Hi! I'm new to the forum. I have one lovely young female (spayed) Rottweiler that was rescued from the local shelter . We live in Arkansas, out in the country. My Rottie is just a big baby in most respects, but she does not like my mother-in-law or father-in-law! Help! These are the only people she has thus far barked, growled, and lunged at (she lunges, then backs off). This is always at my home, inside the house. She has never shown aggression toward other people ever, and we do have quite a few people in & out of here. Even when I put her in the den and block her in with the gate, she barks every time she hears one of them talking. I have her enrolled in obedience classes that are to start next week, and I am anxious because I do not know how she will react to other dogs either. I have read on certain websites that some Rotties just cannot be trusted around cats or small dogs, EVER. Any suggestions on how to curb this aggression (if that's what it is) or suggestions as to books on dealing with aggression?

Hi Sierra,

I know how your Rottie feels, I do that whenever I see/hear my inlaws :D Sorry I can't offer any constructive advice.

Good luck and I'm sure someone on here will have some advice for you.

Fiona

Hi sierra
could it be that you have argued with the in-laws in front of her
& she is showing aggrestion to back you up? !

Karl

I don't have any decent advice either other than I agree with what 'issysmum' said!:D

On a more serious not though I do have a friend with Rotties so I'll ask her to have a look and see what she thinks!

I have two rotties, never had a problem with cats or small dogs, our cat actually comes on walks with us most times. Never had a problem with individuals but in my experience Rotties seem to know if people are wary of them and take great delight in intimidating them.

cheers Lorraine

<<< I have read on certain websites that some Rotties just cannot be trusted around cats or small dogs, EVER.>>>

I'd love to know where some of these ideas come from! <shaking head in disbelief> My Mom's 6 month old Rotti pup walked into my house for the very first time yesterday and met (again for the first time ever in her life) one of my 3 cats. She never batted one of her very pretty eyelids! ;) Just sort of gave us (and the cat) a look as if to say.."what breed are you then?" and proceeded instead to raid Gus's crate of toys...they were far more interesting!:D My Mom has three Rott's that live with other large and small breed (Chihauhau's) dogs quite safely and peaceably.:)
My own 'galloof' Gus (GSD) however still gets a 'glint' in his eyes when he thinks nobody is looking when it comes to the cats...he's lived with them for nearly 4 years now and while I will never fully trust him not to chase/kill one outside of my home (should he ever get free of my control in anyway), I know he'll put up with mine. It has nothing to do with the breed of dog, or whether they've been brought up with them or not, but, everything to do with their drives. His prey drive is high and if it runs, he wants to chase it...cat or whatever.
As for your dogs attitude to the in-laws...could they be feared of her? I ask because my female GS acts the same way with only my MIL who is that feared of dogs that *I* can smell the fear!;) Some dogs react to the fact not because of 'aggression' or 'protectiveness' but because of 'the smell of fear', she cannot cope (temperament) or work out why somebody's scared when she's given them no reason and so she chooses to react this way (fight or flight)...if my MIL turned around and made friends with my dog instead of keeping an eye on her (a perceived threat on the dogs part) from wherever she is in the room (normally in a down stay at my side) then my dog would be fine with MIL...It's got to the point now where I actually think that my dog now reacts to my MIL not out of fear anymore but because she enjoys the reaction now (she has that look as though she's enjoying herself). Your best bet (if you don't want this to continue) is to have them totally ignore her, don't baby/coddle her, 'coz then you'd be reaffirming her belief that b/c you in laws are worried, so she's worried, that she has a right to be worried (did you get that?) and don't force her to make friends if she doesn't want....let your in laws throw her pieces of hotdog or something whilst still ignoring her (if they're willing, mine isn't) and let them and her come round to each other in their own time. Curiousity will get the better of her in time to brave it out and go meet them. If they're still going to give her mixed signals though and still be feared of her, I'd not bother and for the sake of your dog put her in a down stay near you or crate her or put her in another room. Obedience classes however will be great for both yours and hers confidence and control with each other....every dog/owner should go to classes!:)

P.S...if none of this makes sense in anayway, blame it on too many painkillers(just out of hospital)...I know what I'm trying to say, lol!!:)

Hi

We have a 4 yr old rotti who is fine with cats and small dogs.
As far as not liking certain people Tiegan knows if they are afraid of her and will play on it. Growling etc. I just tell her to shut up and she gives over, and if she doesn't want to say hello to anyone that's up to her, and I tell people not to bother her. Stangely enough she hates the dog food lady, don't know why she loved the bloke before who brought her food!!!

