My puppy doesn't like me

[JumpinGazelle]

I just got a new 9 week old female Rottie. She comes from a great breeder and amazing parents. She is going to be an amazing dog. I do however have a little problem. She tends to prefer my boyfriend over me. She actually tends to really like any male over me. She was my birthday present and is suppose to be my dog, but she really seems to not want a whole lot to do with me. Is there any reason why this is? Is there anything I can do? I need help!

[AngelBunny]

Feed, walk, play with, and interact with your puppy. She's old enough to be in puppy K classes--taking your dog to class is a terrific way to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Who're the parents of your puppy? What're your plans for her?

[JumpinGazelle]

Her parents are from Colorado. The sire's name is Zeus and the dam's name is Hope. They have much longer "official" names that are one her paperwork, but those are their call names. Both her parents were champion show dogs. Her mother is actually from Yugoslavia. My pup actually has her health guaranteed for life through the breeder. Her primary role is just a companion, but I am also going to have her trained as a service dog so that she can accompany me everywhere. I am a student and study a lot in the library and I do not want to leave her alone for such long periods of time, and if she is a certified service dog, she can legally accompany me anywhere.

I also was wondering if you had any disciplining suggestions. She has become obsessed with biting ankles, feet, and the bottoms of pants anytime someone is walking. I tell her no, but then within about 3 seconds she has a hold of them again.

[Terri Lambert]

I have to say I don't want to scare you but some dogs pick people they just don't like. For instance my 6 year old rottie who I got when she was four months old, was and is clearly my dog. My finance who lives in the house was not allowed to touch her for the first 4 1/2 years until one day she decided he really isn't a bad person now they are best friends. Now this dog did and does alot of conformation (not anymore but was with a male handler), obedience, rally and herding. She still tends to pick certain people she doesn't like but when she picks a friend she always remembers that person. I think the best thing I did with her was to send her with a handler and do lots of socialization, also to spay her after we were done with conformation at three years of age. Please don't give up on this puppy but make everything positive and treat her with plenty of special treats. Also I just wanted to let you know she is the best dog ever know even if she does have a shy side to her. Good Luck

[Luvtails]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Feed, walk, play with, and interact with your puppy. She's old enough to be in puppy K classes--taking your dog to class is a terrific way to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Who're the parents of your puppy? What're your plans for her?

I think AngelBunny has summed it up. YOU need to be the keeper of the food, the one who PLAYS the best games with her and most important the one who trains her. I have read alot about their being one predominant person in the home to care for the dog. I read about some prof breeders actually not allowing other family members to handle the dog/play with or feed untill that bond is really strong with the main owner. I have 1 dog that I bought for my birthday to show and from day 1 preferred my husband. I didn't take her to classes and we both fed her. He gave her loven and she is HIS dog. she tolerates me but to this day preferrs him. She is now 7. I have 2 young dogs that he wasn't allowed to bond with because I want them for working and they are bonded with me. He can take them in and out but I do the rest.

[kclinch]

Originally Posted by JumpinGazelle

Her parents are from Colorado. The sire's name is Zeus and the dam's name is Hope. They have much longer "official" names that are one her paperwork, but those are their call names. Both her parents were champion show dogs. Her mother is actually from Yugoslavia. My pup actually has her health guaranteed for life through the breeder. Her primary role is just a companion, but I am also going to have her trained as a service dog so that she can accompany me everywhere. I am a student and study a lot in the library and I do not want to leave her alone for such long periods of time, and if she is a certified service dog, she can legally accompany me anywhere.

I also was wondering if you had any disciplining suggestions. She has become obsessed with biting ankles, feet, and the bottoms of pants anytime someone is walking. I tell her no, but then within about 3 seconds she has a hold of them again.

I assume that you have a documented disability, that the dog will be trained to mitigate with at least 3 tasks, as per the standards set forth by Assistance Dogs International?

I am disabled(MS) and my dog is trained to open doors, retrieve, turn on/off lights, provide brace work,etc...

But the dogs are not the ones with the "rights" to go out in public. It is the person with a disability that has the right to be accompanied by a service dog in public.

Also, the disability has to have one or more major life impairments in order to be qualified for a service dog.

Also, if you are not deaf, then having a hearing ear dog doesn't count. If you are not visually impaired, then having a guide dog doesn't count. If you can walk without assistance, then you do not need a "brace dog" hence, that won't work either.

