People often ask: Is it possible for Rottweilers to become aggressive as a result of training?
For us from Hause Kaligla concept, it’s hard to imagine anyone having a fear of our Rottweilers. Seeing these soldiers at work and knowing the their development from birth, we wouldn’t think twice if it is a reliable member of our family.
However, we know that there is a fear of aggression from trained Rottweilers and that the most common opinion is that aggression occurs as a result of aversive methods, punishment techniques, the use of devices that cause pain to the dog and insufficient expertise of the trainer.
So, how do you overcome your fear? The fact that all of the above do not belong in professional training is good place to start. Therefore, we will clearly define the key terms – aggressiveness and training.
AGGRESSIVNESS
– concept, types and causes –
Aggressiveness vs Aggression
- Aggressiveness is a permanent trait or condition of a dog.
- Aggression is a manifestation of that state at the moment.
Aggressiveness and aggression are in a cause-and-effect relationship, so that aggressiveness (permanent process) under certain circumstances causes aggression (immediate reaction). Aggression, therefore, appears as an external symptom of a dog’s internal tendency, which is persistent and represents a trait of its character.
That’s why here we deal with aggressiveness, with the aim of preventing the cause, instead of aggression as removing the consequence.
Innate Aggressiveness vs Acquired Aggressiveness
- Innate aggressiveness is a built-in internal irritation that seeks relief and will find a way to express itself regardless of the nature of the external stimulus. Given that this is not a subsequently developed trait, but a trait with which the dog was born, it is not the subject of today’s topic.
If we return to the question “Is it possible for Rottweilers to become aggressive as a result of training?” it is evident that the answer should be sought in external factors that affect the Rottweiler, which was not aggressive before.
Note: The Hause Kaligula program is based exclusively on the training of Rottweilers from our own breeding, which is why it does not deal with the correction of manifested aggression – it is excluded by the methods that will be described further. Also, the Hause Kaligula concept is fully dedicated to animal welfare and responsible ownership, and fully supports humane training programs that channel the behavior of aggressive dogs.
- Acquired aggressiveness occurs due to the action of a harmful stimulus or other external stimulus, so the consequences in the form of aggression (reaction or behavior) are not related to internal, but external factors.
The key to the answer to our question “Is it possible for Rottweilers to become aggressive as a result of training?” it lies right here. The question is, therefore, whether training can be the cause of the development of aggressiveness in Rottweilers.
In order to clarify whether some phenomenon, procedure or process represents a harmful stimulus for the acquisition of behavior that is defined as aggressive, it is necessary to determine what caused the acquired aggressiveness, and only then consider the specific cause in that light.
Instinct as a starting point for understanding acquired aggressiveness
Aggressiveness can be interpreted through biological (behavior of an animal in a pack, in nature) and social aspects (behavior in modern human society). By aggressiveness in a Rottweiler, we always mean its social component, i.e. the dog’s behavior in human society, towards people and other domesticated animals.
- biological aspect (instinct)
Although the dog was domesticated 15,000 or 20,000 years ago, it carries the genetic heritage of its species. We must not forget that the root of what we call aggression today is of purely biological origin. This is indicated by the fact that even wild animals are prone to behavior that human society considers dangerous.
Aggressiveness appears in wild animals when they are in a state of danger and must decide to fight or flee. In this case, aggressiveness is a desirable trait because it is necessary for the survival of a particular species or individual within a species. That is- natural selection.
Except in a state of danger, aggressiveness also occurs during hunting, but in that type of aggressiveness the same drives are not activated as in conflicts with animals of the same species. In hunting, the pattern of instinct activation will correspond more to states of hunger than to pure aggression.
Be that as it may, it is clear that the pattern of aggressive behavior exists in the animal world and that it has inherited it as the strongest instinct – the instinct for survival. Therefore, it is a fact that harmful external factors will activate an aggressive impulse that has the quality of instinct, as a Rottweiler’s defense mechanism, if he recognizes the state, situation or procedure as a danger.
This is a biological component of the animal’s appropriate defense mechanism, which should not be confused with innate aggression. Innate aggression is an inadequate response of the dog to external factors, regardless of whether they are harmful or not. The dog’s biological capacity for self-preservation activates the defensive instinct only in cases where the environment adversely affects it.
Therefore, it is a fact that harmful external factors will activate an aggressive impulse that has the quality of instinct, as a Rottweiler’s defense mechanism, if he recognizes the state, situation or procedure as a danger.
This is a biological component of the animal’s appropriate defense mechanism, which should not be confused with innate aggressiveness. Innate aggressiveness is an inadequate response of the dog to external factors, regardless of whether they are harmful or not. The dog’s biological capacity for self-preservation activates the defensive instinct only in cases where the environment adversely affects it.
- Sociological aspect (coexistence with human)
The sociological component represents external influences on the Rottweiler, within human society.
