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i recently adopted a 2 yr old male rottie....and he's aggressive towards strangers when they pet him near his face, legs, stomach...never bit anyone, but growls and snaps. when someone approaches me on a walk with him, he gets very alert. and my sisters husband yelled at me one time, and he jumped on him and tried to bite his face :-/

ive called a lot of trainers and they say that because he is 2 yrs old and acts like this he was probably abused, and that there is nothing i can do and that i should put him to sleep

i DONT want to put him to sleep because he is such a sweet heart with me. hes a total lap dog, even in the car he tries to sit on my lap when im driving, and hes never been aggressive towards me. hes not aggressive towards children, or other dogs.

this is not a racial statement, but i was told by one trainer that maybe he was abused by a mexican and that is why he is like this. my sisters husband is mexican, and so were the people he tried to bite. im white and so is my boyfriend, and hes never done this to us. just a thought.

but, because of his size (approximately 130lbs) i am afraid that if he ever DID attack anyone, that he could do some serious damage and i could be sued. anyone with some advice or similar instances would be greatly appreciated.

Shannon

>>i recently adopted a 2 yr old male rottie....and he's aggressive towards strangers when they pet him near his face, legs, stomach...never bit anyone, but growls and snaps. when someone approaches me on a walk with him, he gets very alert. and my sisters husband yelled at me one time, and he jumped on him and tried to bite his face :-/
>>
>>ive called a lot of trainers and they say that because he is 2 yrs old and acts like this he was probably abused, and that there is nothing i can do and that i should put him to sleep
>>
>>i DONT want to put him to sleep because he is such a sweet heart with me. hes a total lap dog, even in the car he tries to sit on my lap when im driving, and hes never been aggressive towards me. hes not aggressive towards children, or other dogs.
>>
>>this is not a racial statement, but i was told by one trainer that maybe he was abused by a mexican and that is why he is like this. my sisters husband is mexican, and so were the people he tried to bite. im white and so is my boyfriend, and hes never done this to us. just a thought.
>>
>>but, because of his size (approximately 130lbs) i am afraid that if he ever DID attack anyone, that he could do some serious damage and i could be sued. anyone with some advice or similar instances would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>Shannon>>>>>

A dog of that size can kill a person. Not only could you be sued, in some states you could go to prison. If you want to try to keep the dog, you will need to work with a trainer to develop full control of the dog. You will also have to create secure facilities to keep the dog where he absolutely cannot get to anyone to hurt them. Terrible things have happened with dogs like this one, including young children venturing into the yard with the dog--perhaps going out and opening the gate to a dog run and letting the dog out--and the children being maimed or killed. If you choose to keep a dangerous dog, it's your responsibility to make 100% sure this cannot happen. The law holds the dog's owner responsible, because no one else is in a position to control the dog and ensure the safety of others. There are many cases of dogs who need more control than their owners are able to give. If that is the case with you and this dog--and a behavior specialist in person can help you make that decision--then you would not be the right person to have this dog.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Kathy Diamond is a VERY respected dog behaviorist and trainer and I HIGHLY suggest you heed her words.
You do not have just a 'minor problem' you have a very serious and huge one! Take her advice, and find a specific behaviorist ASAP. There are wonderful "stable" Rotts who are well trained and do NOT act like this. If natural Alpha exercises and specific behavior modification do NOT work, you have an ethical and moral obligation to hold this dog as it is euthanized. No rescue would takea dog with a known biting history, and if you sold it or gave it away and it attacked someone LEGALLY you would STILL be liable and would lose EVERYTHING (house, garnished wages, prison time) more and more laws now are (rightfully) coming down HARD on owners of ANY breed who are a threat. As Kathy said, Rotts (like Pits, or ANY large breed) are capable of killing and maiming before you can blink your eyes.
You certainly would not carry a loaded gun that was defective and fired by itself whenever and wherever it wanted killing any place or anytime would you? Same goes for any human aggressive dog who has genetc or tempermental problems that do not make it a productive member of society. At age 2, my dog was getting his THERAPY DOG certification, already had his Canine Good Citizen, and was entered into carting trials. As rotties "test" you, you MUST come down like a ton of bricks and ensure they KNOW they listen to you at all times, under ALL circumstances.
I don't know if Kathy sent you the link on the "Nothing In life is Free" and how to deal with a dominant dog, but if not, email me and I will send you those links.
I do not MEAN to sound rude or harsh, but this is NOT a matter to be taken lightly at all. This is how dogs like Rotts and Pits get "Bad raps". You cannot control what people will do. Kids WILL run up to your dog and hug it, people will pet it, it is human nature. Nor can you crate a dog up for LIFE because it is a threat and is willing to snap, growl (biting is JUST the next step away). If this dog cannot be brought around by serious training then you really, need to have the dog be released lovingly from this life.
Warmly,
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Jackie & Max
Visit us at
Southern Shadows Rottweilers
http://hometown.aol.com/shadowsara/index.html
Responsible Rottweiler Ownership!

hi, im not taking anything anyone says as being "mean". we decided to enroll our rott in behavioral and aggressive training classes through our local vet. and we made the decision that if there is no improvement in another month, we are going to either put him to sleep, or find him a home with someone that would like to try and help him. if he finds a new home, they are going to know everything about him, and were gonna have them sign a waiver saying that they are taking on full responsibility and that they knew he was somewhat aggressive when they got him. and, rottweilerdriver, i dont think i did get the links to ""Nothing In life is Free" and how to deal with a dominant dog" so if you could please send me the links. if u want to email, its at the bottom. thank you for your help.

Shannon

aRieLsWiMs@hotmail.com

Answered in Private email....

Warmly,
-----
Jackie & Max
Visit us at
Southern Shadows Rottweilers
http://hometown.aol.com/shadowsara/index.html
Responsible Rottweiler Ownership!