[hackths]

I found this site through another forum I often view. I am really excited to be able to use the resources available here to provide the best home possible for our new'ish" rescued pup.

We adopted a 2yr old Rottweiler Bentley. He was picked up for malnutrition and a nuance since he was changed outside in the sun for several months. His original owner we believe was carted off to jail for a drug charge and the dog was left with their neighbor. The neighbor basically chained him up outside and fed him maybe daily. He would often bark which upset neighbors, but those same neighbors felt more bad then angry and eventually called animal control. He was picked up by the local humane society and weighed in around 70lbs. Within a few weeks Joan from Wisconsin Rottweiler Rescue was able to save him, and brought him to her own rescue. It so happened that my sister was completing vet school at the University of Wisconsin Madison and helped perform the neutering of him. She told us how amazingly sweet and kind he was. Knowing me and my fiancé were looking to add a member to our family- specifically a Rott.

Long story short we adopted him last August and he has been absolutely amazing. He already had quite a bit of training under his belt- sit, lay down, stay, wait, etc. were already well in his vocabulary

We have been taking him to PetSmart since we picked him up for weekly training classes (in the beginning more of us, then him) and he has passed Intermediate and Advanced (twice). We are practicing for his CGC currently.

He is very sweet and affectionate to every other human he has ever met- children and adult. His biggest pleasure is other dogs though, he LOVES being around other dogs, especially smaller dogs. All he wants to do is play, roll around and chase other dogs. We do find he does play a bit aggressively, often liking to take other dogs legs in his mouth, or covering the back of their neck with his mouth and licking. You can tell that he likes to be the big alpha dog in the pack. That being said during play he will absolutely take turns being the chased and submissive dog- laying on his back, etc.

We take him to a doggie daycare once a week for socialization with other dogs. The issue that we have noticed and the daycare notices is that he seems more timid and "tough" with dogs his size of larger. He is now around 94lbs. He often wants to meet other dogs nose to nose waiting for them to bow to him. More often with larger dogs the other dog does not bow and usually lets Bentley know it. Which in turn causes Bentley to let it be known that he is the big dog in the group. Often with very loud consequences. He does not have an issue being near large dogs, but if they move quickly he wants to play and thus let them know he is the dominant dog. We try to limit all of his greetings with large dogs when on leash, but since PetSmart does not allow the dogs off leash in the store that can be an issue. We have allow him to meet dogs with the leash on the ground contained in their smaller training spaces, but again he agitates the other dog which prompts his response.

We are thinking about taking him to a more behavior specialized trainer to analyze this need for him to make other dogs "bow" to him first before play. Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated. I can provide any additional details. He is just so sweet and loving to people, and lots of other dogs. We would really like to break him of this, he already seems to be at a disadvantage when it comes to other owners/people and the Rottweiler breed identification.

 

[hanksimon]

A playbow is not submission, it is a blatant invitation to play. Rotties tend to stare and not back down, and your dog may unintentionally intimidate other dogs his size. ... Maybe he needs a Lab to play with, to learn to soften his greetings.

The way that he plays demonstrates an ability to inhibit his bite so that he doesn't hurt other dogs. It is energetic, but not aggressive... aggression would not be as gentle as he is. He sounds like he needs to play with some other large and well socialized dogs, so that he can learn better play behaviors...

 

[hackths]

A playbow is not submission, it is a blatant invitation to play. Rotties tend to stare and not back down, and your dog may unintentionally intimidate other dogs his size. ... Maybe he needs a Lab to play with, to learn to soften his greetings.

The way that he plays demonstrates an ability to inhibit his bite so that he doesn't hurt other dogs. It is energetic, but not aggressive... aggression would not be as gentle as he is. He sounds like he needs to play with some other large and well socialized dogs, so that he can learn better play behaviors...

That sounds like exactly what he needs. He absolutely stares and does not back down to other dogs. I never felt like he was per-se aggressive, granted his play sometimes can be a bit much- like whoa that is a big mouth around the other dogs neck
But overall I feel the other dogs respond in a non-favorable way and he responds based on that. That is not saying what my dog is doing is right, I would prefer him to have a better approach and learn better play behaviors

 

[hanksimon]

If you can find an owner with a Lab that has the same energy (may be a different age), the owner will be grateful for someone who can keep up with their dog. Then, let the dogs slime each other once a week. After a few months (or weeks?) , you can look for less energetic dogs, to help socialize him with a variety...

 

[Roloni]

IYou can tell that he likes to be the big alpha dog in the pack. That being said during play he will absolutely take turns being the chased and submissive dog- laying on his back, etc.

Thats the Rottweilers ..
They are very playfull dogs, with a very serious side.

I havent experienced her having fear of larger dogs..only the vaccum cleaner.

 

[Bordermom]

It sounds like he's not comfortable with dogs of that size range. With all the noise, is he doing any damage? Online it's hard to tell what goes on, what signs and such.

What if he is introduced to a group of dogs that's already playing, instead of the one on one?

One thing you can do is have a great recall on him and have him turn and come to you when another dog is coming into his space, so the dog approaches from the rear/side instead of head on. And work up to bigger dogs gradually, as he learns social skills and what to do. A GOOD trainer can help by telling what the dog's triggers might be and how to manage them. If nothing else, just work on having him come and change direction to avert the conflicts as much as possible - not in a panic, but just in a calm manner.

 

[Inga]

I currently have one boy that loves to play with other dogs smaller then himself as well. I think in his case, it was because as he was growing up, that was all that was available. Most of my friends have smaller dogs. His best friend is 1/3 of his size and they play so nice together. His play style changes based on the size and play style of the other dog. He loves to do the gladiator bump chest thing but won't do that with a tiny dog, obviously. With puppies he will just lay down and let the pup jump and nip at him. He is not overly trusting of other large dogs and introductions take a bit more time. I have never been a fan of letting my dog go nose to nose with strange dogs regardless of size. Unless I know the dog, I don't do the greetings, I just don't wish to take the chance. As you now know being a Rottie owner, if something does happen, it is going to be your dogs fault just because he is a Rottie.

Congrats on your adoption from Wisconsin Rottweiler rescue, they have a lot of nice looking dogs. I currently have one rescued dog as well but he avoids all dogs. He loves all people. Your boy is very handsome