Some issues with Max

[Pyrex]

Alright so I have been working with max on his obedience and I have trained him to walk at my side on the leash, sit, stay (as long as I stay in visual range) and to shake hands.

He is a great when he is tired from our ball games and long walks, but sometimes he starts to growl, bark and challenge me and he even jumps and tries to nip at my hands, though he NEVER bites down on my skin in any way, even if my hand is resting in his mouth for some reason.

Usually this happens if he is slightly misbehaving and I challenge him to listen to me. He will obey me and sit, and then stare at me and then get up run around barking and growling as if he is mad that I made ordered him to sit. He sometimes raises his lip when he is layind down and my hand is resting on him. Though he NEVER bites down as to hurt me, or any other dog he is playing with and play biting.

He is 7 months old, got him from a BYB which we already addressed, so please don't bash me again, I had no idea until after I got him that I made a mistake, though I love him now :)

He has not been to obedience classes because I have observed several in my area and they have been complete jokes and I cannot find a good one.

He is friendly with children, never nipping them like he has me when he becomes a land shark. I use treats regularly to reward him for coming to me when called, or when he obeys a command. I do Alpha roll him when he gets VERY out of hand and I know that has mixed reviews here, though I have noticed it calms him within 5 minutes and then when released I make him do some tricks and sit/downs and give him treats accordingly.

My main concern is that he will continue to do this kind of stuff as he grows up. If I know this is just puppy behavior then I am not as worried, but if this is something that should have stopped by now, I want to figure out how to stop it before he is too big to handle.

Any questions or advice including changing my methods is completely acceptable as long as you have a good alternative :)

[Noelle]

He sounds like a bratty pup. It WILL get worse, and may translate into other issues. He needs you to step up and take control.

It is hard to give advice in this kind of situation over the Internet. There are a lot of good trainers in the LA area, but first, what are your goals. What, ideally, would you like him to grow into?

Where in LA are you? How far are you willing to travel to get good training (keep in mind I drive an hour and a half, each way, twice a week...)?

[Pyrex]

Originally Posted by Noelle

He sounds like a bratty pup. It WILL get worse, and may translate into other issues. He needs you to step up and take control.

It is hard to give advice in this kind of situation over the Internet. There are a lot of good trainers in the LA area, but first, what are your goals. What, ideally, would you like him to grow into?

Where in LA are you? How far are you willing to travel to get good training (keep in mind I drive an hour and a half, each way, twice a week...)?

I live near the West LA area. for weekend classes I can travel as far as pasadena or woodland hills the other way. In this general area.

To clarify also... I practice NILIF.. He sits, lays down, and looks at me without command now during food time and waits until released.

[Noelle]

NILF is a great start! He sounds like he is going to be a handful, but could be a LOT of fun if you can handle it!

Let me get in touch with a couple of club members who are down that way... That is, unless you wanna come up to Ventura and train... We are very Rottie friendly!

[moondog]

You have some very good instruction very near by:

In West LA, contact West Los Angeles Obedience Training Club (WLAOTC - West Los Angeles Obedience Training Club).

In Pasadena, contact Pasanita Dog Obedience Club (Pasanita Dog Obedience Club -- We train you to train your dog)

In Canoga Park, contact Valley Hills Obedience Club (Home Page)

Any one of these clubs will offer you quality training classes. Take advantage of it!!!

[Pyrex]

Originally Posted by Noelle

NILF is a great start! He sounds like he is going to be a handful, but could be a LOT of fun if you can handle it!

Let me get in touch with a couple of club members who are down that way... That is, unless you wanna come up to Ventura and train... We are very Rottie friendly!

Oooh Ventura is far :) I appreciate the assistance! I will check out anyone you recommend. I might even consider coming down to Ventura once or twice but not on a regular basis

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Noelle

That is, unless you wanna come up to Ventura and train... We are very Rottie friendly!

Hey, I'd love to come for a visit!! Where do you train in Ventura?

[Pyrex]

Originally Posted by moondog

You have some very good instruction very near by:

In West LA, contact West Los Angeles Obedience Training Club (WLAOTC - West Los Angeles Obedience Training Club).

