1st post, about my Rott and my problem...

[Tusk]

Bruce, thanks for the advice, I'll do that.

As for the inside thing.... I must be in the minority here? Do I feel a 130 lb Rottweiler should be outside most of the time? Yes, I do. Sorry, when he was old enough to be outside, he was outside. I know of others that have their dogs inside all the time, but this isn't a poodle. It's a big dog who's a protector of my family. (my wife's place was broken into twice before I moved in.) He's my best buddy, and I spent TONS of time with him outside. I do take him on car rides, etc, etc. But, when we're at work all day, he's outside, and in my opinion, should be. When I'm home, he's outside. He's not a bird, he's a big dog. Why is this sad? I love to have him indoors sometimes, and he IS well behaved when he's inside. But when he's shedding or when he's been rolling around in the dirt after a bath... well, that's why he's outside!

Maybe I'm misreading what the jist of, "how sad" is... but yes, in my dog's eyes, coming inside is something he's pretty happy about. Does it mean he's upset when he's asleep outside? Absolutely not.

[Tusk]

Originally Posted by samanthac

No, with all due respect, it is NOT his job. It is not his job to determine who is acceptable and who is not. It is YOUR job to determine that and convey it to him and train him to abide by that. It is not his job or even remotely acceptable for him to harass a neighbor with barking every time the gentleman goes out in his yard. It is your job to keep him from doing that. This is what the AC/police can and willc lassify as a nuisance dog if reported.

I have a rescue bitch that is an alarmist. She will bark at people, kids and other dogs, birds, trucks, you name it. No amount of training we have done over 5 years has corrected it out of her. Because of that my husband and I go out into the yard with her. As soon as she even looks like she is going to bark at a person or other dog she is taken in the house and then brought back out later.

We have a new neighbor and she is gunning for their Golden that they obliviously let run our fence despite the fact it is quite apparent that it agitates her. As soon as I see them come out/or if they are already out, we take her in or wait until they go back in.

Its just courtesy and beat's the hell out of a fight with your neighbor or a visit from police or AC! :)

I do respect everyone's opinion, and stand corrected... it is NOT his job, you guys are right. It's mine.

[LavenderRott]

Yep, you are defiinately a minority around here! My 120 pound bitch is an inside dog and always has been. Heck, yesterday, she was in inside on the bed with her sick mom dog.

You will find that most of the people here do not feel comfortable with outside dogs for many reasons. The least of which is barking at the neighbors. Dogs left out get poisoned, stolen, shot and bite kids. I think you will find that many members on this forum have had all of these things happen to their dogs. Well, not all of these things to any one member. Most of us feel that it is safer for the dog to be in the house.

[Bruce Lanthier]

It's a big dog who's a protector of my family.

Even though this is blatantly not true (as exhibited by your dogs fearful barking at non-threats) how can he protect ANYTHING while locked up out back?

Rottweilers as a breed desire to be with their "pack", their family. It is one of their traits and one of the reasons that people that understand Rottweilers get them. I have 3 dogs, 2 over a 100 pounds, and they are inside most of the time. I got the dogs because I was desirous of their companionship. It is hard to be a companion while you are locked outside and everyone else is inside.

I have found that people that do not understand the Rottweiler breed get them as protectors and then confine them where they can't protect.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lanthier

Even though this is blatantly not true (as exhibited by your dogs fearful barking at non-threats) how can he protect ANYTHING while locked up out back?

Rottweilers as a breed desire to be with their "pack", their family. It is one of their traits and one of the reasons that people that understand Rottweilers get them. I have 3 dogs, 2 over a 100 pounds, and they are inside most of the time. I got the dogs because I was desirous of their companionship. It is hard to be a companion while you are locked outside and everyone else is inside.

I have found that people that do not understand the Rottweiler breed get them as protectors and then confine them where they can't protect.

I really agree here..plus, the "size" of your dog should not be a consideration for putting him outside. You have other family members that are probably that size too, should they be outside?

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Tusk

As for the inside thing.... I must be in the minority here? Do I feel a 130 lb Rottweiler should be outside most of the time? Yes, I do. ........ When I'm home, he's outside. He's not a bird, he's a big dog. Why is this sad? I love to have him indoors sometimes, and he IS well behaved when he's inside. But when he's shedding or when he's been rolling around in the dirt after a bath... well, that's why he's outside!

Bucky is 4 years old - he weighs 120 lbs. - he stays INSIDE all day when I am at work - he is "protecting" the couch most of the day. I know he is safe inside and not subject to being stolen or poisoned or accidently let out of his yard.

When I get home - I take him outside and walk him or just sit outside and watch him enjoy his fenced in area.

We go back inside when we have had enough fun - he then lays down and watches TV until it is time to go to bed - at which time he follows me into the bedroom - gets on his bed and goes to sleep.

I have NEVER looked at him and thought - gee - he sure is big - I bet he would rather be outside by himself.

And I'll BET your dog would MUCH rather be with you! - JMHO

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by Tusk

As for the inside thing.... I must be in the minority here? Do I feel a 130 lb Rottweiler should be outside most of the time? Yes, I do. Sorry, when he was old enough to be outside, he was outside. I know of others that have their dogs inside all the time, but this isn't a poodle. It's a big dog who's a protector of my family. (my wife's place was broken into twice before I moved in.) He's my best buddy, and I spent TONS of time with him outside. I do take him on car rides, etc, etc. But, when we're at work all day, he's outside, and in my opinion, should be. When I'm home, he's outside. He's not a bird, he's a big dog. Why is this sad? I love to have him indoors sometimes, and he IS well behaved when he's inside. But when he's shedding or when he's been rolling around in the dirt after a bath... well, that's why he's outside! .

