Is my new dog going to be a wimp forever?

[Zeusophobia]

I got a rotweiller x pitbull from a rescue society a couple days ago. He's scared of everything. This is the most wimp dog I've ever owned.

What the hell? He's a combination of the two most confident dogs I know of. What kind of crap is this? Is he going to be like this forever?

Main reason I went for this type of dog as opposed to another type is I want to be able to walk him at night through my dangerous neighborhood without playing bodyguard as I would have to for something like a beagle.

I know I'm going to hear a lot of "don't get a dog to protect you, it's your responsibility to protect your dog".

Well while that may be the case, I do protect my dog from things that he can't protect himself from (like some idiot trying to kill him with a poisoned piece of meat). I want a dog that can protect me, and himself, from the jackasses in my neighborhood who would try to harm either of us.

That being said, how do I go about teaching the dog to

A. Stop being such a wimp about everything, stop tucking his tail in between his legs when people walk past him, and slinking around really low when he walks through a door.

B. I want to groom him to defend in a situation when him or one of his family members are attacked.

This dog is 3 months old right now. I'm hoping that this wimpiness isn't an indicator that the only time this dog is going to protect himself is fear biting.

 

[ACooper]

So you expect a NEWLY ADOPTED 3 MONTH OLD PUP to automatically be unafraid of his new surroundings and not be a "WIMP"...........

Wow.

 

[Grab]

I assume you don't have the Beauceron anymore?

This is a puppy. Your goal, in my opinion, shouldn't be to teach him to defend anything at this point. Instead, you should be exposing him, from a distance he is comfortable with, to a variety of people, places and things. You should want him to view people as good things..so have them toss him treats and offer quiet praise. While I suspect you'll think this defeats the purpose of his being a guard, it really does not. You do not want this dog to become so fearful of people that he becomes a fear biter. You want to reassure him that the world is a safe place for him.

Later, you can work on whatever it is you're wanting training wise. IMO, there's nothing more off putting to someone than a well mannered, confident and calm dog by someone's side.

 

[MPP]

You're asking an awful lot of a baby. Your best bet is to teach him that the world is a great place. The more you socialize him now, the more confident he will become. Don't yell at your puppy or punish him. You'll scare him.

 

[Saeleofu]

Yeah...I'm thinking you don't really need a dog at all.

 

[sillysally]

This is a puppy. Your goal, in my opinion, shouldn't be to teach him to defend anything at this point. Instead, you should be exposing him, from a distance he is comfortable with, to a variety of people, places and things. You should want him to view people as good things..so have them toss him treats and offer quiet praise. While I suspect you'll think this defeats the purpose of his being a guard, it really does not. You do not want this dog to become so fearful of people that he becomes a fear biter. You want to reassure him that the world is a safe place for him.

Later, you can work on whatever it is you're wanting training wise. IMO, there's nothing more off putting to someone than a well mannered, confident and calm dog by someone's side.

^ This. In addition, I hope you realize that while rotties may be considered "guard" dogs, pits are not. I know many pitties as people friendly as my lab.

 

[Xandra]

If having a dog that will protect you is really important to you... I'd recommend returning him now. If that's what you expect, you're very likely going to end up dissatisfied with him (that's assuming you actually run into a situation where he is needed).

If we lived in a world where everyone who bred working breeds culled very hard and to a very high standard... any given rottweiler or APBT would be wonderfully confident, and any accidental mix thereof would probably turn into steady-nerved dogs. As it is, some dogs are bred well, some dogs aren't, some dogs have good pedigrees but didn't get the best combo of genetics, etc. That's just the genetic part, then there's the upbringing. The pup you have might have fine genetics but was beaten during the early stages of the critical period.

Will he be like this forever? If you do everything right he can only get better (which includes going as slow as necessary and taking care not to expose him to things that are going to excessively frighten him). Still, you won't find someone who depends upon steady-nerved dogs putting their chips on a dog that was slinking around and cowering at 12 weeks, and had to be trained to be confident.

As far as grooming him to protect you (and guys, I don't think he meant any sort of actual guarding at this age), get him to the point where he functions normally and put lots of really good obedience on him. Confidence and obedience are the only things you can really control... protective instincts will surface when they will. Teaching him to focus on you around distractions, is particularly useful.

 

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

With your attitude, you're going to get the poor dog killed and learn how to actually CARE for a dog the hard way. Or maybe you won't learn anything. Please return the dog now before it gets hurt because wanting a basically defenseless 3 month old dog, of ANY breed to be anything but a "wimp" is asking a mouse to be a lion.

Right now your dog needs to be nurture so it can grow up to become a confident dog. They don't come confident as puppies, they have to grow up in a stable and loving environment to become that way.

If you want a dog to guard you, you need get it into bite work training with the proper professionals.

 

[SizzleDog]

So you expect a NEWLY ADOPTED 3 MONTH OLD PUP to automatically be unafraid of his new surroundings and not be a "WIMP"...........

Wow.

What she said.

 

[filarotten]

Personally, I think your the wimp with your attitude. The dog is normal for his age. Please return him, if this post is for real...and get a can of mace instead to protect you.

 

[Jules]

Please, just send that poor dog to me before you dump him either on Craigslist or back at the shelter.

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Personally, I think your the wimp with your attitude. The dog is normal for his age. Please return him, if this post is for real...and get a can of mace instead to protect you.

:hail::hail::hail: Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[milos_mommy]

I really, really hope you go take that dog back where ever you got him from, and go take martial arts lessons or something, instead.

 

[bubbatd]

Wow !!! I agree with all !!! If you want that type of dog , rescue one that's too mean to be adolpted !

 

[corgipower]

Wow !!! I agree with all !!! If you want that type of dog , rescue one that's too mean to be adolpted !

Wow. Just. Wow.

That is the worst, most dangerous and completely ignorant piece of advice I have heard in a very long time.

You really need to go read some of the threads we've had about protection.

 

[bubbatd]

Can't you read a sarcastic post ??

 

[vanillasugar]

I really hope this is a troll... this is too disgusting to be someone's authentic feelings

 

[milos_mommy]

Okay I'm going to try to offer some actual advice here.

No, your new dog is not going to be fearful and nervous forever IF you raise him the right way.

3 months old is a BABY. About the human equivalent of a 1 year old infant. They are SUPPOSED to be nervous and fearful, because they are too young to know what is dangerous and what isn't. If you help your dog by comforting him around new things and making good associations around people, children, other animals, and "scary" stuff such as vacuum cleaners, cars, noises, etc, your dog will becoming confident and curious about the world around him.

Dogs protect us because they love us. They protect us BECAUSE we protect them. A dog is not naturally going to protect someone the second it comes home. He will learn over time to trust and love you and feel safe with you, and when something makes you nervous or uncomfortable, it will make your dog nervous and uncomfortable, and if he feels like you are worth protecting, he will try to protect you from it.

A rottweiler mixed with a pit bull has the potential to be a VERY powerful, courageous, and protective companion. They also have the potential to become nervous, neurotic, and downright dangerous.

Many people love with rotties and pits as family, and that is why it can be very upsetting when someone handles these dogs the wrong way and gives them a bad image. A dog like that is VERY STRONG. They have the ability to do severe damage, even kill, both a child and an adult human, and are downright likely to do harm to another dog or animal.

This is a dog that does not need to ever be encouraged to protect or defend or act aggressively towards anyone or anything. As an adult dog, people will naturally be weary and fearful of a strange dog of that size and build and breed.

You can increase your puppy's confidence by protecting him, slowly introducing him to new situations, and being understand when he acts "wimpy" or nervous around new things or people. If you learn by reading about dog behavior and training through positive methods, such as clicker training and positive reinforcement, your dog will grow to feel safe and to value you and therefore protect you.

 

[Pops2]

zeusophobia
you sound like you shouldn't own ANY dog

[edited by mod]

 

[smkie]

WOw to this thread. I know I am considered a kill joy around here..but just people please. Think before you post. Is this insulting..is this THAT kind of forum or do we have rules in place so that it stays the kind of home we want people to come to for advice on how to best care for their loved ones. I think only a couple people on here actually took the time..time I wouldn't bother to give because I am about 99 percent of the opinion this is a troll...if not, then some people did a better job of it me. All the rest of it is about insulting each other or the op. I think that is just the saddest thing. I don't see the point in any of it. IF you have nothing good to say, then go read something that is worthy of your time.

I admit I think stuff at times I would really like to say but I do my level best to try to be an adult while I am here and respond appropriately for a family friendly forum.

Good for you Milo's Mommy. I got a lot of respect for what you wrote.