Question about 5 month old cowering when approached

[DomAndCats Dad]

Just got a 5 month old pup.
And everytime I go near her she lays straight down on the floor.
Why would she react this way?
Has anyone else had this problem and whats the best course to correct this?
She does it with my wife sometimes and has yet to do it with my kids.
Or if I'm petting my lab mix she comes over and starts licking my hand, but if I go to touch her she cowers again.
She is the 3rd rottie puppy I've had and I've raised them since I was 12 and the other 2 never reacted like this.
I have training starting tommorow and when I asked the trainer what it could be she stated it was because she showing my dominance over her.

[BabyBrownz]

It sounds more like fear then just giving in to your dominance. There will be others here who can help you with this.

How long have you had her? If you just got her a day ago it could be that but we've never had a rottweiler do that with us.

[AngelBunny]

Where did you get your puppy? What do you know about her background and how she was treated? How long have you had her?

[hokisteph5]

It definitely sounds more like fear than her accepting you're dominant to her. One thing you could try is work on showing her you, your wife, and kids represent good things. For example, call her to you and give her great treats (e.g. pieces of hot dogs, cheese, etc.).

[kilasmamix3]

Sounds like fear, when I get mad and I say, "Bad Tatiana/Hurley!!! bad boy/girl!!!!" They know i'm upset and they go to the ground. I've never hit my dogs but when they do something bad the do go to the crate or my bedroom for a 2 minute time out.

Point is, you may have a fearful rottie.

Did u get her from a COE or BYB or Rescue? Do you know?

Dezaree

[DomAndCats Dad]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Where did you get your puppy? What do you know about her background and how she was treated? How long have you had her?

Got her from a woman who bred her dogs for the first time mother and father both on site. Background wise the parents are good dogs well socialized. the pups were treated good from what I saw her hair is a little mussed but most of the brothers were still there so I attribute that to playing.
As far as socialization I don't think the pups were around different people or different dogs.
I got her 3 days ago.
i'm just worried about the cowering because I can just see a fear bite happening

[moondog]

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

Just got a 5 month old pup.

Where did you get her from? Do you have any background on her?

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

...everytime I go near her she lays straight down on the floor. Why would she react this way?

She obviously feels threatened and is trying to appease the threat (you) by becoming submissive.

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

Has anyone else had this problem and whats the best course to correct this?

There are some things you can do to convey to her you aren't a threat to her safety, and in fact you are a pretty cool guy!

1) Do not approach her head on....always approach in a sweeping arc (like the letter "C")
2) Avoid direct eye contact....keep your head turned away from her rather than facing her directly eye-to-eye. You can watch her from the corner of your eye even when your head is turned away.
3) Put your other dog up somewhere else and spend some time with this dog...just you and her. Sit on the floor, ignoring her completely, and start placing bits of treats around you on the floor, some farther away, some closer to you. Use something she loves to eat (kibble, cheese bits, hot dog bits, chicken bits, etc). If she is shy about approaching, toss a few out a bit farther while she's watching, but take care not to toss is towards her - toss it to a place she can move forward or away (from you) towards.
4) Don't reach to pet her when she comes close to eat the goodies. Keep your hands quiet and resting on your leg. Once she's willing to come get the goodies without being too skittish, put some on your leg and let her get them....then in your palm with the back of your hand on the floor. When she's finally decided you're the best thing since sliced bread, offer her a treat and give her a quick little scritch under her chin. Don't try to pet her on top of her head, as this is a dominant move to a dog. Always under the chin, on her chest or shoulder.

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

Or if I'm petting my lab mix she comes over and starts licking my hand, but if I go to touch her she cowers again.

Don't make any effort to touch her in this scenario (yet). Just pet the other dog and talk to her (no direct eye contact), telling her softly what a brave puppy she is to approach the boogieman.

She sounds very shy and submissive and it will take time for her to overcome it, and may always be a soft dog....but you can help her a lot. Training classes, as long as they are based on positive reinforcement, will help her gain confidence and help you understand how to work with her better, so make sure you find a good trainer that understands how to work with a shy dog that's lacking in confidence.

[DomAndCats Dad]

I should also state that the woman I purchased her from was a BYB but I do have papers on her even if it is ACA instead of AKC. I know the bloodline the father is from as my second rottie brandy was his sister and it is a good bloodline. Now the mothers bloodline I don't know but she is registered as well.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

Got her from a woman who bred her dogs for the first time mother and father both on site....most of the brothers were still there

In other words, a BYB.

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

...As far as socialization I don't think the pups were around different people or different dogs.

This may well explain her cowering. She's afraid because she wasn't exposed to different sights and sounds to help her understand the world as a safe, friendly place.

