corrections

[brunie's mom]

I suggest you dig up some money and get into a class. Many classes are not that expensive...6 weeks of class for $120. or so? Get in touch with a Humane Society or SPCA and they may be running their own classes or direct you to a class. We have members living in New York that take classes...they may be able to help you.

Many of us also started with the old fashioned "yank and crank" methods years ago....training is so much more pleasant and fun now...
Most dogs don't need severe corrections...a verbal correction usually works, as does prevention.

The dog run, and dog park are not the place for a young, male Rottweiler.
Classes will teach him how to work with distractions.

Your best way of correcting is keeping a leash on him and preventing him from doing a bad behavior. When you see he is going to get bitey..make him do a sit, or some other behavior. When he looks interested and sniffing someone...call him away...so that he does not pee on anyone. Don't forget to praise for good behavior.

Gina

[narfi59]

The dog run, and dog park are not the place for a young, male Rottweiler.
Classes will teach him how to work with distractions.

Gina[/quote]

why is a dog run not the place for a young male rottie?????

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by narfi59

why is a dog run not the place for a young male rottie?????

I think the idea is that a young dog with behaviour issues (or rather a human with training issues) needs more than the opportunity to "run wild" at the dog park for exercise and training. I would argue that if there are leadership issues, your dog needs to spend more time with you, not other dogs right now. Furthermore, there are so many variables that you can't control in a park that you can in a class.

Many of us stay away from dog parks for many reasons...do a search on dog parks...

If you swallow your pride and really read the advice people are giving you (which you asked for, by the way) I'm sure your dog will come around. Dog training has come a LONG, LONG way since the days of our parents and just because something "worked" doesn't mean there aren't better, more humane ways to train something now. A good trainer will look for different ways to train something when one technique isn't working. My concern with harsh corrections (without giving the dog the opportunity to learn an alternative behaviour) is that I think in many cases it's not about looking for the best way to help a dog learn but about humans getting angry and "making a dog pay" which says a lot more about us as people than anything ever could.

We've all made training mistakes by the way so people aren't speaking from some high horse, they're speaking from experience.

[mamamia1]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

We've all made training mistakes by the way so people aren't speaking from some high horse, they're speaking from experience.

TRUE! I know alpha rolls don't work because I was bit on two separate occasions using them and the original problem still existed. Luckily I learned this very early. I have experienced much better results using the methods that have already been mentioned here.

[Jaidann]

If it helps, I too was raised with the "yank and crank" method of training. I've been around animals all my life. From hunting dogs and horses to dobermans and finally my greatest love, the Rottweiler. I'm 46.

When I got my first Rottweiler, I had found a fabulous trainer who taught me that above everything else, nothing but GOOD things and love should come from my hands. A light bulb came on in my head and from that point on, I understood my animals much much better. I also got a much better response from them. They did things for me because they really wanted to. Not because they felt they had to. That doesn't mean they never got corrected. It just means I approached things in a totally different way and found out I rarely needed to correct them when they understood what I was asking of them in the first place.

Gina's advice on how to 'correct' if you have to is good. Listen to her.

And dog parks are bad because most times you are setting your dog up to fail. And that is because for the most part, the dogs that are at dog parks are rude dogs to begin with. The owners themselves are clueless on what is correct behavior from a dog and what isn't. It's a recipe for disaster. Especially considering the tough legislation that is knocking on everyone's door to get rid of our breed of choice.

Find the money for classes, or as suggested try the SPCA or Humane Society nearest you. There you will find like minded owners who want to have well behaved dogs. You can learn together and let your boy interact with dogs and owners that are learning what you are and have the same goals in mind.

Hope this helps :)

[TrinaJ]

In Australia, I am a member of a Dog Obedience Club, I only have to pay an annual membership fee and the lessons are free (the trainers are volunteers). They go for 45 minutes every Saturday afternoon.

Perhaps you have a club in Queens that is similar. If I were you I would investigate and see what you come up with.

Although I am not using the lessons now (have a one on one trainer for Jett) I can come and go whenever I please.

Please really take all the information on board, we dont want to see you or your dog hurt by incorrectly disciplining your dog. As Jaidann said 'nothing but love and goodthings should come from the hands.....

Trina

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by narfi59

......as far as obedience, yes ive done all the training myself, i dont have money to attend obedience classes....

