"I have a 6 year old Rottweiler named Karma and an 8 month old Rottweiler named Maxx.
I want to share with you the problem I had and then the successful ending.
I want to share with you the problem I had and then the successful ending.
A Story About Dog-On-Dog Aggression
Nicole from Scottsdale and her Rottweilers .. Karma and Maxx
Well, it all started a few years ago when I noticed Karma had some serious dog aggression issues
while walking her around the neighborhood. It made walking her a nightmare because every time
she saw another dog, it did not matter on the size of the dog, she would go absolutely ballistic."
while walking her around the neighborhood. It made walking her a nightmare because every time
she saw another dog, it did not matter on the size of the dog, she would go absolutely ballistic."
"It seemed to progress over the years and then escalated into
fighting with my mother's female dog in our home. A few years
had passed and my mother's female passed away and then her
male dog passed away and it seemed like Karma had some
depression since she was close with my mother's male dog. I
had talked to Steve Wood from A Better Dog for some help with
Karma in regards to some of the bad habits she had picked
up over the years and the aggression she had shown
on our walks and I was hoping to give her a refresher on basic
obedience. It had been so long since I had her in obedience class
that I had forgotten the basics myself and I knew nothing about
pack structure and how to be a great pack leader.
fighting with my mother's female dog in our home. A few years
had passed and my mother's female passed away and then her
male dog passed away and it seemed like Karma had some
depression since she was close with my mother's male dog. I
had talked to Steve Wood from A Better Dog for some help with
Karma in regards to some of the bad habits she had picked
up over the years and the aggression she had shown
on our walks and I was hoping to give her a refresher on basic
obedience. It had been so long since I had her in obedience class
that I had forgotten the basics myself and I knew nothing about
pack structure and how to be a great pack leader.
Then we had the idea to get a puppy so Karma would have a friend to play with and snap her out of this
depression. We went looking for a puppy and we found, or I should say, that's when Maxx found us. He was a
10 1/2 week old male Rottweiler and he was perfect for us! We brought Maxx home and Karma was not crazy
about him for the first day and then suddenly they were best friends and they played day and night together. I
called Steve from A Better Dog back and told him the news. A few days later we had our first
session together and everything went very well. Steve went over the house rules and how pack structure
works and things I can do to be a good pack leader. I have to admit I was not a good pack leader at all, and
after hearing what I should be doing I was wondering how I was going to make so many changes. From the
looks of it I had my work cut out for me, but I was committed and determined to be a great pack leader."
depression. We went looking for a puppy and we found, or I should say, that's when Maxx found us. He was a
10 1/2 week old male Rottweiler and he was perfect for us! We brought Maxx home and Karma was not crazy
about him for the first day and then suddenly they were best friends and they played day and night together. I
called Steve from A Better Dog back and told him the news. A few days later we had our first
session together and everything went very well. Steve went over the house rules and how pack structure
works and things I can do to be a good pack leader. I have to admit I was not a good pack leader at all, and
after hearing what I should be doing I was wondering how I was going to make so many changes. From the
looks of it I had my work cut out for me, but I was committed and determined to be a great pack leader."
"We had started Maxx on puppy training and Karma had a session on the leash and a session with the basic commands - What a difference after just the first session! On our next session, which was about a week later, we worked both Karma and Maxx that day and things were going great when all of a sudden Karma had an
aggression trigger and attacked Maxx. Steve and I tried to snap
Karma out of that aggression zone but she just wanted to hurt
Maxx. I was very concerned at this point! Steve, my Mother and
I sat down and talked about my options - even though I did not
like any of them we decided to re-home Karma with my brother.
I was devastated and Karma was very discombobulated for
about 2 weeks, but then she started to acclimate in her new
home. Steve suggested crate training for Karma to give her a
little security and confidence, also to help me with pack
leadership. I had never crate trained before, so this was
new for me too. Karma did great with the crate!
Karma out of that aggression zone but she just wanted to hurt
Maxx. I was very concerned at this point! Steve, my Mother and
I sat down and talked about my options - even though I did not
like any of them we decided to re-home Karma with my brother.
I was devastated and Karma was very discombobulated for
about 2 weeks, but then she started to acclimate in her new
home. Steve suggested crate training for Karma to give her a
little security and confidence, also to help me with pack
leadership. I had never crate trained before, so this was
new for me too. Karma did great with the crate!
I worked Karma at my brother's house consistently and worked
Maxx at my home and I slowly re-introduced the two of them
together after about 4 months of separation. By this time Maxx
had exceeded Karma's height and weight and his hormones and
scent were different from when they were first together, so I felt
this would be a good time to start the re-introduction process.
Maxx at my home and I slowly re-introduced the two of them
together after about 4 months of separation. By this time Maxx
had exceeded Karma's height and weight and his hormones and
scent were different from when they were first together, so I felt
this would be a good time to start the re-introduction process.
