Q: How can I teach my 7 month male Rottweiler to fetch a ball and to be more of a guard dog?
He currently will sit on command, run to the ball half the time, and half time stay sitting in front of me. And the few rare times he picks up the ball, he would drop it right after picking it up and run back to me or drop it on the way back to me. What is it? Him expecting reward/treat in my hand or what?
Photo Credit: Tschäff/Flickr CC
I also NEED him to be more aggressive when needed. Not going to fight dog or abuse him. But really need him to learn these guard/protection/security skills quickly. Don't want to give him up because he can't learn this. It is important that he know how to do this because I live in a really bad neighborhood and got robbed a few times.
Answers and Views:
Answer by paintedrain2
Why do you insist that the dog is a guard dog, or you'll give him up? Being only 7 months old, he's still a puppy, it's not a top priority, to guard anything.
Also, not every dog fetches. Some just don't find it entertaining.
Answer by chetco
You adopted a breed that has been bred for thousands of years for protection/guarding characteristics..However, you are expecting too much way too soon! Ii have raised Dobermans and Rottweilers, and they don't become protective until they are emotionally mature, and you can't rush it without ruining them as a companion..Give him a few more months..and he will seriously meet your needs. As a puppy he is looking to YOU to meet his needs of protection..
However, very soon, it will turn around..
The very bravest dogs are friendly as pups, and like people..because they have no fear..As they mature, they can 'read' malice, and predict danger..and that is where there special skill comes from..
If he is taught to distrust people before he is grown, he will be less brave as he matures, so he needs to meet and be as friendly as he can be..He will soon know who is bad, and who is not..He should NEVER be rude to your friends, but except them as you do, as family..
Answer by dobes
I agree with Chetco about the protection part of the dog. Give him time - a well bred Rottweiler should NATURALLY protect himself and his "pack" (which you are becoming). He is too immature now - You should see changes at about 1 1/2 years. He is a baby. I have Dobermans and never try to teach them guarding - w/out professional help, you are asking for trouble.
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Fetching- he needs to learn that this is fun - try a different toy - like a squeaky toy. Have two - one that squeak and get him interested, then toss - not too far at first. When he gets that one - you can encourage him to come back to you with the second toy- also squeaking. At first, he'll drop the 1st toy, but soon begin bringing it back. Encourage him to come back quickly with the second toy. Later you can switch to a ball or frisbee.
Good luck
Answer by gav
hey man, i thought the same thing of my rotty. will he protect me as i want him to be a guard dog. he's a big friendly giant at 1 year old now, however i got into a verbal arguement with a dude who was passing by and man it took all my strength to stop him from killing that poor dude! he's your dog, he will protect you when necessary but rottys are smart and won't bother on the small things!
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
kjc says
You cannot expect a 7 month old puppy to protect the house, that only comes later when they become territorial, but he will protect you to the ends of the earth if you treat him with respect and love. Dog trainers teach the owner not the dog.
yumyumgirl says
dont let people pet the dog make the dog mad at a hat if you want him to hate people that wears a hat and so on
rAiNeRz says
First of all.. .NEVER rough house with him. He'll learn that rough housing is okay and if someone tries to "rough house with YOU (meaning aggressively)" the dog will think you're just playing.
And yeah, he's just a puppy, he still has to grow and get more attached to you and with that he will learn to protect you more.
If you want to get him to protect you, I suggest you find a dog training class that has Schutzhund, or a professional dog trainer that can train your dog "Personal Protection," because unless these people on here answering your questions are professional dog trainers, its hard to trust them especially when you're in the dark about training your dog to be a guard dog.
But yeah, give him time to grow. He'll grow pretty fast, and I doubt that if anyone comes into your house at night and hears a dog barking will they go any further. If they do, and they see a Rottweiler, they probably won't go further, BUT if they do, this person must be taken up with the police. Call 9-11 in other words.
swan says
1) You have a Rottweiler — not a Border Collie bred for herding and has a passion for retrieving balls. You have a dog similar in nature to a German Shepherd — playful if your heart is into it. It sounds like your expectations and dissapointments — are being scensed by your dog.
2) 7 months old makes your Rottweiler a puppy, but still capable of aggression. If he senses danger, believe me, he'll act upon it. The skills you want him to learn are already in his genetic make-up — please do not provoke aggression. By the age of 3, all of what you expect from him will be fully developed.
A great example I can offer you is about my boyfriends 3-year old German Shepherd. When I first met her, she displayed not a quality you mentioned in your 2nd point. My ex left his door open while at work and everyone was welcomed to come and go as they pleased — and in her presence. Within 3 months of my living there, I had one day fallen into a dead sleep on the floor due to medications. My ex's cousin, whom he was closest too, happened to stop by that day. It was through her that I found out that for the first time, Lady, would not allow her in. She said her bark was vicious and that she meant business. I look back on that day as the day Lady grew up and all her instincts kicked in. Lady sensed his female cousin was not fond of me due to their questionably close relationship.
Your Rottweiler has all the qualities you want –they're already imbedded into his nature. Enjoy his youth and bond with him. He can easily turn against you if he continually feels disappointment from you versus the love he needs, wants and deserves.
Again, he's a young pup…give him time. A dog like that will let you know who you can or cannot trust. Love him because he's going to be your best friend and watch your back always.
punky_boo_baby says
Sorry…I disagree with what you are doing. You are teaching this dog to be aggressive then when he bites someones child out of aggression you are going to punish him and he will be killed. If you want to feel safe, get an alarm, not a dog…not like he's going to do much for you if someone comes in with a weapon anyhow. Dude…you need to take a reallity check dogs are no longer used to a security system.
Ian A says
Well I have something to say about the guard dog thing.Just dont do it My grandparents have a pitbull and when they got him he did not really like adults but he loves kids.But once you get to know the dog he is really nice adult or child.But anyways you dont want it to be a guard dog because even though this is stupid if someone were to trespass on your property or someone tried to mug you or hurt you and the dog bit the person the dog would get put to sleep and the mugger/assulter could turn around and sue you for money.Sad huh?So if i were you I would just make him like a normal dog.
Roxie says
I cheated a bit teaching one of my foster dogs to like a ball…Get some cheap cans of Chicken broth and put some treats in your pocket..Dunk the Ball in the broth , He'll be interested in it then..When he brings it back take it give him lots of praise and slip him a treat. slowly cut back on treats and rub something else that he likes on the ball until its less and less and more verbal praise.
At 7 months hes still a pup I think as he matures he will become more protective of his family all by himself.Rottis Love their People and Will protect them..I'd just play with a tug type toy with him and when he gets that puppy growl going I'd say "Watch Em" or "Sic Em" them cue him in when people come up sit him down once you let them in and tell him Good dog!
Hope this Helps
Kylie says
for the first one i learnt at obedience school is to keep them on a lead tease them a bit then throw the toy just a little bit in front of you and say fetch then as they pick up the toy you say bring and as their bringing it back to you wind up the lead a bit so they dont get tangled in it and when he brings it back to you say give then make him sit then treat him and lots of praise it will take a little bit but a little bit of patience it will work.
2. sorry i cant help there as i'm trying to do the same with my 7 month old staffy cross sorry