That is why it is crucial to understand the biological aspect of the Rottweiler’s behavior, i.e. its instincts, in order to properly integrate the dog into human society, including training for different purposes. Therefore, the sociological aspect of Rottweiler behavior should always be considered in conjunction with the biological. If we want a dog in human society that will not show aggressiveness in response to rude actions, it is necessary to treat it without any harmful external influences. Otherwise, his biological capacity of instinctive defensive behavior will be activated.
The fact is that even non-violent Rottweilers can develop aggressive tendencies through socialization. This means that through socialization actors (it’s always about people) the Rottweiler is encouraged or encouraged to behave aggressively.
What are harmful social impacts?
Sociologically harmful influences can manifest in different forms such as inflicting pain, causing fear, applying punishment and the like, and all of them can be subsumed under a broader concept, which is stress.
STRESS!
Stress in general is looked upon as a symptom resulting from exposure of an Rottweiler to a hostile environment. A stressful incident will trigger a cascade of stress hormones that produce well-orchestrated physiological changes.
This reactions to stress is also known as the “fight-or-flight” response. It is survival mechanism, enabling dog to react quickly to life-threatening situations. The carefully orchestrated yet near-instantaneous sequence of hormonal changes and physiological responses helps animal to fight the threat off or flee to safety.
Any kind of stress functions like a gas pedal in a car. It triggers the fight-or-flight response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived dangers.
Aggressive behavior can be viewed as a strategy by Rottweilers to cope with stress.
Stress and aggressiveness can create a self-perpetuating cycle. Stress triggers an aggressive response, and aggressiveness, in turn, produces further stress, creating a feedback loop that can escalate if not managed properly.
The science has found a fast positive feedback loop between a hormonal stress response and aggression systems. This finding helps to explain the self-perpetuating nature of violence. Fact is that higher levels of the stress hormone are associated with the aggressive behavior. Raising (or lowering) one variable raised (or lowered) the other. Thus, stress and aggressiveness worked in a fast positive feedback loop.
The findings suggest that even when stress hormones spike for reasons not related to fighting, the side effect of lowering attack thresholds may still precipitate violent behavior.
Therefore, if Rottweilers are exposed to a condition such as pressure, punishment, physical or psychological barrier, their stress hormones increase, facilitating the emergence of aggression and increasing the likelihood of becoming violent even in seemingly benign environments.
Conclusion: in living and working with a Rottweiler, you should strictly exclude any kind of stress. This is the key to our successful, high-quality and effective training.
TRAINING
And while any kind of stress functions like a gas pedal in a car, the humaneness acts like a brake. It promotes the “rest and digest” response that calms the Rottweiler. This essentially means that our training program excludes punishment and is based on encouraging the desired behavior.
#1 PLAY
Our training method is based on play, because play is the most expressive form of voluntary and spontaneous activity in the animal world.
In puppies and young Rottweilers, play is composed of different elements of behavior from another context, which appear in later life (hunting, fighting). These segments of the dog’s future life in the game appear to be heavily emphasized in relation to what they actually look like, but never fully executed. In addition, they are often repeated and usually last for a long time. All this makes the game a privileged framework for mastering the rules of life in a group and rituals for communication.
Dog play is determined by clear instinctive rules:
- always starts with a signal to play,
- takes place without injuries,
- stronger player gives way.
Note: due to such non-violent rules, conditioned by instinct, the game is an ideal method for carrying out any type of training.
In the game, there are no signals typical for aggressiveness, but the Rottweilers are guided by typical behavioral markers that start with the message “this is not serious, I don’t want to fight with you” and end with the stronger individual giving in. Look at the Rottweilers when they are playing and you will see that, although they imitate each other’s fight, real bites and injuries do not occur.
Play in Rottweilers is a complex natural phenomenon, and its evolutionary explanation lies in the physiological and emotional preparation for overcoming situations in later life.
Therefore, the game does not aim at physical development, but at the coordination of limbs and senses. During play, a large part of the brain is active in young dogs, which means that such activity encourages them to be creative and learn. That is why the game has a practical aspect – cushioning future stress by preparing and predicting situations that have not yet happened, which the dog will encounter later in life.
Dog play can be classified into three basic types:
- object play,
- locomotion,
- social play.
Rottweiler puppies regard an object as prey, and this is part of their genetic heritage. Because of this, puppies will prefer to play with objects that resemble in shape, size and texture what their wild ancestors perceived as prey.
Note: this is important in the introduction to bite work training, because the Rottweiler will show an adequate interest in an object that, in proportion to its age, it can grasp and bite.
Locomotion or movement in the dog game manifests itself as a hunting simulation. Puppies often sneak and sneak up on imaginary prey, stalk each other, other animals in the neighborhood and their toys.
