Hello all, first time here and hoping you can help.
I have a seven month old Rotweiller (quartar part labrador) that is displaying aggressive tendancies.
We are a family of 5, 3 children aged 18, 16 and 9 my husband and myself. "Frodo" has attempted to attack our eldest daughter twice now, only my reactions saved the situation. Last evening my young son was bitten on the hand when trying to retrieve n empty food carton. Frodo has undergone clicker training since he was 10 weeks old but this hasnt curbed his behaviour, only prompted displays of command (paw stay etc). A major fact is that he has been nuetered recently on the advice of our vet, which I have now learnt shouldnt have happened at all?
I am beside myself with worry, we are all attached to him but our eldest is reluctant to go any where near him and our son (who loved him beyond reproach) is equally cautious.
Please advise. Thankyou.

Hi Bridget,
Welcome to the forum :)

I'm unclear on why you say that " he has been nuetered recently on the advice of our vet, which I have now learnt shouldnt have happened at all?"

Why do you think that you shouldn't have had him neutered?

It's likely that his behavioral problems haven't stemmed from being neutered, but actually entering his 'teenage' stage. Unfortunately it's a normal growth development where 'testing' and being 'testy' is quite possible to occur.

Since he has already tried to 'attack' one of your daughters and son, it's difficult to advise you on what to do over the internet. He needs good training which suit his nature and place limits on his behavior. But since the kids are involved, there's more than just patience and time involved to change his behavior.

Perhaps you could state your city/region and and someone on here can recommend a reputable trainer to help you out?
good luck,
toodles

If your dog has attacked your child you only really have one alternative in my opinion and that is to remove him from your childs home a rottie albeit cross lab will weigh at least 70 lbs if not more when full grown and can do a lot of damage,you are all sad I know that but my first concern is for your child/children.Why not board him for a week or so and give yourself space to think and get help its very hard to make decisions when you have to keep looking at your dog.
Im no behaviourist but there are expert Dog people on here some are behaviourist and Im sure will offer you sound advice.
Plus give a Rottie expert a ring and see if there are any suggestions there are many breed advisors in dogs today magazine.
Best of luck.

Thankyou both for your prompt reply.
I really do not know where to turn.
In relation to the neuter, my Vet advised this procedure on my dogs first innoculation, thinking this was the norm I agreed.
I have a muzzle that he hates, for when our Daughter arrives home (who has been singled out for some reason). Thinking further, he doesnt greet our daughter anymore and clearly senses her fear, I am at my wits end at what to do.
Perhaps the regime at home should be explained, frodo is allowed on the seats (much to my husbands annoyance) and sleeps on the sofa and "bury's" food within the sofa. Our home is chewed constantly, chairs, table legs, coffee table, shoes etc and the garden is a mess. I wanted the dog and accept the trials of a puppy...I wont even mention the three cats. Frodo is/was spoilt in the way of treats food etc and petted constantly by the children, perhaps this gives you some idea?
I live in West Cornwall and would welcome telephone numbers and further advice, I want to keep him, help!

Bridget.

Bridgett you have made a big mistake by elevating him to equal position in your pack,bad enough for any breed but a male and a guarding breed a massive mistake,even with my Labradors I do not let them on our chairs or the bed,but confess I have done with previous dogs as ive got older and more experienced I have realised a lot of mistakes I have made .
The trouble is some of us regard our dogs as little people in fur coats,they are not,they are an animal and as such need to know their place,I do sincerley hope that its not too late for something to be done with him but you will have to be firm anyway hope someone more experienced with behaviour answers soon.

Hi Bridget, I don't know how helpful the Rottweiler Clubs, Rescue or breeders will be as Frodo isn't a full rottie (I'd hope it would make no difference), but I think you should contact them ASAP.

Go to the Rottweiler area of the main Champdog site and start telephoning. Begin with the Clubs, and if you don't get help there work your way through the breeders. Someone is bound to be willing to help.

Sorry to say, if you don't get this sorted very quickly I agree with Mattie - Frodo may hurt someone badly, and he will soon be big enough to do it if he isn't already.

