Could you handle it....should some even try?

[WorkinDogz]

The recent thread made me think about combinations of dogs/handlers.

Now; I'm fairly tall (5'8" and generally stay under that 120# mark) and have owned/handled/trained mostly GSD's.

Ok; so I'm hooked on Rotties as well now. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

With GSD's; I really don't hesistate buying an adult that I like (trained or untrained; male or bitch)

Sure; GSD's are powerful dogs...but pound for pound the power a Rottie throws at you can and does put many large men on their behinds.

Many breeders suggest women should opt for a female Rottie vs a male when choosing a dog to work.

I enjoy working females...but...working a male takes things to a "higher" level.

There are some top notch dog teams that are female handler; male dog.

Here's the question. Who should opt for the older male (who's past that puppy stuff and ready to train), who should opt for a baby puppy and who should should stick with a bitch?

I'm interested in hearing your opinions! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[Judi W]

Personally, I prefer males, but have always raised my own. Would I take on an adult I really liked? Yes, but I qualify that in that one I really like would have a good background behind him with decent social skills. One of the things I like about males is their "bounce back" from training corrections and pressure. I have had people try to get me to take on an older male with problems (he's beautiful, but keeps biting everyone)and I have declined those offers. I think of the amount of time needed to get a dog to where I want it to be. I am not inclined to spend 3/4 of that time solving serious problems before I can get on towards goals.

I believe that if someone doesn't like dogs or feel competent to handle one, they shouldn't own one. Get a bitch.

Fortunately, I can't buy into the size of handler thing as I am at the bottom of the standard. Someone on the forum once said "I may be small, but I have a big mouth". I would paraphrase that and say "I may be small, but I am very strong minded" and I've got enough engineering understanding to use leverage to my advantage.

[damp]

No doubt, ALWAYS a male, but the next question is much more difficult to answer. I want to do the “foundation work” myself…building up drives, start tracking in my way, do constructive playing, who is the leader of the pack etc. etc. If I should buy an older dog, I would be happy to know the owner and his/her way to raise a dog and last but not least, it would all depends of the dog’s temperament, but … I think I will stick to what I know I can handle... a male pup http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[Judi W]

I guess that was kind of my point. I don't want to put in a huge amount of time and work only to find myself just starting on the first step. Sometimes redirecting, bonding, and organizing an adult takes as much time as allowing a pup to get mature enough for more serious work. How do I know this? I've worked on that process with several "new to their owners" adult males. A couple of pretty good ones too, but it was tricky business, took a lot of energy and it was still a year or so before we were comfortable with the outcome. Guess I should note that these were imports so they not only had some cultural adjustments but had to get used to taking orders from a woman.

I like knowing "every cell" in that body.

[This message has been edited by Judi W (edited January 05, 2001).]

[WorkinDogz]

Thanks girls http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif


I know I'm not "overpowering" a male Rottie. I may be small and have a big mouth (and am just a TOUCH strong minded http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif) but I'm also realistic.

Even with my GSD's (of the 3...my bitch was by far the harder dog and toughest to handle because of her civil temperament and sheer "go get 'em" drive) I rely on my implimenting of the foundation, the bond and the rapport built from puppyhood.

It's not a male/female human thing really. There are plenty of men who don't have a clue what they're doing and a decent bitch rocks their world....it's just what is the criteria for deciding if YOU could handle it.

[Grumbler]

WOWWWwwwww,

What did I get myself into coming into this post..........it appears a female only one.... http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/tongue.gif I guess I have to come in here and break things up girls.....lol

Yes, a decent bitch can rock a mans world!!

Well, I better go before I start trouble http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

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GUCCI'S DAD
Doug

[Argos]

You pose an interesting question, Workindogz. I think I would have to answer it in this way: I don't believe the gender of the animal has as much to do with the decision as the individual dog. A female with strong drive and great spirit could be just as difficult to handle as a male. Orville has a bitch that would give any male a run for his money. On the other hand, a submissive male in the hands of a strong and dominant female handler, even if he outweighs her, could be a much better combination because he may not challenge her.

[WorkinDogz]

Ah ya wimp Doug. LMAO http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif Oh and http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/tongue.gif right back at ya pal! LOL

Argos;

That's a good question...IS a more submissive male more suited for a good female trainer?? (it's really not a matter of dominating when training; but building a rapport that places the handler, be it a male or female in the drivers seat.)

