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 My Rotty is scaring away visitors Help!
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| Posted by | Topic subject: My Rotty is scaring away visitors Help! |
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RottyMommy unregistered |
posted 02-17-2003 09:29 PM
I rescued a rotty from a shelter about a month ago she is the sweetest dog except when people come tho the house.She growls and barks and tries not to let them up the stairs. Due to her antics people are starting to give her the rotty stereotype. She's fine in public and just with us so I assume its territory related or was taught by a former owner. She was abused most likely by a male so she is worse with them and even in public sometimes cowers towards men. Can anyone help me? She is a wonderful dog and I want visitors to the house to love her like I do not be afraid of her. Thanks IP: Logged |
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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member  Posts: 414 |
posted 02-18-2003 01:23 PM
I wold suggest you get her some trainning.Plus,she needs to be taught not to act that way.You need to correct her everytime she does this and keep doing it until she learns.With abused dogs it take alot of time and energy to help them.You need to find a local trainner,if you can not afford thr trainning classes.Ask the trainer if they can give you some hints on what you can do and work with your dog.Start off only working her about 5 minutes a day .When she has learned what you want her to go to the next thing and work her with what she already knows plus what ever new thing you want her to do ,for about ten minutes...Then just keep going on like that. IP: Logged |
RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 02-18-2003 02:32 PM
She is already in obedience class. She is showing signs of improvement on other things but we havent got to the hello to strangers part of the class. Thanx for the advice I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas until then so thanks Ill try the treat thing too I never thought of that IP: Logged |
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bellasmommy Member Posts: 132 |
posted 02-18-2003 04:11 PM
if you already have her in training and you are taking things slow you're doing everything right.. this is something you won't be able to rush.. with a lot of hard work and patience i'm sure she'll be wonderful.. good luck.. IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 02-18-2003 06:48 PM
Fear aggression is a very tricky management issue. My trainer owns a dog that is afraid of large men. She does not know the history of the dog just that he was very special to her for one reason or another and that it took her over a year to adjust him to people. She only uses Positive Enforcement. This is the best way to treat a fear aggressive animal. Use treats. Come down to the dogs level...yes that means squat down. Pet the dog only under his/her chin or on the chest...NEVER allow your freinds to try and touch her on top of her head...always under....your trainer should be able to explain this to you...if not change trainers because they don't understand dog language. Good luck and remember under never over. Have your friends squat down and then give treat....she will slowly get used to the average person, but cautious that if someone reminds her of the person who abused her...watch out all the training in the world might not help with that...depends on how bad it was for the dog. Good luck! Cheers Michelle IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 02-18-2003 08:18 PM
Thank you for the last advice I will definitely try it. I think in time she will get over it.It will just take her awhile. I just cant have this forever. I just remembered that one day I had her at dog obedience training and when I came back home with her my fiance had a friend over with his 3 yr old daughter and she was fine I guess because they were already in the house. Does anyone out there think it would help if I put her in a room till people came in and came up the stairs. Because I know some dogs think they are dominant when they are above you. I just dont want to do anything that would make things work . Anybody got anymore advice? IP: Logged |
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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 02-19-2003 09:51 AM
That is a good idea.I would try that.Put her in a room until your friends get inside and then let her out.She how she responds that way.If she does good ,I would have the same people over as much as possible.Then when you fill comfortable,see if you can leave her out . IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 02-19-2003 01:08 PM
Yes, thinking ahead will always benefit you! When you allow the dog out of the room make sure you have her on lead wearing her choker. Do not allow your dog to exit the room before you do. Make her sit..praise...you walk through door...give dog command to heel....praise...(only praise if she does exactly what you ask RIGHT AWAY). When you introduce her to your friends have her sit while they come over to see her. Pet under never over or feed a treat with the palm of your hand facing the ceiling, don't hide the treat inside your hand....open your have all the way with the treat in the middle and let the dog lick from palm. You need to build a strong ALPHA role with her. In time she will be a fabulous dog. Training is simple....just need to be consistent (this is the hardest for me...I'm terribly in-consistent..oops) Always make it happy around her, except when you need to put her in her place. I dominate my 100lb male Pit Bull by rolling him on his back when I don't like his behavior. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Cheers IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 02-20-2003 12:02 AM
