1 bad temperment and several hearts broken

[pazzo]

Here's my story. Santo will be put down this week. I am not sure what day he will be gong home but it's time to say goodbye. For those of you who don't know, Santo is almost 2. He came to live with me a 9 wks. I was warned by another breeder (after he was here) that his lines were dangerous. She told me if I didn't have children DON'T, that he would maul and/or kill a child and I was in definite trouble. I believed her to be annoyed that I bought a pup from someone else, moved forward and forgot about it. I bought Santo with dog sport in mind and at 5 1/2 mths. found an amazing trainer with accomplishments to long to list here.

As a young pup 9-24 wks. I KNEW he was aggressive, most people thought I was making to much fuss about it, but I knew. I would correct him, he'd come back stronger. He NEVER backed down for a minute, from anything! He was lifting his leg at 4 months, he bit my 2 bil's at 13 wks enough for stitches, and he learned things I taught him VERY quickly. He was not destructive and was very independant. He was socialized beyond belief. Strong nerves etc....

First day with new trainer, trainer says, this dog is no wimp, he's a strong dog, very tough, let's get to work. Santo loved working, he was happiest on the field. Over time my trainer would CONSTANTLY be telling me how to handle at home, what to do, what not to do....so you see I had one of the best on call 24/7. Santo always showed signss of sharpness, and I was not afraid to correct him. I am a strong minded individual and fair. My trainer grew concerned and told me (over and over) of his concerns, he always said Santo would not be the family dog I invisioned. He said he would not be able to be trusted with all the in and outof the family and not to be trusted with children, as he grew older. All Things that Santo handled well and on a daily basis. I respect my trainer but thought he was a bit off here, because I could not see Santo changing. It's called "LOVE is blind" Santo got his BH at 16 mths, his ob1 and tr1 at 19 months and is trained to a Shuth3 level at just shy of 24 months. When we dug deeper, I found out that first breeder's warnings were correct. There are some nasty temperments in his lines, and many tragedy's as well.

Inspite of all his training, Santo's changes became apparent to me a few months back, when he started to GROWL at me. They started off low and grew, inspite of my corrections. As I write this, I do not feel safe walking around my home, right now, everyone else is more safe than I am. Santo's issues at this moment are with me, his owner,trainer, handler,caretaker. No one handled Santo but me, I fed him, walked him, played with him everyday.

My trainer who is my best friend, has told me the time has come. It was very hard for him to be this blunt with me as he knows how I feel for Santo. We discussed this at great length about a month ago, and things have progressively gotten worse. I realize now, not only through my trainer's help but some really great people here, (you know who you are ) that this is the only way. Santo was delt a bad hand from his breeders and his temperment is incorrect of a rottweiler and (as some wonderful person told me) I will not let an unfortunate truth, be my shame. I refuse to let Santo hurt me or someone else EVER. I will let him go out as good not bad. I will not let him bring this breed another black eye. I have been delt this responsibility and I will handle this as I should. Knowing the "TRUTHS" now, and knowing the right people then could have saved me this pain, but through adversity is how we learn. Lesson learned...the hard way.
I want all of you to please keep up in your prayers, it takes strength and courage to do the right thing, but this is MY boy 2nd to go in 2 years and I need the prayers to find the strength to let Santo go. He will be going home this week, I will be there to help him pass and Nico will be there to help him cross and the pain will be forever imprinted in my heart. This all could have been avoided if his breeders would have paid attention to temperment.
Now our family is facing an awful loss once again, please keep us close in thought.
Dana

[anna&jacksmom]

How awful for you to have to go through this. Your are in my thoughts and prayers.

[jazzie23]

I am so sorry, you know better than anyone else you are making a right decision. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Santo. You are a very strong individual to be making this decision.

You're making me wonder though, as Jazmin came from a non-reputable breeder who bred a 8 year old deaf and blind bitch and she was a handful in her early months and just like you mentioned people thought I was crazy for being so tough on her but she would retaliate to my corrections. She has been quiet for a couple months now, I hope this is gone and won't come back. I hope I won't have to make the decision you're making now in a couple years.

