my rotty as just turned 2yrs and he is going through a phase of excessive barking at nothing and also snapping at most visitors for no reason at all. can anybody give me any advice on how to cure this.

I would get him to a vet for a check up if it is something new and also get his eyes checked by an opthalmic vet just in case he has anything forming that is obstructing his sight.

Christine

this problem is nothing new , he tries to dominate everyone who has contact with him and he eats the doorframes and wall and also chews all the beds that hes given. He has been like this since he was six months old.

Now I'm confused ---
First you say he's 'going through a phase' in your original posting.
They you say it's "Nothing new" and has been occuring since he was 6 months old. Which is it???? :(

Basically 'a phase' doesn't last 2 years. :(

If he's had behavioral problems (indoors/ outside -- doesn't matter where) since he was six months old, then his training became noneffective when he hit the 'teenage years.' He gained control in your household and no one has ever let him know that he was 'out of place.'
Yelling, hitting, choking him out wouldn't work to keep him in line for long....only consistently reinforced formalized obedience training does the job.

You say he "tries to dominate everyone he meets" --- exactly how????? It is dangerous. If he hasn't bitten someone yet, he will probably soon, especially since you are saying that he's now "snapping at visitors without reason." Well he has a reason, regardless though it's unacceptable. :(

You have basically a ticking time bomb for something bad to happen and become another situation in the news blaming rotties and other "aggressive breeds" for dog attacks. Your insurance, your income, your dog's life, and someone else's life is at stake if you don't get him under control. It will only grow worse on its own.

Contact your nearest Rottie club to see if there are some training programs and specialists that might be able to help you out. The next step possibly would be to give him over to some one who is able/willing to get him trained.
I think others on here would agree that there is no "cure" except expert handling.

If you cannot or will not do this, expect the worst someday to happen. There are enough incidents of 2-4 year old intact male Rotties to not anticipate an attack to happen. All it takes is someone the dog percieves as "weaker" to do something he does not like for a serious bite/attack to occur.
*********************

On the other side of the fence that this has not been gradually growing from 'teenage' years ------

If chasing shadows and being aggressive has occured recently and is different from his normal personality, then something in the brain/eyesight is very likely. He needs to be checked out by a vet immediately.

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I am not writing this for you to be insulted or to defend against it. Seriously, I'm not angry or mad at you. I'm not wishing to start a flaming argument :rolleyes: :( Please just read and consider. If you don't like what I say, just ignore it. It's ok... It's only my opinion about what you've said.

He might be the sweetest dog around when he's behaving. But he's not reliable. He hurts visitors. He's now 'snapping' at them. "He tries to dominate everyone." He can get out of a muzzle. Your house has been chewed apart over the years. Rotties are a very heavy strong dog breed to not take this seriously. It doesn't matter what I think about him. It's what you've written about your dog.

It all comes down to:
Are you willing for someone in your family, friends, or even a stranger to get seriously injured or maimed by your dog?

good luck and you have my best wishes,
toodles

thanks for the advice and i will get him checked by a vet right away. i dont want this to become a argument either just need advice and help on how to control my monster lol. it all started when i first had him. my dad is somebody that wont listen to what ever you say. taz was happy enough playing normal and sleeping on a old coat we had given him but my dad would not leave him alone. one day my dad started to play with taz but taz didnt want to play just sleep so i told him to leave alone but as soon as my backs turned he is trying to play with taz again. taz would not play so my dad sat down then taz went over and nipped his hand. taz was only about 14weeks old so its normal i thought but my dad hit taz and ever since then we have not been able to do anything with him. he as not bit anybody yet but the thought is allways there that one day he will do. he does not like my dad fullstop which is understantable. i just wish that he was the dog i had hoped for. he protects my children and my house and when we are out walking he is allways on the lookout just in case something happens. its just when he is in the house and my friends or family visit. we have to shut him behind a stairgate because of the fear that once our backs are turned he will take a chance of biting someone. we had a dog trainer out from a place called barkbusters and she said to growl back at him and to throw these chains called throw chains at his feet but he thinks its all a game and just growls and starts barking and wont shut up. thanks again for your advice and i will let you know what the vet says.
caz

Hi Caz,
It sounds as if that 'Behavioralist' was one of those twitty individuals :rolleyes: Absolutely useless and not understanding dogs at all. Growling back to a Rottie or another overly assertive dog tends to agravate a situation, not lessen it :(

That's too bad about what happened when he was 14 weeks old. It really set the stage for what's going on now.

