Hope this is the right place for my question. This is not about my current pup but a M Rottie/Shepherd we put down in May.

He was overall the most devoted and sweetest dog I've ever had. The only issue I had with him was his "over-protectiveness". He was an excellent watchdog for a normal household, but everything about him was to protect me----I didn't expect that kind of obsession, and he never had any kind of formal training. I had no idea how to correct that behavior, so I just avoided triggers before he hurt me.

Some examples of how he over-reacted:
When I took him to the park, I was not "allowed" to get on a swing or climb on jungle gyms while he was running. He'd grab my leg to pull me down. The same deal with an exercise bike, etc., so I used them in the garage out of his sight.
We had a swimming pool at the previous house where he spent his first 2 years. He was not a swimmer. He'd circle around the pool, barking his head off at me with his mouth foaming. As soon as my hands touched the cement, he'd try to pull me out.
If I made a funny noise while playing with my husband such as lifting each other, he'd rush over to "break us up", whining and dancing around us without jumping.

The euthanasia vet who came over to the house was amazed how "tough" he was, although he was physically unable to move any longer. It took two extra shots to sedate him on top of my giving him "prep" ACE inhibitor for her safety, and it took a LONG time for the final shot to work (she calculated the dose with extra body weight in case). He had to protect me until he took the last breath. The vet said, "I kinda like a dog like him, strong-headed and all for me" in order to ease my concern for her safety and a bit of embarrassment.

He was rather a dumb dog who never grew out of chasing his docked tail or playing with squeaky puppy toys. But he was very obedient with everything else and extremely gentle, who strangely never destroyed anything in the house, not even one shoe or toy. I was pretty pleased with his "soft mouth" despite his body size (130 lbs.), and I could have easily taken a filet mignon out of his mouth (not that I did). He carried around the same stuffed bears for 12 years, all seams intact and no holes--a bit on a retarded side!

After having a dog that was "so so focused" on me to the point of losing it when he thought I was in danger, that behavior is something that I have to keep in mind if the new pup exhibits something similar later. Obviously I did something right in raising him with enough control even when I asked my husband to stay away because the dog was in pain and grouchy in the final month, but I could/did not correct his obsessions.

Could you tell me what I should/should not have done with the Rottie so I wouldn't make the same mistake?? How do I convince a dog that I'm not in danger?

Sorry about the length----I'm still very emotional about having to let go of a dog that had very strong bonding with me. But I would like to know & learn how to correct obsessions effectively.

It's very very common to make the mistake of seeing dominance and resource-guarding as "protectiveness." We would all rather see our dogs as loyally protecting us than as dominating us.

But what you describe is exactly that: The dog owned you, and the dog made the rules.

If the behavior had been correctly interpreted, you might have made huge strides towards asserting your position as pack leader and the dog's as a subordinate pack member.

But this is not in any way your "fault." We learn these things as we experience them.

QUOTE: After having a dog that was "so so focused" on me to the point of losing it when he thought I was in danger .... END

The dog was guarding his possession.


QUOTE: When I took him to the park, I was not "allowed" to get on a swing or climb on jungle gyms while he was running. He'd grab my leg to pull me down. The same deal with an exercise bike, etc., so I used them in the garage out of his sight. We had a swimming pool at the previous house where he spent his first 2 years. He was not a swimmer. He'd circle around the pool, barking his head off at me with his mouth foaming. As soon as my hands touched the cement, he'd try to pull me out. ... If I made a funny noise while playing with my husband such as lifting each other, he'd rush over to "break us up", whining and dancing around us without jumping. END

The dog was setting the pack rules and correcting the humans when they didn't obey.

Each individual instance you cite has a related explanation, but it's not really
necessary -- the big answer covering it all is that you were never the pack leader with this dog. He was "the boss of you."

QUOTE: I would like to know & learn how to correct obsessions effectively. END

No obsession described -- just strong pack leadership. Unfortunately, it was all vested in the dog rather than the humans.


It sounds like you and the dog had a strong bond, and nothing can take that away.

This time you will know better about pack structure.


Tell us (maybe you have, but I'm old: I forget ) which LB videos you own and/or which LB podcasts you have listened to.

This site offers a wealth of solid information and guidance. You have come to the right place.

Connie is so nice and says things so succinctly. Go Connie!

I can't really add to her great post.

All I can say is, it is not good pack structure to let your dog decide what you can and can not do.

This, as Connie already said, is a pack leadership problem (the pack leader makes the rules) -- it's NOT "protection."

She's right. You can definitely make changes and learn so that your next dog will be a well-adjusted pack member.