Neighbors have a "Roty" no a "Rottie" Part II

[rxcook117]

Hi,

I don't know how to broadcast to everyone who originally responded to my message. So I posted a new topic.
I want to thank everyone who responded to my original post - nobody flamed me, even when I misspelled Rottie.
I should have told everyone my paranoia - last year a 4 year old boy was killed by a Rottweiler in our town, then you see the National Vet. Council labeling the Rottie the most dangerous dog in America ... well you get the picture.
I believe this story does have a happy ending. I went and talked to the owners - what great people ! They allowed me to meet their dogs and play with them. Wow, these big huge dogs, who have been trashed in the media to the point you think they are responsible for everything bad - including the common cold, were actually two very big teddy bears. I quickly lost my fear. The owners understood my trepidation, they encouraged my questions and to allow my children to meet the dogs as well. They stated the dogs had been raised in love from day one and were part of their family - which included a 4 year old girl and 1 year old boy. In fact they bark far less and appear less ferocious than the poodle next door.
Now that I have read about Rotties I understand their love and devotion and why so many people flock to the breed.
Thanks for all of your feedback.

Mary's Husband
Jonathan and Sarah's Dad and now
Columbus' and Alibi's new Neighbor

[JonandMichelle]

I am pleased things went as well as they did. I have much respect for you for getting involved and getting educated :) **Most** uneducated people would have raised a stink, spouted off phrases that would make no sense, and then leave.

Just please remember, that even though they are big teddy bears, things happen. Please NEVER lose the respect for the dogs, and NEVER forget the responsiblity! I wish you much luck with your future house, neighbors, and community!

This may sound silly, but you may want to get a few Rottweiler books. The more YOU know about the breed, the better neighbor and friend you will be ;)

thanks for letting us know! I had been wondering what the outcome of your investigation would be.

I do think there are more responsible people owning these dogs lately. A friend of mine who is a veterinarian strongly cautioned me against getting a rottweiler a few years ago. Recently, she said that she now sees more and more 'nice' rotties in her practice. Perhaps to some degree the education about the breed is getting out there (unfortunately not enough).

I reallly admire you for investigating this and giving your potential neighbors the benefit of the doubt.

Best wishes with your new home.

[scoop70]

I am really glad that the posts helped, and now that we have "Educated" yet another person about Rotts. Good. What am I talking about I don't even have one yet! :D
"Educated"

[Judi W]

Number 12 for registrations in 2000.

[WorkinDogz]

Congrats rxcook! Glad you're doing what all dog owners wish EVERYONE would do...learning as much as you can about dogs; and Rottweilers in particular!

I couldn't agree more with JonandMichelle. Alway be aware of the dogs; their posture; if they have toys or food; etc.

Rotties can be the most sensitive and caring dogs in the world...but they are still DOGS and never to be left unattended with kids.

Also; they can be very territorial! PLEASE never allow your children to pet them through the fence. Dogs (of any breed really) who would welcome you into their yard with slobber kisses and tail (or nub as the case may be ;)) wags after their owner invites you in...sometimes don't welcome the "invasion" of their space from the opposite side of the fence.

Common sense and a healthy respect for the power this breed does possess is the best way to avoid any problems at all :)

Don't fool yourself; unfortunately this breed did earn the title "Deadliest Breed" :(

We also have to claim more than our fair share of "idiot owners" too. :(

[Hurricane]

How wonderful that your story has a "happpy ending"! Hurricane has already scared a few people, just because he is black and tan and 25" tall. :(
On the other hand, the friends I have moved in with love him to death, and anyone who bothers to take the time and talk to me about him are also won over. Now we just need to get him a little more comfortable with the horses! As it is now, he tries to follow me out when I feed and water, but when the horses walk up to say hi, he runs back through the fence. At least he doesn't feel the need to herd them or chase them! Enjoy! :)

[Andy's Mom]

We had neighbors who when they came to look at the new house next door to ours meet our gorgeous, sweet Anna. Then when they moved in they began complaining about her (she was in our front yard which was divided from their with a arborvedae fence and when they got out of their car to get their mail, she barked at them). The man shouted "Control your dog!" and raised the newspaper above his head as if to defend himself. My father-in-law who was visiting at the time, held her collor and shouted back, "She's been here with us, but has she bitten you or something?" "She doesn't have to!!" and later that week we got a letter in the mail from them explaining that they were afraid of dogs in general (why the hell did they move next door to one then?). They asked us to have control of our dog at all times even when it's in our yard. My husband went to them and explained that the dog is very friendly and invited them to come visit her, which they refused. He also explained that we would not allow our dog to go into their yard, however, she would be allowed complete access to our garden.

Anna died about five years later. The neighbors on the other side of them have a male lab with whom our neighbors are very friendly. When I see them with old Bo, I think, "you poor fools, you missed out on knowing the best dog in the whole world in Anna." Bo, by the way, roams the neighborhood getting into garbage cans, pooping everywhere, etc. I wonder what the difference was between Anna and Bo?

[frau]

I rarely disagree with folks on this forum. It's better to simply keep your thoughts to yourself.

This time I will make an exception.

No one should think my dog is a big cuddly bear. She isn't a stuffed animal in a store for all to stop and hug. I watch her like a hawk and am not comfortable with my 16 yo daughter holding the leash in Petsmart. She doesn't give 100% attention to watching Gypsy.