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

...i'm just worried about the cowering because I can just see a fear bite happening

I wish you'd found RDN before you found that breeder.

After three days in my house, I would want to see my puppy or young dog happy and outgoing, not cowering like your girl is doing.

You may have a problem on your hands, you may not. Certainly, you're going to have to work hard to make her interactions with you, your wife, and other adults positive and rewarding--moondog gave you excellent suggestions.

[DomAndCats Dad]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

In other words, a BYB.


This may well explain her cowering. She's afraid because she wasn't exposed to different sights and sounds to help her understand the world as a safe, friendly place.


I wish you'd found RDN before you found that breeder.

After three days in my house, I would want to see my puppy or young dog happy and outgoing, not cowering like your girl is doing.

You may have a problem on your hands, you may not. Certainly, you're going to have to work hard to make her interactions with you, your wife, and other adults positive and rewarding--moondog gave you excellent suggestions.

She's outgoing with my other dog and my wife and kids it was only me she cowered with, now after following some of moondog's suggestions she's coming to me licking my hand and earlier she nudged my hand because she wanted patted so that's a good sign.

Why are some people against BYB?
and as I'm a new member all my posts are moderated so some of my posts may be older after you post sorry for that

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

Why are some people against BYB?...

You--who are asking us for help because you're having issues with your BYB puppy--don't see the irony in your question??

Please read thru the postings in Breeding. Doing so will show you the efforts COE, responsible, bona fide breeders undertake.

Then, read thru the postings in Rescue. Doing so will show you what everybody else does--and where the few lucky dogs produced by these everybodys end up.

How do the efforts undertaken by the breeder of your puppy stack up?

If you had gotten your girl from a COE breeder, you wouldn't have posted here, asking RDNers for help because your young dog would've been socialized properly from the get-go.

And, you would know your breeder is the first person to whom you turn whenever you have a question.

[DomAndCats Dad]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

You--who are asking us for help because you're having issues with your BYB puppy--don't see the irony in your question??

Please read thru the postings in Breeding. Doing so will show you the efforts COE, responsible, bona fide breeders undertake.

Then, read thru the postings in Rescue. Doing so will show you what everybody else does--and where the few lucky dogs produced by these everybodys end up.

How do the efforts undertaken by the breeder of your puppy stack up?

If you had gotten your girl from a COE breeder, you wouldn't have posted here, asking RDNers for help because your young dog would've been socialized properly from the get-go.

And, you would know your breeder is the first person to whom you turn whenever you have a question.

I'm sorry I asked a question I assure you if I had known you were going to get snippy I would have not asked a question. I assure you when I joined this board I assumed I would be talking to knowledgable people who love the breed as much a I do. Not someone who will criticize. If your any indication of how the members of this board act I can only assume that you love the breed a long as it's a got 20 best in shows in it's background. I.E a snob

[BabyBrownz]

After having Quade with us just a few hours he was all about us and him. There was no fear, he was outgoing, romping, playing and getting into anything that caught his eye. There was no fear with strangers, the truck ride, his new home (he investigated everything). Hubby works at a market place and Quade couldn't get enough of all the different people.

Most dogs who come from a COE breeder are not like this, obviously some are soft dogs and just need a more gentle approach.

Keep reading....

[winnie22]

Dom and Cats, you did come to the right place to ask questions about this great breed. Many of the members here have been here soo long and have heard these same questions on a weekly basis that they do get a little snippy with their responses. However, for the most part they are very knowledgeable about Rotties. They only advice that I can give is to research a question before you ask, odds are it has been asked already and answered. This will help you avoid the snide remarks from some members. Good luck with your dog, love them and they will love you back

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

...I assure you when I joined this board I assumed I would be talking to knowledgable people who love the breed as much a I do.

It's true we can always learn something and none of us know everything. However, I've had the breed as my only breed of dog since 1984. I train and show my dogs, putting performance titles on them. I attend seminars and clinics to improve my knowledge. I've read all the books about Rotties in my extensive library, some several times. I assure you I love the breed as much as you do. Where we differ is that I probably have considerably more Rottie experience and knowledge than you.

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

...Not someone who will criticize.

I'm not criticizing. I'm stating facts. All you have to do to verify what I'm saying is to start doing research. The links I included in my previous post are a good place for you to start.

Originally Posted by DomAndCats Dad

...If your any indication of how the members of this board act I can only assume that you love the breed a long as it's a got 20 best in shows in it's background. I.E a snob

I see you haven't read thru the postings in Rescue.

If you had you would've seen my posts about being active in rescue for going on 10 years. You would've read too about our current foster, Sailor.

Likely, too, you would've read about our two personal bitches.

Both of whom are rescues.

A snob? Hardly!