May 20, 2011

My pup shows aggression towards me by growling and showing avoidance. What can I do to create a bond between us?

Full Question:
Hi Cindy & Ed,

I purchased a german rottwieler pup to raise for personal protection. She is just over 7 weeks and I've had her for 6 days. I studied the video your puppy 8 weeks to 8 months before I got her home and been doing much of the training shown in the video with moderate success. I have established a value for yes, and the pup is consistent with the touch command. I am an amature handler under the supervision of my husband who has a great deal of training experience. My concern is that my pup shows aggression towards me by growling and showing avoidance after I use food reward for the touch command. She will come to my hand take the treat and as I praise her and rub her back she will growl and try to leave. This pup also shows avoidance by not showing much interest in me, I will sit on the floor in front of her to try to encourage her to come to me or play with toys and she usually stops a few feet away and just sits there looking disengaged. She seems very independent and aloof. I know I am supposed to be her source of fun, what can I do to create a bond between us?

Thanks for your help!

Nickole
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
First of all, you may be expecting a lot for a puppy that isn’t even 8 weeks old yet. Have you read our article about puppy groundwork?

The best way to make training fun for the puppy and to establish a tight bond is to follow the marker system. This goes into much more detail than the puppy video.

The Power of Training Dogs with Markers

The Power of Training Dogs with Food

Once your puppy is done teething, I’d recommend

The Power of Playing Tug with Your Dog

Those 3 videos will give you a great foundation for further training, no matter what direction you choose to take her.

Cindy

100% (4 out of 4)
respondents found this answer helpful
Did you find this Q&A helpful?
Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
100% (4 out of 4)
respondents found this answer helpful

Did you find this Q&A helpful?

Recommended Products
Scroll to Top