i own a three year year old rottie and ever since she's been...

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Question by sampy
Submitted on 7/27/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Rottweilers Breed-FAQ
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i own a three year year old rottie and ever since she's been about 18 months old she "grumbles" every time me or my husband hug her or hold her. She's never curled her lip or shown any type of aggressive behavior towards anyone and that includes strangers.I have never taken her to a behaviorlist but I have spoken with many and they all tell me that this is normal behavior especially for a German Rottie. I would like to know if anyone else has this problem or has dealt with this before and if so what did you do. I have been told to let her come to us when she wants affection,don't ever slap her for this type of behavior and also to reward her every time she does not grumble. This is hard to do since she grumbles even if she jumps up in my lap or lays beside me on the sofa. I also own a 14 year old black lab and a 9 month old lab/bull terrier mix and she treats both of them like they are her babies. She loves to play with children but I do not trust her to do this now not only for the grumbling but also because she weighs about130 pounds and is all muscle. I hope this is normal behavior because she is my "baby girl" and I love her to death!! Please try to get back to me as soon as possible with an answer since my husband i9s scared to death that she will turn on me! Thank You' sampen@comcast.net Paula

Answer by Lucy's Mom
Submitted on 10/28/2003
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Sampy, don't get offended......but the people you have spoken with that tell you this is "normal behavior especially for a German Rottie" are TWITS!!! Without getting into the whole, "there is no difference in Rottweilers born in Germany or here in the US" debate......grumbling is NOT necessarily a good or bad thing for ANY dog. You need to look at the whole picture, where does the grumble come from, the throat or the chest? Does she stop ALL MOVEMENT when she grumbles? How's the body language??? "I have been told to let her come to us when she wants affection" Um, you're going to let your dog TELL YOU when you can and CAN'T love on her? NOPE!!!! You need to initiate the attention. And when she grumbles, say, "NO!" in a voice that says....."YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME!!! THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, LITTLE DOGGY!" If you are not already enrolled in obedience classes with you dog, sign up ASAP!!! The relationship you build with your dog through training will enable you to read her better and understand what she is trying to tell you. It could be.....mmmmmm, this feels good. OR, it could be.....mmmmm, keep touching me there and it's only a matter of TIME!!!!!!! >:o( You see what I'm saying?

Answer by angie
Submitted on 12/26/2006
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I have a 3 year old Rottie male and German he will grumble once in a while...but as far as I know most Rotties are a quiet breed except when the female is guarding her babies or when they are annoyed they bark...my Rottie Victor...the way my Rottie will make me aware if he doesn't like somthing is with his body language...any answer that you get on well not any but I know mine at least is not a qualified dog behavioralist so you really won't be able to take much to heart...my advise is to contact not ENROLL your dog in but contact a dog behaviorist and ask them they would be able to see if this is acceptable behavior as every dog just like every human is a little different

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Answer by Raven's Mamma
Submitted on 8/7/2003
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I have a 9 yr. old Rottie and she also grumbles when we hug her. She loves affection and I believe it's her way of showing contentment. It's similar to a cat purring. She never shows any signs of anger or agression while she is grumbling. She even grumbles while she licks one of my other dogs who she adopted.

Answer by Layne
Submitted on 10/13/2003
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my 7 month old grumbles when he gets hugs chest scratches and belly rubs. sometimes he goes really high pitch. but my wife and i appreciate the fact that he shows his appreceation by grumbling. and we find hilarious but tell him that..lol

Answer by Teal's mom
Submitted on 1/9/2004
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My little girl Teal who was to be 8 soon, passed away 3 weeks ago. I wanted to let you know that she also grumbled when you hugged her and I never took it that she was annoyed with me when I did this. She would also grumble when she initiated attention, so I just knew she was talking. :) I miss her alot.

Answer by Dukes Mom
Submitted on 1/5/2006
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I have a 2 year old male Duke. He also grumbles when you hug him. He dos not always grumble, but when he dose he is always happy. I have never taken it as a sine of agretion. He has grown up with cats and i always thought he was copying them.

Answer by max
Submitted on 4/25/2006
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Hi; just a question. how do u know that the rottie is not trying to be your boss? like it grumbles when it needs attention and given attention. isn't that a sign of dominance.

Answer by Twilight in memory
Submitted on 9/2/2006
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My Rottie Twilight used to rumble a lot too. You have to differentiate the growling as to whether it is a snarl or not. Twilight never bit or ever acted to snap at anyone ever, and her rumbles meant anything from "I'm contented" to "why are you bothering me?" But if you have a firm handle on your Rottie, and that is a must, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Answer by Twinkless & Dinkles Dad
Submitted on 10/28/2006
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I have 2 rottie females, and have helped friends with their rottie pups. rotties are one breed among others thay may "grumble" when very contented. My dogs certainly do!!. often it is a low rumbling in the chest and is generally taken to be sign of contentment esp if accompanied by yawns, sighs of relaxation, rolling over, looking at you and wagging their stub tails etc. from the descrip of your dog I very much doubt that this grumbling is a sign of aggression..

Answer by Sarah
Submitted on 3/6/2007
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I have a 4 year old Rottie, She does grumble a lot and has bitten me 3 times I have a big scar on my back. I dont trust my dog at all but dont have the heart to put her to sleep.

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