Lonely Rottie
Sometimes “dog people” forget that not everyone embraces dogs like we do. And when you own a big powerful dog, especially if it’s breed with a “bad” reputation, even well-mannered pooches can be scary to guests. But it’s not good for a dog to have to be locked away in a room whenever people drop by. There are some easy techniques that can help break the ice and tear down the preconceived barriers between your pet and your guests.
Humans are visually-oriented and a lot of people react to the color of a dog. Lighter-coated dogs tend to get more positive reactions than darker-coated dogs, which can sometimes appear to be more intimidating. If you own a dark-colored dog, whether it is a black Lab, Poodle, or Rottweiler, try putting a colorful bandana on him, which to a nervous guest can make him appear less threatening and lighten the mood.
A second idea is to condition your dog to sit or lay down a certain distance from your guests. Again, the idea is visual and psychological. They understand the dog is in the room and under control, but not too close.
Now, if you have a friend over who is obviously fearful and not open to the idea of being in the same room as your dog, I would move him away from the situation and not expose him to that energy, which can make him anxious.
Recent Blog Comments
- I'm not so sure I believe... on 9/11 Science and Conspiracy Director's Diary
- Top international scientists have proven beyond... on 9/11 Science and Conspiracy Director's Diary
- I happen to watch this documentary... on On pursuit to film an extraordinary story in India - Part 2
- I just read Daddy's story. He... on HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY, Cesar!
- Happy Birthday Cesar. I love your... on HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY, Cesar!
Monthly Archives
- August 2009 (5)
- July 2009 (6)
- May 2009 (4)
- April 2009 (11)
- March 2009 (4)
- January 2009 (9)
- December 2008 (8)
- November 2008 (2)
- October 2008 (4)
- September 2008 (4)
- August 2008 (1)
- July 2008 (7)
- June 2008 (6)
- May 2008 (4)
- April 2008 (8)
- March 2008 (7)
- January 2008 (7)
- October 2007 (9)
- September 2007 (11)
- August 2007 (1)
- June 2007 (1)
- May 2007 (1)
- March 2007 (8)
- February 2007 (10)
- January 2007 (12)
- December 2006 (3)
- November 2006 (12)
- October 2006 (7)
- August 2006 (2)
- July 2006 (12)
- June 2006 (2)
- May 2006 (7)
- April 2006 (17)
- March 2006 (11)
- February 2006 (9)
- January 2006 (14)
- December 2005 (1)
28 Comments
I have a pit/pug who is very friendly towards most people, but she does not do well around small dogs. Even though she is only 35 pds. If someone has there small dog with them she becomes very aggressive, I do not know why she will not accept other animals. I can go on walks with them with her, be she can not be trusted in a room with them. I find this very hard. Is it just in some dogs to hate other dogs??? What can I do? I have done everything you have said.
I have a Leonberger rescue who's oringal family was afraid of him. He's fine with my immediate family, but extremely unpredictable with others. Some people he's fine and relaxed with, and others he'll suddenly jump for after 30 minutes of sitting calmly. Every time he does it, we put him on his back until he's calm but it seems to have no effect, and we can't pinpoint what it is that sets him off. As a large breed it's hard to socialize him without the fear of him causing harm. Does anyone have any ideas?
I also have a rottie that we adopted. She was "challenged" when we adopted her as was suppose to have been put down from biting the dog control officer. But fortunately she had passed a temperament test as was deemed adoptable to the right people. We instantly bonded on sight. I was not a new dog owner and was used to handling large animals since I also ran a horse training barn. We set about establishing who was pack leader right from the start. Although there were a few mishaps she has been a wonderful dog. I am also very aware of the reputation that rotties have and make sure that she makes everyone comfortable that comes to our facility, not difficult since she is slightly aloof with strangers anyway. However, I refuse to "lock her up" when someone comes, unless they happen to bring a dog with them. My goal is to train her to be a good representative and teach people that it is not the breed that is bad, but inadequate training and bad handling that indeed turns good dogs bad. I do have a question for those out there....we are working on socialization around other dogs. We have a specific problem with small dogs, especially if they bark at her first. She gets agitated and growls. We do correct this behavior and it's slightly improving. However, we have a new dilema in that my mother is purchasing a puppy. Any suggestions out there for a positive introduction? She has had puppies herself and I'm wondering if the mother instinct will kick in? She reacted that way to a stray kitten we took in, washing it and teaching it manners, although hers were a little harsher corrections that momma cat would have given! I look forward to hearing suggestions.
I have a pit. I sent him to boot camp for 3 weeks for him to come home only with the commands of sit and down. I am at the point now that I may have to give him up because I feel like I have no control. He not aggressive to anyone in the house; however, he is aggressive to anyone that comes to our home or walks past. What do i do?
