barking at people

[Jursey]

I have a 10 month old Rottweiler, her name is Jursey, and I have had her since she was eight weeks old, I have been following this message board on training tips and have also purchased book on this particular breed, but I have been having a problem with taking her for walks and barking at mothers with there babies, There are no obedience classes where I live and the closest place is two and a half hours away. Are there any suggestions on how to correct this problem?

[Mojave's Mom]

You need obedience training from a professional. Hire a private trainer if you need to, one that comes out to your house. It is not possible for people on an internet board to diagnose why your dog is barking at people...need to see it in person. And a book won't help that either.

I would not let a 10 month old barking at people grow into a 2 year old that barks at people. With our breed, there's no room to skirt around behavior issues.

[SonnyRott]

It is a very self rewarding habit. Now that she's been allowed to do it, you'll need to cut her thought off at the pass....

When you see someone coming, put her immediately into a "sit". Get her attention on you with a toy or food and keep her attention the ENTIRE time! Step in front of her if you must to block her view.

When the person passes, praise/treat her and keep going. Do this EVERY TIME! This will take some time but you must be consistent. She cannot be allowed to do it sometimes and then not at other's.

With patience and consistency, you will soon have her sitting politely and you will be able to greet the passerby.

And just think....there is nothing more intimidating (and bad for their reputation) than having a Rottweiler out and about acting the way that you described.

Good Luck.

[Jursey]

That is one reason also that I don’t like her barking at anyone because I hate when people are scared of her because she is a Rottweiler. My town has 7 thousand people and no private training or anything.

[Luvs]

It would be well worth the 2 1/2 hour drive to attend classes once a week. She REALLY needs classes or at the very least a private instructor.

[SonnyRott]

Barking in your home to alert you is one thing, but barking at passerbys when you are out walking is not acceptable!

Can you call your town hall and see if they provide dog training classes in your area?

[Dimitri]

mine started barking and chasing some of the drunks and crackheads that pass through my area!

[Jursey]

What I'am going to do is put an ad in our newspaper and see if there are any private instructors, and go from there.

Thanks

[Mochasmom]

Unless you can find a private trainer looks like PA will be your only choice. They have an obedience club there, call them and see if they know of anyone in your area.

[dogsbydoug]

Originally Posted by Dimtiri

mine started barking and chasing some of the drunks and crackheads that pass through my area!

And this is acceptable to you? Barking to some degree, yes, but certainly not chasing. What happens if your dog bites one of these drunks or crackheads?

Backto the OP - if you know the dog is going to act out at the moms and strollers or whatever, redirect the dogs attention BEFORE she gets going. Once she's acting like an idiot, there is little you can do except give a strong correction and drag her away.

Redirect her with a treat and put her through her obedience paces - sit, down, watch me, leave it, etc...

If you know she acts up at certain stimuli, keep her away from the distraction until you can reliably work with her to get past it. For example, she barks at strollers - OK, good, take her to a park or somewhere there are strollers, but do not let her near them - keep as far away from them as you can, but where she can still see them. Work on her attention and other training until she is reliable with 'leave it' and 'watch me', and then move a little closer to the stimuli. Keep working until you can walk past a stroller without incident. If you have to, stop and have her sit calmly next to you, watching you, while they go past.

When my dogs get riled up at another dog approaching us while we're walking, I tend to walk faster, head up, confident and do not stop for anything, even if they decide to be jerks and act up. They'll get a corection because they know better, but sometimes they need a reminder, but Ido not stop and allow them to stare at the other dog like the owners of the other dogs tend to do...they think it is funny that their dogs are acting up at the 'big mean rottweiler'.

I usually smile as I walk past and tell them that their dog will probably end up biting someone long before mine will because mine have alot more manners than their dogs...

[Jursey]

I find that when it is just her and I she is very easy for me to get her attention, but when I walk with someone else and their dog, that's when I find her to be rude.

[GypsysMom]

I like that.. Yes My neighbors have 2 goldens 1 is ok the other one a 2yr old male charges after me barking vioiusly at me and he attacked my Shitsu he has ran through his invisible fence many times to chase me Im not scared of him so I stop what im doing and tell him to knock it off and get back home (mind you the owner is a dog trainer) and they are breeding him this year.. I do get concerned for my kids though since are property line is so close... I know for a fact if he bit one of my girls (which they love animals and wouldnt try to bother him) my husband would shoot it, Sad but true.. Now My American Bulldog barks and is aggressive with people that come to my home but he is awesome when we are out in public with kids, grownups he just minds his business and keeps walking....

But he has blocked me a few times when the golden charges at me.

Good Luck on Jursey Some trainers also come to your home may be worth a try to find out about that as well..

Kim

[Jursey]

I have found a trainer that will do private lessons on the weekends with me and Jursey, I will have to drive the two and half hours every weekend until she is done but it will be well worth it in the long run. I really think one on one is way better for Jursey and me considering I waited till she was 10 month old for a pro.

Thanks everyone