is my rottweiler protecting me or is she turning?

Question

i have a 6 year old rottie,and shes never been wat you could a gaurd dog.but in the past 7 months she has been actin very protectiv of me.when im home by myself,if someone comes up to the house she will growl n bark,a few times i had to hold her back from lunging at a guy from up the street who came to see if my dad was home,now my dad is saying that she is turning n he should put her down.someone please help me,is she just protecting me?

Answer 1

Oh Please do not put her down!!! It is doubtful that she has just 'turned.'Dogs usually have reasons for what they do as they rarely have selfish external motives. From my experience, my dogs will react according do my reaction, they are so intuitive b/c thats mostly all they have to go on. If I am uncomfortable or startled my dog will be more persistent with her barking. If I am relaxed then she is relaxed. I have heard also, that if a dog is very disciplined and is trained very well then they feel safer with boundaries. A dog without well defined boundaries will feel that they are the pack leader, or Alpha dog if you will, and take it upon herself to protect you and make the decisions. Bottom line, she probably loves you with all her heart...dont let her go. :)

Answer 2

Ur dog is not 'turning', but Ur dad could use some education about dogs in general, and guarding breeds in particular.

guarding breeds are BORN like any other pup: love everybody.
unfortunately, TOO MANY PPL, like U, don't bother to socialize them properly so that they know what's normal, what's a real threat, and what's just unusual, but not a worry.

all guarding breeds should be socialized for their first TWO YEARS - and even then, they need to have their social-skills in practice, so that they don't become hermits and forget all their manners.

Ur 6 YO F has probably never been to an obedience class, or never been trained at home casually by U to sit, lie down, stay, leave-it, etc.

as she left puppyhood, like any other guarding breed, she became INCREASINGLY SUSPICIOUS of anyone who wasn't in the family. this would have grown till about 2 yrs age; since then, as an adult, she has had no reason to tolerate or welcome strangers, NOR does she know who's a friendly-stranger and who's a scary threat.

to sum up, she's now a paranoid adult guarding breed with few social skills, and no training.

U need to change this: begin by finding a good, POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT obedience class. if U can't find a local R+, then do it Ur self: get a clicker, learn about the process at , and start rewarding her for every good behavior, while allowing UNwanted behavior to slowly wither, ignored into extinction.

use a LEASH< to keep her under control at the door; teach her to sit, and keep her from jumping up or lunging by STANDING on the leash, with both feet.

Answer 3

She is just protecting you. Her heritage is a lineage going back thousands of years, of being bred to guard and protect..If you don't want a protective dog, you don't want a Rottweiler..
Why would someone put a dog down for being exactly as it is supposed to be?
When the Romans were conquering the world, 2,000 years ago, they had Rottweilers..Hannibal intrduced them to Europe when he crossed the Alps with his army , 200 years before Christ..Why would a person get a dog that has been bred for at least that many years as a guardian, and then expect it to be a lap dog, and not guard..

Answer 4

She is just protecting you. Her heritage is a lineage going back thousands of years, of being bred to guard and protect..If you don't want a protective dog, you don't want a Rottweiler..
Why would someone put a dog down for being exactly as it is supposed to be?
When the Romans were conquering the world, 2,000 years ago, they had Rottweilers..Hannibal intrduced them to Europe when he crossed the Alps with his army , 200 years before Christ..Why would a person get a dog that has been bred for at least that many years as a guardian, and then expect it to be a lap dog, and not guard..

Answer 5

**DO NOT PUT YOUR DOG TO SLEEP FOR THIS!**

Dogs don't "turn." Their behavior reflect their owners', and other family members as well. If she doesn't listen to your commands, I suggest you spend a lot of time training her.
Stay consistant and stay positive!!

Also, it might help to socialize her some more once you have her under your complete control, get her used to people.

Large dogs like Rots need to be walked daily, so it could also be from pent up stress and energy that she is showing this aggressive behavior.
Rotwielers are not bad dogs! Just a bit of a handful. Hope this helps :]

Answer 6

If a 6 year old Rott is just now starting this behavior, it would suggest to me that someone has been teasing this dog. When she starts growling, correct her and assure her that everything is okay. Talk to her in a low tone of voice and stroke her head or back. I would not put the dog down for this. I would be asking questions in the neighborhood about who could be teasing your dog. Rotts don't just turn for no reason. She is trying to tell your something!

Answer 7

no she is not turning she is just protecting u/dogs always have reasons for what they do/perhaps this guy down the street has done something to her.my dog will growl and bark a people that come to the door but when I tell her it's OK she stops

Answer 8

It sounds like she is not getting enough excersise and discipline, so she is searching for an outlet. Walk her more and began taking control of the situation, if you watch her there will be tall tail signs before the attack or bark(ie:a look, a specific body language). It is important to know and read your dog. I advise you watch Ceasar Mullan, he has helped me work wonders with my pom-pit

Answer 9

sumtimes as dogs get older n more attached 2 their owners, they'll get more protective. they're just like kids, the older they get the more they appreciate those who luv em n take care of em. also, the more serious they get bout keepin those ppl safe. i def wuldn't put her down. if it gets 2 bad just do sum trainin w/her of everytime she lunges at sum1 yell no n give her a tap on her nose so she'll get the point

Answer 10

Do Not put her to sleep because she is just trying to protect you no matter what at all costs...It will be too cruel to do that.My dog reacts that way too lets just say its common for all guards dogs.

DO THINK ABOUT THE DOG!SHE IS JUST DOING HER JOB DON'T BE SELFISH TO PUT HER TO SLEEP FOR WHAT SHE IS TRYING TO DO... DOGS ARE LOYAL TO THEIR MASTERS! THINK TWICE!