Rottweiler puppies protective instincts?

 

by Bec
(NSW, Australia.)

Hi,
i’m 16 and have always grown up with Rottweilers, i’ve had 3 in the past and now i have my 4th. A gorgeous little boy called Mason. He’s approximately 17 weeks old now, as he has lost his puppy canines, but i was just wondering about his protective instinct.

I’m his master, and you can tell he adores me more out of my family, (Brother, 10 and Mother). When i take him out for walks at night, he constantly goes around the back of me, then back to walking in front like normally. This will happen 6-7 times during an hour walk around my neighbourhood. He always follows me around, It’s like when i move – he moves.

I read that this could be him looking out for me and such.

Just wondering what your take on this is?
Thanks

Hi Bec
I would say that your pups behavior is a totally normal manifestation of how much he loves you and wants to be with you, more than any real protective instincts.

At this age he’s still very much a puppy and Rottweilers do tend to bond very closely with one person and that person is the ‘alpha’ in their pack. Mason seems to see you as the alpha and he has bonded with you and has a strong, natural desire to be with you whenever possible.

He’s old enough to be feeling the very early stirrings of some desire to protect and defend you, and his actions probably have a touch of this too. It’s something that he will naturally develop with age and maturity and right now he probably has no idea why he feels a need to act in this way – but he’ll figure it out as he grows.

Don’t every encourage him to be protective or defensive as it can lead to confidence problems and aggressive behavior. Just love him and take good care of him and let nature take it’s course. You’re obviously doing a great job so far :o)

Best of luck with your puppy.

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Nov 09, 2010

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Walking
by: Bec Mason really likes his walks, its not like their full on hard workouts, its just around the neighbourhood so i take him for 45 minutes to an hour and he enjoys it alot. When he circles me its never in the day time, always night so thats why i thought it may be him protecting me.

Nov 04, 2010

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Walking your puppy
by: Martha Hi,
I noticed in your letter that you’re walking your 17 week old pup for an hour…it’s really great that you’re walking, but I’ve heard from lots of people (vets, trainers, websites~) that it’s important not to over-exercise young large breed dogs because it can lead to hip dysplasia and joint damage. At 17 weeks, your pup should not walk on a leash for more than 15-20 minutes at at time (this can be 2-3 times a day), and preferably he walks at least part of the time on a grassy or soft surface – also easier on the newly forming joints. Rotties mature slowly – my baby is just 15 months old, but a trainer recently told me that even at her age, her walks should be limited. We do go to the dog park where she runs like the wind, but the trainer explained that her exercise is self limiting there; she’ll rest for a few minutes when she wants, but on a walk she has to keep going as long as I do. I’ve had a couple of dogs with hip dysplasia, and it’s no fun for them – quite painful – so it’s important to do whatever we can to help avoid it. Google canine hip/elbow dysplasia to learn more, and good luck with Mason – such a cute name!

Nov 04, 2010

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Thanks
by: Bec Thanks for all your inputs.
I was just curious because i have had 2 girls in the past and another boy and none of them ever circled anyone when they walked. It doesnt seem to be like hes ‘herding’ me, because he will slow down, look around and behind me then circle me once. 10 minutes later or so he will do it again, but yeah none of my previous rottweilers have done it.

Nov 04, 2010

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herding
by: Anonymous It also to do with his herding instincts they often go behind their humans to round them up as they would if they were hearding its actually normal thing that is bred within the breed seeing rotties were bred for herding and working..

Nov 04, 2010

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puppy circles around when the’re walked
by: hope oh my i thhought i was the only one that had a pup that did this mine does the same thing and shes 12 weeks old yesterday and she always whats to be where iam if i leave then she crys till im right buy her side.. if im sitting hsell come over and lay on my lap to sleep..they are wonderful dogs and can be very protective of there master (leader)..just watch though mine also grouls when someone comes over to my house n im there..if yours starts this you must get him out of this as i can lead to aggression problems

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About The Rotty lover 2159 Articles
My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone