My recent rescue Rotty- 3 yrs old in Oct. has twice lunged and nipped (not bit hard, but teeth were involved) someone swimming. The first time was at a swimming hole and it was directed at my 10 year old nephew. He received a bruise on his upper arm, then recently he nipped my 20 year old kid on the top of his head while he was close to the edge of the swimming pool. Both times the dog didn't seem worked up or even aggresive in the bite, just sort of a 'gotcha' behavior. Both times she was scolded and made to sit out on the sidelines on a lead.

We are starting to work more and more on obedience (going to get the DVD on Basic Obedience as funds permit), and, overall, she is a very well behaved and attentive dog--good with the kids and calm with any other situation.

Beyond the Obedience work and such, are there any other things I should be doing (other than keeping her on a lead whenever she is by the pool?) Is this aggressive play?

We've had her a month now, and she has settled in well, but nipping (especially when she is so big) of course, is unacceptable.

Imho Its time to introduce your rottie to a prong collar. I will not tolerate uncalled for biting/nipping and gate bolting from my dogs. I'm going stick my neck out and say it was a mistake for a rescue to give a big dog to inexperience people. I'm just a guy with three GSDs that do cute tricks. the pro's will probably have more to say in detail but until then I suggest you contain Rottie during swimcall for the kids.

I'm pretty sure (per her other posts) that she and her Rottie have a prong already. I would agree and say that the dog should wear it at all times, as well as drag a leash. If the dog has only been with you for a short time there is no way you can know all of her reactions to every situation. Being prepared by having a prong and leash on is the best way to go.

I do have some experience with troubled rescues, but with smaller, but no less aggressive, dogs. I have rescued and rehabed Cattle dogs, some very traumatized. I've had some great results, and some not so great. I am still learning.

I do have a RottX that I've had for three years, and she's turned out great, even though she is dominant dog. I started doing a *lot* of research on Rotts when Ginger strayed into my life, so I knew what I was going to have my hands full when I took on a full-grown, full blood Rott.

Hence, my query.

What's done is done, I have her, but I am always eager to learn. I've had this dog for a short time--she is experiencing a lot of new things. She has traveled 750 miles with us to the Oregon coast, in the back of the car with the RottX, (who didn't get along at first)--without a problem.

She has a prong collar. I've been so impressed with it that I have been using in on my bone-head ACD. It will be pressed into service even more.

It was a private rescue, BTW. The woman who raised her was too frail to handle her any more. I am not so frail. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Mitsy - this is an owner problem not a dog problem. Read the articles I wrote titled DEALING WITH DOMINAT DOGS - read the article I wrote on Ground Work to becoming a Pack Leader. They are in the list of training articles.

Thread closed.