[fostermom]

It sounds as if she has decided that the yard is HERS and is letting you know that... My guys will "protect" the fence from people walking by but let anyone into the house (ie, the house is MINE and the yard is THEIRS)....perhaps the grassy area is, in her mind, a more high value item thus she will guard that and not the cemented area (just like dogs who guard their bones but not their food). It does sound as if she spends ALOT of time in the backyard alone so would justifiably (in her mind) decide it belongs to her. Is it an option to have her spend her days inside the house (crated if needed)? Think I'd start NIFL on her and maybe do alot of obedience work with her in the yard on leash so you can correct the behavior.

[groupieindenial]

Originally Posted by fostermom

It sounds as if she has decided that the yard is HERS and is letting you know that... My guys will "protect" the fence from people walking by but let anyone into the house (ie, the house is MINE and the yard is THEIRS)....perhaps the grassy area is, in her mind, a more high value item thus she will guard that and not the cemented area (just like dogs who guard their bones but not their food). It does sound as if she spends ALOT of time in the backyard alone so would justifiably (in her mind) decide it belongs to her.

I think Fostermom's right. Just because the pup hasn't tested you anywhere else, does not mean that she does not see the yard as "hers". My dog stakes claim on anything that's on the floor! And the yard? No furry animal better come into the yard, he goes ballistic! They go through phases, and will test you in different areas, and issues you wouldn't associate with "testing" you. Just because she's great in every other aspect, does not mean she hasn't found an infinitesimal chance to gain some ground on you.

Don't underestimate their cleverness.