Normal rottie behavior???

[Jarose]

Hi again -
I am the one with Rufus (6 month male) and the crate/poop problem. Well I have had him
one week today and I had off the last two days so spent alot of time with him. So far since that last post, he has not messed his crate. I have started to see his "potty patterns" and with many MANY trips outside I think we are getting somewhere. Thank you all who gave advice. I did adjust his feedings. But now my concern lies with some of his behavior that I have observed. With me he has been adorable. He lets me touch him on his belly, teeth, feet, etc. I had to bathe him twice (poop) and after a brief initial struggle was perfectly still. We started this weekend with sit, stay etc. and I am amazed how quick he is catching on. He follows me everywhere. However, I have taken him with me to socialize with different people during the course of the week and I noticed he seems sort of skittish or wary. He backs away from them when they try to pet or reach for him and has barked quite aggressively at some as well. Like I said I have only had him a week and I know he needs to adjust. The breeder suggested not taking him anywhere for like a month (including to a trainer/class) so that he and I can bond. (Or he may not listen to me she said). I understand the bonding thing but I want him to like and be comfortable around people and everything I have read and heard stresses
socialization from early on!!! Is this normal rottie behavior or does it look like I may have a future problem on my hands? How do you feel about the "bonding" thing? Put it this way, I am a single female about 130lbs living alone (with 3 kitties whom Rufus is very good with so far). I never had a dog, I know this breed requires alot of work and I am willing to put in the effort but I do not want to start with a problem dog, you know? And I want to be able to handle him when he is big! Please provide some of your expertise opinions! Thanks,
-Jackie

[AngelBunny]

Jarose:

At 6 mo old, Rufus should be happy, outgoing, eager to meet people and to make friends with whomever he meets. Please, ignore what Rufus' breeder says about not taking him anywhere for a month so that the two of you can bond; he's bonding just fine with you in your daily interaction with him.

Take Rufus anywhere you can where there are lots of people--the mall, outside the post office on a Sat, to the schoolyard, to ball games, parades--you get the idea. When Rufus acts silly--barking, acting skittish or wary--ignore him. Don't talk to him in a soothing tone because he'll interpret this as a reward for acting silly. When he calms down, tell him he's a good boy. Take along some treats and when he looks like he's calmed down, let people feed him and pet him. Watch him carefully so that he doesn't bark or growl. If he does, move back with him, putting distance between himself and the people so he can calm down. Let him watch what's going on from here and when he calms down, move him closer. When he starts to act stressed, move back til he calms down.

What you're doing is desensitizing him to what's making him nervous. Since most normal 6 mo old dogs are very curious, I'm guessing that Rufus' curiosity will get the better of him and he'll start to act more friendly.

If this is the quality of advice his breeder is giving you, come here instead.

On a Thursday, I brought our latest foster home; on Sat we took her to Home Depot. Mo went inside and Mox (7-8 mo old) and I stayed outside. I wanted to see how well socialized she was. Mox turned out to be a social butterfly--she wagged her stub at everyone she met--men, women, old, young, various races, fat people or thin people--didn't make any difference. Mox wanted to say hi to everyone.

[Carol Burke]

It sounds as though this puppy has not been socialized and probably spent a lot of crate or kennel time.

Take him everywhere with you, but do not force the situation. Let him watch and approach people in his own time. I would get him into a training class as soon as possible. The more he knows the more confident he will become. Ignore bad behavior, reward good behavior.

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Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[Jarose]

My instincts told me this was not normal
behavior. I talked to the breeder tonite and she said yes he was not socialized but still stressed I should wait a few weeks to begin taking him around people!!!??!!
I also talked to the trainer today (prior to
the conversation with the breeder) and she seemed a bit concerned and offered to do a free evaluation/assessment on him this Thurs.
She said in about a half an hour in doing some tests with him she could pretty much tell if he should do ok. She is very familiar with this breed - this makes me feel better. He is fine so far with me. It is very strange. I figured he was either not around people or (hopefully not) abused some way. I just hope it works out. I am getting
very attached to him already! I will let you know!!!

[Carol Burke]

I don't understand your breeder? Unless she feels this is not a correctable problem and is hoping you get so attached you'll keep him anyway.

