Training techniques to keep me pack leader?

[kelking]

hi i have a rotti cross female 7yrs and a male intact 7m rottweiler
iam not scared that i own a full rottweiler and a male at that but iam aware of what can be if not fully trainned
boomer is a very laid back male willing to learn and friendly with dogs,adults and children but almost everyday iam thinking i hope am trainning him right or bringing him up right,i think iam as ive not had any problems
or maybe am lucky

anyhow otis can you suggust any trainning techniques to keep me pack leader?
he doesnt get feed untill we have eating he has to sit and then wait for the good boy command before eating
not allowed upstairs,sits and lets me out the door first is all this ok?
is there more i could do?
the reason i asked now after 7m is here in england there is again another rottweiler attack today in the press i just want to be a responsible owner
is it ok to get down on the floor with a dog to give affection or should i always be sit above?
thanks for any help you may give
ps boomer has 1 hour walk in the morning and 20 mins afternoon

[Nishasmom]

I wouldn't worry about making sure you are the "pack leader". If you are keeping up with your obedience training, it should come naturally. Make sure you have control of your dog, and that your dog knows "what you say goes". By praciticing on obedience (everyday, forever) he will understand that you are in control. Are you in training classes; if not you need to enroll.

I give my dog affection where ever I want, when I want (not the opposite) !!! Look up NILF on this website, I have used it since my dog was a puppy. It will help your dog understand that she must work for everything; and that you decide what, and when she gets affection/food.

[kelking]

hi thanks i do NILF but sometimes i like to be on the floor for a cuddle is this ok?
i suppose this post is about all the press the rottweilers are having
is any one having a hard time with this? ie reading the press
to quote"its like bring a lion in live with your family"in a newspaper
i look at boomer i cant see a devil dog they say its the owner not the dog so i just want to do everything i need to do for him and us to be happy
as for obedience training we do that with almost everything daily
like i say am just a bit upset with the press and needed a bit of comfort
thanks

[Nishasmom]

Yes...we all get "dirty" looks, and people pulling their kids away from our dogs. The best thing you can do is make sure your dog stays totally in your control. Are you planning on getting him neutered? Doing so will help keep him from trying to "take over" (dominate) when he matures.

In my opinion, it is okay to cuddle with your dogs. As long as they don't take advantage of the situation, it is fine. Good luck with your dog :)

[kelking]

hi yes he will be neutered my cross is already done so no puppies here!
am probably just being silly as ive said we havent had any problems yet but thanks for replying

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

I wouldn't worry about making sure you are the "pack leader". If you are keeping up with your obedience training, it should come naturally. Make sure you have control of your dog, and that your dog knows "what you say goes".

This is a good guideline. Those who use fair and consistent methods to work with their dogs, both at home, out in world, in a group class environment AND don't ignore undesirable behaviors but rather incorporate those tendencies into their training will rarely if ever find themselves with a dog that challenges leadership because the dog has been raised to respect and understand it from the get go.

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

I give my dog affection where ever I want, when I want (not the opposite) !!!

Not sure you meant it, but this sounds like you think affection should be imposed on a dog just because you want it. Affection is a two way street and a dog's desire or lack of desire for affection should be respected every bit as much as yours. Understanding this is part of what builds a healthy relationship between owner/dog.

Originally Posted by kelking

hi thanks i do NILF but sometimes i like to be on the floor for a cuddle is this ok?

If you don't know, then I'd have to say no.

Originally Posted by kelking

i suppose this post is about all the press the rottweilers are having is any one having a hard time with this? ie reading the press to quote"its like bring a lion in live with your family"

And you believe it? Have you tried to "fit" that statement to your dog? Did it fit?

[Nishasmom]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

I give my dog affection where ever I want, when I want (not the opposite)

Moondog, I know this may sound bad; I don't allow my dog to get attention at innapropriate times. (i.e. when company is over, cooking dinner, hugging another person, ect.) I am HAPPY to give my dog attention when she wants it (but I too, want doggy kisses). How could you not want that cute face to kiss you???

I think it is important for a dog to know there is a time and place for attention. Like a child tugging at their mom's shirt; sometimes it is not the appropriate time/place to get attention. Does that make sense?? :)

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

Moondog, I know this may sound bad; I don't allow my dog to get attention at innapropriate times. (i.e. when company is over, cooking dinner, hugging another person, ect.) I am HAPPY to give my dog attention when she wants it (but I too, want doggy kisses). How could you not want that cute face to kiss you???

