my four year old rottweiler has a biting problem.?

Question

i think biting is a way for the dogs to touch you but my friend told me that it is a bad habit.my rottweiler is a darling.so is the biting problem something to be worried about?

Answer 1

No Bite!

Puppies play with other puppies by biting each other! It is a very natural thing to do. It can be very confusing to a pup if you scold him for playing the only way he knows how, and then encourage him to play again.
I have taught puppies and stray dogs to stop nipping and biting "people" by doing what "mom dog" and "littermates" do. Next time he bites or nips you "yelp" in a noticeably loud and high-pitched voice. Usually, the pup will look at you kind of funny, like he doesn't understand, and then proceed to bite you again. This time you "yelp" louder and in a very high pitch, maybe jumping back at the same time as if you're really hurt. Whenever you do this technique, you must always immediately furnish an appropriate chew toy for him to bite and play with. After a half dozen times of this, the pup usually gets the message. But, he is still a puppy, and he will "forget" next time he wants to play and bite again (after all, that's the only way he's played for his whole life!) It will take a week or two until this pup finally "gets it." Some learn much faster, and others more slowly, but this technique has never failed me as long as every person is consistent. That means every time the pup bites, "yelp!" Tell children and visitors to do the same. (Yes, really tell them to do the same, and make sure they do it; maybe they'll learn something in the process).  If your puppy or dog reacts in a frightened manner of your yelping, then try it again in a softer, less frightening manner.  You do not want to frighten the dog, only let it know that biting too hard hurts.
As the pup gets older, if he is not 99% reliable not to bite, after you "yelp," put your hand over his muzzle gently but firmly (sometimes referred to as a nose-hug) immediately after you yelp and when you say "No Bite!" Then immediately give him a chew toy and say "Good Bite!" You always want to end a lesson being taught with praise, that way, your dog will be more willing to learn. This will also teach your dog to go get a chew toy when he gets so excited that he just must bite something.
If these methods fail to work another option you have is to get up, turn your back to your dog and walk away whenever he bites or nips you.   No reprimand, no emotion, simply turn your back to your dog immediately after he bites you (the *first* time) and walk away.  After about 10 minutes, approach him again.  Be sure that you are praising him when he is biting appropriate things and not you.  This will teach your dog that he will not receive the attention he desires unless he behaves appropriately.
But if none of these things work?  The problem you are experiencing is one of the hardest solutions to describe via the Internet that I have come across. That is because, if the old standby's (yelping and no bite, and walking away) don't work, then the problem is usually based on a lack of communication in general: Meaning, the dog does not understand what you are trying to communicate, so it becomes frustrated at your attempts at getting it to stop biting and in its frustration, bites more. This can actually make the problem worse.

The first thing to look at is if your dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis. Your puppy or dog should be able to be off-lead (off-leash), running around quite a bit to expend some of energy.  Depending on the age, size and breed of your dog, she may require up to 2 hours per day of vigorous activity.   Playing fetch and going for walks does not suffice for all dogs.  Both of these activities are quite mindless and can be done for very long periods of time without much mental concentration. 
Next, teach your dog the Settle command.   Begin teaching your dog at times when she is already resting so it is easy for her to succeed. You can also teach her an "easy" command by holding a treat within your fist and allowing her to gently take the treat. When she is forceful, she does not get the treat, as she becomes gentler and more "easy" she gets the treat. You will be rewarding her for inhibiting her bite and her aggressiveness.

This takes many, many repetitions. If your dog is biting and nipping continually and getting consistent attention for it (negative or positive) she may have already learned that she can get what she wants by using force.  You need to change this so that she receives more and better rewards for being "easy," for "settling" for "leaving it" etc.

When you reward, be use a two and three-step approach. At the instant the good behavior is initiated (she lightens up just a little) give her the verbal reward "Good Girl!" This is her cue, so that she learns exactly what behavior pleases you. After the verbal reward, give her a food treat. (step 2). And while she is eating the food treat (or after she inhales it) pat her on the sides for the physical-touch (step 3) reward. The food treat (step 2) can and should be omitted periodically.
You need to convince her that it is beneficial and in her best interest to behave the way you want her to. Setting her up to succeed so that she can be praised is the best method to do this. Using times when she is more relaxed in the first place... and then giving her a chew toy to chew on and praising her for a good "easy" as she leisurely chews on the chew toy may also help.

Right now, your focus may be on all her biting and rough-play antics. You may be giving her the most attention during these times. Turn this around, so that you are giving her more (and better) attention when she is behaving appropriately. This can be quite difficult with puppies and young dogs, and her appropriate behavior may disappear quickly - but it is important that you recognize it and praise it in the instant that it is there.

