Bonding age...

[nbattad]

When I was thinking of getting a 6 month old, (husband of owners was geting assigned to Iraq) A neighbor of mine told me of some advice he got from a rott owner. Basically the advice was that it would be better to get a rott from puppy for proper bonding and since the 6 month old had bonded with his family from puppy, it would be harder to get adjusted to us.

I know that to alot of you, this is wrong, and proven by all the "rescue" pups that I am reading about, BUT......

What is the concensus arguement that a rott from pup is better?? .....

[Denise L.]

I am no expert for sure but I got my dog when he was 2 years old, I have had him 3 months and every week that goes by I feel our bond growing. Training classes from the very first week I had him helped immensely.

It is very true rescues go through a "honeymoon" period and then they will start testing. Mine is testing me less and less and I love him more than even I ever imagined. Also, I am lucky because I know a lot of his history. That may not always be the case.

It isn't the same as having them from puppyhood and you do need time to know the dog. Months, I know I don't fully know mine yet. But I wouldn't have it any other way. The greatest gift is giving a home to an animal in need. I will always rescue...kitties included!

[Judi W]

It would only be a problem if the pup had been sitting in an isolated kennel all this time. Once the dog has social bonded, it transfers nicely.

[2rotties2luv]

Originally Posted by Judi W

It would only be a problem if the pup had been sitting in an isolated kennel all this time. Once the dog has social bonded, it transfers nicely.

Well put. Your rottie begins bonding through social interactions with you, through fair and consistant praise and corrections by you, and through learning that all good things (praise, treats, meals, etc.) come from you. The bonding is reinforced through obedience training and any other training which requires your dog to look to you as their leader.

Last October, I adopted a 6 to 8 year old (depends on which vet you ask!)
female rottie found as a stray with an unknown history. From day one, I required her to work (sit or down) for every reward (petting, treats, meals). I was clear and consistant in teaching her my house rules. She is crated when I am not supervising her, such as when I'm at work. She was ill and injured when I adopted her, so we didn't begin obedience training until April.

When I first adopted her, she was extremely submisssive, wary and had poor manners. Now, she is confident, entheusiastic and playful. It is awesome how well she listens and how quickly she learns. People are quite impressed with her good manners.

I think what kind of bond you have with a dog depends on how much time you are willing to spend teaching and training the dog, and whether you are fair, consistant and clear in showing your dog what you expect his behavior to be.

[HerculesMomma]

All I knew about my dogs past was that his previous family that included three school age girls, had to give him up due to a divorce. I find that not knowing his past is a bit frustrating, but beyond that, I don't believe he has had any problem bonding to me and it's been 5 1/2 months now that I've had him. I only see him getting better with time and it seems each day with me he better learns what I expect from him etc. So I don't see why there would be a bonding issue, but I'm not an expert either !

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by nbattad

A neighbor of mine told me of some advice he got from a rott owner. Basically the advice was that it would be better to get a rott from puppy for proper bonding and since the 6 month old had bonded with his family from puppy, it would be harder to get adjusted to us.

You can safely ignore any dog-related advice this neighbor of yours gives you.

Judi W said it perfectly and accurately, "Once the dog has social bonded, it transfers nicely."

In four years of fostering mainly adult males for our local rescue group, there were only 2 or 3 dogs who weren't able to bond with us; there were questions about these dogs and they were sent to us, as experienced Rottie owners and trainers, to see if indeed the dogs were appropriate to place. With all the other dogs, there would be no way for an outsider to tell which of the dogs in our house were our personal dogs and which is the foster. They all act as tho they're "our" dogs.

[debbiej]

speaking from one personal experience, my girl, who is now about a year old, firmly attached herself to us in a very short time. We got her when she was about 7 months old.

[Judi W]

I have worked with adult imports to acclimate them to their new homes. These were adults with no knowlege of the English language and they bonded to their new owners for the rest of their lives. It did help that they were titled working dogs as it gave me access to a tool to give them familiarity even though they did not know the language, but the bonding was complete and firm. I had several techniques, but here were adults in a strange home, with a new language and all new lifestyles and the results were wonderful.

A dog that has led an existence deprived of human interaction will have a very difficult time, but these dogs are recognizable. Dogs that have known human companionship want more of it.

[RottiMomCT]

Ben lived with his owner prior to coming to me (OK, there was transfer to the owners family due to incarceration and then to a shelter for a very short stay, then to NERR) and at 10 months old, he bonded quickly to both myself and my husband - he probably doesn't even remember where he used to live.

Have fun with the dog, feed a good food, take him/her to classes and you'll see that your neighbor is so wrong about what they told you.

[SABELLESMOM]

I kept a lovely Rottie, Jazmine, in my home for a friend. Bonding was practically immediate!

She was fully 5 years old, well trained and much loved by her family. Dorothy dropped her off, said good bye, and told her to "stay" and drove off.

I watched that dog standing in the yard. Danged near broke my heart, but the dog? She was quite practical. I called her to me. We went for a ride. Walked at the lake and came home to supper. She NEVER seemed fazed in the least.

From time to time, one or the other of the sons would drive down from college to visit. She would happily greet them and just as happily return to her life with us.

We also have a rescue. Bonding was NOT an issue there either. It happened very quickly.

We've raise several dogs from pups, but I've never noticed a difference. BONDING is transferrable. Go for it! I'm sure you'll have a lovely, wonderful, 6 month old pup who still will be in need of training! Do it! What better way to "bond" in the first place?

[RottenMutts]

Agreeing with some of the other things I've read. The issue is not bonding, but socialization. A well socialized dog is going to transfer easily. He finds people pleasant and has had good experiences with them. He's used to new situations and has been exposed to enough to not be fearful or aggressive. Conversely a dog who has littel social experience during the 'prime' phase for socialization (up to 12-16 weeks) Is going to have a trouble accepting new ANYTHING. New animals, new homes, new people, new sounds, new food.

Nothing to do with bonding, per se. Socialization isn't the same thing at ALL and I'd be VERY hesitant to take on an older dog who was under socialized because I have kids, cats, and dogs in my life as well as rotating visitors and fosters. Altogether that would spell *disaster* in a dog who has no socialization.

[ILoveRotts]

I got my Drake when he was 14 months old. There is no dog more bonded to me than him! And he was tied to a tree & almost starved to death!

6 months is a great age to get a rescued Rott in my opinion. They are still puppies but usually housebroken etc (my other 3 rescues were 6-8 months).

Plus I found (this is my experience have adopted 3 rescued Rotts) that they are old enough to realize that they now have it good. I remember the night we brought our Rusty home - he was 6 months. He laid down & let out a huge sigh. I laughed & said he knows he hit the mother load!

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by ILoveRotts

I got my Drake when he was 14 months old. There is no dog more bonded to me than him! And he was tied to a tree & almost starved to death!

I remember the night we brought our Rusty home - he was 6 months. He laid down & let out a huge sigh. I laughed & said he knows he hit the mother load!

I think there's a lot to be said for the ability of dogs to "get on with life." It's almost as if they know a good owner when they see one! The "mother lode" so to speak.

[Rott'n'Pit]

I was always told it goes in 2s... 2 days to adjust to being away from home, 2 weeks to trust and 2 months to love you. maybe that like an old wives tale or something

[Denise L.]

When I brought Cyrus home the very first day he seemed to know I was to be his mom.

My best friend came with me and when we got home there were a few folks in my yard wanting to meet him. There are 2 doors to get into my house, one mine the other goes to my mom's. After greeting everyone and getting his pets, etc. He looked right at me and ran to my door like "OK, mom let's go home!" He knew which door was his! And which person was "mom".