Need advice on bonding with my rottie
Hey hey! I am a teen and I am trying to become more comfortable around dogs. I could really use some help and advice on that.
I have a Rottweiler and I have grown up around them, but I have never really felt connected to any of them. I am older now and we have a newer pup. He turns 3 in December.
He is super cute, friendly, and just a big baby, but I cannot find a way to fully connect with him or feel that love yet. That sounds SO bad, but I do want to and I have been trying since he arrived. I want to be the type of person who pets him, plays with him, loves him, and even talks to him, MAYBE EVEN HUGS HIM!
I just have a few issues that make it difficult for me.
He is not the most trained pup in a structured way, mostly just socially friendly with dogs and people, because my mom spoils him and treats him like a baby.
He is not neutered, and my mom says none of our previous dogs needed it and that it does not affect him like it does with cats.
He is very drooly, which I know is normal for the breed, but I feel grossed out and sometimes gag when it gets on me.
I want to pet him, but I do not really know how, and I hate my hands smelling like a dog. I am getting a bit better by carrying wet wipes to clean the smell.
Also I live upstairs alone while my parents are downstairs. We now have a baby gate because whenever he came upstairs before, he would sometimes poop or pee by my door. Horrible smell and I am sensitive to smells.
He refuses to use the large yard and will only go when he is on walks, so my mom takes him out early in the morning and again in the afternoon.
I just struggle to feel fully comfortable and loving toward him. I want to be able to hug him and be close to him.
I cannot really play with him because he only likes tug games and he is strong enough that I get pulled around and probably flung. One time it felt like he was going to break my arm.
I think I really need a mindset change. I want to be happy around him and give him all the love he deserves. Every dog deserves that, and I want to know how I can get there. Maybe gradual exposure could help?
I have tried petting him a few times and he was really happy, and I felt happy too, but it is hard for me to get myself to do it consistently.
TLDR: I want to bond with my Rottweiler and be more comfortable around him, but I struggle with sensory issues, fear of mess, and not knowing how to interact with him. I am looking for advice on how to change my mindset and build a better connection gradually.