Someone on another forum told me putting her in a room till visitors came in would be mean. They said it might make things worse. I dont see what the harm is in trying it. you guys think its still a good idea? IP: Logged |
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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 02-20-2003 09:56 AM
I would try it a few time and see how she reacted.I do not see anything mean about it,but its you call. IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 02-20-2003 11:03 AM
We will try it. It cant hurt to try. Do you think this is something she will get used to and adjust to of is she always going to freak out everytime company comes. you gus think Ill be able to work this out with her right? IP: Logged |
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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 02-20-2003 12:51 PM
It's hard to say if she will ever get over this.Ever dog is different..I'll I can say is work with her and if she shows signs of inprovment,then she should be ok .If not,then you may have to put her up when you have company.Good luck and please keep us posted on her progress. IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 02-20-2003 02:29 PM
This could be part of your seperation anxiety problem. A dog needs it's own space. It is NOT mean to do this. Every dog needs to be trained. Being mean would be hanging the dog from a choke chain to teach it the behavior is un appropraite. Putting the dog in a seperate room is very humane and teaches her bad behavior results in her being isolated...very simple actually and NOT mean at all. I can not stress to you enouph that you must get involved in a basic obedience class right away. Your dog is starting to take advatage of your good heart, not a bad thing that you're a caring person, but you must understand that this breed is naturally dominant and is very intelligent. If you do not know how to communicate effectivley with her she will take advatage of that. Please, do yourself and your dog, a favour and get involved in just basic obedience. You will be amazed at how strong the bond between you and her will become. Good luck IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 02-20-2003 04:15 PM
I just wanted to let you know that we have been in training. I started her a week after I got her. Actually tonight is her 4th week. Believe me I knew from the day I saw her at the shelter she was going to need extra work. She cowered to men, she jumped up on everyone, and let me tell you trying to walk a 90 pond dog when you only weigh 130 yourself was fun. So before I even brought her hom I wnet out and got a no pull halter the kind that pulls at their legs instead of at her neck. That slowed that down dramatically.Then I worked on loose leash walking which helped too. She isnt perfect but she's improving on things I don't allow. I may be a softy but i know that rotties are dominant dogs and need firm training. I think the fact that I am such a softy towards animals actually helps her some because with her past abuse you have to be careful with how you discipline. When she gets out of hand like when she wont leave my 14 year old sheltie-lab mix alone. I put her in a timeout in an empty bedroom for like 25 min then when she stops whining I let her out and she has calmed down.I just wanted to let you know that we have been in training and I work with this dog alot. I knew that from day one because I feel everyone should have a well trained dog and mine is no exception it will take time but she will get ther but with the whole thing with people coming to the house I just had no idea on how to solve the problem I didnt know where to begin. So thanks for the advice and keep it rolling!! IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 02-20-2003 06:09 PM
Hey happy to give advise. That makes me happy to hear you are already in training. Since she has "fear" issues..this take lots of time to fix. Keep up the good work, be consistent and eventually things will be great..outstanding...fabulous because your putting in the effort, which will always payoff. One thing you will want to show your friends is how to deter her from jumping up. Now because of your dogs fear issue I don't know if this is good for your situation. There was a reason my trainer told me to do this...but it's stuck on the tip of my tongue IP: Logged |
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goob unregistered |
posted 02-20-2003 06:22 PM