I started slowly with putting both the two crates side by side and
alternating each of the dogs in the crate for an hour for just a few
days at a time every 2 or 3 weeks. I really kept tough and
consistent with the house rules; one of the hardest habits for me
to brake was no sleeping in bed with me. I did this re-introduction
for 2 months and just kept consistent and worked the rules and
did all the commands and after 6 months of separation I was able
to get Maxx and Karma together again successfully! I still have to
make sure I watch them when they play and stop any
over-excited behavior or any rough play. Karma now respects me
and responds to my voice. I became a successful pack leader and
all the hard work has paid off! The best advice I can give to
anyone who is put in the same position as I was is: 1) stick to the
house rules no matter how difficult it may be for you 2) you must
be consistent all the time 3) work the basic commands often -
everything is earned with a sit, down, stay, etc… 4) be confident
and calm because that shows up in your posture and in your voice. 5) and get some help. Hire someone good to give you quality guideance. Words can not describe how happy I am! I could not have done this without the guidance and help from Steve at A Better Dog. Thank you again Steve - we did it!!!!!"
alternating each of the dogs in the crate for an hour for just a few
days at a time every 2 or 3 weeks. I really kept tough and
consistent with the house rules; one of the hardest habits for me
to brake was no sleeping in bed with me. I did this re-introduction
for 2 months and just kept consistent and worked the rules and
did all the commands and after 6 months of separation I was able
to get Maxx and Karma together again successfully! I still have to
make sure I watch them when they play and stop any
over-excited behavior or any rough play. Karma now respects me
and responds to my voice. I became a successful pack leader and
all the hard work has paid off! The best advice I can give to
anyone who is put in the same position as I was is: 1) stick to the
house rules no matter how difficult it may be for you 2) you must
be consistent all the time 3) work the basic commands often -
everything is earned with a sit, down, stay, etc… 4) be confident
and calm because that shows up in your posture and in your voice. 5) and get some help. Hire someone good to give you quality guideance. Words can not describe how happy I am! I could not have done this without the guidance and help from Steve at A Better Dog. Thank you again Steve - we did it!!!!!"
Nicole, Karma & Maxx
Scottsdale .. Arizona
Scottsdale .. Arizona
A Little Back Story On Nicole, Karma and Maxx...
During our initial telephone conversation, Nicole outlined the troubles that she was having with her Rottweiler, Karma. Dog aggression, basic obedience and leash manners were the key areas that Nicole wanted to address.
Prior to our first visit, Nicole threw us a curveball. She had met and fallen in love with a Rottweiler puppy that
she had named Maxx. If she had named him, that must have meant that she bought him. Flags went up all over
the office, sirens went off and the red light over the door started flashing - she had a rotty with dog aggression
issues and now she had adopted a second rotty. O.K...no problem Nicole...we're at defcon 4 people!
she had named Maxx. If she had named him, that must have meant that she bought him. Flags went up all over
the office, sirens went off and the red light over the door started flashing - she had a rotty with dog aggression
issues and now she had adopted a second rotty. O.K...no problem Nicole...we're at defcon 4 people!
The day of our scheduled appointment came and I showed up at Nicole's door. I rang the bell and a wisp
of a girl answered. She was five foot nothing, very petite and very nice. Behind her was a 100 pound
female rottweiler and a male rottweiler puppy that was going to be even bigger than the female. My
initial, naive, typical male reaction was to look for the guy in the house who was going to help this little
girl with these big dogs. Nicole was to show me that I was a silly, silly man.
of a girl answered. She was five foot nothing, very petite and very nice. Behind her was a 100 pound
female rottweiler and a male rottweiler puppy that was going to be even bigger than the female. My
initial, naive, typical male reaction was to look for the guy in the house who was going to help this little
girl with these big dogs. Nicole was to show me that I was a silly, silly man.
Dog aggression can be a dangerous, tricky behavior to
handle. There are many experts and professionals out
there (including myself) who will tell you that you may
never be able to fix the problem and the best you can
hope for is to try to control it.
handle. There are many experts and professionals out
there (including myself) who will tell you that you may
never be able to fix the problem and the best you can
hope for is to try to control it.
I had no idea, walking into that house that day, that
Nicole would prove all of us wrong.
Nicole would prove all of us wrong.
The first session went well. The dogs were attentive
and Nicole soaked the information up like a sponge
soaking up a puddle of urine. The dogs worked well
and we had no incidents. We had no idea what was
coming in the second session.
and Nicole soaked the information up like a sponge
soaking up a puddle of urine. The dogs worked well
and we had no incidents. We had no idea what was
coming in the second session.
