Why is my Rottweiler so pushy?

Question

I have 2 dogs (a 10 year old Rottweiler, and a 14 year old Chihuahua/Beagle). My Rottweiler is so pushy whenever anyone tries to pet, or call my smaller dog.

I've tried many things to stop her from being so dominant, but she just won't stop. Sometimes she even steps on my other dog! My Chi-Beagle is only 12lbs, while my Rotti is nearly 80lbs, and I fear she may harm Trixie (the smaller one).

Can someone give me some tips on how to stop Belle (the Rotti) from being so pushy?

Answer 1

They are senior dogs and Now having behavior problems with each other??

Maybe there is an underling health problem with one of the dogs.

Answer 2

You have to take control of the situation.

Whilst petting the small dog, make the Rotty sit and stay.

Everytime the Rotty moves make your noise which means "no" mine is ahh ahh (I can never put my noises into words)

Just be persistant and consitant.

Edit : then do it with the smaller dog and give the Rotty the big royal pat!!!

Answer 3

It's not just rotties that are like that...We have two pits....and anytime I pet one the other tries to get between me and the other.....and if I'm in the kitchen playing with our Min Pin they do the same thing....the are "attention hogs"...but the Min Pin will just turn her attention to them and "attack" them until they go away. ;)

Answer 4

If you want a dog who...

    * Is large, stocky, muscular, and powerful

    * Is calm, steady-tempered, confident, and courageous

    * Is versatile -- when well-trained, can learn and do almost anything

    * Makes a fine watchdog and guardian

A Rottweiler may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...

    * An extremely careful search to avoid all the bad-tempered Rottweilers

    * A bulky dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car

    * A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet, lie on your lap, and lean his weight against your leg

    * Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young

    * Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough

    * Providing enough socialization so their protectiveness doesn't become aggression

    * Aggression toward other animals -- chasing instincts

    * Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge

    * Slobbering and drooling

    * Gassiness (flatulence)

    * Shedding

    * Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits)

    * A multitude of serious health problems and a short lifespan

A Rottweiler may not be right for you.

# Animal aggression. Many Rottweilers will not tolerate another dog of the same s*x, and some won't tolerate the opposite s*x either. Some Rottweilers have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.

# The strong temperament. Rottweilers are not Golden Retrievers. The best Rottweilers are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Rottweilers are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

Number 1 try patting both dogs together!

Number 2; Try feeding them together-but put bowls on angle a fair distance apart- so they CAN'T face each other!

Most times the cues of the social hierarchy are subtle and unless we know a bit about dog behaviour, we are likely to miss the signs. These signs can include l*****g of the lips, one dog leaning over the other dog, one dog rolling on its back etc. Escalation of these signs will include snarling, growling and maybe full on fighting. Unless you are certain that the dogs will injure one another, don't intervene. If you must intervene only do so indirectly by making a loud noise or squirting water at the dogs. You can easily get bitten if you intervene directly.

Spaying and neutering is a great way to help curb aggression in general so this is an essential thing to do. Same sexed, same breed and same aged dogs also tend to fight more than if the characteristics of the dogs are mixed. If you ever notice the aggression becoming frequent and ESPECIALLY if any dog exhibits threatening gestures toward a human family member, it's time to immediately call your vet who should refer you to a good trainer or behaviourist. Dogs that know their place are happy dogs and sometimes they need a little help when we don't understand why they are behaving badly.

Answer 5

This is the Rotti being top dog. You have to establish yourself as No.1 which with dogs at the age your are is going to be hard so you must be consistent. it may mean that you have to pick up the smaller dog every time the Rotti goes to push her out of the way. Push the bigger dog back and keep telling her  "No". get her to sit while smaller dog is being petted (short time only) and when she does this then pet and praise her. She will pick up that she wil get what she is after only if she does not push in. if she gets too much put her in "time out" for awhile. (in another room or outsdie for a short time ...about 5 minutes)

Answer 6

Be the pack leader and block him when he comes up to anyone or you.

Create a imagery space around you.

Tell him to "get back"!!