Unfortunately, it sounds as if your dad (intentional or not) will likely sabotage every good step you make. Worse than a kid for bothering the poor dog. :( And obviously he doesn't listen to you--the dad, not the dog. That's really sad. I can't imagine what it must be to have a dog that intensely dislikes a person who is present in the household. I just bet that dog is biding his time, though.

Seriously, it sounds as if this is more an issue for a professional trainer/handler than a medical problem. If you provide the region that you live in, I"m sure others on here can provide a good Rottie Club or reputable trainer/behavioralist that would be able to assess your situation. Perhaps your dad would heed an outsider's instructions better than his daughter's advice.

I'd hate to see you or your kids get caught in the middle when your dog and your dad finally have it out one of these days. They will too. :(
It would be terrible for your dog get the 'death penalty' for behavior that was due to a person's ill treatment.
Best wishes,
toodles

We were warned at Puppy School about Bark Busters. A friend of mine also tried BB with no success and subsequently got rid of their dog.

thankyou for telling me about bb. even though we tried what the woman told us to do we was still getting nowhere. we had another woman before who said to allways carry food with us to give to him when he had done something good but he just became greedy and wanted nic naks all the time.

I would start some basic obedience on him, and take him out to meet people more. If you are worried about him biting someone muzzle him. Let him know that people are o.k. Don't pet him and tell him its okay when he is barking like this its just rewarding him, instead keep his leash on and correct him. He is probably trying to protect you and the house.

we have a muzzle which he has learnt to escape from with great ease so then we got a halti which he escapes from occasionally but his problem is indoors rather than out.

He thinks he rules the household, and is doing what he thinks is his job. Get some help and get it now before it ends in sorrow. He needs to be taught that his place in the world is below humans and human inc. children and that what you say is law and can't be broken. Please seek help, join a Rotti club, speak to your dogs breeder or anyone who has experiance of dealing with wayward adult Rotties. Wishing you all the best, but I am sorry it is not possible to give advice on how to tackle this without seeing the situation, if you cant get help from your breeder or a club ask the vet for help, they will have contacts. Jackie

If you email me direct i maybe able to point you in someones direction for help
and I really do think that is what you both need.
Male rotties at his age are little buggers (very mildly :-) )
Its make or break time for him now.
You could start by feeding him after you have eaten,dont let him on the settee and if he gets up on it get him down even if it means hooking something through his collar 1st.
Do you have a cage you could put him in for a bit of cooling down time?
You have taken the 1st step to helping him well done others may have just dumped him by now.

First of all, let me say well done for admitting your young dog is a problem and asking for help :), takes a lot of guts to stand up and say help,somethings gone wrong, especially with a breed which some mis-informed people would just advise to be PTS without a second thought.
Secondly, e-mail Carolyn,she will have some invaluble advice for you.
And just as a final thought, have you ever read any of John Fishers books? in 2 of his books, Think Dog and Why does my dog...? he explains very clearly how to demote your dog from top dog status without confrontation. It might just help you understand how some of your actions, and your dads have unwittingly given your dog ideas above his station !!! You'd be amazed at how easy it is to give the dog the wrong idea, I've learnt loads from these books and will readily admit that I made lots of mistakes with my first dog that thankfully I haven't repeated with my others, 2 of which are rotties!
Good luck and don't give in :)
Julie
xx

Does your Father live with you? If not and you feel strong enough to stand up to him (it is potentially his and your dog's life at stake heve even if he does not realise it) get hold of the John Fisher books and read them, then get your Father to read them before he comes to your house again - question him on the book to make sure he has understood what is probably happening.

If you live together this is more difficult but remember that most dog bites are to resident family members/in the home.

Good luck with him

Christine

my dad does not live with me but comes every now and then. i have got a book on rotties but can not remember who by and he as sat and read that and basically he says its all rubbish that are written in books. i have had arguments with my dad but never had any joy of winning because he walks away and also i am scared of my dad more than my dog sometimes lol. i will go to my local library and find some books by the author you have mentioned. thankyou for your reply.
caroline

i have sent a email to carolyn asking for her help and just waiting for a reply. thankyou for your advice and it is nice to know somebody is willing to give me advice.thanks again.
caroline.
xx

Hi Caroline

I havent had an email from you
I seem to be missing a few emails this last month or so
Would you send it again please :-)

no worries. will try again.