I think it is important for a dog to know there is a time and place for attention. Like a child tugging at their mom's shirt; sometimes it is not the appropriate time/place to get attention. Does that make sense?? :)

It doesn't sound bad at all, it sounds exactly right. That's what I was trying to clarify.....the way you worded it in your previous post made it sound like a dog should accept affection just because a person wants to express it, whether the dog is receptive to it or not....and that is what I was questioning.

There are some who would interpret it in this way and think they should, for example, hug their dog when the dog clearly doesn't like hugs. If this is a dog's inclination and it is not respected, it's a good way to get bit. That is what I mean by affection being a two-way street.

[kelking]

moondog if you read my post i did say "i look at boomer i cant see a devil dog"and its the owner not the dog after the quote"its like bring a lion in live with your family"


so all means give me advice but dont mis quote me i was looking for comfort and advice on what am doing is the best for boomer

[moondog]

Originally Posted by kelking

so all means give me advice but dont mis quote me i was looking for comfort and advice on what am doing is the best for boomer

You were not misquoted.

[stale]

think kelking was looking more to see if any of the rest of us have a terribly hard time identifying the "devil dog" persona with our own animals. at least, that's how i read that quote.

and for "enforcing" your role as pack leader, i figure, just stay with what you're doing. NILF is a decent guide (yes, GUIDE, not be all and end all of dog training, but guidelines) for how to raise a respectful animal. as long as you stay the source of all good things, then you're doing right by your dog.

fwiw, if you feel like getting down on the floor for some serious dog cuddling/playing, it should be all good, so long as you can maintain the control needed not to let him play too rough, and that the fun and games end when YOU say it ends. dogs are social animals, and a certain degree of physical affection is standard.

to quote moondog:
"Not sure you meant it, but this sounds like you think affection should be imposed on a dog just because you want it. Affection is a two way street and a dog's desire or lack of desire for affection should be respected every bit as much as yours. Understanding this is part of what builds a healthy relationship between owner/dog."

i'd add to this that you should train your dog to tolerate undesired affection. seriously, as a simple safety measure, your dog should be ready and willing to accept a good level of mauling, whether they are feeling affectionate or not. i say this not to disrespect the dogs, but as a safety valve. how many rottweiler owners have children? grandchildren?? friends with kids???? at some point, a dog that comes into contact with children IS going to get hugged, whether you like the fact or not. teaching the dog to put up with it gracefully can avoid a major issue later. i honestly view it as unfair to the animal not to teach them this, since instilling a little tolerance can avoid having to have your animal bite someone, and maybe be put down.

[felicityjay]

Hiya... as a fellow Brit i can understand where your worry has come from...the media is painting a pretty terrifying picture! Most people who do not come into contact with rottweilers echo the views they have read and warn you that you have a disaster waiting to happen quoting press cuttings in a vaguely brainwashed way...

It sounds to me as if you trying to do everything right...I personally feel that all of the media frenzy drives me to prove people wrong. I am determined to ensure i do right by fern, the breed and everyone i meet in terms of obedience and training. So far so good...people are always surprised to meet such a well behaved, intelligent and calm dog (of any breed) but i have made a commitment to constant training and obedience - all we can do is try and work against the stereotype...

you know your dog...you seem dedicated to obedience and training...i'm sure you will raise a well mannered dog if you keep up NILIF and classes - don't let the scare stories affect you in a negative way!

And i know it is probably irrelevant but i think he has a soppy face!

[moondog]

Originally Posted by stale

i'd add to this that you should train your dog to tolerate undesired affection. seriously, as a simple safety measure, your dog should be ready and willing to accept a good level of mauling, whether they are feeling affectionate or not. i say this not to disrespect the dogs, but as a safety valve.

I agree with this, too....except that when this is done, it's not affection at all, but handling to teach tolerance....so the term "affection" is misplaced.

[kelking]

hi thanks stale thats what iam saying not worry about my boomer really because he is a big lovely but just wanted to make sure am doing everything right like felicityjay to prove every one wrong about the breed i feel better this morning maybe i will stop reading papers ha
thanks

[amontague]

Hi kelking! I think you're right that you should stop reading about rotties in the papers, the press is generally unfair about the breed. As for cuddling, if both you and the dog enjoy it, then I think it's quite appropriate. My dog is a great cuddler, and I love it! Just this morning, before I left for another hard day at work, I called him over for a good cuddle. In my case, I called him up on my bed for the cuddle. He has bed privileges, when invited. If your Boomer likes to cuddle, and you like to cuddle him, then by all means enjoy yourselves.