Actually I have a question I have a dog that has separation anxiety. We have been trying to crate-train her. When she is in the crate she shakes foams at the mouth and does whatever she can to get out. She is 6 month old lab/mix. She needs to in a crate while I'm at school. How can we make this better for her?
Thanks,
Carol
I have two dogs, one who is hyper alert and tends to be dog aggressive (shep-lab-husky) and one who is extremely docile (shep-rottie); we also have a new baby in the "pack" - the dogs are not crated or removed when the baby comes in, but they cannot approach him. They are blocked about a 3' radius from the baby, but allowed to lie down in the same room (with adults present always). IMHO, if dogs are consistently removed from company or visitors, they never get the idea that their role is to sit or lie down calmly when other people are in the room.
I have never crated my dogs, though the older one (shep rottie) was put in the laundry room at night for the first week because the transition was so huge for him that it seemed best to give him a "cubby". Now, both dogs have their "beddies" in our room. I think the run of the house is ideal - if it's not possible because of fear, anxiety or boredom, one thing to consider (but not if you're not ready to commit) is to get a compatible second dog. Another thing is to do a few practice runs where you're only gone for a few minutes, then come back (don't go into an excited greeting mode when you come in) - gradually extend the time. Another trick is to leave the radio on at low volume to a talk station. If the dog absolutely has to be crated, is it possible to have a walker come in about midday for a visit?
Carol, I've a rescue who had such horrific separation anxiety that she ended up with stitches in her mouth from eating through the crate - that is, until I found some new "stuff" for her crate. One, we left the door open when we were home, and any time she even went near it, we praised her. Two, buy a kong. It's a plastic cone shaped dog toy, with a hole in it, for you to stuff - peanut butter, carrots, doggie cheese whiz, liver...whatever gets your dog going, the better. Give it to her when you leave, and it provides something for her to do while you are gone.
As Cesar always says, walk her, before you leave, longer than you think she needs - I used to walk mine until she would lay down on the sidewalk - she was thrilled then, to be at home, where she could nibble the kong, and rest til I returned.
Best of luck!
Carol, have you tried a different type of crate? We tried crating our girl when we got her as a puppy from a rescue shelter, she went hysterical every time we tried crating her. We later tried an open cage crate - she loved it from the first day and even moved her toys and dish into the crate herself.
I have an extremely well behaved pit bull,
he is good with dogs, cats, babies, older kids...well everyone:)
as after greeting people he lies down calmly in the room.
But he has to deal with almost every new person reacting with fear and aprehension.
I have had several guests walk into my home and state flatly
"I don't like pit bulls, their mean"
This hurts me more then the dog I think, it's extremely rude and upsetting.
if anyone has any tips on how to deal with people who adamatly refuse to accept that not all members of negitivly publicized
breeds are inheritantly evil, please let me know
I have a rottie mix, 2 years old, rescued.My daughter who has raised rotts for years found him in less than good conditions.He is a great dog, friendly, affectionate, smart,and good company for me when my husband works nights.3 big problems.
-When he sees his leash he goes nuts with excitment,can be calmed down, is difficult for him but will sit while putting his leash on but is still so excited that he pees.Sometimes a dribble and times a river. We try to be calm and keep him calm but he will pee even when he is sitting still.
-number 2- he wants to run. If he sees a chance to get out the door he is gone in a flash and runs as hard as he can. Thankfully we live in the country, but a busy highway is not far.He does come back home after a couple hours. But I am afraid of the obvious.Do you think an electric fence would hold him?
-3- he won't poop when walking him in our yard! We walk around 1 acre as often as possible, he will pee but never poop.When he gets to go to the park he will poop there and sometimes if we leave him in the garage he will go there.He has had accidents in the house and he knows that it was wrong as soon as he does.
Believe it or not, I do love him and really want to help him. My husband is fed up with the poop part and wants to get rid of him. I don't want to.
Cass, it's easier to change dogs' attitudes than people's attitudes. The best thing you can do is have people see what a great dog your pit bull is. Slowly they will change their minds. It doesn't help that the shelters are full of pit bulls due to home insurance companies forcing certain breeds out of homes and into shelters. You can help make a change and join some of the campaigns to stop breed specific prejudice. It's as easy as e-mailing your state representatives.
jacksonsmom, if your dog is peeing a river, maybe it's way past time to take him out. Some dogs do a little submissive peeing, but he might need more regular walks outside. When you're taking him out try just clipping the leash and walking straight outside. Does he wear a collar? If he is, it should only take a few seconds to clip the leash and go directly out. If he's pooping at the park it could be he's smelling other dogs scent and thinks that's where to go. If he poops in the garage (yuck), try picking up that poop and leaving it in the yard just so he gets his scent out there and the idea that it's okay to go there. Why is your dog allowed to run for hours until he comes home? Have you tried training him to stay when the door is opened. 2 people are best for this. One holds the end of the leash while the other opens the door. The command stay is given before the door is open. As the command stay is given, if he tries to run, the leash is pulled back. Watch Ceasar's show. If you are the pack leader, a little work will get this command to work.
