Help please need some advise . .

[Lorrie]

I just got a gorgeous Rottn boy in as a foster . . 3.5 years old . . owner surrender to the local pound . . he's been bounced between a couple kennels and a vet (getting neutered), then was placed in a home.

The dog is very well mannered . . formal obediance trained . . very loving with the "family" once he know who they are. But this boy is nervous . . his whole world has been turned upside down, I don't believe he had been well socialized by his previous owners .. which makes it even tougher on him.

The home he was placed in had a construction business running out of it .. very busy . . trucks and guys coming and going all the time . . the dog was there for 2 weeks . . absolutely fantastic with the family . . but seemed not to be able to handle the traffic of the business and wound up growling and trying to bite one of the employees.

I have had him since Sunday . . what can I say .. I love him! He is reserved with people at first but just a sweety once he knows you .. tons of kisses and wigglebutts. Because I am full to the rafters with other fosters (including a female Rottn in season - rescue dogs just always seem to come intact . . grrrr) This boy has been in an outside run with one other dog.

My other half (not a dog person - go figure) has spent a total of 10 mins with this dog since Sunday and yesterday when he came home the dog barked at the gate . . when he approached the gate . . the dog started growling and lunging at the fence.

What is your take on this . . was he just doing his job and even though he has met my other half just wasn't sure he should be there . . or am I dealing with something bigger here like fear aggression.

I have a potential home for this dog on Saturday .. nothing like the previous home .. very quiet with Rott experiance people. He is fine with strangers as long as his "people" are home . . . Is this a bad thing .. why am I so worried about this dog. The last thing I want to do is "set him up" . .

All opinions welcome and greatly needed!!

[Storm]

Genetics is part of the overall picture of the dog but his life also seems to have had no consistency. He may not have been worked with extensively enough to imprint what behaviors are acceptable or not. It could also be that this behavior has escalated which initially was sparked off through fear.

[Judi W]

Lorrie,
Rule of thumb is that a dog that is aggressive with people and especially one that has tried to bite is not a candidate for rehoming. This takes a special part of your heart, but it is of the utmost importance. Taking in a rescue has many problems but endangering people is one that can put the entire rescue operation at risk, not just the people who might be injured. Just as owners will often find an excuse for their dog being aggressive (the person had on a hat, or it was a "stranger", it is easy when we see a rescue that has virtues to want to excuse this fault, however it is even more critical that it not be. With a dog someone has raised, they at least know all the signs and can regulate the environment better (or certainly should) however with a dog of unknown background, a rescue home can be too easily lulled into comfort and someone too easily hurt.

The real problem I see is that home is then lost for future rescues and takes with it potential homes of their friends and acquaintences. The rescue dog represents all rescue dogs of its breed. One that is a valuable member of a family stimulates more homes and placements. One that is a liability and a danger kills that potential. I would say that if someone had the time to foster and train that dog and see if they could bring it to a safe stage, MAYBE..... but it is a very big maybe taking much resource that could be devoted to several other dogs that would not consider biting someone. That is where the "heart" somes in. Looking at the bigger picture. Also, even if that were done, the dog would then end up going to a new place and it would start over again. With an owner turn-in, it is likely that the reason was the aggression. Owners will lie about the history when they turn in such a dog as they do not want to take responsibility and wish for someone else to assume it.

[brunie's mom]

Lorrie,
I have to agree with Judi W.... if this dog has bitten people I would be very leary of adopting him out.
With our rescue -Adopt-A-Rott, he would not even be a candidate for our program.
When my foster China came in Aug. I was also very upset because she kept growling at my husband and any friends that came over, and was growling at my own dog. She would stand about 2 feet away with hair standing up and growl!!!!
The advise they gave me was to get my hubby and friends to give her a treat everytime she came close.... told me not to worry about too many treats.
We did this for at least a month and now she is a very loving, gentle, non-growling dog. She's daddy's girl now and she knows who gives the treats. China is still skittish and more suspicious of people but nowhere near the growling girl we brought home.

Could you get a dog behaviourist to see him and give their opinion if the dog can be adoptable???
Good-luck!

Gina
Adopt-A-Rott Ontario
p.s. We are adopting China ourselves!!!

[Judi W]

Gina,
The difference is between a dog that is uncomfortable and worried and giving that message, and one that launches an attack. It is a big difference. China was scared, and said said so and said, please don't scare me..... This boy says, I'm going to hurt you.....

[Lorrie]

Thanks for the opinions . . I want to clarify one thing . . this dog has NOT bitten anyone. I have absolutely NO tolerance for teeth on skin!! He's growled and lunged from behind a fence . . but not bitten.

He is a big chicken that is very confused right now. I agree that he should not be rehomed right now . . not until I can get a better handle on him . . and maybe not at all.

I feel he deserves at least an honest assessment . . he's been let down by so many people in the last 2 months I'm not going to add myself to that list by making a decision in 4 days based on stuff I haven't seen with my own two eyes.

I will get in contact with a behavorist I know and see what they think of the situation.

Sigh . . don't know why . . but this dog is ripping my heart out!

[Judi W]

If you didn't have that heart, you would not be doing the work you are doing. Frightened and guarding the kennel is not uncommon for any dog in a strange place. I was more referring to his trying to bite one of the employees at his short time previous home. Yes, give him some time. Flexibility is a necessary character traits, and you need to see if he is able to adapt to a new environment. You will know after a time.

[Vicki]

You have a "quiet home with experienced Rottweiler people", great, I'd certainly give him a chance to see what his true temperment is like. If the foster family is willing to take him in after you fully disclose what has happened to date, do give him a chance to live. I recently pulled a dog out of a NJ shelter, and for quite a while he would, for no discernable reason, growl at my husband. We tried various things, and finally found a working combination. This dog, having been tied out, was VERY protective and even aggressive about his yard, but again, he's really learned a completely different behavior pattern in the past 5 months.

The crucial ingredient is that people can NOT be afraid of the dog, and they must be willing to closely supervise the dog at all times.

[codglvr]

Everyone's advice so far has been great. A full disclosure about this dog's history is so important if a behaviorist thinks he is adoptable. The new family would have to be commited 100% to a dog that is fearful, wether it be from genetics or past or both. It is not a task to be taken lightly, as I know you know. The key that caught my attention and my post is the "he tried to bite". I'm sure he had some light bulb learning going on. Unfortunately this makes your job, if you continue fostering him, that much more difficult. Let us know what you come up with.;)