Best of luck. Hope you get sorted soon and let us know how you get on.

Ive just posted the topic "how do I become the Alpha male ?", Why was the nuetering the wrong thing to do??. I am planning to get my rotty nuetered but he is only 9 1/2 weeks old so obviously not for a while. But I want to bring my pup up to be a real family member. So what age should you get a male rotty nuetered ?

Funny, I just thinking about our friends Banger & Max the other day! :)

what?

Apart from any other reason - IMO to have a dog castrated when he should be undergoing training in his new home is not a good idea. It takes a hard heart not to offer lots of love and pampering to a dog that has just had an operation when what you should be offering is correction. There are lots of other reasons why I would rather people did not castrate a dog, at least until the are adult, but have now decided to let folk make there own minds up as I feel I'm floging a dead horse, nothing against horses of course. Ja:)kie

Without taking over your topic..... Banger (Tim) and his dog Max (GSD) had problems with aggression and other behavioral difficulties. He spent a lot of time and money on behavioralists, training and internet connection charges to this site! ;) I think, in the end, he had great success with a combination of training and medication/suppliments. If you do a search on his name under behavior you'll get loads of hits. :)

I'm no expert but you have to get a grip of this now if you want to keep your dog ,he already thinks he is pack leader of your house andby the sounds of it he is .I witnessed a dog attack today and it was not pretty !!!!!!get him off the furniture and get some advice from other rottie owners and breeders -if you do a guided search through the breeds you will find breeders and possibly one near to you to help
good luck
Liz :)

Hello Bridget

You have a problem!

Firstly neutering may help in cases of aggression so don't beat yourself up over the fact that you think he has been done unnecessarily. It may just be a blessing in disguise.
Frodo really rules the roost in your household and dominates your family. This is a recipe for disaster and totally unacceptable so you need to get a grip now.
Your daughter is scared of him and avoids him. He will sense and feed off her fear which gives him power. This needs to be reversed now. Your daughter needs to cooperate and want to get involved in working with him to overcome this. Otherwise I fear your dog has no future in your household and you should get rid of him before someone gets seriously hurt. YOU know that your dog is capable of injuring her - you know he wants to because he has tried before and if you let this happen then it will be YOUR fault. If that sounds harsh then sorry but that is the reality of the situation.
Start restructuring the relationship that your dog has in your household. Posters have advised that you do not let him up on the furniture etc.. and they are correct. He is a dog and his place is on the floor! Put a collar on him with a very short lead (a few inches long) attached and leave this on. If he gets on the furniture then tell him 'off' and pull him off with the lead. Praise him when he is sitting on the floor.
Do not let your daughter confront him in any way - but everyone else must take a back seat and ignore him. Whatever he does. Do not pet him or feed him. If he puts his feet on you then stand up or push him off. Don't speak to him. Try not to even catch his eye! If he wants to go outside or into another room then ignore him until he gives up and then your daughter can instruct him to get out. Ask her to hand feed him out of his bowl with the bowl in her hand and not on the floor - so he is dependent on her rationing out his food. Make him wait between handfuls. He must realise that she is an integral part of his life and he must respect her.
Daily obedience sessions will help. Ask your daughter to use titbits and tell him to sit etc.. before he is rewarded with the food. She must be firm with her command but not confront him. No 'hands on'. If he won't sit for her then fine. He gets no titbit and she walks away with the food. She can try again later.
If she feels confident enough then she can take him for a walk.
Try getting a dog gate so you can shut him in another room but still let him see the family etc... some dominant dogs spend most of the time doing exactly what and when they please so restricting him would be beneficial.
You must be confident with him if you are to have any success.

Lara

I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to advise me, 'much appreciated. I sought advice from a RSPCA dog warden who arrived to access Frodo and arranged specific training. All is not lost and with the new regime (off the seats, lack of treats and the children's supposed indifference) we are already noticing a huge improvement.
There hasnt been any sign of aggressive tendancies so a relief as such.
Thankyou again, will keep you posted. Bridget, Cornwall England.

good for you :)
Liz