Can someone lend a hand. We have a 1 year old beagle who acts like he wants to play with other dogs....He wines, and barks (alot) like he wants to be with them. He then wraps his puppy arms around their neck like they are giving them a hung and I am worried that this isn't play and will hurt the other dog. If we don't let him do this then he just barks and barks and barks until we are out of site. He is also neutered.
Please help!
I adopted a brown lab at five months old and I am his 3rd owner. He is petrified of water. We have a pool and we have tried to get him into the water for over a year. He would rather die then to go into the pool. We have another lab and she jumps for balls and plays in the water but all he does is run around the pool. Is there any way I can coax him in? We have taken him to a lake and ocean and he will put his feet into the water but not his body. He has arthritis from birth and has 4 legs operated on to remove dead cartilage from his knee joints and elbow joints. The orthopedic surgeon has told us numerous times that he needs to swim as therapy for his condition. Any suggestions you can make would be gratefully appreciated.
Please save him from becoming a cripple. We are totally devoted to giving him the most fulfulling life we can.
Thank you.
Hi Sheila,
I have an American Bulldog whom cannot swim well due to his large chest. I have been a life guard for years and the only thing I have saved was my dog in our pond. I am the one that pushed him in thinking all dogs can swim! Now that I had scared him when it comes to water it has taken awhile to get him over it but I did. He has a favorite toy that I started throwing on the edge of the pond and slowly threw it out more. He will now have a great time in the pond but will never be a swimmer, he only goes up to his chest but he gets cooled off and loves the water now. I sit for a Lab next door and she loves to swim so when I have her over it is great I take two balls one to throw out far for her and one for him to get up close. He now will go out deaper to get his ball when she is over. Jen D
Sheila, You could also purchase a life jacket for him they sell them at numerous pet stores. This way he may feel safer due to his legs not being good and still get the exercise. Good luck, Jen
I have a 6 month golden retriever which I like to call my costody dog (until my Fiancé tie the knot), for now he lives with me. He is very well mannered and we have trained him well including potty training. For some reason he continues to have ocassional accidents at my house, but never at my Fiancé house. Could this be because he likes one house ofver the other? Elle G
I have three dogs, a rottie 6, a st. bernard 1, and a shepard mix 5. I have a huge problem if I am the first one home after work. They get so excited to see me the smaller one barks like crazy and the two big ones jump at me, push each other to be the first to get to me, they have almost crushed the smaller dog, they even push me into the walls, the St. Bernard always bites the Rottie's legs (she does this when they first go out too). I have tried ignoring them until they get calm but I ended up being put through a door when the two big ones jumped on my back, I have tried sitting them down (it works for two seconds) I have tried separating them. I love them very much but I am being physically hurt by them. They only do this with me. I once stood on the porch and watched as a family member walked in let them out of their room and put them outside. I came in the house and it started. It only lasts about two minutes but it is choas! Any new ideas?
My daughter has a pit-but that is wide opened all the time it isn't that he's bad he's just a hand full. My daughter is going to have a baby in July and I worry that her dog might hurt the baby. PLEASE HELP!!
Dear Ceasar, We have a big dog who can be very agressive for no apparent reason. We love him very much, he can be doing absolutly nothing and all of a sudden just get crazy, what cn we do as we have had him for about 6 years and do not want to put him down. When anybody comes over we have to put him behind closed doors as we do not want to take any chances. He somehow has bondede closley with my wife and on occassion protects her from whatever is in the room. Can you help us ? thank you sincerely Mark and Debra Wagner
I have a female maltese (3 yrs old) & although I am the pack leader, she does sometimes "push the envelope". But, this story is of her mother (7yrs old) & her brother. When my daughter got married she took the mother & brother with her to live in a condo. She now has a 1 yr old baby & is tired of the dogs bad behavior. The mother has always chewed on inappropriate items (blanket,shoes, shirts, etc.). The brother is very "home protective" & very often bites guests if he does not know them. She wants to get rid of the dogs because she has run out of patience. This breed is very trainable, but they also get lonely & she keeps them in a cage all day & does not have the time to correct their bad behavior. I wish I could help, but I can't. If anyone is interested in adoption, please contact me because I see them going to the humane society soon.
