My 7.5 month old male Rottweiler is having an issue with my wife. He will nip her leg when he wants to play and she ignores him. He has tried this with me, and I would grab him firmly and give him a correction. Is this the correct thing to do? It seems to have worked with him doing it to me, because he doesn't do that to me anymore. My wife, Sarah, doesn't use physical corrections for this behavior. She'll yell "no!" and take him to his crate. This only really happens when I'm not home. Are the physical corrections the way to handle this? We play with him a lot, but I dont want him to decide when it's play time and to use 'force' to get us to cooperate. I think he probably doesn't respect my wife like he respects me? He's a very well behaved dog outside of this issue. Please let me know what we should do.

Bump..
Anyone able to help me with this? 72 views but no responses makes me think everyone's stumped?

I don't feel qualified to answer much- but I'm sure someone will pop up who does...

My only ideas/thoughts. I know the qualified trainers here will want to know how much exercise he gets.
At 7 1/2 months I'd think he should have the impulse control to understand legs are not for biting, but try re-directing him to an appropriate object to bite. Shouldn't his crate be a happy place, to chill and relax? I don't think it can feel safe to him, if he's put in when he's in trouble.

Sure does not sound like her respects your wife, but thats just my opinion.

Good luck!

I'd tell her to put a leash on him and give him a correction. 7.5 months, I think is past re-directing or ignoring and the no doesnt seem to work, right?

I kinda thought so too Steve, but I didn't want to tell someone to give a leash correction w/o being sure...
I was waiting for you, amongst others to drop in.

Prong collar on, with a drag line or tab always attached, and a leash correction consistent with the dogs temperament?

 Quote: ryan rubel

She'll yell "no!" and take him to his crate.

Ryan, I don't recommend using the crate as punishment. Using it as a "time out" is fine but not when someone is frustrated (rightfully) because that turns it into a negative situation. Ideally, the crate is always a pleasant, positive place to be.

I agree with Steve on correcting the dog for this, however...

Steve - since this doesn't happen when Ryan is home, and might be an issue of the pup not considering the wife "the boss" what is plan B if she corrects and he gets obnoxious? Just so they have an idea in case...

I doubt she needs to turn it into a fight, just the act of putting a leash on him I'll bet influences his behavior. She should do some obedience with him too. Some easy basic stuff. Just like Ryan has to do. But if he is getting wound up from the correction, then yeah, into the crate you go.

I am not a professional trainer but as the owner of two rescue Pit Mix's with all the challenges that implies I have had my share of advice on this kind of stuff.

The first issue is that your dog should never play with or use his mouth to make contact with a human. My dog knows that using teeth or being mouthy will result in a strong correction.

Regarding corrections...all dogs are different and will respond somewhat differently to things. There was some trail end error in the beginning but now for most unwanted behavior such as you describe (Jeter will get rambunctious sometimes and play too rough or try to hard to get my attention, ie..being mouthy or nipping at my fingers as I walk around)) a stern deep voice "NO" sends the message.

Establishing pack structure in the house is key. Your wife needs to establish herself with this dog, especially a strong breed like a rotti in order to be taken seriously. I also don't use the crate as a punishment.

On the subject of exercise, it goes without saying that if he doesn't get enough that usually results in all kinds of unwanted behavior. There are many videos on this site to help you with this.

Good Luck!