This family I am helping is experiencing aggressive bursts from their pup when most people pet her/touch her. I had originally posted under puppy nipping/biting, but this is probably a better place to get some much needed feedback.

in a nutshell, the pup has been raised in a large family, who was instructed to AlphaRoll her everytime she growled or acted 'ornery' (starting at 2-3 months). during her young life, she was given run of the house and therefore set up to receive punishments frequently - such as if she got overplayful (nipping), would not listen to semi-taught commands or objected to hands in her food bowl.

Now she growls and or snaps whenever she is touched, even with the intention of praise. If you give her a correction or any eye contact, she will escalate her growling/snapping (freaking out), then try to run away from handler if you ease up on pressure. If you remain neutral, such as leave your hand there for her, she will stop the attack and gently mouth, then settle down.

I have read this discussion forum off and on for 2 years, so Ive read lots of advice that leads me to believe the family should revamp their relationship with the dog through leadership (groundwork, ala Mr. Frawley, )positive reinforcement training, exercise, and limited physical interaction (for now). obviously, discontinue the alpha roll forever and ever.

the pup does well with treat training and will perform reliably and enthusiastically, using intermittent rewards. She just does not like to be touched. Leash control makes her nervous and she will 'rebel' by thrashing, jumping, etc... but will settle and move on as long as the handler does not escalate with her.

So, id like to hear how you all would proceed with this pup to eliminate the chance of serious aggression in the upcoming months of adolescence. can her trust be re-earned?

someone responded previously to give the dog an effective, severe correction. Im not entirely sure that is the best way to go. anyone else want to give their opinion?

thanks so much!
michelle

just to clarify,,,
when i say ...
"someone responded previously to give the dog an effective, severe correction. Im not entirely sure that is the best way to go."
i mean....
i don't think it's the way to go right now. my thoughts are to give her a month or two of groundwork and positive obedience training, then enter a correction phase if warranted.

any input is greatly appreciated!
Michelle

I can't offer any real training input, but if it helps, it sounds like you are on the right track and you sound confident in what you are doing. I don't think a severe correction would be the answer either. Her reaction seems to be out of fear not aggression, so a correction would only escalate the reaction. A slow, calm, & precise approach would seem the best way to go. She probably need lots of loving & conditioning to being touched all over-alot of brushing, bathing, & massages are really helpful for skittish dogs like her. Don't move fast or stand over her because this can be too intimidating at this point. Im sure with time and patience, she'll get tons better. Good luck!
Alison Voore

Sounds like she's been abused. I personally would not give this dog any major corrections. Start working the treats slowly, let her come to you. I wouldn't go out of my way to try to pet her, or leash her for a bit if you can prevent it.

Start off with just giving her treats, and keep it positive. No negative. Slowly move one hand towards her, you want to let her learn that hands don't always hurt. As she becomes more accepting, move slowly towards trying to pet under (not over) the chin, chest. She has to unlearn the fear, and that hands can be positive. After she has a bit of a better handle on this I'd move back to the leash, again with positive reinforcement. Slowly and carfully with this poor gal!

 Quote:

during her young life, she was given run of the house

This is the main reason why this family is having problems with this dog. This dog needs to be crated or kenneled when not out on leash, and she also needs to learn her place within the pack.

Unforunately these forums are only as good as the information provided. Its hard to give every detail on the situation that would convey the problem to someone who's never seen/worked the dog. In the original post under Nipping/Biting, it sounded like dominance based aggression. The family did something to push the dog's buttons and the dog responded in the way that led to success (growling). In this post, it sounds a bit more fear based. This dog has lived in a very confusing world where the rules are very grey. Her life should be black/white if she's to ever become a normal dog. I would say this puppy is better off with someone else and until the family is all on the same page, they shouldn't bother owning a dog at all. unfortunately, Rottweilers are a hard breed to rehome or place in rescue when circumstances are perfect, much less when the dog has a temperament problem. You may want to call around to the area Rottie rescues and see what can be done. Most all breed rescues will not take a Rottweiler, but you may get lucky considering her age. Waiting to see if the family shapes up is just ruining her chances of ever recovering and being placed. I work in rescue, I know her chances are slim to none as it is and they are getting worse every day she gets older and every day her problems escalate.

If they do not want to rehome their dog, they need to wake up and realize the error of their ways. They rolled the puppy too much, they smacked her with a newspaper, and they forced affection on her making it something she associates with an unpleasant feeling. They have made a lot of mistakes. They need to change their ways 100% beginning today. That means getting with a trainer who will tell them the correct way to intereact with their puppy, the correct way to give their puppy a correction and what rules should be in place for the puppy during day to day life.

What concerns me is that they are not on here seeking help for themselves. I've played the third party advocate and if their not motivated enough to seek help themselves, they are not truely seeing what an issue this is and will not take the training seriously.

If you would like to PM me, I may be of some assistance in re-homing the dog, depending on where you live. I'm not sure how seriously they would consider it, but i think that would be in the best interest of the puppy.

thanks all,
to clarify, I am the trainer helping this family. The family is in my group class and is receiving private lessons from me also. this is a serious issue, and that's why i came here looking for feedback from the old pros i know are here. I needed some positive reinforcement or a correction =)

the family takes this very seriously - they have been very cooperative and participatory with the new 'rules' ive laid out. the whole family participates in the training sessions and appears to be following my directions.

i tried to make it clear from the get-go i assessed her behavior as fear driven in my posts. she does not growl or disobey commands that she is learning. she growls when certain members of the family touch her (the ones that have been yelling and rolling her)

So i think we are on the right track - as you have reinforced what ive instructed them to do. Reducing confusion, providing structure, desensitizing the pup to 'hands', etc... making things black and white for the dog and the people.

for the time being, only 3 people have 'graduated' to being allowed to look at, talk to, or otherwise interact with the dog. this is because they are the adults and have demonstrated appropriate understanding of how to interact and train the dog. They all realize the acted on bad advice (from a vet!) and have demonstrated change.

I guess it's silly for me to come here just to get reinforcement. but it's a touchy case and i wanted to feel that i was doing my best for the family.

thanks, i appreciate your suggestions!