How to Train a Rottweiler Puppy to Not be Aggressive
Jump to section
Introduction
For any owner of a large dog, knowing the strength and reputation of the breed is essential. While smaller breeds may lend themselves to the idea of a dog nestled in a purse and yapping happily all the way, a larger breed may offer a much more intimidating presence. Large dogs can be seen as dangerous, scary, or even aggressive, and though many of them are quite friendly, being able to maintain control over a large dog’s behavior may make all the difference.
Among the larger breeds known for an intimidating appearance, the Rottweiler stands out as the “bad boy” of them all. With a large head, dark colored fur, and powerful body, the Rottweiler can be a formidable companion. However, many Rotties, as they’re affectionately called, are loving family dogs when given the right training and socialization early on in life. To prevent a Rottweiler puppy from becoming aggressive, you must prepare for every situation to ensure that your dog grows to be happy and well behaved.
Top
Defining Tasks
Some puppies may begin to show aggressive tendencies early on. Unlike smaller breeds which may not be able to do much damage if a bite occurs, a large dog can quickly become an issue if he begins to show aggression. Whether that aggression is occurring because of fear, resource guarding, or overexcitement, it should be addressed as soon as possible.
Aggression in Rottweiler puppies can be tackled in a variety of ways, though the best method is a combination of methods. Socialization and positive reinforcement should begin as soon as you bring your Rottweiler puppy home and continue for the first two to four months of his life in order to properly establish good behavior around people and other dogs.
Top
Getting Started
Before targeting aggression in your puppy, ensure that the aggression is not a result of illness or injury. Have him checked by a veterinarian to rule out any health problems. Following that, you should gather up some tasty treats and toys in order to act as motivators for your Rottweiler’s training. The better rewards you can offer for good behavior, the more likely it will be that your puppy will respond well to your training.
Be sure to supervise any interaction with other dogs or small children, as a bite or a fight can occur very quickly and suddenly. Be prepared to remove your puppy from any stressful situation.
Top
The Socialization Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Start early
Your puppy should begin his socialization once he receives all of his vaccinations. The earlier you can begin, the more likely it will be that your Rottweiler will associate good things with meeting others.
Meet friendly dogs
Start with meeting other dogs that are calm and well mannered. They will be less likely to overwhelm or frighten your puppy.
Meet safe people
Allow your puppy to come in contact with all kinds of people of varying genders, races, and appearances. The more varied the people your puppy meets, the less likely he will be to show aggression to any one type of person.
Explore public areas
When it is safe to do so, take your Rottweiler puppy to safe public spaces such as pet stores or to the park where he can observe and encounter other dogs and people. Be aware of possible stressful situations and be ready to remove your puppy if he becomes overwhelmed.
Make every experience a good one
Allow for plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior around others. Offer your puppy treats and play time with different, fun toys throughout these encounters in order to associate good things with meeting new people and animals.
The Manners Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Basic obedience
Begin by teaching your puppy basic obedience commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’. These will offer her a strong foundation for more training later on.
Asking permission
Get your puppy used to asking permission for things like being fed, playing with toys, or being let outside for a walk or run. Have her ask permission by sitting in front of you before you give her what she wants.
Learning to ignore
Some other dogs and people may be poorly behaved around your puppy. Teach her to ignore these people or dogs by making yourself more interesting or working on obedience around them.
Training on the go
Always be prepared to train when out and about with either treats or toys on hand for quick obedience training.
Training in the home
Have treats available in multiple rooms of the house to be ready to reward your puppy for any good behavior she exhibits. Be ready to reinforce positive progress at any time.
The Conditioning Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Use a motivator
Determine what encourages your dog the most. Some work well for treats and others work better for toys. Test some different rewards out with your puppy to see which he prefers or use both together.
Get some help
Enlist the help of friends or family to help reinforce good behavior with your puppy both in the home and outside of the home.
Have your tools available
Be ready to take your puppy’s focus whenever a possible issue may arise. Have your treats or toys on hand.
Reward whenever possible
Always reward for good behavior around other people or animals, especially early on. Lots of rewards and affection will ensure a positive association instead of an aggressive or fearful one.
Reinforcement
Reinforce positive associations throughout the training period and even well into adulthood. Your dog will love to be reminded of what good behavior earns him and can shape his behavior later on.
Written by TJ Trevino
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/02/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Ace
Rottweiler
Fourteen Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I am starting to get worried about my dog Ace. First off, he is one of the most loving dogs inside the house/on our property. Anybody can come in our house, stranger or not, and he would be wagging his tale excited to see them. But, outside of the house he is not. He barley ever lets people approach us in public without the hair sticking up on his back and even growling, barking, and jumping as they walk by. We have been bringing him in public even at a young age but this started to occur a few months ago. I think it is a fear/protective thing but not sure what to do.
Dec. 16, 2022
Ace's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I would look for a training group in your area that has multiple trainers on staff, where training sessions can be set up in locations outside the home, and your primary trainer can work with you on structured obedience, building respect and trust for you, and counter conditioning pup around strangers outside, while other trainers or staff members practice being "strangers" that you move past, so you can have control of the distance, how the person responds to pup, and be able to repeat interactions with the same "stranger" over and over and over again to work on desensitizing him to new people, getting gradually move comfortable with someone in public and moving closer with safety measures and he improves, to help him feel less defensive and reactive about new people. Once he is good with that first staff member, then another staff member he hasn't seen before starts the process with him over again, continuing until he is good with them also, then repeating over and over until he starts to generalize being good with that one person with feeling comfortable with new people in public in general. Often its a good idea to go ahead and desensitize him to wearing a basket muzzle ahead of time using treats to make the muzzle more fun and gain his cooperation, before you may need it in training later, so he isn't stressed by wearing the muzzle if its needed as part of the training process. Make sure the training group you go with has multiple trainers for a case like his, and comes well recommended for their work with aggression and reactivity - since not all trainers have experience with that. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Dec. 19, 2022
Tuffy
Rottweiler
3 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
He became very much aggressive when I stop him to anything wrong like biting or chewing furniture. And meanwhile if I slowly beat him in his body to stop than he becomes more aggressive.
May 23, 2022
Tuffy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Aman, If you are using any methods that involve physical roughness with your hands, then I would switch to a different method. Also, work on getting puppy used to touch and handling. Use puppy’s daily meal kibble to do this. Gently touch an area of puppy's body while feeding a piece of food. Touch an ear and give a treat. Touch a paw and give a treat. Hold his collar and give a treat. Touch his tail gently and give a treat. Touch his belly, his other paws, his chest, shoulder, muzzle and every other area very gently and give a treat each time. Keep these times calm and fun for pup. To deal with the unwanted behaviors, I would also keep a drag leash on pup when you are there to supervise to ensure it won't get stuck on anything, and teach these commands, using the drag leash to calmly direct pup where you need them to be to enforce your commands. Out - which means leave the area, for pushiness and biting: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method for biting and chewing: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method for barking: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command for pushiness and begging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method for leash pulling: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Come - Reel in method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Off- section on The Off command for getting off furniture or people: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Drop It – Exchange method for chewing and stealing things: https://wagwalking.com/training/drop-it Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
May 23, 2022