Need some assurance to keep on trying with Zeus.

[brooke]

I just had my worst experience with Zeus yet. He will be 3 in August. Just when you think you finally have them in check... I was sitting out on the lawn with Zeus lying calmly at my feet. My neighbour was walking in his yard, I noticed Zeus watching him, I moved my foot slightly and all of a sudden Zeus just ran at him! He got to him and sniffed him a little, I called him back, my neighbour is scared of him, but he did pet Zeus. I knew when I saw Zeus that he was very apprehensive about this man, I call Zeus again and he starts barking and lunging at my neighbour! I yelled "Zeus get home right now" and he cowered and went. Boy oh Boy!!

All I had to do was look at him, I told him to get in the house, down to the basement. (the time-out room) I just couldn't believe it, it brought me to tears, I was just so ashamed. We have been through training and are still going on a weekly basis... I know his problem areas and I know it's my fault for assuming he was finally controlled. It's just that he has been so good for a long time now. He reacts strongly when he senses fear or nervousness off someone.
I know how much flack is coming my way from you guys, "What was he doing not on a leash?" "You couldn't stop him from running at him?" "Get to a professional girl!" "no fence?!!" The thing is I want so badly to be able to trust him and control him without relying on these things.
The fence is in progress, holes are dug, will go up day after tomorrow, but unfortuately too late now the neighbours have reason to fear him! I feel so stupid. Want Ironic? - this same day my other neighbour commented on how well-mannered he was! By the way, this other neighbour has workers over everyday tilling the garden, painting, cutting grass etc. Zues hasn't even cared that they were there.
I know that this is my fault for not having him controlled, but I'm now so upset and frustrated.. He meets new people frequently and it's with certain ones that I can see him change, to tell the honest truth in 3yrs it's been with 4 people(including the neighbour today). 3 males, 1 female all strangers to him and us. The female was a vet, he was sick at the time and she was nervous with rotts, she had been bitten a few times. He just growled and barked never has actually bitten, even though he could have. All of them were nervous meeting Zeus. But Zeus did let 3 of them pet him a few times before he decided he didn't trust them. Ok, I got it off my chest.. let me have it :(

[Judi W]

You said it yourself, but I will reinforce it because it appears as if you need it.

Why are you testing him in such a fashion? This is placing unfair expectations upon the dog you love. You know who you own and wanting him to be some other dog is not going to make it so. You put his life at risk as well as making people in the neighborhood justifiably frightened. You said you've been working with him, but not that you have him enrolled in formal training which will not change his temperament, but will help with him responding to you. This dog should never be out without being on lead. Most areas have a leash law and I hope most of us obey that for our dogs' safety as well as abiding by sensible regulations. If your community does not have a leash law I would be surprised, but even if that were the case, this dog should not be off lead. Each time, you indicate it is with someone who is frightened that he behaves with aggression. Well, I would be frightened too. You have a large dog that has a history of behaving with aggression towards people, that you do not control, and that you don't even take the precaution of having on leash if not behind a fence.

Next thing. You do not "call" the dog, you go and get him with emphasis. I would be very unhappy if a dog rushed me and the owner simply stood there and ineffectually called the dog instead of hauling herself over taking that dog by the collar. It is this type of incident that has people gathering signatures for a breed ban which puts more responsible owners at risk of not being able to keep their breed of choice in the community. How responsibly you manage your dog reflects upon the entire breed as he might very well be the first and only Rottweiler they meet.

[brooke]

I was "calling" Zeus while I was hauling a$$ over there believe me! I do have Zeus in training, we go once a week. The previous 3 times this happened Zeus was on lead and the strangers approched him. Granted I was with him, and he still would not be at ease with them on one occasion the stranger (friend to my husband) insisted on trying again off lead in our home. He went and sat on the couch and I let Zeus go. Zeus went right up to him and gave him tons of licks to the hand! But he didn't want to leave him alone and I was still wary so I put him back on lead till he calmed down.
I know I asked for it this time like I said. The fence goes up in 2 days from now. And as for when he is on a lead walking or whenever, I no longer let strangers approch him although they always want to. I hate having to say no, but the fact is I can't risk it. Seems his guard is up more on lead, cause he feels a little trapped I've been told by our trainer.
Thanks Judi for the talking to! I do need it every so often you're entirely right!

[Judi W]

Well, darlin, sorry I sound so strict, but no more so that if you were one of my students. You always have to remember who the dog is that you own (I usually phrase it "who the dog is that is on the end of your leash). We must be honest with ourselves and respectful of the dog's limitations and especially with a dog who doesn't have good judgement for whatever emotional reasons exist in his little pea brain. Doesn't mean you love him less, just that you acknowlege his limitations and don't ask him to be more than he can be. Actually, it means that you do love him, understand him, and adjust his world accordingly.

