Question:

> I recently purchased a Rottweiler (7 months old now) mainly for > protection purposes.  She is starting to show signs of being pretty > protective of my truck and house, which I like, however, I want to make > sure that she doesn’t get out of hand and become a liability or danger > to anyone.  I’m afraid to discourage her too much for fear she will > feel that she is not allowed any kind of this behavior.  Does anyone > have any suggestions on how to handle this situation best.  I live out > of town and she is not fenced or tied during the day. > — > Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. > http://www.talkway.co

Teresa: I understand your desire to have your dog for protection.. But what I’ve learned about Rotties is that they are by nature VERY protective of their "families"…  If you want your dog to be protective in the sense of a "security guard" then it is essential that you find a good trainer for your dog.  My Rottie is 10 mons old now and I too was hoping for her to be a good watch dog because I live out in the coutry and am often alone. I find that as she gets older her natural guarding instinct is coming out.  My personal feeling on the matter is that if you give your dog a lot of love, affection and some good basic training, then she/he will be a good companion and will protect you if the need arises.  My worry about training dogs like Rotties who are naturally so protective, to be even more aggressive/protective is that it sometimes backfires and you end up with a dog who is overly aggressive in the wrong situations. Good luck.. KAT

Response:

Thanks for the good advise.  Unfortunately, I live in a pretty remote area and am having trouble finding any trainers in my area.  I’m going to begin some heavy socialization and try to find an obedience class in the mean time.  Thanks for the help — Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. http://www.talkway.com

Response:

You are looking for a dog that is not aggressive I repeat not aggressive. This dog should be allowed to be around children.  Just because a dog barks and shows its teeth does not make it a protection dog.  You need to test for this.  The best suggestion would be the dog to protect by its presence alone.  Not many people will come through a barking rottie. In regards to the second part of the question.  Allowing a dog to run loose like that even in the country is asking for problems.  You are asking the dog to know the difference between the UPS man, and the bad guy.  They just don’t have that reasoning ability. Hope I have helped. Todd Von Gaster Rottweilers – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I recently purchased a Rottweiler (7 months old now) mainly for >protection purposes.  She is starting to show signs of being pretty >protective of my truck and house, which I like, however, I want to make >sure that she doesn’t get out of hand and become a liability or danger >to anyone.  I’m afraid to discourage her too much for fear she will >feel that she is not allowed any kind of this behavior.  Does anyone >have any suggestions on how to handle this situation best.  I live out >of town and she is not fenced or tied during the day. >– >Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. >http://www.talkway.com

Response:

Hello, I also have a Rott. He is 14 months old and I have the same concerns. I live on 40 acres and I use to let him run loose. Now I keep him inside. When I go to work I put him in one of my bedrooms. It is empty except for a few of his toys, Blanket water etc.. He did not like it at first but now he is getting use to it. When I am at home he is inside but I usually let him out to go play also. As for Protection he worries me the other day he was out and I was inside I got up to go check on him and he was with a Guy who was there to fix my garage door opener!!!! No bark nothing he was just wagging his tall and following right behind him!!!!!!Had that been a bugler he could have taken anything out of the garage and Bear (my Rott) would probably help him!!!  I spend all my time with my Rott except when I am at work. I really don’t know what to do with him. I need him to bark or something!!!! When he was a younger he would growl at everyone but I may have over socialized him… Is there anyway to change this behavior? Let me know what you come up with Brian Schultz

Response:

I have a Rotty who will be 5 years old. I often thought I should have called him Casper because he loves everyone.  At around 2 years old he started to be protective and bark at strangers. I do not believe that you can over socialize a dog.  Be patient, these Rotty’s take time to mature. Sheila

Response:

