Lonny,
From what I understand, Rotts are generally fairly vocal dogs. I wouldn't ignore the dog when he demands to be petted. I would instead make him sit or lie down. Then, give him a brief pat on the head and a quick "good boy" as his praise. Just keep it brief and low key. This way, you redirect his behavior and turn it around to your terms.

Since you haven't had him for very long, he's probably unsure of the situation. With time and consistency, he will probably relax and stop growling at you. But I wouldn't push it, just take it slowly and make sure that he sits or lies down before you pet him. Also, you might try petting him under the chin (while not leaning over him) for the time being, and avoid excessive petting, until you have gotten used to each other and have a better feel for each others' personalities.

On the hips, I agree you should get a sure diagnosis asap so that you can make sure you have him on the right treatment plan. He can live a long and happy life with HD if you manage his weight and exercise properly, and have him on the right medication at the proper doses. Having him neutered would not be a bad idea, either.

Good luck!

Why does everyone think the hip and growling issues are unrelated? Dogs in pain get growly if they are afraid of being hurt. Perhaps it's hips, perhaps something else, ie back, neck, who knows. But, Lonny you are incorrect if you don't recognize that the possiblity that the dog is in pain could well be related to the growling.
That's why you need to have the vet check him out before you decide how to proceed w/the behavioral problems.

Lonny
I have two male Rott's both of which are great dogs around the family, etc. Both dogs if you push them (meaning hug them stand over them, etc) from time to time will growl some. The oldest is 8, he has done this his entire life and every attempt I had made failed, so I stopped trying and now when he does this stuff he gets told to down or sit and then if he stops this crap he gets a little pat and then I just go about ignoring him. The other Rott does this also, but not as bad. Neither dog EVER took it any farther. I can tell you from experience at least with MY guys the more I tried to stop it the worse it got. Both dogs are very obedient and both dogs know where their place is in the family. I think it is just part of some male Rotts, they can be vocal. In the past I tried everything I could think of and then some to stop it and nothing work. So, I live with it, but to me it is not a big deal, with MY dogs, I know how far I have taken and can take my dogs. So, I am not going to recommend someone doing somehting with a dog I have never seen.
The hip thing is something else. I do agree it can be linked to the growling because of the possibility of the dog being in pain. Both of my dog have bad hips, both are neutered and I work both of them within reason of course. I have titled both dogs in SchH. The younger one I have also competed in the NAPD, K9 Pro Sports with and he has never shown a singal problem with his hips. So, don't think the dogs life is over because he may have bad hips. Get it checked. If he has bad hips and you keep him don't stop working him, this I think makes it worse. Work him within reason, build up the muscle around the hips, this will help him later in life. Just don't stop working him and leave him be a bum and get fat, etc. this would be the worst thing for him...

Doug

Good point, Joy, though I don't recall anyone actually stating that the two issues are unrelated. Even if pain is the cause of the growling, what I recommended is still applicable, is it not?

Sorry, didn't mean to sound snarky there, one of those mornings, LOL.

Good post, Doug!

Hi Lonny B. It may be a good idea to have a behaviorist come out to your house and evaluate him. It`s always best if they come to the dog`s turf, and it not expensive, I think it costs about $75 dollarsUS. They can figure a problem out quickly and give you the training tips to fix it. Snarling at you is serious.
About those hips, I would assume you are getting him x-rayed while`s under for a neuter, right? If he does have CHD the vet can give you lots of options to make your boy more comfortable. The combination of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM works very well for dogs with CHD.

I have bad hips and when they hurt i would love to growl at someone too!!
On another note i used to know a rottie bitch that even when having fun, walking around going for a stroll or having a pat she would growl, my father (it was his girlfriends dog) call it her love noises! If she was rolling on her back and you could not see her, you could swear black and blue that she was ripping a large beast apart!! (which i have been told she did often it seems no goat or nearby dog was safe from total destruction) but aside from this she was just basicly verbal but not in a "pissy ass" wimpery way "real dogs growl" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Strange dog indeed though, she is the only known homafrodite (sp?) to have a litter in Aust and her "boy bits" did not drop till after the litter.

I know this thread is a bit old but I seriously hope that the dog wasn't automatically put down because it had bad hips. Just because the dog isn't a perfect physical speciman dosen't instantly qualify him for a death sentence.

Also, be wary of so called "animal behaviorists." This is a very loosely used title and many times the advice someone may give is extremely suspect. Of course there are those who really do know their stuff. Just do your research. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I HAVE HAD TO PUT 2 ROTTIES TO SLEEP IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, ONE 8 MONTHS, HIPS, JOINTS, KNEES WERE ALL OUT AND HE WAS IN PAIN AND AGGRESSIVE DUE TO THE PAIN, SO I DO UNDERSTAND, THE OTHER UNDER 2 HAD A BIRTH DEFECT LIVER, AND HE WAS GETTING SHUNTS. I ALSO HAD 2 CHOWS IN THE PAST WITH HIP PROBLEMS AND THE VETS HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE, BOTH CHOWS LIVED NORMAL HAPPY LIVES. AS FOR THE GROWELING IF YOU HAVE HAD HIM A SHORT TIME I WOULD GET THAT UNDER CONTROL, OR AT THE VERY LEAST UNDERSTAND IT, BEFORE HE IS COMFORTABLE AND BEGINS TO TEST YOU FUTHER. HE SOUNDS LIKE A CHARMER. GOOD LUCK. null