Although I wanna thank you for educating new people like me. Maybe in the future you can share more.

[pazzo]

Thank you for your replys. Jazzie, the thing is I researched the lines I liked, Santo comes from hard working lines,(not a byb, unfortunately what looks good on PAPER, isnt always) alot of rotti's can be stubborn, and hard headed and the will test the waters to see how far they can go, but it is rare to have a truly "viscious" pup. That being said you should have a trainer, a mentor someone who you can go to, luckily I had the right person, a little late, had I known him sooner I wouldn't have been in this situation. I did post this for the sake of new people learning, if I could help even one person, that is my intention. If you have questions, I will share my answers freely. This is not my first rottweiler, and I have been around countless, I should have trusted my gut, but it was already to late for that, he was here with me.

[Tank's Grandma]

Dana, I know this isn't easy, but I admire you for having the strength and courage to do what you know is right.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cash]

Dana,
I believe you have done everything in your earthly power to do right by this dog. You have a fantastic trainer and you have unearthed all possible solutions. Outside of your own heart and mind you also have it on very sage advice about his temperament and what he is capable of doing. It is the most difficult decision to make - to have to play God. However a good Rottweiler does not exhibit the signs and behaviors you're describing in Santo. Regardless of how well he was raised and trained. Someone made the analogy that Jeffrey Dahmer also had an ideal childhood, look what he grew up to be. Some living creatures are not wired right.

So sad this story, such a beautiful boy and so young. Send him home with all the love in your heart and peace knowing you are doing right by him.

My thought and prayers are with you.
Catherine

[pazzo]

Thank you Catherine. You are a wonderful soul.
Dana

[Em396]

Dear Dana,

Is it ok if I call you that, even though we've never met and I'm new here? I'm actually crying now because I was in your spot just a few weeks ago. Different situation (my dog had been poisoned) but I had to face the same decision you are: whether to keep going and fighting or let my boy go in peace. In the end, I let my boy go and I know it was the right thing to do but that didn't make the weight of the decision or the anguish that came with it any easier. He was my first dog and still young - he was my baby boy. Letting him go was the hardest thing I have ever had to face in my life and there are days where it just kills me.

So, I'm sending my prayers and strength to you, your family and to Santo. I know what this feels like, and I wish there was a way to help the pain. I guess just keep in mind that you're helping your boy and that you gave him the best life you could. Just take it one day at a time.

Respectfully, Monika

[AZBRAT]

I am truly so very sorry for you. Knowing you are making the right decision doesn't make this any easier. You will be in my prayers.

[JudyP]

You are a strong and courageous woman. It is often harder to do the right thing. You are in my prayers!

j

[debbiej]

I too want to send my sympathy and wishes for strength and comfort in this very difficult time. I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

[hcelsa]

Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. I know that this is a horribly hard decision to make, but I also know you have the strength to do what is right. May you all find true peace, in the calm after this storm.

Sending hugs and Rottweiler wiggles and snuggles east from us and ours,

[winniecnm]

I am so sorry to hear this terrible story Dana. I have also heard about lines that are very, very sharp as well - it is terrible that your Santo was dealt this fate and I know from your posts here that you gave this guy everything you could. We will be thinking of you this week when you send your boy to the bridge.

Sad as this story is, I must say that I am so PROUD of you that you are making the call to put and end to a potentially devastating situation and I hope that other members here who are facing similar issues read this and gain that extra bit of strength to make the right decision too. - Jennifer

[BostonRott]

Dana,

My heart goes out to you. Your strength of character and commitment to the breed are admirable. I know too many who would simply turn around and sell such a dog (a dog which doesn't fit their personal needs). Dogs are sold every day (to novices!! ) who have poor temperament, unsuitable for breeding, but the truth is never told, only $$ collected.

I'm sorry you have to go through this. My prayers are with you, and Godspeed to Santo, may he finally be at peace.

[StephanieandToby]

I'm so sorry you are going through this...but thank-you for having the courage to let him go....my heart is breaking for you...