May 17, 2011

I’m concerned I screwed up my 12-month Rott. What should I do now?

Full Question:
We have a female Rottweiler, 12 months old and spayed, who is very very bossy with our 2 year old neutered Australian Shepherd. We have done some protection work with the Aussie and he is terrific at anything we try. The Rottie is still too young for most training, so we are working on some obedience and some bite imprinting. She is not aggressive, but will carry her tug to him and bump him until he walks away or growls, will try to stand off with him when he is approaching us from a fetch, and as soon as she is released from a tug session, she will immediately grab whatever he is holding ( I usually give the two of them 'sitz', 'platz', and 'blieb' simultaneously, walk a few yards from them, and give them 'packin to come after a tug in each hand. after they have pulled a little and I release, she drops her's and goes after his.) How do you think I should handle this? I don't want to squelch her drive, as we have high hopes for her Schutzhund work.What particular training tapes would you recommend?
Ed
Ed Ed's Answer:
The first mistake you have made is thinking that 12 months is "too young" to do protection training. Nothing can be further from the truth. The earlier dogs start in bite development the better. My video titled Bite Training Puppies and The First Steps of Bite Training describe how and why to do this.You need to stop these games with 2 off leash dogs at the same time and get into an organized training program. What you are doing is all unorganized foolishness that really teaches the dog nothing and accomplishes nothing. I don't mean to sound rude - but this is all poor training (if we can call it training).Just a few points, from a very early age dogs need to be worked on a "tie out" not off leash the way you are working. The "tie out" is what builds frustration and drive because you can tease the dog with the sack and tug without letting them get it. They end up just wanting it more. The "tie out" puts control back into the hands of the handler. All these games you play result in you losing control of drive building because the dog just runs around and does what she wants.Never work 2 dogs at the same time the way you are. This is counter productive. If one break command while you are trying to teach the other one an exercise, you have blown the whole thing. It all becomes very confusing for the dogs.You don't need my Puppy Bite Work tape. That’s for dogs that are 8 week to 6 months. Get the other one, The First Steps of Bite Training. This will show you how to set training goals, and organize your training session.

Good Luck

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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