In Pasadena, contact Pasanita Dog Obedience Club (Pasanita Dog Obedience Club -- We train you to train your dog)

In Canoga Park, contact Valley Hills Obedience Club (Home Page)

Any one of these clubs will offer you quality training classes. Take advantage of it!!!

Thank you VERY MUCH!!!

[Noelle]

Originally Posted by moondog

Hey, I'd love to come for a visit!! Where do you train in Ventura?

Anacapa Working Dog.

We train Tuesday nights (6:00), most Thursday nights (6:00), and every Saturday morning (10:00), except last Saturday when the SWAT team shot a DV suspect on the field

OB first and bite work when everyone is done.

BBQ every Saturday!

101 North. Exit Victoria and TURN left and go under over pass, stay in middle lane. One mile turn right onto Olivas Park Dr. Half mile turn right onto Palma. Location 1/8 mile on the left.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Noelle

Anacapa Working Dog.

We train Tuesday nights (6:00), most Thursday nights (6:00), and every Saturday morning (10:00), except last Saturday when the SWAT team shot a DV suspect on the field

OB first and bite work when everyone is done.

BBQ every Saturday!

101 North. Exit Victoria and TURN left and go under over pass, stay in middle lane. One mile turn right onto Olivas Park Dr. Half mile turn right onto Palma. Location 1/8 mile on the left.

I think I've been there (when Laurie Stupak was still in CA) - is that the place? Up a narrow street, houses on the left, farmland on the right, and everyone parks on the narrow street?

I'll make sure to get up there one Saturday after the first of the year - I'd love to sit and watch an entire day of training.

[Noelle]

That's it!

Lots of fun, and great food. Oh and the training is great too...

It makes for a long day on Sunday, I leave at 8:00 and get home around 5:00, with a little under two hours of driving tacked on to each end...

Oh, and I said Saturday in the last post, but meant Sunday! Sorry for the confusion...

[Pyrex]

Originally Posted by Noelle

That's it!

Lots of fun, and great food. Oh and the training is great too...

It makes for a long day on Sunday, I leave at 8:00 and get home around 5:00, with a little under two hours of driving tacked on to each end...

Oh, and I said Saturday in the last post, but meant Sunday! Sorry for the confusion...

Oh wow how much does it cost to attend? or can we just come as a visitor ? ;)

[RottsNScotts]

Originally Posted by Noelle

except last Saturday when the SWAT team shot a DV suspect on the field

Now why would they just go a shoot a perfectly good volunteer doggie chew toy??? VBEG!

[Noelle]

We LOVE visitors. Any time we can share our sport and get a another addict is a win for our dogs!

If you bring your dog, and want it to be worked, there is a $25 charge per dog. What you will get, is at least one of our two head trainers (we call them TDs or training directors) will work with you and your dog, one on one for anywhere from 5 to 25 min, depending on where your dog is, and what you are working on. Your dog will also get the chance to come out and do some drive building and/or tug work. For more advanced dogs, what ever the level your dog is currently working at. Both of our head trainers have worked Rotts in regional and national competition and know the breed well. Each had a slightly different style as well; a fit for all dogs!

We have my two Rotts plus the TD, Carl Bell, has three that he will work. One of our helpers has a female from one of Carl's breeding's as well. She is fun to watch. We also have Mals, GSDs, Schnauzers and once in a while a APBT and a Bandoge. A pretty diverse group!

If you wanna track, they meet at 8:00 at the field and head out to where ever the tracking will be for the day. I can't make it that early, so track at home... If you wanna track, call or e-mail in advance to see if the meeting place will be else where...

[Noelle]

Originally Posted by RottsNScotts

Now why would they just go a shoot a perfectly good volunteer doggie chew toy??? VBEG!

We were wondering the same thing! Wouldn't let us out there to play with him first.

If he only would've known that the fridge was stocked, he might have had a drink first and relaxed enough to give himself up...

I think his ghost was messing with our dogs on Tuesday; they were all a little off...