About a month or so ago I helped this guy out that I'm stationed with over here in Italy with his Rottweiler. Actually I helped the dog out because he literally just dumped it off on someone else and left it at that. Well Maximus (the dog) is beautiful....he's a sweetheart, very people friendly but he is attention starved. So much so that it makes him extremely irritating and people that initially take to him eventually want nothing to do with him. I have tried frequent walks, play time, just letting him lounge around in my room while I'm studying or whatever but the least bit of attention you show him, he gets overly excited and starts jumping and licking and just being plain pushy. I have one friend who no matter how much he says, "No" and pushes the dog away or tries to put him in the sit position, he is still pushy and tries to play so the alternative is to put him in his kennel until he calms down. I hate using his kennel as a means of punishment but this dog just does not seem to "get it". He's 14 months old and I still think he has a puppy mentality but everyone else is telling me that since his owner spent little to no time with him then dog is a lost cause..but his disposition is just too sweet for me to give up on him so what do I do?

More excercise, please.....
Don't reward him by even acknowledging his rambunctious nature, but rather praising and treating when he gets quiet.

No one else but you should be letting this dog do anything. No more friends trying to make him sit or anything else for that matter.

Here are a couple links for you to start with:

http://leerburg.com/301.htm

http://leerburg.com/dogtraining.htm go to "Our most Popular" list.......

And research this site and read the e-books, listen to the podcasts, they are really, really helpful.

Does he calm down in the crate?

Thanks for the response. Yes he calms down in the crate and actually goes in and out with no problem. And I find that he listens to me "fairly" well but when other people are around it's like he is absolutely tone deaf and this dog is entirely too big to be so hyper.

Hi, Dee,

I'm 100% with Carol here.

You have a nice opportunity to learn some excellent handler skills and to do this dog a huge favor.

I would order this video:

http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm

While waiting for it, I would listen to every Podcast, maybe starting with numbers 8 and 9 (scroll down):

http://leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm

And yes, I'd give him zero reward for acting up.


When we pay the most attention to the dog at times he is acting up, we teach the dog that doing that is his best bet for attention.

And "more exercise" (like long fast-paced walks on his leash) should be on a billboard.

A tired dog = a happy dog.

 Quote: dee palmer

Thanks for the response. Yes he calms down in the crate and actually goes in and out with no problem. And I find that he listens to me "fairly" well but when other people are around it's like he is absolutely tone deaf and this dog is entirely too big to be so hyper.

I would work with him as much as you can without distractions and crate him when you have visitors for now. When he gets to the point that he is listening to you better, then you can start adding in distractions.

If you have the dog out with visitors, he needs to be on lead and the visitors must be intructed "No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact" and they HAVE to follow the rules.

If they cannot follow the rules to help you teach your dog manners, then they do not get to be around the dog.

It is tough, but, you have to put your dog first. It was hard for me at first, but now, I am pretty much a bitch if someone does not follow the rules. (Well I ask politely first....I promise )

What everyone else said... ANNNNND...

Do not expect him to improve overnight. In fact, he may initially get worse (this is called an "extinction burst" - where he tries even harder to get attention.)

For my dogs, it seems to take for EVER for any training that requires behaviour modification (something they learned that i don't like, so they have to now learn to do the opposite.) But be patient and it will pay off.

Also, something to remember about Rotties: They are hyper-intelligent. They are some of the most intellectually gifted dogs around. He's GOING to get in trouble (by your standards) if you don't give him a job. This job is easy at first; he's got to mind his manners!

The exercise thing cannot be said enough. It's good for both of you. You mention "stationed"; I take it that you are in an armed service of some sort? If so, find some of the post security personnel (don't want to show bias here by saying MP/SP or whatnot), and ask them if they have a canine trainer close by. That person would be sure to give you some ideas for work/exercise.

At any rate, the crate: YES! Exercise: YES! Making guests mind your rules as much as the Rottie: yesYesYES!

Luck
-J

 Quote: dee palmer

He's 14 months old and I still think he has a puppy mentality but everyone else is telling me that since his owner spent little to no time with him then dog is a lost cause..but his disposition is just too sweet for me to give up on him so what do I do?

Wow, I can't tell you how much I take exception to people telling you the dog is a lost cause. How anyone can be so stupid as to believe that is beyond my ability to comprehend. Good grief....a hyper dog at 14 months is a lost cause???? So I should have put my Lear down at that age??? Working dog lines should all be put down??? Ok, now that my rant is almost over - well, allow me a few more words about those people: ignoramuses, with disposable dog mentality. Dang, people like that make me absolutely livid.

Get a big ole prong collar http://www.leerburg.com/prong.htm , or even an e-collar like the Dogtra 1700 http://www.leerburg.com/dogtra.htm along with Ed's dvd on e-collar training (which addresses the very thing you're talking about) http://www.leerburg.com/318.htm

Teach him manners, always on leash with prong on, or with e-collar on when he's going to be around other people or even if he acts up with you. Teach him the word "no". Teach him "sit". Teach him "down".

When a friend from CA was coming to visit for a few days, I knew my dog would just bug the heck out of her, push, jump, etc for the few days she would be here. I bought the Dogtra 1700 and the DVD a month before she came. First jump I said "no", stim, 2nd jump I said "no", stim. No jumping after that. Pushy, "no", stim. No more pushy.

It can't be any simpler. If you're using a prong instead, attached to leash of course, a firm jerk on the leash as he's about to jump. Use the word "no" as you do it. If it doesn't stop him, the jerk wasn't strong enough. Do it stronger next time. It's called correction, and for the dog's sake, please do it before someone else possibly takes over and puts the dog down. Please.

Edited to add: don't forget obedience training and exercise.
One more edit: You're right, he has a puppy mentality because not enough attention or training was given. How else is he expected to behave? Also, he is indeed still a puppy, just a huge one. He's not mentally mature yet.

Sounds like a potentially GREAT dog -- Long WALKS with a loaded doggie backpack (ask the experts here how MUCH weight he should carry at his age) -- Alpha bootcamp rules in place all the time (http://www.leerburg.com/groundwork.htm) and everything else the other posters have advised <:-) I think he'll turn out just FINE...

Sounds like you have a typical Rott!

All of what Sandy said is dead on. The only thing that I would add is to teach him to lay down in one spot, and stay there, when you ask him to.

It is all well and good to ask people to ignore him, but with a one hundred plus pound dog nosing (or worse, jumping!!) at you and generally being a pest you may be tough for many non-dog-savvy people. Besides, many are nervous around Rotts, even nice ones!

If you teach him to lie down it stops the bad behavior, and makes others feel safer. Now I firmly believe that he still needs to learn how to behave around others, but this is an extra tool in your bag. (Picture a guest coming in to your home and there is your boy, lying nicely in the corner on his bed. How proud will you be!! They will tell all about the nice Rott you have.)

Exercise is also key. He is a dog that will need A LOTof work to keep him tired in mind and body. This is one of the main reasons I got into schutzhund in the first place. You get to do both, and have lots of fun. (Great way to bond too!)

I regularly use the weighted vest, but please wait until he is at least two, and you have had his hips and elbows checked out. Your boy is still a youngster, and is still growing. For now play ball, long walks, and swim!!!

Good luck!