Note: this is important in the introduction to track training, because the Rottweiler will show adequate interest in searching the terrain.
Through social play, the Rottweiler evaluates its own strength, creates mutual relationships and forms personal importance. This is typical of the entire litter, including the mother of the puppies. Through such activity, young dogs learn the rules of hierarchy.
Note: this is important when introducing any type of training because the Rottweiler emotionally and socially connects with the owner/trainer.
It is typical for young mammals to play both with their own species and with other species. This is particularly pronounced in dogs, because they prefer to play with their owner. Every form of efficient and effective Rottweiler training should be built on that basis.
Training Rottweilers using their natural play instincts is ideal because of their play features:
- clear non-violent rules,
- development of cognitive abilities,
- voluntary and spontaneous repetition of actions,
- absence of stress,
- emotional connection,
- sociability,
- strengthening of natural instincts.
Be mindful and remember fact: oxytocin
This hormone stimulates dogs to social interaction, but also facilitates entering into it, freeing them from feelings of timidity and shyness. Oxytocin has an anti-stress effect, relieves fear and increases trust.
Scientific studies have confirmed that the feedback loop of oxytocin secretion can be found in the owner-dog relationship. It has been shown that the longer the dogs look at the owner, the higher the level of concentration of this hormone. Also, any interaction such as cuddling, playing or talking is associated with the release of neurochemicals that contribute to positive feelings and the creation of close bonds.
Oxytocin in dogs raises the most direct visual contact with the owner, actually eye to eye. Not only does the dog like to watch the owner, but he also likes to see the owner smile – that makes him the happiest. The more the owner smiles, the more his grimace is stretched into a smile, the happier, more relaxed the dog is and forgets even about the existing danger. This is where the role of oxytocin in relieving fear comes to the fore.
Also, with this relationship with the dog and the owner, the level of oxytocin increases. The interaction between man and dog results in a change in the hormonal status of the organism of both participants. Both humans and dogs experience an increase in the level of oxytocin – the anti-stress hormone.
The higher the level of oxytocin activity in the owner, the more relaxed the owners are, and this state of theirs has a relaxing effect on the dog as well.
The level of oxytocin in the blood creates a strong bond between the dog and the owner and thus affects the understanding and communication between the dog and the owner. A relaxed dog will better follow the owner’s behavior and the messages he sends.
Conclusion: Oxytocin makes dogs happier and more relaxed in their relationship with their owners, which makes them more trusting of their owners.
#2 DOG-FRIENDLY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
It has been scientifically proven that aggressiveness is inversely proportional to the level of education in people. The same goes for dogs.
Why? Because trained Rottweilers are prone to self-control, thanks to the awareness of their importance and strength. They gain such awareness through experience in training.
Dog training, if applied correctly, professionally and ethically, is nothing more than a dog-friendly educational system. According to this principle, the House Caligula program defines and implements Rottweiler training.
Education is the process of changing the personality in the desired direction by adopting different contents depending on age and needs. Therefore, training should be done as learning, that is, Rottweiler education. In this way, the Rottweiler acquires knowledge that guides him to be a useful member of society.
The House Caligula Rottweiler training program is based on educational training. Our training is a selection mechanism – the choice of the most capable individuals that will occupy an important place in the future family and an allocation mechanism – the placement of Rottweilers in certain professional roles (security, tracking, service).
#3 TRAINED ROTTWEILERS SAFETIES AND HOW THEY WORK
- OBEDIENCE
Obedience training is a series of field exercises in which the Rottweiler is commanded to sit, lie down, and stand while the handler continues to move. From these various positions, the dog is recalled to the handler. With dumbbells of various weights, the dog is required to retrieve on a flat surface, over a one-meter hurdle, and over a six-foot slanted wall. The dog is also asked to run in a straight direction from its handler on command and lie down on a second command. Finally, each dog is expected to stay in a lying down position away from its handler, despite distractions, at the other end of the obedience field, while another dog completes the above exercises. All of the obedience exercises are tests of the dog’s temperament, structural efficiencies, and, very importantly, its willingness to serve its owner.
PROTECTION
The protection training is next phase. Here the Rottweiler shows courage, physical strength, and agility. The handler’s control of the dog is absolutely essential. The exercises include a search of hiding places, finding a hidden person (acting as a decoy), and guarding that decoy while the handler approaches. The dog is expected to pursue the decoy when an escape is attempted and to hold the grip firmly. When the decoy attempts to attack the handler , the dog is expected to stop the attack with a firm grip and no hesitation. The final test of courage occurs when the decoy is asked to come out of a hiding place by the dog’s handler from the opposite end of the trial field. The dog is sent after the decoy who is threatening the dog with a stick and charging at the handler. All grips during the protection phase are expected to be firmly placed on the padded sleeve and stopped on command and/or when the decoy discontinues the fight.