Stop Rottweiler Aggression
Rottweilers have a bad reputation for being overly aggressive as a result of a number of high profile biting incidents making big news. While these incidents did happen, it is important to put them in to perspective. Dangerous aggressive Rottweiler behavior usually results from irresponsible ownership, a lack of adequate training and socialization, neglect, and sometimes abuse. Rottweilers are relatively large and powerful dogs with a territorial nature. These traits coupled with poor ownership (by not meeting the training and socialization needs of a Rottweiler) are a recipe for disaster. Fortunately by putting the time and effort in to properly training and socializing your Rottweiler you can avoid dangerous aggressive behavior ever becoming an issue.
Rottweiler owners commonly want their dogs to exhibit some degree of "aggression" or protectiveness, but only when it is appropriate, and providing the owner is still in full control of the dog. The biggest problem is that it can be difficult for a Rottweiler to choose the correct time and circumstances to be protective. In this article I discuss the common reasons for problematic Rottweiler aggression, and introduce the most effective approaches to stop Rottweiler aggression.
Common Causes of Rottweiler Aggression
A Rottweiler may be an aggressive animal because of its hereditary genetic makeup, a result of poor health, or can be caused by the Rottweilers environment and upbringing. Rottweilers are genetically predisposed to be fairly territorial in nature, and this coupled with the medium to large size and powerful build of Rottweilers means that aggression can become a problem for Rottweiler owners. With that said, I have never known a Rottweiler that is in good health and has been properly trained and socialized to become aggressive. Therefore nurture is far more important that nature in the case of Rottweiler aggression.
By far the most common cause of Rottweiler bites is the dog's environment. Common environmental factors include improper care, a lack of obedience training and socialization, abuse, or a simple misunderstanding. Common human mistakes include Rottweiler owners inadvertently reinforcing aggression, and not implementing appropriate socialization while the Rottweiler was a puppy.
It is vital to Implement proper socialization when a Rottweiler is young, and to continue socializing your Rottweiler throughout its life. If you don't, you will have aggression problems as your dog grows up. Take this advice very seriously, and enroll your dog into a good puppy class as soon as possible. Also be sure to take your dog out so that they can mix with other dogs. Start this when your Rottweiler is a puppy. Keeping your Rottweiler puppy at home all time prevents proper socialization with people and other dogs, which is a common cause of aggression.
Should aggression be directed at you, question whether you have effectively communicated to your dog that you are the pack leader. It's a possibility that your Rottweiler thinks that it has a chance of becoming the pack leader, which is why your dog is directing aggression at you and other members of its pack. As long as they are aware of their rank, Rottweilers tend to be content and non-aggressive, so it is vital to let them know who's boss.
Common Signs of Rottweiler Aggression
Rottweiler aggression can be identified early by recognizing some common symptoms. Its really important to be able to identify these signs if you want to stop Rottweiler aggression before a serious incident occurs. The most common signs of Rottweiler aggression include:
- Deep, low-toned growling.
- Flashing teeth and holding a stare.
- Ears and whiskers in a forward facing direction, tail sticking upwards, body standing tall with shoulders forward.
- Snapping and biting.
Managing Rottweiler Aggression - Understanding Prey, Pack, Fight, and Flight Drives
In order to really understand Rottweiler aggression, it's important to examine the triggers of aggression. To really get to grips with the triggers of Rottweiler aggression it is vital to gain an understanding of prey, pack, fight and flight drives. This is important because the triggers are different in each drive, and the most effective techniques for managing aggression depends on what trigger and drive is the root cause of the aggressive behavior. To best manage your Rottweiler's behavior, its also really important get to know your dogs personality and be able to anticipate his reaction under different scenarios.
Stop Rottweiler Aggression – Prey Drive
Not surprisingly, a leading cause of Rottweiler aggression is prey drive. Prey drive refers to the mindset and associated behaviors that dogs exhibit when chasing and killing prey.
Triggers of Rottweiler Prey Drive
Various stimuli can trigger prey drive aggression, which is why prey drive is probable the most dangerous drive in terms of aggressive behavior. Rottweilers in prey drive are stimulated by smells, moving objects (bicycles, dogs, cats, cars, etc.), and sounds.
Managing Rottweiler Prey Drive
A great way to stop Rottweiler aggression stemming from prey drive is to play retrieval games and give your Rottie plenty of exercise every day. If your dog sees a cat or some other prey drive stimulus while out for a walk, try to redirect his attention back on to you, and then walk the opposite way. You can either use the "leave it command" or give a slight check on the leash to help refocus your dog's attention back on to you.
Don't allow your dog to be loose if there is a possibility of him running off , and if your Rottweiler does not reliably respond to the "Come" command. The best thing to do would be to train him so to that he will come on command. Also, you should never permit your Rottweiler to chase vehicles, other dogs, runners or cyclists.
Stop Rottweiler Aggression – Pack Drive
Pack drive includes behaviors that relate to pack membership, especially reproduction. Common manifestations of Rottweiler pack drive aggression include:
- Aggression toward humans.
- Attacking other dogs.
- Not stopping the attack when the other dog submits.
Triggers of Rottweiler Pack Drive
Pack drive aggression is most frequently observed in Rottweilers that were taken from their litter and mother before the age of 7 weeks. When a puppy is around 5 or 7 weeks old, it starts learning to control its biting instinct and starts to communicate with its littermates and mother through dog body language. Rottweilers that have missed out on learning canine body language and to inhibit biting are often overly aggressive to other people and dogs. Socialization is really the most important factor in determining weather or not your dog will exhibit aggression stemming from pack drive. A lack of socialization with other people and dogs prior to 6 months of age is a recipe for pack drive disaster.
