Without question, you’ve seen some pretty disturbing headlines that feature Rottweiler attacks. So have I. When I decided to get a dog, I was drawn to the Rottweiler breed, but for safety, I had some research to do. Find out what my research revealed…
It would have been irresponsible of me to buy a Rottweiler Puppy without first asking “Are Rottweilers aggressive and do they really attack their owners?”
A healthy, well-trained and well-socialized Rottweiler is NOT aggressive, and DOES NOT attack without provocation!
I dove into my research wholeheartedly, and today I will share my findings with you. The quick answer to my question is “It depends.” I am not being intentionally vague, it is an honest answer. A Rottweiler is a dog, and ALL DOGS have the capacity to show aggression in certain situations.
Find out what you need to do to raise your Rottweiler the right way…
You CAN Raise a Non-Aggressive Rottweiler
The responsibility for a Rottweiler’s behavior rests solely on his owner. Training and socialization are every bit as important to your Rottie’s well-being and non-aggressiveness as nutrition and proper healthcare! Take his training VERY seriously.
I would recommend that you enroll your Rottweiler in at least a basic obedience course. If this isn’t an option, then you will have to dedicate a chunk of time every day devoted to training and socialization.
The ideal time to think about training is before you even bring a Rottweiler into your home! Watch videos, read books and have a plan. The day after your Rottie arrives at your home is the day you begin implementing that plan.
How Does Socialization Prevent Aggression in Your Rottweiler?
Socialization training involves exposing your Rottweiler to many different places, people and other animals. The more he is socialized, the better your Rottweiler will respond to new environments and situations.
A Rottie who has not been trained to be sociable may react to new people, animals or situations with aggression that stems from fear or nervousness.
Dog Parks are an excellent place to allow your Rottie to practice his social skills, and so are Doggie Daycare Centers. My Maximus loves going to Doggie Daycare, and has a motley crew of friends there!
Training Your Rottweiler to be Non-Aggressive in Social Situations
Good behavior in Rottweilers stems from one thing: proper training. With a dog who will tip the scales at 100 pounds as an adult, proper social training is essential. This training should begin the day after your Rottie arrives in your home, and should be progressively continued throughout his whole life.
You train your Rottweiler to be sociable by exposing him to new people, animals, and environments safely (by using a muzzle) gently, and often. Praise and reward his good behavior every time you see it. Be encouraging, and set a pleasant tone.
If he displays any signs of aggression, remove him from the social situation (without punishment) and try again the very next day. Your Rottie will quickly catch on that he is expected to play nicely with others.
Are Rottweilers Aggressive Toward Children?
When it comes to children and Rottweilers, it is imperative that both are well-trained! A Rottie should be trained to obey a command whether that command comes from an adult or a five-year-old. A child who will have frequent contact with a Rottie should be trained not to jump on the dog, poke at him, or play aggressively with him.
Never leave your small children alone with your Rottweiler…always have an adult in the area to supervise your Rottie and your child(ren).
If the child is not familiar with the dog, a muzzle is an added layer of protection for both child and dog. Yes, you read that right! A muzzle protects the Rottweiler, too. To find out how, please continue reading…
Preventing Rottweiler Aggression With Muzzles
When your Rottweiler is out in public, he should be muzzled. This does not indicate that your Rottie is a “bad dog”. Rather, it indicates that you are a responsible pet owner! Your Rottie will be forever “your baby” but others may not see him that way. What they see is a dog who weighs as much as them, and therefore a potential danger.
When your Rottie is muzzled, even strangers feel safe around him! A muzzle protects your Rottie as well as the humans and other animals he comes in contact with.
How Does a Muzzle Protect Your Rottweiler?
In just a moment, we will go over the fact that in certain situations, ALL DOGS are capable of exhibiting aggressive behavior.
Should the worst-case scenario come to pass and your Rottweiler actually bite someone, at best he will be put on a “dangerous dog” list and at worst, he could be euthanized! There would be nothing you could do about it.
Prevention is always your best course of action! A muzzle is the best possible dog-bite prevention. If you hold the outdated notion that muzzles are cruel and would impair your Rottie’s ability to breathe, pant or drink water, THIS ARTICLE will help!
