I have a Rottweiler who has just begun exhibiting a behavior I do not like and would appreciate some advice. First, some background... I have owned, trained and shown (primarily in Obedience) dogs for about thirty years. I have taught obedience and puppy kindergarten classes, done much in-home behavioral therapy for problem dogs, as well as extensive rescue, rehab and rehoming of abused/abandoned animals.

The dog in question is a spayed 20 month old bitch, named Ripley. I have had her since she was rescued at the age of five weeks. Her pack includes four humans (all pretty dog savvy), five Miniature Dachshunds, a four month old male Rottweiler puppy, a foster Rat Terrier and three cats. She gets along fine with all (a bit pushy with the cats, but responds to a verbal correction when she thinks about chasing them), and is easily dominated by the Dachshunds.

Ripley attended Puppy Class, but her training (outside the home) was put on hold when we discovered she had only one functioning hip joint. (She will be starting obedience classes next week.)

So much for her history... here is the problem. A few weeks ago she began barking quite aggressively when someone (always men, never women yet...) stopped petting her. In each case the guy was sitting, giving Ripley affection. When he stopped and stood up, she lunged and barked. She never attempted to bite, but the move was still quite aggressive. I corrected her immediately, of course, and ended up putting her on a prong collar and letting her drag the leash. With collar and leash on, she did not repeat the behavior, though I tried setting up the situation again. The first time this happened I put it down to the fact that the man in question was afraid of her. Not an excuse, but a reason. The next few times she did this, however, that same criteria did not apply (though these men are a bit wary of her now!)

Is this just pushy adolescence? Did she try it on others because it worked so well on the first guy? Any thoughts, suggestions? I sure as hell do not want this behavior to escalate!

Thanks.

Sounds like she wants to dictate the affection. I'd have the men pet her for just a brief period of time then ignore her as in not even look at her, then get up out of the chair. She neeeds to get used to the fact that people will pet her on their terms, not hers.

It seems like rule number one is don't give a dog what it is demanding, until it stops demanding it. (except normally quiet puppies in the crate at 4am - get up and let him out)