November 15, 2013
I am puppy sitting for a Rottweiler puppy & he's very nice until you pick him up and try to cuddle him. He has quite a temper and tried to bite my face. Are these signs of an aggression problem?
Full Question:
Hi Cindy,I am watching a 12 week old Rottweiler puppy and he is the cutest little guy.
He loves to play and seems like a very nice puppy until you pick him up to try to cuddle him. He displays quite a little temper and becomes aggressive. He tried to bite my face. This does not come across as playing as his personality changes to a mean streak. He means business. If I didn't dodge the bite, there is no doubt he might have bit me hard.
As much as I like him, I wonder if these are signs he may have a bit of an aggression problem that should be worked on while he is young. When the owner comes to pick him up, I am going to discuss it with him.
I work with and own GSDs and I can cuddle and love on every one of them and they respond back with lots of love. Even the tough guys love to get hugs.
What do you think?
Cindy's Answer:
Like humans, dogs have different personalities and thresholds for things like this. This is not uncommon at all.
Personally, I would not be cuddling someone else's dog or puppy unless the dog initiated it. Even then, I probably wouldn't do it. I know that I don't like people getting in my "space" and many dogs are this way as well. It's considered rude by many dogs. This pup probably gave you a subtle signal he didn't like what you were doing and when you did it anyway, he felt he had no choice but to tell you to stop in the only way he knows how.
We just filmed a new video called "Relationship Games" and one of the exercises is conditioning dogs/pups to accept restraint and handling by pairing it with marker training. In my experience, the worst thing you can do with a pup that shows this tendency is to force the issue. It's something to be aware of but with smart handling and training it doesn't have to be a problem.
I can cuddle and hug all my dogs but I have a relationship with each and every one of them. Some of them like it more than others as well. Most of them would not tolerate this type of handling from anyone other than me or immediate family members.
Cindy Rhodes
Personally, I would not be cuddling someone else's dog or puppy unless the dog initiated it. Even then, I probably wouldn't do it. I know that I don't like people getting in my "space" and many dogs are this way as well. It's considered rude by many dogs. This pup probably gave you a subtle signal he didn't like what you were doing and when you did it anyway, he felt he had no choice but to tell you to stop in the only way he knows how.
We just filmed a new video called "Relationship Games" and one of the exercises is conditioning dogs/pups to accept restraint and handling by pairing it with marker training. In my experience, the worst thing you can do with a pup that shows this tendency is to force the issue. It's something to be aware of but with smart handling and training it doesn't have to be a problem.
I can cuddle and hug all my dogs but I have a relationship with each and every one of them. Some of them like it more than others as well. Most of them would not tolerate this type of handling from anyone other than me or immediate family members.
Cindy Rhodes
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