Bad behaviour

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I have a 2.5 year old Rottweiler rescue dog, who I have now had for 7 months, prior to which he was in kennels for 15 months.
Generally he is a very laid back, easy going, friendly and obidient dog, with his only down fall being his lack of socialization.
The only previous problem we have experienced was when we first adopted him and he experienced anxiety seperation issues when left alone and became distructive. This has since been controlled by the use of a dog crate/cage where he is left while we are not at home.
Recently, he has begun to get aggitated when people by down our drive by the side of his outdoor pen or past the side patio doors where he is kept. This started a few weeks ago with just general barking at bypasses, but now gets to the stage where his hackles come up and he bounds around. As far as I can see, he does not bare his teeth or snarl, he just gets himself very wound up.
How can I prevent/control this? My worry is that he is a very powerful dog.
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi,

First of all this dog needs obedience training; all rotties do.
During the  obedience training he  must be taught the command "Leave It"   This is done by putting him into a sit command and then putting a dog treat on the floor for a few seconds and telling him to "leave it" and then giving him a DIFFERENT TREAT when he does.  You pick up the "leave it treat", then praise and at the same time give him the different treat.  You do this until he has the idea.
The obedience training is necessary for you to get control of this dog.  Rotties, and other dogs, dont just grow up obedient.  You must take charge.  If you don't your dog will escalate into a problem.  He already has aggressive tendencies, so you must be able to control this with voice commands.

Second, take him outside  and have someone ride or walk by and throw him a delicious treat each time.  You can actually ask some of the people walking by to do this for you each day by providing them some treats to give him.  Or find someone you know (and he doesn't) to do this.  Have him on leash when this is done.  DO NOT TRY TO CALM HIM DOWN BY SAYING  "ITS OK, EASY BOY"  WHILE HE IS BARKING AS THIS MAKES HIM THINK YOU ARE PRAISING HIM FOR HIS ACTIONS.

Put him on a leash and when he barks at the passers by tell him "NO" and snap him back and tell him to sit.  All three of these things must be done so you will not have any problems in the future.  Also, change his food to Eukanuba puppy food for about 6  months, it should  help with the chewing he is doing.   

Your dog NEEDS SOCIALIZING.  IT IS IMPORTANT SO HE DOESN'T HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER HOME.
He should also be exercised each day so he doesn't get bored.

If you spend this time now, you will have a very special dog who loves you and respects you and gives you back way more than you have given him...


nancy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Nancy

Thank you so much for your quick response, I will begin putting your suggestions into action straight away.

Its hard to understand why he is like this all of a sudden, as he's usually a very laid back dog. I can only think that he can often be quite unsure of new things (our tortoises/cats/the vacuum# which I assume is down to him having been in kennels for such a long time at such a young age, but he is now starting to really settle in at home and that he is trying to protect what he has and what he deems to be 'his' #which is definitely something that I  need to combat!#?

Whilst out on walks he is the most sociable little man ever and would happily sit and be petted by anyone that doesn't see him for being a 7 stone Rottie and run!

He get walked 3 times a day #20 minutes or so in the morning and at lunch and then a decent hour during the evening#, but are there any mental ways of stimulating him?

Rebecca

Answer
Hey,
Yes that is what is happening, but he is in charge right now of protecting "his" place.  YOU HAVE TO BE IN CHARGE NOT HIM.  He can protect his home, but on your terms NOT his.   And this is why you must get control or he will be out of control. And just like children who are kept in a strict mode and then you send them to college and some go wild,  he can do that.  So keep him as your subordinate.

You are certainly good at reading into this . Bravo  and keep up the good work.
nancy