3 Common Rottweiler Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)

Remember: A well-trained Rottweiler is one of the most loyal, loving dogs you'll ever have. They just need the right guidance to bring out their best.

Where Do Rottweilers Come From?

Rottweilers are one of the oldest herding breeds. They came from Roman drover dogs that travelled across Europe with Roman armies, herding cattle to feed soldiers.

In the German town of Rottweil, they became known as "Butcher's Dogs." They drove cattle to market, guarded money pouches around butchers' necks, and pulled heavy carts full of meat.

What were they bred to do?

These dogs had to:

• Drive cattle over long distances
• Protect valuable livestock from thieves and predators
• Guard money and property
• Pull heavy carts
• Make their own decisions about danger without waiting for their owner

Key breeding traits:

Rottweilers were bred to be powerful and muscular so they could control cattle. They needed to be confident and brave, never backing down from a threat. They had to be fiercely loyal to their family but suspicious of strangers.

Most importantly, they were bred to think independently and assess threats on their own.

Why Do Rottweilers Have These Behaviour Problems?

Your Rottweiler isn't being difficult on purpose. For hundreds of years, these dogs were bred to guard valuable things and make their own decisions about danger.

That independent thinking and protective instinct is still part of who they are today. They don't wait for permission to protect - it's in their DNA.

Understanding this helps you work with your dog's natural instincts instead of fighting against them.

Problem 1: My Rottweiler Is Too Protective

What's happening: Your dog barks at visitors, acts aggressive towards strangers, or guards your home too intensely.

Why it happens: Rottweilers were bred to guard livestock, money, and meat carts from thieves. Their job was to spot threats and respond on their own. This guardian instinct is deeply genetic.

The fix: You need to show your Rottweiler that YOU make the decisions about threats, not them.

When your dog barks at someone approaching:

• Look calmly at the person for 2 seconds
• Turn your back and walk away
• If barking continues, put them in a quiet room for 5-10 minutes (no talking)

Practice with guests by having visitors completely ignore your dog at first. No eye contact, no speaking, no movement towards them. You greet the person first to show they're safe.

Walk past strangers regularly whilst keeping the lead loose. If your dog shows suspicion (hard stare, stiff body), immediately turn and walk away. This teaches them to look to you for guidance.

Need help getting this right? Timing and consistency are crucial with Rottweilers. Join our free Skool community to ask questions about your specific situation in our weekly Q&As and get feedback from experienced trainers and other Rottweiler owners.

Problem 2: Leash Pulling and Reactivity

What's happening: Your Rottweiler pulls hard on the lead, lunges at other dogs, or acts aggressive when on a leash.

Why it happens: As drover dogs, Rottweilers controlled cattle by blocking them with their bodies. They never backed down when challenged. A leash makes them feel trapped because they can't use their normal method of controlling space.

The fix: Teach your Rottweiler to check in with you every 10-20 feet during walks. Reward them heavily with treats or praise when they look at you for guidance.

Practice "tactical positioning" where they learn to move to your left or right side on command. This shows them they can control space through positioning instead of confrontation.

Use a front-clip harness to reduce pulling power without causing pain.

Stay calm. If you get nervous that your dog will react, they will react. Walk with confidence and keep the lead loose. If your Rottweiler struggles and you're not worried, calmly turn your back to whatever they're focused on, take them by the collar, and let them relax.

Struggling with walks? Leash reactivity can be one of the toughest behaviours to work through alone. Inside our Skool community, you'll find step-by-step video demonstrations of structured walking techniques and can share your progress with other owners tackling the same challenges.

Problem 3: Testing Boundaries and Dominance

What's happening: Your Rottweiler ignores commands, pushes into your space constantly, or acts like they make the rules.

Why it happens: These dogs were bred to work independently and make decisions about controlling cattle without human input. This independence means they constantly test rules and push boundaries. They're checking if you're a strong enough leader to follow.

The fix: Consistency is everything with Rottweilers. They respect routines and clear rules that never change.

• Feed at exact times every day
• Never leave food or bones lying around
• Every member of the household should help with feeding and training
• Make them wait before getting dinner
• If they refuse a command, calmly remove what they want for 10 minutes, then try again (no drama, just consequences)

Space management: Rottweilers are big, affectionate dogs who love cuddles. This is part of the breed. But if you're struggling with dominance, only allow cuddles on your terms. Don't let them put their big head on your lap and demand attention whenever they want.

Everyone in your house needs to follow the same rules. No exceptions.

Finding it hard to stay consistent? Getting everyone in your household on the same page is tough. Our Skool community has full household training guides and you can troubleshoot specific situations during our live weekly webinars.

Is a Rottweiler Right for a New Owner?

A Rottweiler might be perfect for you if you're looking for:

A protective family dog - Rottweilers are naturally protective and will guard your family and home. They form incredibly strong bonds with their people.

A loyal companion for active families - These dogs love having a job to do and enjoy outdoor activities. They thrive with families who can give them regular exercise and mental stimulation.

A dog that responds to consistent leadership - If you enjoy structure and routine, Rottweilers will respect you for it. They love knowing what's expected of them.

An intelligent dog you can train - Rottweilers are very smart and learn quickly. With the right approach, they're highly trainable and eager to work with you.

A dog with moderate exercise needs - They need 1-1.5 hours of exercise daily, which is manageable for most active families.

If you're ready to commit to consistent training and can provide firm, calm leadership, a Rottweiler can become your most devoted friend.

Get the Full Support System for Your Rottweiler

This guide gives you real solutions you can start using today. But raising a well-behaved Rottweiler is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

That's why we created our free Skool community - to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific Rottweiler and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
• Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
• A supportive community of other Rottweiler owners who understand exactly what you're going through
• Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action, not just read about them
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
• Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to build the best relationship with your Rottweiler.