Dear Teresa,         Hi, my name is Vanetta. I have had a three month dog trainers course where I learned a great deal about dog behavior. I am one who defiantly knows what you mean about your dog not being protective enough. But, maybe people responded the way they did because you put ‘protective’ instead of ‘watchdog’ which is not as serious as a protection dog. I think many people look at the word protective and also apply it to an attack dog too, which is really bad because there are different levels of a protection dog other than the attack type. The watchdog is generally thought of as a dog that barks at danger or suspicious people, which sounds like what you really want. Actually an attack dog isn’t a true protection dog which is a whole other thing that may confuse you so I won’t get into it.         There is nothing wrong with having a protection dog outside. Yet, the best protection would be achieved if the dog was in the house but it’s not a requirement for a protection dog or watchdog. I have two dogs, a male yellow lab and gsd mix, which I strictly keep outside and they are great watchdogs.         As far as correcting her for barking you are teach what you want her to bark at and not. By doing this she’ll eventually get the idea of what you want her to alarm you about and not. However, praise her both verbally and petting her when she does do it at the correct time to encourage her correct behavior.         Have you had any aggressive problems with her? If not then probably having her loose in the country is not going to a problem. Most people dislike the idea of having a dog loose no matter where it is but I understand the need for the dog to be loose in the country. My concern would be nature and the dog’s safety. It would be best to keep her nearby the house or the dog may not be a good watchdog if it’s off a 1/2 mile or so away from the house. You didn’t tell just how much acreage you have, which is why I made this statement.         Yes, you are right that just the size of a dog isn’t always enough to deter someone from trying to steal something. You could even set up a situation for your dog to respond to a person who hasn’t been around her much or not at all. For example: Your expecting someone to come visit you. So, then be ready to go "Who is that?" and act concerned about the person being there. After repeating several "Who is it?", or "Who is that?", this should cause her to bark and praise her when she responds with a bark. Once you have seen who it is then you can say "Friend. Be quiet." I’ll be more than happy to give you more advice if needed or if you have trouble understanding what I have told you. I will also post something at rec.pets.dogs.breeds regarding this issue. I sent some of this to Dav also.                 Sincerely,                         Vanetta P.S. I tried to send this to you by your E-mail address but it wouldn’t go through. So, I sent it here. To all:         I would first like to respond to the natural protective instinct. I have had a three month dog trainers course. There is no such thing as a naturally protective instinct because it is developed through training whether it be a subtle no and ok or from real protection training.         Dogs do smell fear pheromones but this is not enough. The dog still needs the proper training to know how to behave toward this smell. Some dogs may respond well but others will not and will need guidance through training. What I am saying applies to any and every dog.         When someone says protection dog it could mean just a dog that barks at suspicious situations, or a more advanced bark with also continuous bark right in front of the person or a dog that pens a person without a bite but with just body contact. Just because someone says protection dog doesn’t mean it bites. Even if the dog has been trained to bite, a well trained protection dog will only bite under the most serious situations where it is most need. Another fact is that a well trained protection dog isn’t taught the bite command but rather the situation when to bite. A true protection dog is not an attack dog! Attack dogs are dogs that attack without any provocation at all and will attack anything and everything that crosses their path and will bite the person anywhere, unlike a protection dog where they are trained to go to arm or leg in a provocating situation. Protection dogs are also trained to not bite children bothering them. Most importantly the protection dog is trained to immediately respond to the release command for a bite and even when the dog is in the pursuit to bite.                 Vanetta – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs.breeds > Thanks for answering my question on my Rott pup.  I know it is hard to > get a very clear picture of what’s going on with the little info I’m > able to give you here but I’ll try.    People seem to think I’m crazy > when I say that I’m concerned about her not being "protective" enough. > I don’t care what anyone says they about how they know the difference > and will know if there really is a danger.  The last rott I had let > someone walk in my house at night (I knew them but the dog didn’t) I > didn’t hear them come in because I was doing dishes and when I turned > around and saw them I SCREAMED!  My dog just wagged her tail.  I want > this pup to at least bark, if nothing else, and I’m afraid if I always > correct her for barking at someone she never will because she will > believe this is unacceptable.  I live out of town and we have a huge > migrant population in our area.  We have REAL problems with homes being > broken into and things being stolen not to mention the other things > that go on.  People who have dogs do not have the problems as people > who do not have dogs.  One of the replies I got said to leave her in > the house when I’m gone.  Well first of all I can’t afford new > furniture after she eats my couch and secondly it defeats my purpose of > having her to begin with.  I’m fortunate enough to live in the country > so my dogs have always had the luxury of being loose and I have NEVER > had any problems.  I spend a lot of time at home alone and I also go > camping by myself and things like that, in the past all my dogs have > been overly friendly to everyone.  They look like the Wal-Mart > greeters!  If I wanted another dog like that I would have gotten a > border collie!  I just want a dog that will let me know if someone is > in the yard at night and since I take her with me in my truck a lot I > would like to think that she would not let everyone reach in and steal > things if I leave it unattended for a few minutes.  I realize that her > presence alone is going to be a huge deterrent but that’s not always > enough. > Okay, now, do you have any other suggestions for me.  Any help would be > welcome.

