First Time Owner Question About Male Rottweiler Dominance

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zizou Z Hi all, First time post from a first time Rottweiler owner, hope someone could help me with: So we decided to get a Rottweiler, I've got two kids, 7 and 12, and an older american bulldog, I decided to go for a Rottweiler mainly due to its protective nature which I've read about a lot. I found a reputable breeder, have met the parents and played as much as I could with our puppy to see if he displays any dominance aggression. This was not the case, his parents seemed very well behaved and very friendly, the puppy itself seems confident but has been submissive to us and not shown any aggressive traits. The breeder also described his dogs as lower drive and non-dominant in general. I've read a lot about Rottweilers that just sounds stupid and biased but one thing I've heard from some dog owners and even on a rottweiler website which I can't recall is that male Rottweilers like to be dominant , more than other dog breeds probably and that they will throughout their life challenge the pack leader for that dominance in the family? I've been bitten by my own dog before and it's left me scarred (mentally and physically) so this worries me a lot. From those that have had Rottweilers before (and maybe other dogs too) is this truly the case? Also, if it is, what can one expect how the dog would manifest these dominance attempts? I understand what it takes to be a strong pack leader and that being that for a strong breed is essential but the thought of constant challenge from a 50kg+ Rottweiler does worry me a bit :-| Hope someone can share his experience here Zizou #1 · Jun 19, 2019 Hi all, First time post from a first time Rottweiler owner, hope someone could help me with: So we decided to get a Rottweiler, I've got two kids, 7 and 12, and an older american bulldog, I decided to go for a Rottweiler mainly due to its protective nature which I've read about a lot. I found a reputable breeder, have met the parents and played as much as I could with our puppy to see if he displays any dominance aggression. This was not the case, his parents seemed very well behaved and very friendly, the puppy itself seems confident but has been submissive to us and not shown any aggressive traits. The breeder also described his dogs as lower drive and non-dominant in general. I've read a lot about Rottweilers that just sounds stupid and biased but one thing I've heard from some dog owners and even on a rottweiler website which I can't recall is that male Rottweilers like to be dominant , more than other dog breeds probably and that they will throughout their life challenge the pack leader for that dominance in the family? I've been bitten by my own dog before and it's left me scarred (mentally and physically) so this worries me a lot. From those that have had Rottweilers before (and maybe other dogs too) is this truly the case? Also, if it is, what can one expect how the dog would manifest these dominance attempts? I understand what it takes to be a strong pack leader and that being that for a strong breed is essential but the thought of constant challenge from a 50kg+ Rottweiler does worry me a bit :-| Hope someone can share his experience here Zizou See less See more Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Jun 19, 2019 If you can deal with an American Bulldog, you should be fine with a Rottweiler. Males, are no worse than females....and dominant really does not describe the Rottweiler breed. I do find that as a whole the breed can be pushy, and not do great with same sex dogs. The most important thing to do with a Rottweiler is training...training, training. Not training in your backyard with basics...but formal training. Going to classes for at least the first couple of years. This is a working breed that needs a job, that needs leadership, and boundaries. No spoiling by allowing on the bed or furniture...if the dog has any attitude. It will take advantage with attitude...and try to start running things. Training and making sure the dog understands what you want...and being consistent. The hardest time is usually around 9-18 months....when they are often like teenagers...and want to do things on their own terms. This is usually the age Rottweilers are given up to shelters and rescues. Look up NILIF and continue with this till the end. This is just basic manners that you request from the dog, and will let the dog know that you are in charge. If problems crop up, get help ASAP from a behaviorist or a trainer that knows working breeds. Most of the time people are just not consistent in what they ask of the dog. I've had numerous Rottweilers for the last 25 years...some rescues, some well bred....and never been bit, or ever been afraid of my own dog. You need to keep an in charge attitude...and be a leader. #3 · Jun 20, 2019 ^^^^This I have had three male Rottweilers (which I lost all of them to cancer. I currently have a female going thru her terrible twos, that I don't ever remember having to put up with, from the males. She is by far the bossiest of them all. We have had a few verbal CTJ meetings to where I made her go lay on her mat and stay put for five or ten minutes; she was two in March, so plenty old enough to lay still, where I put her, for 5-10 minutes She was re-homed to me and came with a metal training crate that has the bars chewed thru in two places. -- I'm pretty sure she was made to spend way more time in that