Jumping at people who turn their back on him and raise there arm

[nic and rachel]

Could you please help we have two dogs a Labrador which we have had four years and a rotwieller which we have had for approx. 1 month. The Rotwieller is extremely placid by nature and hasn't shown any aggressive tendancies.

However when we walk him if he walks up to someone who doesn't appear to like dog and they turn their back on him and lift their arms he will bark at them. He has just done this with someone and ripped their coat with his teeth. He didn't bite them, but due to his breed he is perceived as a vicious dog. We would be most gratefull if you could offer some advice about this. We don't feel muzzling him is the answer because this just adds to the image of rotwiellers being vicious which in our dogs case couldn't be further from the truth. please help Ron the Rotweiller is approx 2 years old and has come from the RSPCA. Meg the Labrador is four and they both get along extremely well. We have never had a problem like this with Meg and are wondering if the previous owners tried to train Ron to be vicious but weren't successful but have left a dog with a bad habit. As I said previously we would be most grateful for any advice you could offer.

Ron isn't aggressive to anyone who enters our house, in fact I believe he would let a burglar in and give him a hug. Thje only person he barks at is a relative you when they enter the house they lift their arms in the air and start to turn their bark to him

thank for any help you can offer.

[Judi W]

What a lucky dog to have found such a good home and you are lucky also to have found this good boy. Now, of course, he has a bit of fixing up that needs to be done.

First, when you can see that someone does not wish to interact with your dog, then use your leash to keep the dog from contacting them or even coming so close as to cause them concern. As far as the barking at them goes, use your leash to give a correction and give the dog a strong verbal correction as well. If you have been taking the dogs out without leashes, please do not continue doing that at all. Most communities have leash laws, but even if yours does not, it is not a good practice. You are right, it must be terrifying for someone to have a dog they don't even know jump on them and use their teeth. And yes, he did use his teeth on a person even though it was their coat and not their body that got bitten.

Next, find a place to take the dog for some obedience training so that you can learn how to communicate to him what is and is not allowed. The RSPCA can likely make you a recommendation. It will be fun for both of you and very important to assure that Ron doesn't end up back at the RSPCA. He's a pretty big boy by now, so training is important. When working with him and teaching him, take him out without the other dog to distract you and just concentrate on Ron. A leash, a collar and a pocketfull of treats to reward him when he is good will get you started.