According to breed standards, the Rottweiler is a calm, confident, and courageous dog. There are even records showing that the Rottweiler was used to heard cattle. Later they were used as guard dogs, police dogs and military dogs. However, it is important to note that genetically, dating back to early times, Rottweilers did have aggressive tendencies.
There have been cases of Rottweiler aggression in the past and that has caused some to opt for another breed because of the concern of aggression in such a strong breed. What many don’t realize is that while the Rottweiler may inherit this trait, it will only become a problem or cause negative behavior if the owner fails to properly train and establish pack leader authority.
Because of their calm nature and their intelligence, Rottweilers can make amazing family pets, but it is important for you to understand that it is your responsibility to train your dog for the desired behavior. That doesn’t just mean training for commands, it means ensuring there is no aggression.
Rottweiler Aggression Signs
If your Rottweiler shows signs of aggression it is imperative that you take immediate action to stop that behavior. If you do not, chances are someone -a person or another dog- could end up getting hurt. Signs of Rottweiler aggression include snarling, snapping, growling, and biting. If you see any of these behaviors, you need to address them right away.
Rottweilers are protective, so if they feel threatened or they believe a family member is in danger, you can expect that your Rottie will pace, whine or bark. That’s a Rottweilers first reaction to someone suspicious. In the worst cases your dog may lunge, snarl and bite.
You can eliminate this behavior by making sure your Rottweiler is properly socialized from a puppy onward. It is also your responsibility as an owner to make sure that your dog is exposed to all kinds of situations. By exposing you dog to many different experiences and people, you will reduce the likelihood that your Rottweiler gets aggressive towards a stranger.
Don’t worry, your Rottweiler will still protect you in situations where protection is needed. Don’t confuse this with Rottweiler aggression.
Rottweiler Resource Guarding
A problem that sometimes occurs with Rottweilers is that they can become aggressive with family members as a result of something a family member does. This is known as resource guarding, and usually relates to your dog feeling that his personal belongings are being threatened and so he tries to protect them. This type of aggression needs to be handled with proper training.
Rottweiler Mishandling And Boredom
Another situation of Rottweiler aggression against family members usually occurs when you do not treat your dog with proper care and handling. What does this mean? Well, it means a couple of things.
One of them is that if you are an owner who mistreats his dog by yelling, kicking, etc. (behavior that is not acceptable) your Rottweiler could turn on you.
But still, the most common reason for Rottweiler aggression is simply lack of training. You need to train your Rottweiler every day for at least 30 minutes, which should be broken into two 15-minute sessions. This way you will have a much healthier and of course happier dog.
This loyal breed has a natural tendency to be aggressive, which is why Rottweilers need a strong pack leader. An owner who is willing to put adequate time into training his dog can rest assured that his Rottie will make a great family pet.
