Is My Puppy Testing Me?

[KJTroy]

Lately, my 12 week old puppy has been growling and barking if I stare at him (before, he would always look away and put his head down). He also sometimes does it when I'm not even looking at him! Two days ago I was on my computer and he was just sitting across the room and randomly barked, and when I looked at him, he did it again. Is he being aggressive or playing...? I don't see how it could be playing, though. It happens whenever I either stare at him or if I tell him "No!". What action should I take? He's never acted this way before (he has growled and barked, but I mean, he's never done it just because I was looking at him).

Thank you!

-Katrina

[LindaSSF]

Your 12 week old puppy is trying to communicate with you in the only language he knows. You need to look at the context of what is happening to understand him.

Is he saying, "Notice me & forget the computer"? or "Play with me"?

A young puppy putting his head down & looking away are stress behaviors - trying to be VERY subservient! He's loosening up & playing with you now that he knows you, for goodness sakes.

If you are obsessing about a vocal 12 week old, put him back in his box, take him back to his breeder and get a stuffed toy. You won't handle it when he hits his "teen age" stage!

[zorro13]

Puppies don't test nor challenge at such a young age. Rottweilers are vocal dogs, personally, I like a confident well-rounded dog. Because of that, I don't engage my dogs in stupid mind games such as staring contests etc, your puppy is trying to get your attention, could also be playing, or trying to build his/her own confidence, these are all things I like to see in a dog.

Too many times people think everything their puppy does will eventually spell potential danger or become a disaster, which makes me think why on earth did they pick the rottweiler as their breed to begin with. Just train your dog throughout his/her life and have fun!!!

[KJTroy]

Linda-- First of all, I would agree that he just wanted to play or just get some attention if he were just barking. But if when I am approaching him, he starts to growl...I'm not going to assume he still wants to play. If growling and snapping the air is being playful, then please, excuse me for misunderstanding.

I understand that barking is a way for him to communicate and I do try to figure out what he's trying to tell me. For instance, when he barks once and I see him standing in front of the door, it usually means he needs to go out and do his business.

Do not tell me to get rid of my dog just because I am asking for advice on a behavior I'm not fully understanding.

[KJTroy]

Zorro-- Thanks! I know that he tries to get my attention by barking sometimes, but the way he was doing it lately just seemed strange. Also, I don't assume that everything he is doing is going to become a future problem, I know he is a puppy and there are things he is going to grow out of such as the biting and chewing. But the only reason I was concerned with this behavior is because 1) I want to understand what it is he's trying to say, and 2) if it's a bad behavior, I want to correct it.

I have a brother-in-law who immediately refused to let his son (7 years old) come over when he heard I had a rottweiler (a puppy!) And the thing is that I don't want his opinions to be supported if I confuse the barking and growling as saying he wants to play. Because if he really means to leave him alone, then I want to leave him alone (maybe he's tired). I just hate the idea of my nephew not being allowed to come and play just because of what his father thinks of the breed. I want to prove him wrong! =P

Well anyway, maybe after a few more instances, I can figure out what he's saying myself and take it from there.

Sorry for posting, I guess...

[BigFish]

People here can act mean, usually they are well meaning.

The thing you have to understand is a Rottweiler is a dog that takes experience... This is why the breed gets a bad rap... People that do not know how to handle them (not saying you are one of the people).

People here see someone asking an honest question and get defensive/aggressive I think they almost always mean it in a constructive way.

You should look up NILF (nothing in life is free) and practice that with your pup. I have my 8.5 week old sitting and waiting for food I got her 3 days ago and she already knows sit ... And she knows that whining barking and growling get her nothing.

I would not encourage barking at the front door either. I would get a bell with a string and teach him to ring it (by ringing it yourself whenever your taking him out)...

Good luck with the puppy it sounds like your really trying to understand it.. please do not be afraid or sorry that you posted.

[KJTroy]

Thank you, BigFish =]

Don't worry, I do practice NILF =] by 9 weeks, my puppy knew how to sit, lay down, give paw, and wait for food. I'm trying to teach him to wait for me to go through doors first, but he only understands it with one door (the one leading to the backyard) and that's about it, he runs through all the others!

I want to try the bell. Hopefully he doesn't just yank it down thinking it's a toy =P

Thank you for the advice (and for being nice)!

[WonderWoman5528]

Ha I love the idea of the bell.. gonna give that one a go.

My little boy (12 weeks) also does that, he'll look at me, and if I ignore him he'll bark or make a funny talking noise (which other people think is growling!), I actually think its funny.. but I ignore him so he knows not to do it to other people, he's quite good and to be honest its only when he's in playful mood!

xxx

[Kash]

A full blown stare and accompanied with silence & still body lang. I would avoid. What I would do is teach him "watch me". That can always come in handy. He is fully capable of being taught that now being 12 weeks. Although he wont be able to hold it for long, maybe just a few seconds as he gets older increase his time of holding his focus on you. With him staring at you, making eye contact you can use that toward your advantage in that command. Just a suggestion.

On the 7 yr old boy, teach boundaries now. Do not wait. I always put other peoples kids through like a dog 101 (thats what I call it lol). Cover how to approach the dog, what places are off limits to the child like the crate so the dog can rest without intrusion, how to play with the dog, and what parts of the dog they are not allowed to touch (places like around the mouth and inside of the ears). Most importantly, no hugging nor kissing the dog. At first have the pup leashed to you, have him within reach at all times for the first few visits so you can see how they react together. Teach the child the trade game as well with the dog. After the dog gets use to the child let him give the dog the down and sit command, but enforce it if the dog doesnt want to do it. I wouldnt allow any other commands with a child that young personally. A child sometimes gets confused in what they want the dog to do, tell them one thing mean another and tell the dog no when the dog complies with what the child said to do. It just gets confusing for the dog.


I hope this stuff helps! And dont worry, just take the basic precautions and be consistant with his training and you will have one great dog. Im sure you will have no trouble proving your brother wrong.

[spidey]

Why and how are you staring at him?

[SHWELL]

good question.

I yell at my wife for doing that.... Maybe I need some more training... lol.