For example, I have had stray puppies come into the house that have never been in a house before... they run around all the furniture and bounce off the walls, and run into me biting and snapping out of pure joy and excitement. If they refuse the chew toy (a soft stuffed animal) I give to them and persist on biting me instead, I give them my calm, but firm "uh-uh" (meaning: I am not happy with what you are doing). The instant they (or I) put the chew toy in their mouth, I praise "Good Girl" and as I try to pet them, they usually try to bite my hand out of their excitement. So, I say, "Uh-uh" again. If they persist, I turn my back to them. If they climb up on my back, I get up and walk away. When they follow me biting at my heels... I throw a toy for them in front of me (they usually don't even know where it came from) and this, or something similar, usually takes their attention off me and they chase the toy. Sometimes I dangle a toy above their heads to entice them to bite the toy.  When the toy is in their mouth: "Good Girl!" and I try to play with them using the toy again.

This type of scenario is repeated many, many times. Consistent positive reinforcement for biting appropriate items, and no reinforcement of behaving inappropriately. After an afternoon some pups settle down, others take a few days, and some take a week or more. They will periodically "forget" the rules (very often at first), but will begin to understand the communication at hand, and comply after repeated and consistent "lessons."
Think about "What am I communicating to my dog?"  And "What is it like to be trained by me?"  Puppies and dogs that continue to nip and bite relentlessly, usually do not understand you.  For another helpful article, point your browser to: http://www.stbernardrescue.org/behavior/bite_inhibition.html and learn how to teach your dog bite inhibition.

Answer 2

Well not sure what you consider biting? First of all as you know a Rottweiler is a protective dog by nature, loyal to it's family!! My family raised German Shepard's, also another protective breed. First, and for most Put BEWARE of DOG signs Clearly Visible on your property!!, This will give you some protection just in case your dog were to harm someone on your property!! OK, who is your dog biting?, and does it break or bruise the skin? and when does the biting occur? I have seen rotts and other large breeds use their mouths to hold onto someone, my son for instance was going to close to the road and our dog who was a rott/wolf mix took a hold of his arm and gently turned him back towards the house!! My father when he use to play with our one dog, well he was pretty rough towards him, and a dog has only one real defense weapon, his mouth so MR. T, would grab a hold, but never hard, and it only occurred during play!! Now if your dog is biting people that walk into your yard or home, then You need to put up the warnings, and find a way to secure your dog!! Honestly though the best advice you could receive will probably be from your vet, someone who know of the dog to begin with, oh, and did this just start or is it something you have been dealing with, well as I suggested ask your vet!! Have a great day! MB

Answer 3

There is different types of 'biting'...yes some dogs mouth a hand for contact. However, as the "pack leader" this is something you must not allow. When they mouth a boss dog the boss dog will grab the nose and pin them down. You can do the same - one hand on the nose the other on the shoulder, push him down and 'growl' NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! It might be playing but it also gives the message putting teeth on you is acceptable and it isn't.
Also if he equally mouths/grabs someone afraid of dogs - and the person jerks away and breaks the skin, your dog has a bite record. With rottweillers that has serious consequences - and I have a dog who several years ago *did* that. He wasn't intending to bite but when the person jerked away it broke the skin - legal bite. He's never bitten anyone since because he's not a biter. But with a rottie it's REALLY something you don't want to do. :-(

Answer 4

“Play” biting
When dogs play together, they often gently nip each other. This is normal dog behavior, and not something you need to worry about or try to change.

Nipping YOU when you play together is another matter. If your dog does this, you need make him stop, because any kind of nipping or biting is unacceptable behavior. He probably won’t realize he’s hurting you, so the best way to let him know is to yell “ouch!” in a loud voice, even if he hasn’t really hurt you. If he continues to “play” nip you when you’re playing, say “no!” in a loud, firm voice, and stop playing immediately.

Proper training and socializing
If your dog is properly trained to “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” he’ll be less likely to be aggressive with people because his first concern will be to obey your commands. A dog that’s under control and knows you are the leader of his “pack” will behave and won’t bite anyone.

And, if your dog is socialized properly, he’ll be comfortable around strangers and in new situations. The more he gets outside and encounters lots of other people and unfamiliar things, the less likely he will be to act aggressively around people.

So provide your dog with a chance to socialize with people and other dogs. Take him out and about, and spend lots of time with him.

Answer 5

With my dog I say in a firm voice NO BITE! and I hold her mouth shut for a second. It seems to work because she doesn't bite me hardly anymore, only every once in a while when she gets frustrated, but then again training takes time so be patient.

Answer 6

have cured a couple of dogs from biting. Bite him back,this is one way to break a child and it also works on dogs.

Answer 7

A rottweiller is a big dog with very powerful jaws capable of killing. Yes, it can be a problem.

Answer 8

yes, if you don't want him put down! teach him that biting is wrong by punishing him every time he bites, and get him some obedience training before he kills some little kid. until then, muzzle him.