Many people have their method of stopping a puppy from this behavior. It is not actually a terrible crime, just that some manners need to be taught. Many people will tell you to give the puppy a "scruff shake" or even a smack. I don't recommend either. I use the 'nose pinch' method. It's quick and it's easy and I feel less stressful on the puppy than many of the other methods. When 'Junior' decides to munch on you, you are going to give a verbal and physical correction at the same time. You will say "NO BITE" loudly in a harsh voice. At this exact same time, you will reach down and "pinch" his nose (and I mean his nostrils). And I mean pinch somewhat hard. If you have done it too softly (and that's how I ususally start out to test how much each dog takes), then he will come right back at you and try to bite you again. This means you didn't do it hard enough - do it again immediately and do it HARDER. If Junior squeeks (now I'm not saying make him scream) then you have done it properly. The trick here is timing. You need to be fast and make this verbal and physical correction immediately as the puppy is biting you.

Properly done, the puppy will stop biting and may even try to run away. Don't let him leave. Keep him next to you, and soothingly pet him. Tell him he's a good boy (the correction should be totally forgotten now by you). There is very little halfway for a bitch - she usually mothers and fusses over her babies but as they get older and more bold, if they antagonize the bitch they get but a small warning growl and if they persist, mother jumps on their head like a Harpie and pounds them into the ground. It's all quite fast and loud and then it's over and there are no grudges, but the pup learned a lesson and knows that mom still loves him and 10 seconds later its like nothing ever happened. This is the philosophy you are to use. Correct Junior and correct firmly, and then forget about the bad behavior (so long as it doesn't reappear in the next few seconds).

Some people like to rough-house with their dog and biting at that time is okay, but the dog must understand that it is only acceptable during those times, and when you want to stop (or the dog gets too rough), you can tell him NO BITE and he should stop. At this point, you don't need to do the physical pinch, just telling him NO BITE should stop him. This technique is also great for the kids to use (once the dog has been taught the NO BITE command by the parents). It saves countless pantyhose, and it is wonderful for when Junior tries to chew on the leash during leash breaking.

The manners your dog will exhibit comes from respect. You must know your Rottweiler well enough to be in control at all times. To be in control, he must RESPECT you, to respect you, he must have DISCIPLINE, and with that you must be consistent. Loving you is secondary to respecting you. They are synonymous in the Rottweiler brain. Without respect, they will love you, but give you nothing. Have you ever seen a dog that listens to the father but not the mother or kids? It is because the dog respects the father but believes himself to be above the others. Instilling respect is accomplished using the "PACK THEORY". A dog pack has a social order, a pecking order. Only the Alpha Dog is the ultimate decision maker and leader of the pack. In descending order, the others fight it out and settle into their places. Because of the dominant nature of this Rottweiler you've taken on, he may challenge you for dominance within the pack, which is your family and now his family and his pack. It is natural. In the wild, dogs do not fight to the death, they fight until one of them surrenders. Starting from puppyhood, you must always be the winner. People training their dogs for Schutzhund don't apply to the above rule. But then this text is not aimed at those people.

Happy training and enjoy your puppy. They do so many silly, fun things when they're little it's worth all the paper towels in the world. Have fun. Be consistent. Be responsible. I'm here if you need me.

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