Dog Health Questions: In creating a pack for a rottweiler, who becomes the pack leader if there is more than one person in family?

I am considering buying a rottweiler for my family. All sources I've referenced for dog training strongly recommend creating a pack environment for the dog in which you are the leader; however, I need everyone in the household (5 people) to control the dog. Should everyone be involved in training it?

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Recommended Answer:
One person in your family should take on the major responsibility for training the dog, and each other member of the family needs to be consistent with reinforcing what the 'Alpha' has trained your Rotty to do.

Every pack has a pecking order - and (like it or not) the family dog needs to be the lowest in the pack pecking order - otherwise you could have problems with aggression towards other 'lower ranked' pack members down the track.

It's important not to have 5 Alpha's in your pack also. 2 at most. The rest of your family are just part of the pack.

Best wishes - Rotties are gorgeous dogs!

Dog Training - A Fun Activity

• What you need to do is keep it simple and coordinate your reactions and training words and cues for the dog. Anything less is confusing to the animal and can result in unhappiness all around. Dogs do best with one or two syllable commands. Yes or no .. or bad dog , good dog. When it is a situational or obedience thing, the rest of those vowels are superfluous. Keep it simple and consistent and positive.
  
  However the most consistent dominant adult in the home is alpha dog to the pup. This is the person who sets the rules and others all do the same thing right on down the line. These dogs definitely require a firm but loving guidance. Like most headstrong dogs they are intelligent and willing to please. How old are your children?
  
  Behaving dominantly to a strong beast does not come automatically to everyone and if one person is even remotely insecure, that puppy will have figured it out within nano seconds and behave differently towards that person. Not cruelly, but perhaps more playful. These things happen.
  
  Please read this article..So You Want to Buy a Rottweiler before deciding. It is quite incisive.
  
  http://www.resteddoginn.ca/buyarott.php
  
  These are a great dog. Do not get me wrong. But I also have a sister who is skilled in facial reconstruction surgery. She deals with many children who have been hurt by dogs that were not well trained. Note I do not name any breed in particular because it does boil down to the owner every time. Please be sure this is the dog you want. If you cannot control it, it will control you.
  
  When it comes to selecting that perfect companion, as a breeder, I highly recommend that you contact local breeders and talk to them. Meet the stud and his harem. Most breeders take pride in their dogs and the quality of the puppies.
  
  The puppies should come to you fully socialized. Ours, once they are of age, are held by everyone whenever there is an opportunity. They are used to their mouths being opened and any part of their body touched. We have never had a problem yet in 8 years of puppies. I might add that when it comes to a hard head, our stud male is more persistent than any breed I have ever come across. darn smart too. It is lucky he has a beautiful temperament !
  
  Our potential clients are usually met as they get out of the car by any number of the harem out running around the gardens. Not for the faint of heart, three farm doggy shaggy standard poodles all happy to greet you! They are the best advertisement for buying our puppies. That is the nicest way to get puppies. Meeting the parents first works great.
  
  Just a thought. If you have 3 kids, you might want to consider an animal that does not shed and is hypoallergenic. I am thinking of your housework level. I know it sounds like I am promoting our breed but this is not the case. In 10 years of maintaining silver rugs, hardwood floors and everything in between, with three adult poodles and 200+ puppies until a certain age, we have never yet had to vacuum for dog hair! Whether the dogs were shaved for summer or completely shabby and dread-locked a few months later, there was never fur.
  
  When you have kids housework is always an issue. That is why I suggest this. Other hypoallergenic dogs are Just a big consideration. As for many is the hypoallergenic thing.
  
  Good luck!


• yes all humans should rank higher in the pack than your dog.... why on earth do you want a rottie,,, there are tons and tons other other large breeds out there.. and if you don't have experience - you should get a different breed.......... try a giant schnauzer etc.. go to akc.org and click on working group and or herding group and read and see all the different choices you have.


• Yes of course, you absolutely need to make the dog understand that he is not higher in rank than ANYONE in your house hold. You all in the family are the leaders.
  
  I have 2 male rotties and everyone that even comes into my house they listen too. You have to make sure that everyone uses the same methods with the dog. You make him or her understand that Humans are higher up than him.


• Yes. Everybody needs to get involved.
  
  Generally, the dog will bond better with the person who feeds it everyday.


• Yes, all the members of the household should be involved in the dog's training.


• Yes, they must know that all humans are alpha and in control.


• Yep! all the members of the family must be his leaders