Response:

Imagine what would have happened if he had of gotten aggressive towards the guy fixing the garage door while you were not there to supervise him !!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >I. When I am at home he is inside but I usually let him out to go >play .As for Protection he worries me the other day he was out and I was inside I >got up to go check on him and he was with a Guy who was there to fix my >garage door opener!!!! No bark nothing he was just wagging his tall and >following right behind him!!!!!!Had that been a bugler he could have taken >anything out of the garage and Bear (my Rott) would probably help him!!! >Brian Schultz

Response:

> I’m not afraid of being attacked.  In the last month we have had our > truck stolen, tires stolen and gas stolen.  I want people to know if > they come snooping around that the dog is going to let us know right > away.  It’s pretty hard to steal something when there is a dog barking > its head off.  I’m not looking for a "protection" dog or "attack" dog. > I must have given the wrong impression.  I just would like a dog that > has a somewhat unaproachable look.  They just aren’t much of a deterent > if they are jumping and licking someone.  I just want a good family pet > that will also serve as a "watch dog".  I only want it to sound a > warning – not eat someone.  If I keep it in a crate in the house, this > still doesn’t discourage people from walking off with things I have > outside or in my garage.  I have locks but can’t nail everything down

So do you plan on keeping the dog outside all the time?  I wouldnt recommend that.  Its hard to have a good family rottie when its outside all the time.  Rottweilers thrive on human contact.Why not just teach your dog to bark when its confronted by a stranger?  Its not too hard to do.  Ed Frawley discusses how to do this on his webpage : http://www.leerburg.com/bark.htm Hope this helps and good luck! Nick http://www.angelfire.com/wi/1strottie

Response:

>I’m so glad to hear from someone who feels the same way I do.  If you >get a dog for a watch dog you would prefer they at least bark!  Most >people seem to be of the impression that the dog will have enough >intelligence to do what it needs to do "when the chips are down"  I >happen to know from experienc that it does not always work this way. I >also have concerns about over socializing.  How will they ever make a >watch dog if they are taught from puppies that everyone is a source of >affection and friendship? >– >Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. >http://www.talkway.com

Are you really that concerned about being attacked?  If you are you should really consider getting a gun and learning to use it. But if you insist on having a protection rottie there are some things you should know.  First rotties are not necessarily protective by nature, it depends on their genetic makeup.  While your rottie may bark most will go into avoidance when actually confronted with real danger.  When people say "my rottie hasnt been protection trained but I know he would protect me" it is usually wishful thinking. But if you just want your dog to notify you if someone strange is in the area you can teach him to bark relatively easily.  Whether he knows when its appropriate to bark again depends on the specific dog. Dont get a rottie and expect him to protect you without proper training. And dont think you can properly protection train any ole rottie you get from the paper because its not going to happen.  Protection dogs have to be bred to such things. Hope this helps. Nick

Response:

I’m not afraid of being attacked.  In the last month we have had our truck stolen, tires stolen and gas stolen.  I want people to know if they come snooping around that the dog is going to let us know right away.  It’s pretty hard to steal something when there is a dog barking its head off.  I’m not looking for a "protection" dog or "attack" dog. I must have given the wrong impression.  I just would like a dog that has a somewhat unaproachable look.  They just aren’t much of a deterent if they are jumping and licking someone.  I just want a good family pet that will also serve as a "watch dog".  I only want it to sound a warning – not eat someone.  If I keep it in a crate in the house, this still doesn’t discourage people from walking off with things I have outside or in my garage.  I have locks but can’t nail everything down — Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. http://www.talkway.com

Response:

Leave her in the house and put her in a crate.  She can still bark if there is a noise, and the people don’t know she is in a crate, they just know she is in the house.  Also in a crate she can’t destroy your furniture. Also as far as letting your dog run loose.  No animal is 100% reliable. Just because you haven’t had any problems yet doesn’t mean you won’t.  Its like leaving a gun with a child, nothing has happened yet.  But it could. I’m not willing to take that chance, it only takes one incident.  If your in the country who knows what could happen. Todd E. Gaster Von Gaster Rottweilers Gaster’s Canine Behavioral Center

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Thanks for answering my question on my Rott pup.  I know it is hard to >get a very clear picture of what’s going on with the little info I’m >able to give you here but I’ll try.    People seem to think I’m crazy >when I say that I’m concerned about her not being "protective" enough. >I don’t care what anyone says they about how they know the difference >and will know if there really is a danger.  The last rott I had let >someone walk in my house at night (I knew them but the dog didn’t) I >didn’t hear them come in because I was doing dishes and when I turned >around and saw them I SCREAMED!  My dog just wagged her tail.  I want >this pup to at least bark, if nothing else, and I’m afraid if I always >correct her for barking at someone she never will because she will >believe this is unacceptable.  I live out of town and we have a huge >migrant population in our area.  We have REAL problems with homes being >broken into and things being stolen not to mention the other things >that go on.  People who have dogs do not have the problems as people >who do not have dogs.  One of the replies I got said to leave her in >the house when I’m gone.  Well first of all I can’t afford new >furniture after she eats my couch and secondly it defeats my purpose of >having her to begin with.  I’m fortunate enough to live in the country >so my dogs have always had the luxury of being loose and I have NEVER >had any problems.  I spend a lot of time at home alone and I also go >camping by myself and things like that, in the past all my dogs have >been overly friendly to everyone.  They look like the Wal-Mart >greeters!  If I wanted another dog like that I would have gotten a >border collie!  I just want a dog that will let me know if someone is >in the yard at night and since I take her with me in my truck a lot I >would like to think that she would not let everyone reach in and steal >things if I leave it unattended for a few minutes.  I realize that her >presence alone is going to be a huge deterrent but that’s not always >enough. >Okay, now, do you have any other suggestions for me.  Any help would be >welcome. >– >Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. >http://www.talkway.com

