Sham cou
Posted : 7/11/2007 5:45:36 PM
You got a gaurd dog and he is doing his job. He is protecing your house and family from all the other people and dogs out there who he thinks are a threat. I'm guessing the problem is noone ever taught him about who is a threat and who isn't. It's important to take dogs out as puppies around strange dogs and
eople and teach them how to interact. They will learn what is normal conversation between people and what could be a threat. If they never learn what isn't a threat then they can't tell when someone or something is dangerous and could hurt you. He's assuming everything and everyone is dangerous to you. It's much harder to reteach them after that but not completely impossible.
First thing to do is some obedience. Make sure he will walk next to you and sit to a command(it doesn't have to be in english). If you don't know how to do that I highly suggest hiring a trainer and getting some books on basic obedience training. When you've accomplished that make sure to have him on a strong leash and either be certain you can hold onto him and keep him in place or tie him to something. Have someone he knows come into view and casually walk by a good distance away. Not close enough that you would start a conversation with the person but just within view. When he barks first try to tell him the person isn't dangerous and for a puppy I would even pet them a little but I'm not sure he really needs any such reassurance. If he doesn't calm down a little then reprimand, tell him "NO, quiet", and make him stay next to you in a sit until the person walks out of sight. Repeat until he starts to sit at least somewhat more quietly and make certain you praise him greatly for behaving. Tell him how great he is for sitting there instead of jumping up and trying to bark at the person or even for just grumbling instead of all out barking loudly. It may take doing this on a couple different days to make any progress.
Next step is to have the person approach close enough you can start a conversation but not close enough they could easily make physical contact and potentially hurt you. Greet the person in a friendly way, tell the dog it's ok and the person is not dangerous, and if the dog continues to get upset go back to making it sit and repeating the "NO, quiet" command or whatever word you decide to use to tell the dog not to bark anymore. When the dog is sitting or after you have talked to the person for a couple minutes then have them walk away. Do it again until the dog stays sitting and quiets a little when you tell it to.
When the dog improves keep increasing the events. Have the person walk up quicker or closer to you, get different people or people the dog doesn't know as well to approach you, and eventually have other owners bring their dogs by. Always make sure you keep control of your dog and if you can't control him back off to a previous step where it was easier. Like tying him to the fence and having someone just walk by across the street. When you start having him around other dogs don't let them meet each other at first. Keep the other dog at a distance until your dog is calm and slowly let them get closer. Whenever he misbehaves reprimand him, make him go back to sitting next to you, and don't allow the other dog any closer until you have control of him. Eventually he should come to learn when things are ok and when things are different which could mean a threat. If someone yells at you instead of greeting politely or you get nervous and don't tell him it's ok then he will know that this is a bad situation because he has something to compare it to. You can't expect him to be born knowing the difference between a safe human and a dangerous one. You have to teach him how to tell the difference.
Lastly neutering this dog would help greatly. With his personality you really shouldn't be creating any puppies. They could be just as hard to handle as him. It would also make him much easier to handle with neutering. There are plenty of rottweilers out there to pass on their genes. You shouldn't be breeding yours unless both he and the female you choose are absolutely perfect in every way. You'd be better off concentrating on making him a safe happy pet and guardian for your family instead of trying to make more puppies.