Hi there,
I love your TV show, it is just the best. I have a golden retriever, he is 6 months old and when I get home from work or friends come over, he pees on us. My husband and I try to call each other to let him out before we get home, and he still does it. I have looked online about it, and he does not have low self esteem, nor do I think it is total submission, more seems like he can't concentrate on not peeing and being excited to see people. Will he grow out of it? Will having him neutered help? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Hello,
My partner and I recently acquired a shiba inu puppy (a female about 12 weeks old when we got her -- about 14 weeks now). She is a sweet dog, but very aloof. She does not like to be cuddled and, although she plays outside with us, does not really seem to like to be inside at all (she was raised, I think outside in a pen with her siblings). Anyway, is there anyway to train her to be more affectionate? If we did not provide her with food, I am not sure she would care to be with us at all.
-Stephen
How do I get my puppy to accept other people?
My hound has been behaving strangely since we brought the new baby home. We rescued him over 2 years ago and seems to be worse now than he was when we first got him. He has been wonderful for the past year and a half. He refuses to go outside except once a day when he can't hold it anymore - this worries me the most because I don't want him to end up sick if he doesn't get over it. He is all of a sudden scared of thunder, refuses to jump on our bed and sit in the front seat of the truck and now getting him into his crate is a 10 minute ordeal of coaxing, bribing and commanding. I come home midday to let him out so he never spends more than 4 hours crated at a time. Now when I come home he's standing, panting, drooling and whining whereas he used to stay laid down and calm until I unlatched the cage. He used to be so mellow and now he's extremely nervous. He seems to like the baby and looks for her when I come home at lunchtime but she's not with me, she's at daycare. My husband and I play with him, and give him what I think is a fair amount of attention. Will he work this out on his own or does he need my help somehow? I flat out refuse to medicate him - I don't believe it can help him. It's been 2 & 1/2 months and it seems he picks up a new weird behavior right after dropping another. We prepared him for the baby as much as we knew how (I personally played differently and gave him more gentle attention, my husband brought home the baby's blankets from the hospital, we spent time with him in the nursery and trained him not to touch baby toys - we let him check out and smell everything) and he seemed to know what she was right away. I'm at a loss. It seems that the more attention I give him, the worse it gets. Should I be ignoring the behavior?
We have a dog much like Titan except smashed down into a black lab/ bull mastiff cross. We have been through one trainer already. She did not even make it inside the fence. She said that she was suprised that I have been able to keep her from seriously hurting someone. Sara is as sweet as can be with everyone in the house. Giving cuddles and asking for belly rubs. The only person that can come in the house that does not live here is my mother. Anyone else better watch out. We are working with her everyday, but I am missing something and can't figure out what it is. She can do the basic commands, walks pretty good on a leash, will bring the toy you ask for and can find most of us in the house by name. Now if we can just get her to accept other people. Our other dog, Lucky, is the complete opposite. She loves attention from anyone. She does more of the "fun" tricks, shake, high 5 etc. When I tried to teach Sara those she had no intrest. The way we describe our dogs to people is Sara is aloof, dignified, protective and Lucky is the puchline to a dumb blonde joke.
a week ago i got a rescue rottweiler and pitbull they are both very loyal and devoted to my family and i love them very much. however i am having some difficulties with them. they are both very both dominant and territorial and they are very reserved with strangers so when any of my friends come round whom they havent met they both jump ontop of them and barking and barking. but this week they are much better cause my friends whom they met they cuddle up with and give them a big lick ! in the park they become aggressiive around other dogs that they havent met but once they get to know the dog they are fine with it. but im pretty sure its just playing. i think all of this is cause my dogs have a need to protect me and they were abandoned and abused by their old owners so they think they have to be aggressive otherwise people will be cruel to them. i dont know if i should take them to training classes because they will probably start barking at the other dogs and get distracted and be aggreessive with them ?
HI, I have a problem with my 1yr.+ old poolde. He is a very sweet dog . He is potty trained he goes outside to potty. But when guest come over and if they talk to him or if he gets in their lap he pees all over them . This has happen alot lately .He pee on my aunt and my best friends boyfriend. Then he knows he is doing wrong because he goes and get in his crate tail tucked and all. Hes not been fixed yet , and we just got a 2nd poolde that is 14 weeks old same breed toy poolde two boys. So can anybody help out there. What do I do?
I have a 3yrold Shiba Inu and I can't get him to eat any kind of processed dog food wheather it be dry or canned . He is a little overweight and I'm at my wits end on what to do with him. I have tried every possible brand and organic. Is there someone out there that has the same problem and what did they do to rectify this problem. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Foxy will thank you as I will too.
Linda
Add a Comment