A puppy that has had no socialization is going to take more work then one that has been socialized since birth, but don't give up. I would take him everywhere and let him observe what is going on and get used to different things, just don't force him. His curiosity will eventually take over. Bring lots of treats with you and make your outings very happy and positive.

Be sure your trainer understands that this dog has not been socialized and moves slowly with him. If he were mine I would take him to obedience class and just let him watch for a couple sessions while teaching him at home what the other dogs are doing in class. After watching for a while join the class and hopefully he will be familiar with what you have taught him and used to the other dogs and people from watching. Don't force him to interact with other people, allow him to go up to people if he wants to but don't make a big deal out of it.

Good Luck!!!

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Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[WorkinDogz]

I'm with Carol. Your breeder is a little lax in the behavior development department.

Most breeders who have "leftovers" (meaning all the puppies weren't sold at 8, 9, 10 weeks of age) socialize the hell out of the pup. They treat them just as "their own keeper dog" because for all intents and purposes that's EXACTLY what they are. They HAVE to keep them until they are either sold, placed or..whatever.

To even suggest keeping a dog "away" from socialization to "bond" with the owner is ridiculous and certainly demonstrates a clear lack of knowledge in the behavior/development area IMHO.

Listen to your trainer. Evaluate the dog and start YESTERDAY exposing him (without pushing him) to new people and places EVERYDAY in small doses. Evaluate his reaction carefully. Work slowly and allow the dog to dictate how much he can tolerate.

Buy your breeder a book on Behavior Development and Socialization for Christmas http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[Janet529]

I am as far from a pro as you can find on this board, but ran into the same type of thing when I first got Samantha. (she would back away from almost everyone and be real skittish with some) I found that she responded very well to some women so I introduced her to women as much as I could. She was worse with men and even worse with children, unless the child was shy. (it took a while for me to realize her pattern) I slowly introduced her to men by making her sit while I talked to them for a few minutes until she got comfortable, and then let her approach. And with children, I always put myself inbetween her and a child - if they come running towards her, I would ask if they would WALK. I still make her sit with most children except the ones she knows and she plays with them wonderfully now.

This just worked for me as far as her getting over her skittish behavior. I have lots of trouble getting her to consistently obey around distractions. Oh and by the way, I live in a condo complex so there are lots of people around. I wasn't dragging people in off the street http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[Jarose]

Janet -

How old was she when you got her and do you know why she was like this? How old is she now? It seems like Rufus is better around women and children and worse around men. The two trainers I took him to so far for an "evaluation" both said basically the same thing - that he obviously was not socialized, seems hand shy (may have been hit) and that it will take alot of patience
and training and time to hopefully correct this. He does respond fairly quickly and seems intelligent enough so it does seem hopeful. At this point it is up to me. He has also improved somewhat with the people we have run into regularly. I need to decide quickly what I want to do. I live alone and currently do not have a boyfriend or husband which makes it a bit more difficult. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

[Janet529]

Jarose -

Like I said, I am as far from a pro as you'll find. This is my first rottie. I got her last year when she was about 3 or 4 yrs old. I was only going to babysit for a couple of months so I didn't look at her behavior as something that was my problem at first. I just wanted her to be able to be around people without her getting nervous.

She needs constant socialization. She was crated most of the day by her previous owner who had 2 small children and his own business. I think he only took her out for exercise, not specifically to socialize her. When my schedule gets really tough, and we don't have enough time together, she reverts back. But she is never a problem with me, that is getting nervous around me. After all the reading I've done on rotties and especially the info on this board, I realized I just need to always on top of the socialization. I don't consider her to be a problem dog because of it. But again, all I know is what little experience I have with her. Let me know what you decide....I wouldn't part with Samantha for anything! She's worth every ounce of effort http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[rlogle]

Something someone on this forum told me shortly after I got Sarge, or either I read it in a great book, The Complete Idiots Guide to Rottweilers. When the dog begins to bark, you must stop it. Say "Quiet" to him, so that he knows you mean business. And above all else take him every where! This is very important and make sure you take him around all types of people, not just one race or gender. I hope this helps some.