Response:

Thanks for the help.  I guess when I say "protection"  I’m using that term to genericly.  All I really want is a dog that will bark when someone comes into the yard and let me know or if I take her camping and it is night time and someone comes into my camp I would like my dog to bark and at least "look" a little unfriendly.  I do try to have her around kids (I have a 10 yr old) and she loves them. — Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. http://www.talkway.com

Response:

I’m so glad to hear from someone who feels the same way I do.  If you get a dog for a watch dog you would prefer they at least bark!  Most people seem to be of the impression that the dog will have enough intelligence to do what it needs to do "when the chips are down"  I happen to know from experienc that it does not always work this way. I also have concerns about over socializing.  How will they ever make a watch dog if they are taught from puppies that everyone is a source of affection and friendship? — Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. http://www.talkway.com

Response:

> I recently purchased a Rottweiler (7 months old now) mainly for > protection purposes.  She is starting to show signs of being pretty > protective of my truck and house, which I like, however, I want to make > sure that she doesn’t get out of hand and become a liability or danger > to anyone.  I’m afraid to discourage her too much for fear she will > feel that she is not allowed any kind of this behavior.  Does anyone > have any suggestions on how to handle this situation best.  I live out > of town and she is not fenced or tied during the day. > — > Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. > http://www.talkway.com

Having a protection dog means you *are* liable for what that dog does.  But any good protection dog, which a 7 month old pup is not, will percieve a real threat and take action accordingly. Have you had this dog evaluated by a professional protection trainer?  You do realize properly training a dog in protection is a life long committment and takes years of training dont you? Just some food for thought.  Feel free to email me if you have any further questions. Nick

Response:

I recently purchased a Rottweiler (7 months old now) mainly for protection purposes.  She is starting to show signs of being pretty protective of my truck and house, which I like, however, I want to make sure that she doesn’t get out of hand and become a liability or danger to anyone.  I’m afraid to discourage her too much for fear she will feel that she is not allowed any kind of this behavior.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this situation best.  I live out of town and she is not fenced or tied during the day. — Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. http://www.talkway.com

Response:

Quote: I’m afraid to discourage her too much for fear she will feel that she is not allowed any kind of this behavior Do discourage it. She will protect you when she thinks she needs to. And for heaven’s sake, leave her in the house if you aren’t home! If she’s allowed loose, you soon won’t have ANY dog. Sheesh Jane Webb Mudpie & Moonpie

Response:

Thanks for answering my question on my Rott pup.  I know it is hard to get a very clear picture of what’s going on with the little info I’m able to give you here but I’ll try.    People seem to think I’m crazy when I say that I’m concerned about her not being "protective" enough. I don’t care what anyone says they about how they know the difference and will know if there really is a danger.  The last rott I had let someone walk in my house at night (I knew them but the dog didn’t) I didn’t hear them come in because I was doing dishes and when I turned around and saw them I SCREAMED!  My dog just wagged her tail.  I want this pup to at least bark, if nothing else, and I’m afraid if I always correct her for barking at someone she never will because she will believe this is unacceptable.  I live out of town and we have a huge migrant population in our area.  We have REAL problems with homes being broken into and things being stolen not to mention the other things that go on.  People who have dogs do not have the problems as people who do not have dogs.  One of the replies I got said to leave her in the house when I’m gone.  Well first of all I can’t afford new furniture after she eats my couch and secondly it defeats my purpose of having her to begin with.  I’m fortunate enough to live in the country so my dogs have always had the luxury of being loose and I have NEVER had any problems.  I spend a lot of time at home alone and I also go camping by myself and things like that, in the past all my dogs have been overly friendly to everyone.  They look like the Wal-Mart greeters!  If I wanted another dog like that I would have gotten a border collie!  I just want a dog that will let me know if someone is in the yard at night and since I take her with me in my truck a lot I would like to think that she would not let everyone reach in and steal things if I leave it unattended for a few minutes.  I realize that her presence alone is going to be a huge deterrent but that’s not always enough. Okay, now, do you have any other suggestions for me.  Any help would be welcome. — Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. http://www.talkway.com

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