New to Boards and have a puppy concern

[Trinitii]

Hello Everyone :) I just want to thank the people who made this board possible. I feel like finding this board was like finding a pot of gold.

I have a female rottweiler named Athena. She is 4 months old and seems to have some agression. I have socialized her and she is wonderful with strangers and other dogs, however if she is running and playing it is like she has soo much energy and doesn't know how to control it. She immediately goes into attack mode and biting. I will say I don't believe she is biting at her full potential which leads me to believe she is not trying to harm me. She does this more with me than my husband. She also has a problem with when she steals things (like socks) and knows she isn't supposed to when you try to make her release she snarls and snaps. I spray Binaca to make her release. She doesn't do this with her food. We just yesterday have tried the time out treatment as she is my only child and awful spoiled. Has anyone had this behavior before in a puppy? Should I feel like I might have a bad seed? I don't really feel that way I do trust her.

On a side note if anyone has a rottwieler with systemic lupus feel free to ask any questions. My last baby boy had it and I had a hard time finding support and information.

Thanks for listening :)

Trinitii

[Vivianne]

Hello Trinitii,
I too have a female rotty that displays the same behavior as your Athena. My Madison is only 3 months old and I correct her as follows: After a few ignored stern NOs, I lay her on her side, place one hand on her head (check area away from her alligator jaws) and the other hand on her hips. Without applying much pressure I hold her their until she goes limp. I only apply enough pressure to keep her still when she initially squirms to get free.
When she has calmed down I release her and pet her gently repeating "good girl." This is her reward for being gentle.

Why she treats you differently from your husband has to do with where she stands in the pack. She's placed herself between you and hubby. If you are as strict and consistent with your tolerance of bad behvior as hubby is you will become the alpha female to your pup.

[JonandMichelle]

Originally posted by Trinitii
Hello Everyone :) I spray Binaca to make her release. She doesn't do this with her food. We just yesterday have tried the time out treatment as she is my only child and awful spoiled. Has anyone had this behavior before in a puppy? Should I feel like I might have a bad seed? I don't really feel that way I do trust her.

First, please forgive my bluntness as I am extremly tired...BUT...Binaca???? Second...stop treating her as your "only child," and spoiling her because she is not...she is a Rottweiler. When one puts a DOG in a human roll, one will find themselves in a heep of trouble down the road. Should you feel like you may have a bad seed? NO. You have a normal puppy who wants to play. You must supervise your puppy at all times (see, when supervised, she won't have a chance to steel your socks) IF and WHEN you can not supervise her 100%, crate her. When and IF she does get ahold of something that doesn't belong to her, this is your unique time to **train** her with the "drop it" command and "leave it" command. Puppies LOVE to get into things..they love a good game of chase..this is what puppies do at times.

Please find the time to search these forums for valuable information. Also, you may want to consider purchasing some books about this breed. Some off the top of my tired brain would include; The Complete Idiots Guide to Rottweilers (please dont be offended by the title..very good book), Living with a Rottweiler, and The Rottweiler..Centuries of service. Once you have an understanding about puppyhood...life will be so much simplier;) Good luck.

[Judy Chrusch]

Excellent post JonandMichelle :D. I agree with everything you've said.

Trinitii, yep this sounds like normal puppy behavior and one with alot of drive so get ready, LOL. They're energy level at that age is unbelieveable. Also remember to see that she gets her proper rest, after each meal she should rest and after play and walks. They can become quite obnoxcious when they're stressed. You will see that she will go through different stages, all the way up to 3 years old . Remember too, that anything that is unexceptable NOW will have to be dealt with NOW otherwise it will continue later on. IOW something that may seem cute now won't be so cute at a 100 pounds, you know what I mean? Do you have a crate? As for the binaca, that's pretty strong stuff, I would suggest using a command such as "out" or "drop it" and "leave it" when she goes towards something you don't want her to have. So enjoy your puppy and be patient and consistent in everything you do. My very best to you and Athena.

Judy

[domme5]

I would definately avoid the Binaca...if you must use something, use a squirt bottle with water in it. This may also help when your little one snaps and growls...a squirt in the face with a stern 'No!' can work wonders.

[WorkinDogz]

Spray bottles are for cats that we aren't interested in "TRAINING" just stopping a behavior that is happening right now.

Bite inhabition training is a valuable part of the puppy experience.

Time-out's are Dr. Spock's answer for toddlers; not puppies.