A submissive dog needs to be handled with kid gloves...NO THANKS! That's really not working dog material to me.

[Argos]

That's true. Still learning the ins and outs of training a dog for sport, I have come across a lot of questions like this. I don't believe a submissive dog is good for sport at all. Through I believe some good advice I have come to the opinion that a working dog should be a dominant dog and never dominated by another. I really have to work on expressing my thoughts more clearly.
I didn't mean that the dog should be unconditionally submissive. A completely submissive dog would be likely to back down from a challenge on the field, especially in protection. I did mean that the person working the dog should temper their choice of animal according to their own disposition.

[Judi W]

A soft dog is a billion times harder to train, male or female. The reason I prefer males is not hardness, that can be found in either sex. It is their more forgiving nature, humor and bounce back (OK let's call it a shorter memory).

[WorkinDogz]

LMAO Judy http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

Gotta love that "duh what the hell just happened? Oh nevermind!" look..although I do like you're more politically correct *shorter memory* phrase. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[Storm]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Judi W:
....had to get used to taking orders from a woman.

[This message has been edited by Judi W (edited January 05, 2001).]</font>

Ouch! That sounds scary. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

[WorkinDogz]

Sure could be Storm! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif I wouldn't suggest crawling on the long down... LOL

I'm still trying to decide if the new additon (not soon; but this summer) will be a male or a female...or even if I want to by-pass the puppy stage and go for a young dog.

As much as I enjoy laying the foundation and raising a puppy....I just might treat myself to passing on those fun and games of puppyhood http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[*MAGNUM*]

Okay guys, I will get into this.

I am a female, just under 5'2, I weigh about 117lbs ( okay, Doug now you know my weight). I have a male,just over a year old, about 95lbs, Im not exactly sure his height but his head is right below my waist. I am loosing weight and he is gaining. And to make matters worse I am new to the sport, this is the first dog I have done this with.

Basiclly I am getting my A** dragged all over the field. Trainer says I can hang on to him, that its just a matter of me finding the most comfortable way, and no he doesn't allow the dog crappy bites.

If I were to have looked into the club then the dog I would have done things differently, and Im not sure that I would attempt a male, not a Rottie male anyway, again. I would either go with a bitch, or a different breed. My husband was suppose to handle the dog but due to unforseen circomstances, (not that I mind any) I am left to handle a dog that is probably going to come close to my wieght when all is said and done. Luckily I have enough confidence in my trainers ability that he will tell me enough is enough, or we continue. As things look now, we continue.

So should a woman of my size be doing this with a dog the size and stenght of Magnum, Im going to say No. I have yet to take a header into the dirt but its only a matter of time, Im sure. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif Although, like I said before this is my first time, and Im sure that is making a big difference too.
Like they say, What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so I figure Im either going to have arms of steel, or be buried somewhere out there in the middle of the field.



[This message has been edited by *MAGNUM* (edited January 08, 2001).]

[rottweiler_fancier]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by *MAGNUM*:

If I were to have looked into the club then the dog I would have done things differently, and Im not sure that I would attempt a male, not a Rottie male anyway, again. I would either go with a bitch, or a different breed.

So should a woman of my size be doing this with a dog the size and stenght of Magnum, Im going to say No.

Like they say, What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so I figure Im either going to have arms of steel, or be buried somewhere out there in the middle of the field.

[This message has been edited by *MAGNUM* (edited January 08, 2001).]</font>

Well I'm 5'6, about 120lbs, and am caught between the decision of a male or female. The male presents the problems your experiencing - not being strong enough, its your first dog, etc. The female presents the problem of dogfights with our current 2 girls and those darn heat cycles that I don't want to go threw which will keep us out of competition.

So could I handle it [a male]....should I even try?

WorkingDogz - "(it's really not a matter of dominating when training; but building a rapport that places the handler, be it a male or female in the drivers seat.)"

How can I get into that driver's seat? My dad (ex-trainer from some 20 years ago) thinks I'd be too soft but his method involves "throwing down" the dog. He did that with our two dogs and all I can say is while they mind him, they come to him with their ears laid back and their tails timidly wagging. I don't want a dog that is scared of me. I want a dog that trust me and works with me. I just haven't been able to find a common ground in training.



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- Dana -
"All Rottweilers were created equal"