Barking, and won't stop..

[Becc]

My 3 1/2 month old male is giving me and my poor neighbours a really hard time, I've read a lot about his behavior and he is a VERY dominant boy - he constantly tests me and my boyfriend by biting, barking and growl.... I am very patient with him, and tried a several of things, such as ignore him, and when he calmes down he gets the attencion again, we've tried with winegar/water to spray in his mouth while barking, but he doesent learn from it.... think he's actually like it... And though it is my dog, he doesent have ANY respect for me, when I correct him.... It just gets worse:( . Im the one feeding him, training and playing with him. I am the one hugging and petting him, I'm the one talking to him, my boyfriend has his "own" puppie- a yorkshire, And doesent want to get to involved with Zquanto. But he listens to him, when he raises his voice and say NO, or QUIET! Zquanto listens.
I've even tried to make my "correction voice" sound more like a man, and growly but it doesent work either...... I dont know what to do.......................... Anyone had a very dominante dog, or have any clue what I should do????
I know Zquanto loves me though, he doesent leave my side, and if I leave the house- him with my boyfriend he cryes until I get back.... ( I just leve him short moment, and come back when he's quiet. I really need some help

[MybabyZeus]

It is unusual for a Rott to be constantly vocal. Is someone provocing him while he is outside?

[Becc]

No, there is nothing at all around him that could make him angry or nervous, the only thing is me?! He does not like when I tell him no or off sometimes. It almost seems like he chooses the times when I can correct him, ???

[MybabyZeus]

Sounds like you have your hands full. Has he gone to obedience yet?

[Becc]

Yeah, My days are pretty full.:)
And no, we havent got there yet, we were supposed to start yesterday, but on saturday, Zquanto wasn't feeling very well - threw up a couple of times, and my vet. wanted him to stay of food for 24 hours, so we have to wait until next sunday. He really needs that... And I cant wait, It's just confusing why he behaves like that towards me...... obediance trained or not!?

[MybabyZeus]

I had similar problems with my oldest male when I first got him. Obedience helped more than anything. He still tests me once in a while to make sure I'm still trained. LOL

[German Vanegas]

Did you have a chance to see your pup's parents? If so, tell us about them. How much have you socialized your puppy? What basic obedience commands, if any, he understands?

[Becc]

Hi Mr. Vanegas...
No I didnt see his parents, It's a long story, but here in spain I'ts difficult if you dont go to a wellknown breeder - wich I couldn find, and those puppies are very expencive here.... Spanish people does not like rottweilers... And I dont speak spanish very well yet. So I turned to an veterinarian, seemed very good, and he had a lot of contacts- Zquanto were checked up at sight, and we were told - he saw the parents, that they were very good looking, calm and friendly.....
He has´nt met that many dogs and people yet... cause of the big risks of parvo and rabies here, and he hasen't got all of his shots yet. The last two tomorrow..:D (finally)
and hopefully on sunday we'll start classes.
He does know sit, lay down, wait, and no.... but he is doing a great job ignoring them when it doesent suit him. Or he barks and growls.:(

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Becc

He has´nt met that many dogs and people yet... cause of the big risks of parvo and rabies here, and he hasen't got all of his shots yet. The last two tomorrow..:D (finally)
and hopefully on sunday we'll start classes.
He does know sit, lay down, wait, and no.... but he is doing a great job ignoring them when it doesent suit him. Or he barks and growls.:(

It's too bad that you didn't get to see your puppy's parents; the answer to your puppy's growling and barking may be there. You seem to be very committed, which is excellent, but you have to be patient though. You don't want to impose "drill sgt." commands on your puppy. Let him be a puppy ;)

Anyway, your puppy needs lots of socialization, thus exposing him to all kinds of people, enviroments, noises, etc. Don't dispair. Your puppy is, well, just a puppy, but I don't think he is viciously aggressive, albeit he wants to dominate, so you have to become the leader of the pack. I recommend you to get a book titled: "Civilizing Your Puppy" ;) :)

[Becc]

