hello!
i have a 12 month old rottie male, who has been well socialized from a pup, and he has been going to training classes reguraly as i have a wish to show him . I understand that he going through his teenage stage at the moment . but lately he has been showing very aggressive behavior towards anyone and everyone who we come into contact with on our walks.
at first i thought it just a faze he his going though but i know i have to do something about it , he has not shown any aggression towards myself or my family so any advice would be gratefully recieved

If he has been well socialised as a pup (and enjoyed it rather than tolerated it if you see what  i mean) you certainly started off right. It is very difficult to tell what is happening and why from a post. If it is a very sudden character change, it may well be a physical problem and my first course of action would be to visit a good vet and get him checked over and blood tests done. If nothing turnsup there, i would get in touch with a reputable behaviourist (your vet should be able to recommend one) who isused to dealing successfully with aggression.If the problem is dealt with now, it may be solved :) so dont wait too long, esp. as you say the behaviour is "very" aggressive.

good luck
Lindsay

Hi,

when Rotts get to this age they can get above their station.  If you've been a good strong leader with him up until now then there is no reason why you can't sort this out for yourself.  I say good strong leader because if your dog has any doubts about this he may well be confused as to where in your pack he belongs and possibly be trying to take on the Alpha role when you are out.  If he were my dog when out walking again,  immediately this happens give him a massive yank of the leash along with plenty of verbal, let him know in no uncertain terms that this is totally unacceptable behaviour and that you are Alpha.  He is only young and needs your strength and very firm guidance.  Obviously, if this behaviour has been going on for a while its going to take longer for you to get it under control.  If you don't see positive changes in about a month and have been teaching him good manners EVERY day then perhaps consider a behaviourist.  I have Alfie who's also 12 months (Rottweiler) he's our 4th and wouldn't even know how to show any aggression.

I agree with Lyndsay if he is showing 'very aggressive behaviour' then have him checked by the vet to rule out a medical cause.

Aggression can be very complex and you should always seek expert help.  I am uncomfortable with suggesting that you ask your vet to refer you although that should be the way to go (sorry Lyndsay)  because some vets I know will refer you to 'old school types' who want to punish aggression rather than try to understand that the dog has emotions.

The thing to remember is that using positive reward based methods never made an aggressive dog more aggressive.

All living creatures are equipped with the ability to use aggression.  Without it they wouldn't survive.  Aggression towards people is usually but not always, rooted in fear.  Most dogs will choose to stay away or move away from something that frightens them.  If they do not have that option, by being on a lead for example then they will instinctively use a show of aggression to make the person go away.  If that show of aggression works, which it usually always does with a Rott ;) then the dog will be encouraged to do it again next time and gradually become more confident with it.

Dogs can develop fears for all sorts of silly reasons.  For example I know a Rott that was fine until someone at ringcraft was just about to go over him and two dogs starting fighting right next to him so the 'judge' grabbed the Rott's lead to pull him out of the way just as one of the fighting dogs nipped the Rott's owner accidentally and she screamed.  It was all over in seconds and nothing more was thought about it until the next week when the same 'judge' approached the Rott and he tried to get away.  Because he was on lead and couldn't all rational thought left him and he instinctively went for, but fortunately missed, the judge.  Because the owner realised why it had happened she was able to help the dog to overcome his fears before it got any worse.  Guest, you need to find someone to help you with your dog who is using kind, reward-based techniques and has the best interests of the dog at heart.
Sally

rotties are a super dog, i have one. however the male tends to be less predictable than the his female counterpart. and when reaching the age of maturity they do tend to guard and protect a bit more than is nessecary. i agree maybe get a vet to check him out just to be sure, but i am sure that if you stand your ground with him it will rectify itself, it could be fear aggression. i hope you can sort it out!