It would be a great idea to get the into a Puppy K course ASAP.

[Sheldon]

Trinitii,
Just reading your post makes me feel better about mine. I have a 14 week old male and we are experiencing the same exact behavior. He'll be playing with his toys for a short time and then just start barking at us and mouthing our legs, hands, feet. He is just trying to get us to play. However, as you know, we don't play that way, and therein lies the problem. I've been told the same things that the experienced members are telling you. It seems that it's all typical puppy behavior.
I am actually going back to the breeder with him to get more information on how to deal with him in different situations this weekend. Sorry I don't have more information on exactly how to deal with it, but I thought it might make you feel better to know that you're not alone.

Josh

[RottiMomCT]

I disagree with you on one thing WorkingDogz....

A spray bottle can be a VERY effective way to divert attention from a dog about to do something. One good squirt in the rump with a command of 'Quit It!!' or something along those lines (I use Leave It!) and the dog turns to see what 'got him' and forgets what they were going to do.

Worked for me! I only had to use the bottle 3-4 times in different situaions. Now, all I have to do is pick up the bottle and the dog will stop it. Of course, after the dog stops what he/she was doing and investigates the wet squirt spot on his rump, praise him and tell him "Good Leave It!"

It's a training tool...effective in getting a start in ending a bad behavior. I rarely have to even use the bottle...now, a simple "Leave It" works...:)

YES, training is key for ANYTHING you want to accomplish, be it stopping undesirable behavior or teaching a new, good behavior.

Good luck with the pup!!

[WorkinDogz]

"Leave it" can be accomplished with simple redirection.

I've seen an awful lot of otherwise wonderful dogs TERRIFIED of hoses, squirt guns etc because of the negative imprint they received as pups with them.

I just prefer to train the dog rather than use things that can and often do affect them negatively in OTHER areas.

[Bruce Lanthier]

In another thread I wish I was able to post a reply as short and to the point (or at least as clear :) ) as WorkingDogz concerning behavior modification using obedience (training) as opposed to spray bottles or other methods. Her advice is always right on target.

[Jamie & Odin]

I find that the more opportunity I have for praise, the better. If the dog is being obnoxious, rather than saying "no, get down, knock it off, etc. etc. I just say "sit" and he does, and gets praised, then we re-direct. I did teach one "negative" command, "uh huh". I can say "uh huh" so quitely, only the dog can hear, and whatever he is thinking about doing, he doesn't. The way I did this was to put the dog in a sit/stay, show him a treat, and when he broke his sit say "uh huh" and the treat goes away. Took a very short time.

[ROTTSVILLE]

cc

[TrishB]

To train a puppy not to bite, I've always found the "Yipe!" technique to be very effective.

Although the squirt bottle or spray gun technique can be helpful, you're out of luck if they bite you and you don't have a squirt bottle within reach. ;)

When the puppy bites you, yell "Yipe!" or "Ouch!" in a very loud, quick, high pitched voice. You'll be simulating the yip a littermate would give if they were bitten too harshly.

When you do this, your puppy should immediately release, with a look of "Oh did that hurt?". At that moment say "Good Puppy *insert name here" and give a treat.

This teaches the puppy two very important lessons. #1 That biting is NOT fun.
#2 That your skin is soooo sensitive that you can't tolerate ANY pressure.

Eventually, your puppy should learn that the ONLY place he can place his mouth is on your hands, and even then, very lightly.

This is important for any dog, but especially a large dog, such as our wonderful breed. Good Luck! :)

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Originally posted by TrishB
To train a puppy not to bite, I've always found the "Yipe!" technique to be very effective.

When the puppy bites you, yell "Yipe!" or "Ouch!" in a very loud, quick, high pitched voice. You'll be simulating the yip a littermate would give if they were bitten too harshly.

When you do this, your puppy should immediately release, with a look of "Oh did that hurt?". At that moment say "Good Puppy *insert name here" and give a treat.

This worked for me with Buddy, and he was a big nine month old puppy when I got him!

[Trinitii]

Thanks for all the input. She is in training and I do yell yipe. Believe it or not the time out thing has done wonders. My trainor is the one that told me to use Binaca. I have to admit when I first read some of the posts it scared me to come back. I'm not a first time Rottweiler owner but can see there are many different solutions and am enjoying hearing about all of them. One thing that I wonder is do any of you love your rotties like children? I loved my last one as my only child and he was a very well behaved boy. Lupus took him from us.