It's not a good idea to correct a dog when it's around something it's already fearful of, as the dog will start to associate the scary thing (whether it's a person, certain room, place, whatever) with being corrected and will go into avoidance. This can cause problems because if the dog is ever actually confronted by the "scary thing" and CAN'T avoid it, it will defned itself in the only way it knows how, with it's teeth. It would be a good idea to find a behaviorist to help you deal with this, as they'll be able to tell more about your situation than people who have never seen the dog in person. They'll probably have you start working on desensitizing her to strangers, and building her confidence. BTW shmoopie, the people who originally made the alpha roll technique "go public" in their book are actually saying now that it's not a good thing to try with your dog. With a truly dominant dog, you will lose your face trying to roll them over, as they KNOW they're in charge, and won't tolerate such behavior from a subordinate member. Here's a link to the article: http://www.coloradoan.com/news/stories/20021228/lifestyle/665086.html IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 02-21-2003 03:01 PM
MY DOG IS VERY DOMINANT AND HAS NEVER EVER TRIED TO BITE ME OR GROWL WHEN I HAVE ROLLED HIM ON HIS BACK...NO MATTER WHAT; HOWEVER, EVERY DOG IS DIFFERENT AND MY DOG HAS NEVER BEEN MADE FEARFUL OF PEOPLE SO I CAN TRUST HIM. AS PER THIS SITUATION IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTACT SOMEONE WHO SPECIALIZES IN HANDLING THESE SITUATION AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MEET THE DOG AND FIGURE OUT HOW THE DOG THINKS AND REACTS AND WHY THIS PROBLEM EXISTS. You'r doing a great job handling your dog. Compliments all the way around. IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 02-21-2003 10:44 PM
Does anyone have a guesstimate on how much behaviorists cost? I havent found one yet but would like an idea on how much its going to cost. I would definitely like to know what is inside my girl's head. And I think one of them would be able to tell me exactly what to do for her cuz every dog is different and this is something that definitely needs corrected cuz it sould get worse. I know she would never bite us and i dont think she would bite anyone as long as one of us our there. But the fact that i dont know is what scares me. IP: Logged |
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goob unregistered |
posted 02-22-2003 12:11 AM
I've heard of the costing anywhere from $30-$300 an hour. Local trainers/vets may be able to direct you to one, or this page may be of some help... http://www.apdt.com/cgi/trainer-search?m=0 They have a "trainer search" at the bottom of that page, and if you look around the site, there's a lot of info on finding someone suitable for you/your dog's needs. Some trainers are also behaviorists, or may have a pretty in depth understanding of dog behavior, so even if you don't see anything stating that they're behaviorists, it might not hurt to call and check them out anyway  IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 02-28-2003 11:24 PM
Update on Abby. We made a breakthrough. I got a hold of a rottie rescue and spoke to a woman there who is also a behaviorist. I spoke with her for well over an hour. We figured out two reasons she freaks out first she feels way too dominant being higher than strangers when they first come in the house second she starts carrying on when my other dog starts barking. So today my fiance brought a friend over who is good with large dogs. I kept her with me while he came up the steps then I let her go. She was a little scared but ok. I told him to ignore her which he did. We went and sat down and the whold time she would sniff him then run away then come back and do it all over again. When she started to settle down. I gave him a treat to give to her. He had her sit which as soon as she sees a treat she sits so that didnt really surprise me HeeHee. But he gave her the treat and he did it again later. She was such a good girl I was so proud of her and let her know it. We are making huge strides with her. Oh by the way I can now take TWO WHOLE STEPS and she will stay. Yeahhhhh! Im so proud of her. I might sound stupid but it took me a month just to take one step and in a little over a week I could take two. I just wanted to fill you guys in and thank you for all of your advice. You helped me so much in helping her and me. Im new to the world of dog training and want and will have a well trained dog. I need to do my part in showing people that not only a rottie but a rescued rottie can be a lovable, respectable, awesome member of my home and society. Thank you everyone for your advise and words of encouragement. IP: Logged |
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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979 Member Posts: 414 |
posted 03-03-2003 03:49 PM
Rottymommy, I am so glad your baby is doing so good.I am glad if anything I said helped.Good luck ..and keep up the hard work... IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 03-03-2003 05:21 PM
That makes me soooo happy for you and your baby! The hard work really does pay off! Don't feel too embarassed about the two steps...everyone has to start from somehere and I am pretty sure if you had of owned this dog from day one..none of the problems she has today would exist. Can you imagine how embarassed I was when I had a behaviorist/trainer come to my home and she asked me if my dog knew the "sit" command...of course he does, he's great at it.....I think this was the one time he didn't obey...oops, I guess he wasn't as trained as I thought. [This message has been edited by shmoopie (edited 03-03-2003).] IP: Logged |
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