I realize that this post may come off as a bit tough, but the rights of people with disabilities have been hard won. And, in some venues, some of those rights are being restricted(Now, people with psychiatric disabilities must have written documentation for a medical professional in order to have a PSD(Psychiatric Service Dog) on an airplane. This is not just an ESA--Emotional support animal---but a fully trained service dog must be accompanied by a scrip from your MD to fly---Remember, PSD's only)

Thanks for making sure all your ducks are in a row before attempting this.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by JumpinGazelle

...I also was wondering if you had any disciplining suggestions. She has become obsessed with biting ankles, feet, and the bottoms of pants anytime someone is walking. I tell her no, but then within about 3 seconds she has a hold of them again.

She doesn't need discipline. She's not doing anything wrong--puppies learn about the world thru their mouths and at 9 weeks, your puppy is very new to the world.

Reading thru the postings here in Puppy Development will help you immensely.

When she starts the biting thing, redirect her by giving her something she can chew.

You will have to do this a hundred bazillion times. But, do not yell, scold, strike, tap, or do anything along the lines of these responses. Your infant needs to be positively redirected.

One of the first resources for you should be your puppy's breeder. Not that RDNers mind offering suggestions and help, but the first person to whom you should turn is your breeder. That's one of the reasons one buys a puppy from a COE breeder--to have a resource for the life of the dog.

[TrinaJ]

Ever heard the saying 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach?" Same can apply to dogs. She is your dog, you should be the one to feed her, walk her, train her etc.

Enjoy your puppy and redirect her shark jaws to a chewable toy whenever she starts to bit on things that aren't hers. It will take time but she will learn that its not an acceptable behaviour.

Good luck with your puppy and enrol her into obedience class when she hits 12 weeks. You will both enjoy it.

If you haven't already, enrol her into puppy kinder (play group) at your local vet or pet shop that runs those classes.

[onyx3333]

I have a 14 week old pup. I do believe what the other members are saying. My pup was a birthday present for me and just recently my husband had been off work for 4 weeks, so he took the time to check on her during the night because he didn't have to work and feed her and let her out when she had to potty and just last night I noticed that Onyx was following him upstairs and keeping him company while he was on his computer and I was downstairs and she use to spend time with me downstairs.
Your pup likes you, just start paying more attention to her. I'm a new Rottweiler owner and I'm enjoying every minute of raising her, even the biting on the legs when walking, I've just been giving her a toy to distract her from my feet or my pant legs.

However, I do wish she would gain more weight, the vet says she's fine but to me she looks thin.

[Weltterr]

Originally Posted by JumpinGazelle

..... Her primary role is just a companion, but I am also going to have her trained as a service dog so that she can accompany me everywhere. .....

Using your dog as a service dog - if you do not have a disability - is an abuse of the accomodations provided for service dogs. Shame on you!

[kclinch]

Originally Posted by Weltterr

Using your dog as a service dog - if you do not have a disability - is an abuse of the accomodations provided for service dogs. Shame on you!

Let's not shame her until we "know" that she "doesn't" have a disability.

She may very well be disabled, and according to the law, be able to have use of a service animal.

What many people do not realize, is that the dog has no rights under the ADA and state laws. It is the person with the disability who has the rights.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by onyx3333

...However, I do wish she would gain more weight, the vet says she's fine but to me she looks thin.

Being on the lean side is much better than being on the fat side. You don't want to burden her growing frame by forcing her to lug around unnecessary weight.

[FilosFolks]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Being on the lean side is much better than being on the fat side. You don't want to burden her growing frame by forcing her to lug around unnecessary weight.

This statement cannot be stated enough. You will not be wishing for more weight at two years of age. Slow & steady, and on good food.

To the OP, cut back your pups exposure to these other humans and please get into a puppy class. This is critical bonding at this age and you'll never get this time back again. Please make the most of it & good luck!

[kclinch]

Originally Posted by FilosFolks

This statement cannot be stated enough. You will not be wishing for more weight at two years of age. Slow & steady, and on good food.

To the OP, cut back your pups exposure to these other humans and please get into a puppy class. This is critical bonding at this age and you'll never get this time back again. Please make the most of it & good luck!

Why cut back exposure to other humans? Just curious....Having trained service dogs, and having been around police dogs....Dogs will "bond" no matter what age.

Take guide dogs for instance....they get shuffled from foster home, to trainer(sometimes more than 1) then handler, and they would lay down their lives for the person.

Same with Police/Military dogs....

Not trying to start something, just curious as to the reasoning....Socialization is soooooo vital in a puppy.

[rush123]

Originally Posted by Weltterr

Using your dog as a service dog - if you do not have a disability - is an abuse of the accomodations provided for service dogs. Shame on you!

Relax man! Geez...shame on you for freakin out like you did.