[Sambrad90]

Hi, I just got my first Rottweiler 2 and a half weeks ago. He is 10 weeks old and for the most part really well behaved and responding well to training. However I am beginning to notice the last few days he is becoming a lot more boisterous and biting us and showing signs of frustration. I’ve taken a few weeks off work so I have been with him a lot and so he has gotten plenty of attention and play time and training throughout the day. But as I said the last few days he seems to get frustrated for about 30 mins in the morning/early afternoon where he will try to initiate play through biting at our ankles or biting our other dog (King Charles) or otherwise biting at things in the house he’s not supposed to. When he is told no or distracted with one of his toys it is not working as well as it was and he is starting to bark in what appears to be frustration and trying to bite my hand as I tell him no or put him out the back garden. I’m just wondering if anyone has any advice or if this is something I should be actively trying to fix now because he has clamped down on my hands and ankles a few times now and ignores yelps of ‘ouch’ and ignores being told no and will continue to clamp down harder. He usually calms down within 30 mins but I just wonder if anyone with experience knows if this is something that could get worse and what can I do better?

I have tried telling him no. Ending play time so he realises this behaviour will result in play ending and I have also tried distracting him with his toys but it hasn’t really worked. Obviously I understand he’s a puppy and this is fairly normal, just I’m concerned he has not learned bit inhibition so well and also don’t want him hurting our other dog or making her uncomfortable which appears to be happening.

Our King Charles likes to play with him and they play bite each there and run around. However she is not up for playing all the time as he is and when she clearly wants to stop or take a break he will continue to nip at her and bark in frustration and is starting to frighten her a bit and we have to separate them so she can take a break... she was initially letting him know she had enough by growling or biting him but she seems to be doing that less now and just letting him bit at her and she tends to look uncomfortable until we intervene. Would anyone have any advice or corrections for me?

Sorry this post is so long winded. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Sam.

 

[Andrea52]

He's teething and needs something else to chew on like a toy besides your ankles, etc.

I'm sure others will have some good advice on what to get him but that's my first impression.

Would love to see a pic of the little guy.

 

[Sambrad90]

Hi thanks for the reply. He does have plenty of toys which he likes but when he’s in this certain humour they don’t really work.

Sure, I’ll post some pictures!

 

[big black dogs]

This is all normal puppy behavior. Often when they need to go down for a nap...the biting starts. Put him in his crate for a break...and you will notice that he will be sleeping in a few minutes. Puppies (often like kids)...start getting too worked up and need a rest.

You should be supervising your smaller dog playing with the puppy. Let them play, but if you see signs of stress from your older dog...then separate them..and take the pup out for some training, or a walk, or some one-on-one play time with you.

Bite inhibition takes time...and it's going to get worse once he is teething. Keep replacing your hands/and or pants,etc. with a soft plush toy that is squeaking. Make the toy alive and wiggling and way more interesting than your hands or your pants. He also wants your attention. If he starts biting you...turn around and leave the room, or crate him up.

Get signed up for Puppy classes and have fun!

 

[Sambrad90]

thanks very much for your response I will definitely take your advice on board. I had been avoiding putting him in his crate as a form of punishment for bad behaviour as I had initially been trying to make it a positive space as he hated it at first and would freak out at night when I put him in it, but now he's comfortable in it at night or if I go out briefly. So you think putting him in it when he's stressing my older dog is ok? how long would you leave him in it then?

Unfortunately puppy classes are cancelled here in Dublin, Ireland for the time being due to COVID, but I have been socialising him with dogs in my family.

 

[Sambrad90]

I don't think my pics are uploading sorry

 

[big black dogs]

No pictures... you are going to have to try to figure it out...LOL
Use the crate for time outs...make the stays short...2-3 minutes when he's being annoying. When you go back to let him out, if he's sleeping already, leave him napping. If he is still awake, let him out...and his behavior is good, keep him out...if he returns to biting and being annoying...right back into the crate again.

Try to use the crate during the day, even when you are around. At this time with Covid-19, people are home most of the time...and dogs are never learning to be alone. This can cause separation anxiety. I've always gotten a small treat...make sure the pup sees you throwing it towards the back of the crate, and given the command "kennel up"...then close the crate door...and away you go.

 

[Rottweiler POV]

Hey There!

Puppies love to chew. I recommend getting your dog a Nylabone. Something like this https://www.chewy.com/nylabone-durachew-bacon-flavored-dog/dp/39407

Our Rotties love these. They are durable and your pup will love it.
If you have more questions please let me know

 

[Sambrad90]

This is Bilbo!

 

[big black dogs]

Sorry...nothing showing up.

 

[Agis]

Nothing in the post, but I can see in your avatar! What a cutie! Love the name Bilbo too.

 

[Sambrad90]

I don't seem to be able to upload photos for some reason?

 

[big black dogs]

I'm sorry, I could not do it either. Can you add a link and put in a picture from snapchap? or some other photo link?

 

[Sambrad90]

.......

 

[Sambrad90]

 

[Camy]

Aww he's a great looking boy. We are going to start using that crate advice tomorrow. He's sleeping in a smaller one beside us but the bigger one is going in the living room for timeouts I think!

 

[big black dogs]

View attachment 17930 .......

Oh what a cutie!! Very handsome. He must be teething now?...his ears are a bit wonky...lol I would try to massage his ears...or even tape them for a short time...so that they lay flat. My Baxter's ears started going wonky, and I always regretted not guiding them into laying flat. It's cute as a puppy...but they do look more handsome as adults with flat ears. If you don't know how to tape them...look up "taco method of taping ears". Usually a few days of taping fixes them to stay flat.

 

[Sambrad90]

Oh what a cutie!! Very handsome. He must be teething now?...his ears are a bit wonky...lol I would try to massage his ears...or even tape them for a short time...so that they lay flat. My Baxter's ears started going wonky, and I always regretted not guiding them into laying flat. It's cute as a puppy...but they do look more handsome as adults with flat ears. If you don't know how to tape them...look up "taco method of taping ears". Usually a few days of taping fixes them to stay flat.

I must have missed this reply, I’m only seeing it now so I never did anything with the ears. How do you think they are looking now?

 

[big black dogs]

Not bad at all! They look pretty good!