You need to get yourself and your puppy into class. You do not have a choice on this. The training techniques you're using on your puppy--as practiced by your dad on the dogs you had growing up--are at least 20 years out of date, reflective of old school thinking. Much has been learned since your father last trained a dog that would be to your advantage to learn, understand, and use in training your Rottie puppy.

Furthermore, Rotties are completely different that GSDs and Labs, so training techniques that perhaps made these dogs of yours "perfectly fine" are not likely to achieve the same results when used on your Rottie puppy.

If you don't have money to attend obed classes, think about getting a parttime job, selling items on eBay, or otherwise figuring out a way to raise money. Since this is almost certainly your first Rottie, taking your puppy to class is a necessity. It isn't an option.

Originally Posted by narfi59

......i take him to the public dog runs 3 times a week for him to run wild.....

The image of a semi-trained young male Rottweiler running wild in a dog park makes Rottie savvy people cringe.

Many of us do not recommend dog parks and you'll have the opportunity to read thoughtful discussions of why we feel this way by using the search function at the top of the page after keying in "dog parks."

Originally Posted by narfi59

...Ms. Angelbunny, rather than accuse people of having attitudes and being snide, please try and be pleasant with people, i never "called out" or purposely tried to embarrass anyone.

Clearly, you're a better, finer person than I am and I have something to learn from you.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by narfi59

...aside from having my dog wear his prong collar all the time, what would you suggest for a fast correction, for a serious offence (i.e. peeing on someone, biting, etc.).

A Prong Collar should ONLY be on a dog during active training, and then REMOVED. I don't see where anyone said to put a prong collar on him and leave it on all the time.

You'll have better success with positive reinforcement and prevention than infraction and correction. Keep him leashed when you have company over and if he mouths you, say (not yell) "Ah!Ah!" in a crisp tone and give him something else to put in his mouth (a toy).

What you are doing right now is control by intimidation. Rottweilers are smart and you need to be truly accepted as his leader and you won't get there without respect. Intimidation does not equal respect, it equals resentment. He may decide he's not going to take it anymore if you don't change your training methods.

He needs firmness as in structure in his life, he does not need to be alpha rolled! Your job is to be a GOOD boss, not a tyrant.

I, too, will say you need to get him into group obedience classes. Check your local parks and recreation department or local obedience clubs - they usually have classes at a very reasonable cost and they are worth their weight in gold as far as your young male's future is concerned.

[sweetlee]

I will only repeat this once I promise, find a way to get into group obedience classes.
I have figured out that just because I can teach a dog to sit, stay, down, come, and probably 20 other trick commands, I am not the same as professional training.
I had my dog two weeks before I took him to his first obedience class, and he was just a little older than your guy, and he could do almost all of the commands they were teaching. What I did learn was about the attitude and confidence an owner must have, which will rub off on the dog. I learned that hey if we make this all kinds of fun I get quicker results and a dog who is even more eager to work for me than he was before.
I can put my dog on his side or back very easily, I sit and pet him and very soon without my asking, he downs and rolls over into a very submissive position. He is submitting to me because he respects me, and he trusts me.
The positive training methods are wonderful, dogs always (well almost always) listen to you when it's a fun thing to do. The problem with yelling, screaming and physically forcing is that it is not pleasant, the dog isn't joyfully following along and actually if you yell too much, they are like kids and can totally tune you out.
That being said, I don't believe that always positive reenforcement works either, dogs sometimes need correction, but only after they understand what it is you want. Notice I said correction, not punishment. A well trained dog through new training methods wants to please his master, where a dog who is constantly screamed at, hit, or forced down may submit in fear, MOST of the time. Fearful dogs are the ones who bite people for no reason.
Fearful dogs can't be trusted, and with a young bullheaded male, you may meet your match one of these days. I certainly could not down my dog by physical force if he decided to challenge me. So I rely on my brain, and on our great relationship. A relationship that has been built out of trust and respect between us. Here our classes are 80 bucks for six weeks in basic. Certainly there are some things you can do without? We all have things we like but could live without. Candy bars? Beer? Pop? Cigarettes? A couple of dvd's or video games? Look and REALLY be honest about where you can come up with the money and I am sure you can cut corners somewhere. it's certainly worth the next many years that you will spend with a trusting and loving dog.

Sharon