My 4 month old male rottweiler is very attached to me. For example if he is in a dead sleep snoring and I get up to go to the bathroom he will jump up and follow me in, If i move more than 3 feet away from him he will get up and move closer. I do not mind this behavior (I think its cute) and he is socialized regularly I am just concerned that as he gets older he will become over protective of me and growl at strangers and such.
Is this likely to happen? should I discourage this attatchment?
2006-10-12 06:55:03 · 17 answers · asked by *Amanda* 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
We have begun training at 3 months. He knows: sit,heel,stay,paw,salute,down,come,fetch and has a relase command to eat.
We are going to continue to go to more advanced classes
2006-10-12 07:03:39 · update #1
Very normal with this breed. Mine were all this way at that age, some kinda settled down as they got older, but most did not. Mine also never got overprotective, or growled at people, but do solialized with other dogs, too, because two of mine(one male and one female) decided that other dogs were great, as long as they stay at least 15 feet away from me. Not such an easy habit to break, because, honestly, how often do you go up to strange dogs and make a fuss when you have your own dog right there?
Anyway, it sounds like he is doing well, and like the above poster said, make sure you do some obedience classes. A good trainer can answer all your questions. This is my favorite breed, and I'm sure you will love yours!!
2006-10-12 07:06:56 · answer #1 · answered by jenn_a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key thing here is he is 4 months old. You are his mommy and were mommy goes he goes. However, make sure you socialized with family and strangers people being around you! Such as hugging you or sitting next to you etc. Now is a good time to start teaching his commands, while he is still rather small there is no time like to present to start working with the little fellow. If you start noticing an aggresive behavior while he small then you need to start correcting the problem immediately by discouraging his behavior not the attachment.
Good luck with the new one!
2006-10-12 07:04:44 · answer #2 · answered by be happier own a pitbull 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he will be a very protective dog.
It is great that you are in classes and are going to continue with more advanced ones.That is the very best thing you can do. Other than that make sure you can control him. As long as you can make him do down on command at any given time you should be fine.
You will have to keep in mind that he should be crated or put into another room when you have guests who are strangers or work men in the house.
I work with Dobermans and they can be like that and I always recommed to my clients that the dog not be exposed to strangers in the home. They are much more protective of the home than they are when out in public.
Socialization is what goes on outside the home. Home is where they live and protect the family.
2006-10-12 08:51:08 · answer #3 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puppy's like to follow people around. In the wild a puppy left alone is a dead puppy. When the puppy reaches adolescence he will be more brave and start to venture further away from you to explore his surroundings.
I have a 3 month old pup who is gated in the kitchen/family room and when I get up to go to a different room he will start to whine. So it's not uncommon for pups to always want to be by your side.
I periodically leave the room on purpose to teach my pup that I will return and I will not abandon him. I only return when he stops fussing. If I return when he is fussing it will just reinforce his fussing. he will think, if I fuss he will come back. That is not what we want to happen. So I only come back into the room when he is quite, I'm rewarding the his quite behavior and not his fussing.
Yahoo! seperation anxiety and a weatlh of articles will be at your finger tips.
2006-10-12 07:05:49 · answer #4 · answered by kiu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that he is socialized on his property as well. I had a German Shepherd who was a perfect lady out of our yard, but bit people who came into the yard and were not properly introduced to her (all of this was post-advanced obedience). Bottom line: make sure he is comfortable with strangers in his yard.
It seems like you are doing all the right things though! Keep up the good work.
2006-10-12 07:35:40 · answer #5 · answered by ibbleismyword 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a German Shepherd who just turned a year old...he is what I like to call my "velcro dog" he follows me everywhere and when he can't go with me he will sit and sulk! you are doing the right thing by socializing him! keep it up....you might want to also look into a training class, it is never too early to start, your rottie is going to get big and you will need to keep him under tight control and the only way to do that is through training. find a reputable trainer in your area. it is sooooo worth every penny you spend and will save you a lot of problems in the future! good luck with your pup!
2006-10-12 07:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by julie's_GSD_kirby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's already attached to you and you really can't do anything to discourage it. Some dogs are one person dogs, & some are everybody's dog. I have one of each. My pit is a people dog. I can take him out in public & let little kids play with him. The other is a Ger Shep mix who was abused before I got him & he is very attached to me & protective of me. Socialization is the best. Have friends over to your house (his territory) & let him see that they are not threatening to you.
2006-10-12 07:14:28 · answer #7 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of dogs are protective of their owners, even chihuahuas. You just need to make sure you keep him socailly active around dogs and people. You really might want to consider some kind of training for him as he gets a little bit older. Hand commands for this type of dog is very good.
2006-10-12 07:01:05 · answer #8 · answered by Lara 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as you are working with him in obedience training, and you have the right instructor, you will be asserted as the dominant one and likely won't need to worry. As pack leader, if you say something or someone is okay, then your dog will allow that. If for any reason your dog comes to think he is the dominant one, then that could potentially be a problem and intense training to make sure he knows you are, not him, will be needed.
2006-10-12 06:58:37 · answer #9 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a rottweiler is bred as a protector/guard dog....dogs are naturally pack animals and love to be part of the pack,as a Rottweiler owner for over 15 years they are very loving caring animals,some will exude dominance as they age,and it is your responsibility to make sure the dog is adapted to as many circumstances as possible,and if you see any problems w/owner over protection act on it fast and right away
2006-10-12 07:07:23 · answer #10 · answered by FIRE&ICE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