I'm new to the website so if anyone can correct my mistakes, feel free. I have a 19 mont old male rott(neutered) I also have a 14 year old female rott and a 7 month old female Bischon. All my dogs are spayed or neutered. Jake the 19 mo. rottie is really the smartest dog I've had ever. Dogs get along fine, Jake plays with the little Bischon and pulls her around in a wagon several times a week. My problem with Jake is he is perfect with 99% of the people he meets. Now and then when he is with someone (my daughter's boyfriend) he stiffens and starts a low growl. This is out of character for him as he is pleasant with everyone. I am stepping up OB training and giving prong corrections. Has anyone ever successfully dealt with messinag@usmma.edu a problem with one or two people in an otherwise friendly dog? He works at fund raisers with his wagon for the local humane shelters pulling his wagon. I have discontinued this work until I can resolve this problem. Thanks, JERRY

Deja vu - my second Rottie did this - with my then-boyfriend. As it turns out, the guy was a creep (as in physically and verbally abusive) and Odin was picking up on something about him. Maybe the dog made him nervous, I don't know - but I know my rottie really didn't like him, and it didn't take too long to find out why (or at least guess at the reason).

Maybe Odin just didn't like his cologne. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Is the boyfriend the only male around you and your daughter? The dog may be picking up on your vibes about the boyfriend. Try introducing the boyfriend in a neutral setting and see if that makes any difference. Make sure he does not look the dog in the eye and that when he pets it that he pets under the chin and NOT on the top of the head.

The dog can't be picking up my vibes cause he's the nicest guy I know. I think he is picking up on his vulnerability, he is an exceptionally mild mannered fellow. I have been having the boyfriend walk the dog and give him some obedience work with me. He is showing signs of coming around. I wasn't aware of the top of head pet issue, I'll try that too. Thanks for the advice

Gerard,

I don't agree with dogs having some kind of special insight or vibes they pick up on (not that you said that). I can tell you that your Rott being 19 months old is starting to mature........I have had quite a few hard dominant males in the past and Rotts in general I think mature a little slower than some of the shepherd dogs. The males that I've had started to show signs of maturing and dominace from the ages of 16 to 24 months of age......so your Rott is right in the time frame. I like Ed's article on GW (Ground Work)......if I were you I would read that article along with the "Dealing with the Dominant Dog" article.

I don't think there is any Special about picking up on "vibes". Dogs are naturals when it comes to picking up nonverbal communication.

I think that dogs, having such an acute sense of smell, and nonverbal communication being so important in the pack structure, pick up on tiny nuances of behavior and chemical body changes - things we couldn't begin to pick up on. The body chemistry does change when one is angry, nervous, fearful, etc., so it stands to reason, at least to me, that the body's scent would change, the heartrate, etc. I'm pretty sure dogs can pick up on that - and someone who is, perhaps, thinking of doing something wrong, would be getting an adrenaline rush, or something out of the ordinary. Also, if someone were fearful of the dog, and it was the type of dog (like a dominant male) who would "push" the envelope, they'd take that scent or change as a vulnerability.

My husband - the best guy in the world - had a head to head with one of my rotties. Patrick is laid-back and easy going, very patient, and I guess Odin thought he could push it. We got that straightened out - correction from me, and then Patrick began working with him, and the correct pack structure was established.

Odin really got bowed up around men - I guess he just didn't like guys around me. Got to where he adored Patrick, though, and never had a problem with either my dad or stepdad. Male children were never a problem, either, so it must have had SOMETHING to do with hormones/gender status.

Just my .02, and it's a humble .02 at that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Do us a favor......in a year or whatever when it turns out this guy who is the nicest guy in world is not so nice and the skeletons fall from the closet pet your dog and apologize to him. DOgs do have a real good sense of right and wrong. I would check this guys credit report, criminal record, have someone look into his computer hard drive and then get him to submit finger prints, DNA and urine for a drug test and sign are release for a polygraph. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My daughter is only 3 maybe I am over protective.

If those things seem too extreme to you...let your dog know he is not allowed to decide you is allowed in your home or not you are. Stiff corrections and loud verbal command "NO!" should work it out. The suggestion to see how dog reacts to him outside your home is a good idea. Strange because your dog is such a good samaritan otherwise.

After you get the problem resolved NEVER FORGET what your dog was trying to tell you about this guy. Seriously....I worked high level Executive Protection worldwide for 10 years Dignitaries, Heads of Industry you name it. I think I have an excellent intuition about people but I have worked my way up to being about 25% as good at it as a good dog is.

Derek

I do believe that dogs have a great "sense" whereas we can't.The maturity is a factor...and the enviroment of meeting plays as well.Thomas is soooo correct..about not petting on the head.A slight petting (NOT patting or scratching) of the dogs neck would be the way to go...WITHOUT eye contact to the dog.But even in that the boyfriend..needs to be careful of the hand approach.I would recommend he do so..palm up.Distract your pup with treats..Then palm up with a treat after a pet to the neck area.You do it in sync with your boyfriend and let your dog know that its okay.

I sincerely believe that when the dog showed him a growl, he became fearful from that point on. Nobody loves their dogs like I do but, I will never put my dog before someone's safety and well being. As far as the boyfriend goes, everyone reading this should hope to have their daughter bring home a "Mike". We are working this problem out on neutral territory with plenty of hot dogs. I have no doub that Jake and Mike will again be friends. Thanks for the concern but if the boyfriend doesn't cut the mustard, my daughter will just embalm him and put him in a casket, that's what she does.