Aggressive Rotti Pup

[Dax]

I have a 2 month old rotti female. She's tough as nails. Unforunately, today I tried to take something away from her and she growled and took a snap at me. I hit her across the face in reflex enough to get a whelp. I am worried about making her more aggressive. Will this one experience ruin her? I immediately pet her reassuring, and she was really tired already.

[JakodaCD OA]

well I doubt this one experience will 'wreck' her, but it sounds like you got the potential for some future serious issues.
I would get her into an obedience class with someone who is familiar with tough as nails rotti's ASAP.
Now if you were trying to take a bone away from her, I can understand the reaction, tho it's not acceptable behavior.
I would start working on just this, removing and rewarding with something better exercises..How is she with food?
Smacking her as you know, is not the answer. NOW is the time to nip the behavior in the bud, she is young, good age to learn what is and is not acceptable.

[Dax]

Actually it was a bone (with meat on it). The last two days (the weekend) she has started growling when she didn't want to be picked up, making low growling sounds when playing. It feels like she is wanting to dominate me. I'm worried because she isn't the product of a breeder but a woman who worked at a vet clinic. My other dogs never tried to overtly challenge me - certainly not at two months.

[JakodaCD OA]

I'd be worried to with a dog this age, definately find yourself a behaviorist to work with. She sounds like she needs some major attitude adjustment
Good luck

[carriecrowe]

Doglover, if you was closer, i'd help ya out with training her. My husband delt with an adult rottie that was severly abused before he got him and Jim completely turned that dog around. Even though the dog tamed down, you still didnt want to turn your back on him.. It was hard telling what would have set that dog off.

Have you ever owned a rottie before? is she pure or mix? is she american or german? What exactly was her breeding? was her mom bred with any kind of known "fighting dogs" or mean males? what all DO you know about her and the mom and dad? what was their temperments? do you show fear towards your puppy when she growls at you or nips at you? Other than growling and snapping at you, does she show any other signs of "domination" over you?

I know that is alot of questions, and i'm sorry, but i am curious. I know puppies can be a handfull. I agree with Diane, get her into obediance classes and see if that helps.

[teamfargo]

I just wanted to add that my in-laws had a large black dog that their daughter got at a petstore for 25.00. (you can tell the pet store thought highly of it! LOL)

Anyway, this dog was nasty even as a puppy. They didn't enroll it in obedience classes as they were afraid it would attack another dog there.

They had this dog for ten very long years. Everyone was in fear of being bit by this animal. I would get some kind of training for this dog. It may be expensive, but think of a possible lawsuit and how much that would cost if this dog bit anyone.

[Dax]

Thanks everyone. I contacted a champion breeder & handler and they eased my worries a lot. They stated that a rotti at two months of age should be fearless and may try to establish dominance over us. Her reactions may not be "crazy or aggressiveness" because of bad breeding.

I have raised several large dogs - most over 60 lbs and they have all turned out to be well adjusted likeable trustworthy animals. My 9 year old rotti cross is a real sweetheart eventhough her brother from same litter had to be destroyed because of bad temperant. I think I was just apprehensive because of the bad reputation rotti's are getting lately. As much as I love all dogs, I will not allow an animal to live if it can not learn to live with humans in an appropriate manner. I will continue like I have with all my dogs and if she fails to respond or gets worse, I will have her put down. In the mean time she will get lots of love, formal training, puppy socialization and the best home I can give - the rest will be up to her.

[carriecrowe]

that is awesome. I am glad to see you arent one of those owners that on the first sight of "trouble" you give up on her. Good luck with your pup. keep us updated on her progress.