(JUST A THOUGHT) YOU COULD GET YOURE INLAWS TO START FEEDING YOURE DOG TITBITS WHEN THEY COME AROUND . IV GOT A ROTTIE AND SHE WOULD LOVE ANYBODY WHO GAVE HER A PIECE OF HAM. JUST TO SAY ALSO I WOULD TRUST MY ROTTIE WITH ANY DOG REGARDLESS OF THEIR SIZE SHE LOVES PLAYING WITH OTHER DOGS BUT I HAVE TO WATCH HER WITH HER BEING A BIG DOG THE ONLY TIME SHE WOULD PROBABLY HURT A SMALL DOG WOULD BE IF SHE STOOD ON IT.

Hello Sierra, Your dog should not 'question' anyone into your home that you welcome and invite! Therefore, how old is your dog? How long have you had her?

More importantly, just before and upon their arrival, how do YOU react and respond when your parents-in-law arrive? Equally, what do THEY do?

Re: Cats etc., try to remember that YOU are the one who must decide on your dog's behaviour - NOT YOUR DOG! You are the 'Boss' and what you allow or disallow is what your dog must learn. Your dog will obviously love you, but when you have full control and your dog RECOGNISES and accepts this, she will then have complete RESPECT for you - you will then see such a difference, and have a content relaxed dog.

By the way, if it helps there is a new book from Australia, entitled "Who's The Boss" by Val Bonney, which I encourage my Beginners Group to read.

Look forward to hearing from you,
Denise.

i agree with denise- having had rotts i know how the breed ticks, most of the time- however ive never allowed any of them to confront someone the way yours is, i only ever had one that would grumble still at anyone i let in- he was out of a litter that where all the same way,-nothing i did would shut him up-so i removed him, he was removed to the kennel for bad behaviour :D

HI

If it is only your inlaws she is aggro with, try to work oout why exactly. I agree a dog must accept who you want in the house, but also would never force a dog to make friends with anyone they disliked.....tolerance all round is a good compromise!!! LOL!!

Can you rememember anything negative that happened the first time she met the inlaws?Sounds as if they are nervous of her and so this will make your rottie babe worse.

I would go down the route of making life great for her when they are there, so that she looks forward to them .... agree with others, they could chuck yummy titibts on the floor (not too near - don't want to spook her). It would take a while but there should be an improvement.

Also dont try to force her to make friends or sound too concerend, if she knows you are wound up she may be the same.

JMHO :)

LIndsay

Thank you all for your great suggestions. To answer some of the questions that I was asked, my Rottie is about 1 1/2 years old, and I've had her less than a year (we adopted her from the shelter, remember). I have never argued with my inlaws, and the first time that the dog ever saw them step through the door, she started barking and lungeing and carrying on. They (the in-laws) come over at different times (rarely together). It is possible that they fear her. They themselves adopted a greyhound from the shelter and they are having aggression problems with it, and are afraid it will bite them. Perhaps they fear my dog also. To handle it, I do not reassure or pet the dog, but usually tell her NO! in a sharp voice, then banish her to behind the baby gates in the den (not knowing what else to do!)

Sierra,
That actually sounds like the best thing to do. Just out of curiosity, have you ever let her back out once everyone has settled into chairs & sofas? It could be they are making her nervous with their movements and she's reacting to the anxiety.

If you haven't... wait about 10 minutes after 1st banishment. Let her out, but everyone continue to ignore her. If she reacts negatively ..banish her again. Repeat this.

It could also just be your inlaws. Regardless, you have to let her know that her behavior will not be tolerated. If she has a corner or a bed that she relaxes in where everyone is, it might be that you could lead her there when you let her out of exile. At least you're telling her where/what you want her to do.

good luck,
toodles

How do you feel about your inlaws? Jackie H

Very good question, Jackie!!! :D

The dog could be picking up on owner's feelngs: or even feelings of "Oh my god what can I giv e them to eat" or whatever...which is what happens when my "inlaws" visit. (NOT that i get flustered or anything....)

LIndsay

In laws,schimlaws. Just move across the ocean and if they're afraid to fly, you'll never have to deal with them :D ;)
toodles