crate than she should have so I put the crate up and simply make her stay on her mat. Training training training as BBD stated and consistency consistency consistency #4 · Jun 20, 2019 Thank you for your responses, much appreciated. Our american bulldog is actually a male, but nearly 11 years old, very quiet these days and the hips are giving in slowly, not sure how much longer he has to go. He's accepted the puppy well after the first day, no dominance shown when it comes to backyard, bedding, apart from food but I'm very careful to not feed at the same time etc. Not sure how long he'll live but I wonder if I a dominance/takeover fight will happen once our Rottweiler ages/becomes mature? I'm assuming this will be around 8months of age or older if at all, by then I don't know if our american bulldog will be around, he's not walking too well at the moment we'll have to see. I have to say that with him I trained him to sit and only eat once released with an "OK" command but after a few years I stopped doing it as I saw that I wasn't having any dominance problems. From what you're saying big black dog this shouldn't be done with Rottweilers and training/obedience should be persistent until the end. #5 · Jun 20, 2019 You will most likely not have any same sex aggression with your pup and American Bulldog...there is such large age gap...and sadly by the time the pup is old enough to be looking for a fight...the older dog will be gone. I had two males and a female all at one time. There was a good age gap between the males...around 6-7 years. It was the younger rescue male that ended up dying at 5 with kidney failure...and life was easier with just a male and female again. The problem with Rottweilers is that it is a breed of opportunity. If they think you may be slacking off on the rules and regs….they may just start with attitude. Attitude can be slow to listen to a command that they know, or grumble and talk back when you want them to do something...or "forget" their training. It's human nature to think they are all trained....and to slack off on commands, and going easy on things....this is when they start pushing and testing you. My girl is 10 now, and I still put her through her paces every once in awhile...when she thinks she can ignore a command...or wants to think about it. I put her tracking harness on...and she knows she is going to work. The first 2 years of training are the important ones...this is when you build a good relationship and the dog knows what you want. That, and being consistent...and make sure that everyone is on the same page. It's confusing if the wife allows the dog on the sofa or the bed, but someone else does not...or the dog is allowed to mooch during meals at times...but sometimes not,etc. One thing I will warn you about is that you have young kids. Kids bring their friends over. Be very careful, and put the dog away when kids are rough housing, or running or being loud. Rottweilers love their own kids....but may not like other kids "hurting/bothering"...their family. The dog does not understand that it's in play. Do not set up the dog to fail... #6 · Jun 20, 2019 I dont really see a lot of what gets called dominance as being correct. BBB put it well by describing it as opportunistic. You will have a dog which if from working lines could have high drive and energy and want something to do all the time. If you dont satisfy the need to work then they will find their own jobs to do. If you dont train them and dont give them structure in their day with limits on what they can do and when then they can presume this applies to everything. Once this type of weak relationship has been established then it can be hard to tell a 100lb dog "no" when they havent been helped to understand reasonable rules when they were a fraction of the size and strength. Invest time in training, keep it fun, dont get frustrated when it doesnt go well, take a break and return to it again. Reward behaviour you want, ignore or correct behaviour you dont want. If you allow something once or twice it is unreasonable to expect a young dog to understand why they cant suddenly do something you previously allowed. Older dogs can understand nuances but when young be firm, be kind, be consistent. These are very special dogs, they can be very clever, strong, hardworking, focused. If you can channel these traits into something productive they excel and flourish as companions. But apply those same gifts to a bored, untrained dog and you have a something else and it is entirely undesirable. We are putting time into working our Rott at the moment as since we got a new dog and he has settled in, she hasnt been listening as well as she did before. She is almost 4yrs now and it is easy to refresh a trained dog and go back to working with them, i had to remind myself more than her of some of the activities we used to do. As other have said managing a powerful breed like an American Bulldog will have many similarities to living with a Rott. I dont believe this should be a major concern for you. The training is required with them, but they love it so its really no chore to them. Good luck with your new family member, the more you put in of your time, love and effort the more you will get back from them. #7 · Jun 25, 2019 Thank you for all your replies everyone, much appreciated I'll definitely have to look through some other threads to learn more about the breed. Thanks again Insert Quotes Post Reply

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