When the trigger happened, we were all taken off-guard. Karma had been working obedience exercises and
Maxx had been hanging out in the background. Everything had been going very well up to that point, but
when Karma aggressed, she was going in for the kill.
Maxx had been hanging out in the background. Everything had been going very well up to that point, but
when Karma aggressed, she was going in for the kill.
We separated the dogs and Nicole's mother joined us at the kitchen table for a serious heart-to-heart with
Nicole. I can still remember exchanging concerned glances with Nicole's mother as Nicole voiced her
hopes for the dogs' future. "We can rebuild them, make them better...stronger...faster..."
Nicole. I can still remember exchanging concerned glances with Nicole's mother as Nicole voiced her
hopes for the dogs' future. "We can rebuild them, make them better...stronger...faster..."
Nicole proved to be the wisest of all of us at the table that day. She knew the effort that she was willing to
dedicate to these two dogs that she loved so dearly. They were her friends and she was going to help them.
dedicate to these two dogs that she loved so dearly. They were her friends and she was going to help them.
Nicole and I worked together a lot over the next few months. She took the instruction and advice and
implemented every piece of it. She worked her dogs consistently and elevated herself into the pack leader
role. She took control of what looked like a really bad situation and made it work.
implemented every piece of it. She worked her dogs consistently and elevated herself into the pack leader
role. She took control of what looked like a really bad situation and made it work.
Maxx and Karma are back together now, living in the same house. They play together, eat together and share
Nicole's attention and affection without any signs of aggression. Nicole has learned how to get ahead of
Karma's triggers and she has shown her dogs that she is the pack leader in her home.
Nicole's attention and affection without any signs of aggression. Nicole has learned how to get ahead of
Karma's triggers and she has shown her dogs that she is the pack leader in her home.
We decided to give Nicole, Karma and Maxx their own page on our site because their success can be an
inspiration to every dog owner who is experiencing a similar situation. We are so incredibly proud of Nicole
and the effort that she has put in with her dogs. She deserves all of the wonderful results that she is now
seeing from Karma and Maxx.
inspiration to every dog owner who is experiencing a similar situation. We are so incredibly proud of Nicole
and the effort that she has put in with her dogs. She deserves all of the wonderful results that she is now
seeing from Karma and Maxx.
Steve Wood
A Better Dog Home Dog Training .. Thanks For Reading!
A Better Dog Home Dog Training .. Thanks For Reading!
"Thanks for the timely follow
up. I was going to write last
night to tell you that Dudley and
I had two of the best walks
yesterday. They were in fact the
best walks I have ever had with
a dog companion. Dudley was
well mannered and focused the
entire time. He responded well
to "heel" and we worked on
his "sit " when I stopped. We
need more work on that!"
up. I was going to write last
night to tell you that Dudley and
I had two of the best walks
yesterday. They were in fact the
best walks I have ever had with
a dog companion. Dudley was
well mannered and focused the
entire time. He responded well
to "heel" and we worked on
his "sit " when I stopped. We
need more work on that!"
Second Email
Tim, Kate & Dudley
Chandler .. Arizona
Chandler .. Arizona
"Dudley and I just got back from
a great walk. We met three
women, mother, daughter,
grandmother. We were heeling
along, we stopped, Dudley sat,
waited while they passed and
went on. The mother
commented on how well
mannered Dudley was and the
grandmother thanked us for
stopping to let them pass.
IT WAS FREAKIN GREAT!!!!!!!!"
a great walk. We met three
women, mother, daughter,
grandmother. We were heeling
along, we stopped, Dudley sat,
waited while they passed and
went on. The mother
commented on how well
mannered Dudley was and the
grandmother thanked us for
stopping to let them pass.
IT WAS FREAKIN GREAT!!!!!!!!"
"Hey Steve! I just wanted to
send you an update on how
Audi is doing. She's fabulous
and we're on our second foster
dog. I think it's really helping
her deal with distraction and
still listen to us at the same
time because I've noticed a
HUGE improvement! We've been
working with long distance
recall and she's getting much
better at coming to us when
called but there is still more
work to be had. Everyone
comments on how she looks to
us for 'permission' before she
does something and they all
think it's really cool. I'm like
'yeah, I know, she's my girl!'
Talk to you soon."
send you an update on how
Audi is doing. She's fabulous
and we're on our second foster
dog. I think it's really helping
her deal with distraction and
still listen to us at the same
time because I've noticed a
HUGE improvement! We've been
working with long distance
recall and she's getting much
better at coming to us when
called but there is still more
work to be had. Everyone
comments on how she looks to
us for 'permission' before she
does something and they all
think it's really cool. I'm like
'yeah, I know, she's my girl!'
Talk to you soon."
Katie & Audi
Ahwatukee .. Arizona
Ahwatukee .. Arizona