Managing Rottweiler Pack Drive
A lack of socialization can be remedied by gradually getting your Rottweiler used to other people. Pack drive aggression directed at other dogs is a harder instinct to break. Start by preventing any potential incidents by keeping your Rottweiler on a leash. Next, slowly start to introduce your Rottweiler to other dogs while remaining in full control of the situation.
Many people who own Rottweilers experience positive results using oil of lavender to keep their Rottweilers calm. Oil of lavender seems to calm Rottweilers that have aggressive personalities. Simply place a few drops onto a cloth and wipe it around your Rottweiler's nose and muzzle.
Stop Rottweiler Aggression - Defense Drive (Fight or Flight)
Rottweiler defense drive behaviors stem from a dogs instinct for survival and self preservation. Defense drive behaviors are commonly termed fight or flight. Because the same stimulus can cause either aggression (fight) or avoidance (flight) behaviors, Rottweiler defense drive is a more complex drive than prey or pack drives.
A common prelude to dog on dog fighting is a dog placing its head over the other dogs shoulder. Typically, the dog of lower rank will lower its body to signal to the other dog that it respects its higher status.
When each dog considers itself to be equal in terms of ranking order, then there may well be a fight. Dog fights are very stressful for owners and its best to avoid them if at all possible. Learn to read the signs of dog on dog aggression before it escalates, and take the required precautions by making sure the dogs are kept apart.
Triggers of Rottweiler Defense Drive
Various triggers will set off defensive drive aggression. Some of the most common triggers include:
- Displaying threatening behavior towards your Rottweiler.
- Hovering above your Rottweiler and staring at your Rottweiler.
- Taunting and teasing your Rottweiler.
- Yelling at your Rottweiler.
- Attempting to remove items from your Rottweilers mouth.
- Being in close proximity to a dog displaying aggressively.
Managing Rottweiler Defense Drive
By keeping a tight leash on your Rottweiler you can inadvertently cause a dogfight. When you use a tight leash on your Rottweiler, your dogs posture will be very upright, and other dogs can interpret this as a sign of aggression. Keep the leash loose as you are getting close to another dog. Call your Rottweiler away at any sign of trouble, such as a growl, snarl, or if the other dog is standing tall with a hard stare. Also, switch your Rottweiler from fight/fight drive back into pack drive by calling to your dog using a friendly tone.
Another great tip for avoiding defense drive aggression is to make sure your dog is getting lots of obedience training, socialization, and time for exercise. Just as the body gets worn out from exercise, training makes tires a Rottweilers mind. Also, play tug of war with your Rottweiler a few times weekly. This allows your Rottweiler to use up its desire to growl, tug, bite, and otherwise play rough.
Use a muzzle if your Rottweiler has gotten to the point where you are afraid of getting bitten, or if your dog does not obey the 'Down' command. In some cases, expert training assistance may be needed. Going out in public with your Rottweiler wearing a muzzle will give you piece of mind that your dog wont be able to attack another person or dog. Please do remember that a muzzle is a last resort and should never take the place of professional help, which you should always seek if the problem has got so bad that you have to put a muzzle on your dog every time you leave the house.
Stop Rottweiler Aggression: Fear Biters and Flight Drive
Some Rottweilers bite out of fear for their own safety. These dogs are commonly referred to as "fear biters". When these dogs feel trapped and can't get away, they bite. For a fear biter, biting represents a 'last ditch' behavior. These dogs would rather choose flight than fight, but when the first option is not available they lash out.
Fear biting can be overcome by avoiding situations where you Rottweiler feels like they have no other option than to bite. A Rottweiler with a high level of flight drive can appear shy around other dogs, new situations, and/or strangers, and may hide behind its owner under such circumstances. You need to maintain a large distance between your dog and other dogs and people, and don't allow them to be trapped as they will probably lash out and bite.
What a fear biting Rottweiler's really needs is confidence. Also, ensure your Rottweiler has a structured, predictable environment (walk, feed, and play with your dog at set times every day). A good technique to help improve your Rottweilers confidence is to implement training with lots of associated praise and encouragement. Enrolling your Rottweiler in an obedience class will help your dog get used to being around other people and dogs.
Stop Rottweiler Aggression – Getting Attacked By Other Dogs
Although unlikely, there are times when your Rottweiler may be the victim of an unprovoked attack by another dog. Should your Rottweiler be attacked by another dog, here are some good tips for resolving the situation:
- Screaming or yelling is not recommended. The effect of yelling is usually an escalation in the intensity of a fight.
- Don't hold onto the Rottweiler's leash. Let go of your dog so they can decide for themselves to either stand up for themselves, or retreat.
- Don't attempt to pull the dogs apart. This puts you at risk of getting bitten.
- Wait for one of the dogs to surrender.
- Look for the dog's owner and decide how to resolve the problem.
Stop Rottweiler Aggression - Feeding and Aggression
If your Rottweiler growls when you get close to his food bowl don't worry, this is an instinctive and common reaction. From your Rottweilers point of view, he's simply guarding his food.
Food guarding in Rottweilers is not something to be particularly worried about. Its worth mentioning however that some Rotweiler owners unwittingly exacerbate this behavior by attempting to take the dog's food away from him while he's eating it. This is not recommended. Taking your dogs food half way through his meal only makes the guarding and growling worse as your Rotweiler has even more cause to defend its food from you.
In order to stop Rottweiler food guarding, you need to change your dogs mealtime environment. Feed your Rottweiler somewhere where children and other dogs can't get access to its food. A great place to feed a dog is in his crate (if he has one), and be sure to give him peace and quiet while he eats.
I hope you have gained some value from my article on how to stop Rotweiler aggression. Please feel free to browse the rest of the Rottweiler Training Tips website and sign up for our free newsletter for even more free Rottweiler training advice.