Situations that May Provoke Aggression in Rottweilers
As I stated in the very beginning of this article, ALL DOGS have the capacity to be aggressive. Rottweilers are no exception. Dogs are territorial. They are protective of their home and family (human or canine). They are capable of being startled and capable of fear.
If injured, a Rottie COULD respond with aggression. When we are startled or afraid, we may jump, run, or cry out. When a dog is startled or afraid, they bite. It is their first, and really their only, line of defense.
Instilling Good Behaviors in Your Rottweiler
Your Rottweiler has one goal in his life. Pleasing you. Your highly intelligent Rottie is watching you. Reading your body language. Learning about what pleases you and what does not.
The best way for you to instill good behavior in him is to recognize his efforts. A little praise will go a long way when it comes to letting your Rottie know his good behavior does, in fact, please you. The moment he displays good behavior, acknowledge it!
Verbal praise, petting and stroking and even a reward system like a dog treat will help your Rottie quickly understand what is expected of him, and inspire him to display those behaviors more often.
Watch Your Rottweiler’s Body Language for Signs of Aggression
Dogs communicate with one another through body language. If you’re “tuned in” to his body language, your Rottweiler will communicate with you, too! Study him. Learn his posturing and stance when he is content. Notice how his body looks when he is introduced to new situations, people or animals.
Pay attention to his body language when a stranger knocks on the door. It won’t take long for you to recognize his state of mind by recognizing his movements and posture!
I know when my Maximus begins to get agitated by how he holds himself. This provides me the opportunity to be proactive, and adjust the situation accordingly.
Warning Signs of Aggression in Your Rottweiler 
Although the media would like us to believe otherwise (because dramatic headlines sell) Rottweilers DO NOT attack without provocation or warning! Some of the warning signs that your Rottie will show when he is uncomfortable in a situation and it holds the potential to become a dangerous situation include:
- Raised Hackles (hair along the neck/back)
- Excessive Panting or Lip Licking
- Flat Ears
- Stiff Posture
- Whale Eyes
Handling Aggression in Rottweilers
When your Rottweiler tests his limits (and yours) by exhibiting aggressive behavior, the one thing you never want to do is punish him! Hitting your Rottweiler, locking him in his crate for prolonged periods of time, and screaming at him will do little to improve bad behavior. In reality, it does the opposite.
If your Rottweiler behaves badly, and you can’t rectify the situation through a verbal command, remove him from the situation for a short period of time, and then return him to the situation for a new attempt. Remove him as often as necessary, until he exhibits behavior that is acceptable.
Remember, your Rottie is extremely smart! It won’t take him long to learn your expectations and exhibit the behavior that pleases you.
Be Proactive in Preventing Rottweiler Aggression!
As Rottweiler owners, we each take part in the effort to debunk the myth that Rotties are, by nature, aggressive! One way we do this is by being proactive in our dog’s training and social skills. We are responsible every day for making sure our Rottie has:
- Proper Nutrition and Hydration
- Adequate Healthcare
- Sufficient Exercise
- Bonding Time With His Human(s)
- Serious Training
- Frequent Social Opportunities
What Does “Bully Breed” Mean?
You may be surprised to learn that “Pit Bull” is not a breed of dog, but a canine category that more than 20 different breeds of dogs fit into. These “Bully Breeds” have a wide head, strong muscles, and short hair.
Rottweilers fall into this category, and so do some Terriers. “Bully Breed” does NOT indicate that all dogs who fit in the category are mean. This is a common misconception that will only vanish as more and more Rottweiler owners produce well behaved and well-socialized Rotties.
Do Rottweilers Have an Aggressive Temperament?
Each Rottie has his own personality and temperament. They are as individual as you and me! Some Rotties bound about energetically, and some like to chill. Some are shy and some, outgoing. Some Rotties exhibit passiveness. Some display a dominant behavior pattern. Left unchecked, this dominance could blossom into aggression.
I asked ten different Rottweiler owners to describe their Rottie’s temperament and got ten different answers! Not one owner used the word “aggressive”. This led me to the conclusion that dogs really aren’t so different than us! Your Rottweiler’s temperament is a combination of heredity and environment and is fine-tuned through training.
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