Yes, you are the minority, especially in this day and age when we have a keener understanding of responsible pet ownership and canine behvaior. If you feel this way, again I say this with respect, then you should not have any dog let alone a Rottweiler. By isolating this dog outside you can and will create aggression issues. Rottweilers are highly social animals that need human interaction and constant supervision/leadership, which you cannot give this dog if he is outside and left to his own devices for long periods of time. He can and will create his own rules and he is doing it already.

Yes, he is not a bird, he's a dog. And you should have thought of that before you got him or placed him if it was going to be such an issue for him to be inside. I hate to break it to you, but dogs shed, dogs slobber, dogs get dirty. Again, you should have thought of that before you got him. He should be with someone who can give him the life he needs if you are not willing to.

And if you want a protector, get a gun, change the locks or install a security system. A dog is a life not a personal protection device. We fight hard enough to cast off the bad image this breed has without people tossing them out in yards as watchdogs waiting for an accident to happen.

I don't mean to be disrespectful in any way with anything I have said. I am thinking about what is best for the dog in the long run.

And FTR, I have three in my home and my home is quite lovely and clean....but that is because I train my dogs and keep it that way.

[Tusk]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lanthier

Even though this is blatantly not true (as exhibited by your dogs fearful barking at non-threats) how can he protect ANYTHING while locked up out back?

Rottweilers as a breed desire to be with their "pack", their family. It is one of their traits and one of the reasons that people that understand Rottweilers get them. I have 3 dogs, 2 over a 100 pounds, and they are inside most of the time. I got the dogs because I was desirous of their companionship. It is hard to be a companion while you are locked outside and everyone else is inside.

I have found that people that do not understand the Rottweiler breed get them as protectors and then confine them where they can't protect.

Both break ins were people jumping over the garage, into the back pation area, (where Gage is, ) and busting the window. If anything, him out back saves me $200 for replacing the glass!

I understand about the being shot, stolen, or whatever, but I'm sorry, maybe I'm painting this the wrong way. He's inside at times, but outside most, and sleeps there too. I don't think he's in any danger outside, not in the least. He gets tons of attention, but I'll admit, I obviously need to train him more, and get him to quit barking.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by Tusk

Both break ins were people jumping over the garage, into the back pation area, (where Gage is, ) and busting the window. If anything, him out back saves me $200 for replacing the glass!

It would cost less than $200 to place bars over the window. And I am talking about bars that can swing open or be closed and locked with a padlock.

[mmilard]

What happens when your Rottie prefers being outside? I have 2 of them. My male is almost 4 years old and loves to be outside. I bring him in, and in about 10 minutes, he is back at the door ready to go outside and run and play and toss an empty 55 gallon drum around, plus buckets, he loves his buckets. Now my female on the other hand, is a little over a year and is such a princess. She is the opposite of my male and prefers being inside. When she's been ouside for more then 10 minutes, she is right at the back door ready to come back in. If they are both happy, then that is all that matters to me.

Now about the barking, I really don't have that problem. I live out in the woods here in South Carolina and my closest neighbor is about a mile, maybe a little less, away. I do however, live on the same property that my business is located on. When I'm back at my house, and my Rotties bark, I go outside to see what is going on, and more then likely, a truck driver is coming up to my house to make a delivery. But once I say "enough" they stop. The "enough" command does work, and should be given a try.

Good luck and let us know how everything works out. :)

[Tusk]

Originally Posted by samanthac

Yes, you are the minority, especially in this day and age when we have a keener understanding of responsible pet ownership and canine behvaior. If you feel this way, again I say this with respect, then you should not have any dog let alone a Rottweiler. By isolating this dog outside you can and will create aggression issues. Rottweilers are highly social animals that need human interaction and constant supervision/leadership, which you cannot give this dog if he is outside and left to his own devices for long periods of time. He can and will create his own rules and he is doing it already.

Yes, he is not a bird, he's a dog. And you should have thought of that before you got him or placed him if it was going to be such an issue for him to be inside. I hate to break it to you, but dogs shed, dogs slobber, dogs get dirty. Again, you should have thought of that before you got him. He should be with someone who can give him the life he needs if you are not willing to.

And if you want a protector, get a gun, change the locks or install a security system. A dog is a life not a personal protection device. We fight hard enough to cast off the bad image this breed has without people tossing them out in yards as watchdogs waiting for an accident to happen.

I don't mean to be disrespectful in any way with anything I have said. I am thinking about what is best for the dog in the long run.

And FTR, I have three in my home and my home is quite lovely and clean....but that is because I train my dogs and keep it that way.

No disrespect taken. I guess I'm getting a tad defensive here. I've had 3 rotts the past 20 years, and no issues with biting, with having a dog run me a certain way, any of that. This is the first time, EVER. Change of scenery for him perhaps, I don't know. When I wake up in the morning, I take him out for a walk. When I get home at night, I take him out again, or play with him for an hour. When I go to the store, he comes with me. When I'm at work all day. He's outside. That's the way it's always been for me and my Rotts, and never had I thought they were not having a great life, or underserved treatment. I've got this barking problem, and I'll deal with it, I just wanted some advice. Thanks to all for their input.

I also realize it's obviously possible to have a large dog in the house, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm not saying there is. I'm just a little shocked I'm in the minority on the subject, maybe I need to re evaluate my thoughts on the issue.

[Major]

I've closed this thread since the original topic has been covered. Tusk, please do read more, ask more, and stay around. We love talking Rottweilers here.