I walk point when we take walks around other people/animals. I know that anything unusual gets her excited (from ducks to pink bicycles). At home she's fairly laid back but seems to be constantly over-stimulated when we are away from home.

I didn't want a big cuddly bear and didn't get one. Rotties weren't bred (originally) to be cuddly, soft dogs. I wish I didn't have to be so vigilant, but I take being a Rottie owner VERY seriously.

Only yesterday a girl on a pink bicycle jumped off her bike and ran screaming in the opposite direction at the mere sight of my family with Gypsy on leash (w/Gentle Leader). The behaving dog became agitated at with the screaming and running.

I am glad some folks' Rotties are big cuddly bears, but I won't ever underestimate MINE or anyone else's.

Frau

[my2rotties]

GEEZ, I wish the lady that lives across the cul de sac from me was like you. It is so refreshing to see a person that is fearful of this breed, actually read about it, meet one and give the breed a well deserved chance, before dismissing them as anything but a menace.

Good for you, and I can't say how glad I am to see you slowly start changing your mind about the Rottweiler. Your neighbors are great people for spending the time to allow you to meet them as well.

Thank you for taking the time to come here and learn about this beautiful but sadly misunderstood breed.

[winniecnm]

Originally posted by Judi W:
Number 12 for registrations in 2000.

Really?? IMO that is GREAT news!! Sorry, my mistake. :)

[winniecnm]

Originally posted by frau:
I didn't want a big cuddly bear and didn't get one. Rotties weren't bred (originally) to be cuddly, soft dogs. I wish I didn't have to be so vigilant, but I take being a Rottie owner VERY seriously.

Only yesterday a girl on a pink bicycle jumped off her bike and ran screaming in the opposite direction at the mere sight of my family with Gypsy on leash (w/Gentle Leader). The behaving dog became agitated at with the screaming and running.

I am glad some folks' Rotties are big cuddly bears, but I won't ever underestimate MINE or anyone else's. Frau

I am TERRIBLY sorry if I upset you but IMO a well reared family orentated rottweiler should have no objections to getting a hug from a child while supervised.

What are we to do?? Tell everyone that our breed is a vicious bloodthirsty animal? That it eats kids for breakfast?? Please, I do not kid myself into thinking that my dogs are humans dressed in fur, or an inaminate teddy bears, or that they would NEVER bite, but I also don't need to cringe everytime a child comes up and wants to play with any of my dogs on lead, or when my neighbor's four year old daughter takes a marrow bone from my 14 mo male.

A well bred rottweiler is calm and self assured ..though I cannot speak for the temperments of other people's dogs, I have never seen my dogs react in a hyper way to ANYTHING, and my neghbor's kids are always yelling and riding their bikes on our street. Does this mean that I don't keep a responsible eye on my dogs?? Absolutely not.

Just as rottweilers were not bred to be soft teddy bears, they also SHOULD not be bred to be unapproachable high strung animals constantly on gaurd, with the misconception that those characteristics are NECESSARY for the animal to be protective.

Rxcooke has met responsible rottweiler owners who have two well adjusted, well reared rottweilers. True...maybe the adjective big teddy bears isn't the MOST appropriate term to use, that dosen't change the fact that someone who USED to fear our breed has now perhaps has seen our breed in a new, more positive light. :)Frankly I was so stunned and thrilled in his change in attitude, I really couldn't give a hoot about the term teddy bear.

[MVARTANIANM]

rxcook117,

I, for one, appreciate your desire to find out more about this wonderful breed -

My neighbors know I take all animals in for rehabilitation, and also came to see how my FOUR Rottweilers would be with them and also thier children. They never questioned the Parrots or squirrels or racoons, or wild birds, or even my one dog, but when it turned from one, to two, to three, then four Rottweilers - my one neighbor- like you, had doubts and fears, but, like you, also researched and then approached us to "meet" the crew. I am happy to tell you we had the same results, she was so worried and nervous when she approached, then got the "wiggle butt" dance and the happy greeting, and was immediatly put at ease.

We also discussed the myths and facts and she left glad she met us all, as we were glad we met her too.

People such as yourself and my neighbor are very rare and far and few in between - I guess what I am trying to say is thanks for your open mind and doing your own research - you are the epitome of the "Good Neighbor"

Martine

[C'est Moi]

So glad to hear that one more person has shifted their paradigm about Rotts! I, too, was afraid of big dogs (my dad was bit in the knee by a German Shepherd once - still has trouble walking). I had a Yorkshire Terrier and never wanted anything bigger! I was stunned when, after deciding to get a dog, my husband was determined to get a Rott! My first response was "NO WAY".

For two years, we didn't get a dog. My husband would casually leave a book here, a magazine there, pictures, videos, anything he could find relating to Rotts or big dogs. Finally, he convinced me to read "The Koehler Method" dog training book. I felt confident that, using this method, we could train any size dog. But I still didn't like Rotts; my only concession was how beautiful they were.

Then, my cousin showed us his new puppy. I fell in love! Aries was a beautiful Rott. When he turned 2, we decided that we would get one of our own because I was so impressed with Aries' playful-yet-controlled manner. He's good with kids and if he starts to get rough, one word from my cousin and it stops.

We will have had our Delilah for 2 years this April, and I'm proud to say she's exceeded my expectations. She's well socialized, LOVES children (my sister has 8 kids, and Delilah will whine at the window after they leave), listens well, and really is a cuddly teddy bear! I still want another Yorkie someday, but I also hope to always have a Rottie in my home. :)