Yeah, I know his just a baby, and we play alot...., but after today, we went to the vet.- got his last vaccinations:D
we sat down for some coffe, zquanto had his after vet treat she always give him. And he refused to sit or lie down... I started calm giving the sit command over and over for so many times.... and when he flew up again, I said with a firm voice: no, sit down! And put my hand on his butt, and then he sat down - but a second after he flew up again growling angrily - showed his teeths, barked and tried to bite me....:( If I tell him NO BITING, It just gets worse....( he had finished his treat by then.) but if I stop correct him on that Im afraid that he will learn this behavior works....? Is this agression because his scared, or what is it? Two seconds after he was fine again, waving his little tail and wanted to say hello to everyone...
Is it something I do wrong? When he acts like this, it seems like he want to rip me apart because hes so angry. I'ts only towards me. Other times he behaves normally.

[Becc]

Oh, and how do I become the leader of the pack without starting a fight??? I have problems getting these books because of where I live..... Its gonna take some time...

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Becc
...but a second after he flew up again growling angrily - showed his teeths, barked and tried to bite me....:( If I tell him NO BITING, It just gets worse....( he had finished his treat by then.) but if I stop correct him on that Im afraid that he will learn this behavior works....? Is this agression because his scared, or what is it? Two seconds after he was fine again, waving his little tail and wanted to say hello to everyone...

After reading what you described above, then I have to say that your puppy inherited such excessive aggressive behavior from one of his parents, or even both. If you leave it unchecked, it will only get worse. Your puppy wants to lead the pack, dominate by force, so you have to teach him some manners. Please, read very carefully the following thread where I replied to an inquiry about a puppy aggressively biting:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...threadid=10934

I suggest you to apply the correction method I recommend there. And when you shake the scruff of his neck, make sure your puppy feels it, to the point he whines and stops biting. Or else, your puppy will think your are just playing around, which will defeat the purpose. Bear in mind this: One strong correction is worth one hundred nagging ones. Get it? ;)

[Becc]

Thanks Mr. Vanegas..... I've read that thread before, when I was looking for similar problems.... It's a great advice.... you always have them, thats why I'm bugging you..:o ;)
I have tried that, but he doesen't give up... he just barks and growls harder when I'm holding him like that- kicking, tryes to bite and acts like a worm in my grip. Should I continue this, though it doesent seems to work??
I know I have to change this behavior, thats why I choose this trainer, who specialises in rotts, and is a behaviorist, as well as an obedience trainer.

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by Becc
I have tried that, but he doesen't give up... he just barks and growls harder when I'm holding him like that- kicking, tryes to bite and acts like a worm in my grip. Should I continue this, though it doesent seems to work??.

I don't think you are shaking your pup's scruff of the neck hard enough. I haven't meet the puppy that can take a solid correction shake and keeps going at it. You shake it hard enough to put the puppy in avoidance, kind of: Stop biting me! I don't like it!. Of course, you cannot be timid when doing the correction. You have to be firm and decisive, in such way that the puppy will feel the correction and will be forced to stop the unwanted aggressive behavior (obviously, the idea is not kill the dog!). Trust me, you do it right and your puppy will eventually get the message across. I know it works when is done right ;)

[Carmen F]

German,

The shake of the scruff of the neck appears to be working. When I do this, Jessy takes notice by sitting down and looking at me. She is a very determined puppy and will sometimes try it twice and I respond in the same manner. The worst thing I can do in her eyes is ignore her, so the shake and removing her from my attention for a time gets her attention. When we are reunited, I let her come to me and she gives me lots of kisses and I reward her with lots of praise. We start formal obedince training this week and I am looking forward to working with her.

Question....what is your opinion on leaving the leash on the puppy at all times except for crate time? The trainer I have used in the past utilizes this method and I have found it helpful to give her a quick correction at the immediate time of of her indiscretion. This is a reputable trainer with lots of credentials, many years specializing in Rottweiler training as well as the trainer for the police dogs in my county.

I value your opinion as well as WorkingDogz, you have given a lot of valuable advice as I have read hours and hoursof the posts the two of you respond to. My thanks to the two of you!!