[brooke]

Thanks again Judi. I believe I know Zues pretty well and when I saw him watching the neighbour I sensed he was a little "too interested" but alas.. too late. I'm working on understanding his traits, that's why the fence is going up and I don't let strangers approach anymore. It's just so hard to say to people "oh no, most rotties are very good with kids, and gentle" and turn around and say "but I'd rather not have you pet him". You know how "certain" people will take that to mean.
Again all I can say is I'm working on it and I learned yet another valuable message today. To always be on alert and to accept Zeus' traits for what they are, and adjust my training... not his.
Thanks

[Jamie & Odin]

brooke, I feel your frustration. I have a nervy dog as well, and can tell you that it can be managed. We've done very well.

My dog has also been through basic obedience which has helped quite a lot with getting used to different people and a lot of comotion. We will continue attending classes until he is at least three.

He is on Clomopramine, an anti anxiety drug. It's hard to say exactly how much this has helped, as we are tackling this from so many different angles.

He is in his crate when people he's not familiar with come over, he's doing extremely well in public, but the home is still a challenging place for him with people he doesn't know.

He is ALWAYS on a leash when outside, even in my yard since it is not fenced.

He is ALWAYS muzzled when we are in public. Unless we are on a deserted trail, and I know no one is around. However, the muzzle attaches to his collar and hangs there so I can quickly pull it in place. This allows for positive socialization without the fear that he might hurt someone.

He also receives massage therapy, you can do an online search and read about the benefits.

One of the most important things is to not set your dog up for failure, keep him out of stressful circumstances.

Good luck and keep doing your best!

[RottiMomCT]

brooke - when out for a walk and people want to approach you and Zeus, you can tell them a few things:

"He's got an ear infection and is a bit under the weather" Then just walk away from them or keep walking

"He's in training to ignore people and objects and I don't want to break his training right now, we're going to enter an obedience competition, maybe later, thank you!" I use that one ALL the time when Ben seems a bit stressed, and it works....plus it's good training to keep the dog focused on you!

Just tell people 'No, please don't pet him, he was abused before I adopted him and he is very hand shy". Again, walk away...

Don't set him up for failure by allowing him off lead unless you are in a secure fenced in area, and you have 100% recall over him, which means that IF he starts towards something, you have the recall proofed 100% and he will stop what he's doing and come back to you. Any less than that and he's doomed to fail...:( and we don't want that! :)

If you must have him in a non-fenced in area, have him on a long lead (15-20 feet) so he has some 'freedom' to roam about the yard, but he's still 'on lead'. I do that with Ben when I'm out in the yard as he likes to chase the neighbors cat...and one of these days he'll catch her, and she'll kick his butt - she's a big cat!;)

[brooke]

Thanks for the good ideas on what to tell people RottieMom. Think I'll opt for #2 also, if you don't mind ;)
I'm working on stopping him mid-chase! He sometimes will and sometimes he suddenly develops a huge hearing problem, like your boy, Ben, Zeus also loves the cats (who doesn't right!) It's so hard for him to stop then! With treats or toys, when I tell him to stop midway to getting it, then he has a hard time going to get it when I say it's ok to.
Thanks also, Jamie & Odin. I have talked about massage therapy with my trainer, I try to do special techniques myself, to help calm him in stressful situations. He loves it most behind, or anywhere around the ears! :D

[Mattweiser]

Originally posted by RottiMomCT
brooke - when out for a walk and people want to approach you and Zeus, you can tell them a few things:

"He's got an ear infection and is a bit under the weather" Then just walk away from them or keep walking

"He's in training to ignore people and objects and I don't want to break his training right now, we're going to enter an obedience competition, maybe later, thank you!" I use that one ALL the time when Ben seems a bit stressed, and it works....plus it's good training to keep the dog focused on you!

Just tell people 'No, please don't pet him, he was abused before I adopted him and he is very hand shy". Again, walk away...

Just tell them that he bites children!! :p guranteed to work...

[babyray]

I have a dog like this-unpredictable, nervy-and we love her. Dogs like this are not acting out of bravery, but fear or at least stress. So it may help to think about it from the perspective of protecting him from stressful situations, rather than depriving him of enjoyment. You are not making his life LESS by managing him and controlling his world, but making it MORE-more safe, enjoyable, peaceful and happy.

[Carol Burke]

By putting your dog in situations he cannot handle you are risking his life!!! Suppose he starts after a child who then runs and screams? Put that into a mental image and imagine the headlines. By owning a Rottweiler you have the responsibility to make sure he does not get into trouble. Forget wanting to see if he will come when you call him. Keep this dog on a leash. He is not a candidate for off leash, in your unfenced yard, with a person he is suspicious of next door.

I have a registered therapy dog who is working in UD, totally trustworthy, loves everyone, but he is a dog. He could be distracted by a cat running, another dog running, a child running. Believe me it is not worth taking a chance. He will drop on command fifty feet away, does that mean I should take him to a playground and see if it works with kids running and playing? I don't think so.