My 12 year old wants a Rottweiler

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by rottie relative

Great advise and a great deal to think about. Our first Rad kid left home and the dog and the cat both stayed here. I am impressed with so many of you knowing or finding about about this disorder!!! Never in the beginning of treatment should a RAD kid be left with an animal of any kind. Our guy has come a long way in 4 years. A Rottweiler is down the road for him. and maybe he will become interested in another breed. He must first stay healthy and interested. It has to be more than a passing fancy. Also any critter that comes into our home is a family animal. Even the dumb(and they are dumb) chickens.

Sounds like you are on the right track - BTW - she didn't post this but "damp" works with developmentally challenged people in Denmark so she knows a lot more than the average person.

Please stick around and ask lots of questions - there are great people here to learn from and even a couple "others" from Montana

[Judi W]

Rottweilers are not particularly kid dogs with endless patience although some do quite well. However, it is not a breed to suffer insult without objections and should not be expected to and of course their objections can be quite serious. The one that I specially selected for the family I mentioned earlier was a retired show dog, age 5 with a CD and zero dominance. This is quite atypical, I just happened to be able to put them together. Also the child (a 10 YO girl) was very gentle at all times.

[damp]

Originally Posted by rottie relative

Great advise and a great deal to think about. Our first Rad kid left home and the dog and the cat both stayed here. I am impressed with so many of you knowing or finding about about this disorder!!! Never in the beginning of treatment should a RAD kid be left with an animal of any kind. Our guy has come a long way in 4 years. A Rottweiler is down the road for him. and maybe he will become interested in another breed. He must first stay healthy and interested. It has to be more than a passing fancy. Also any critter that comes into our home is a family animal. Even the dumb(and they are dumb) chickens.

Looks like your boy has wonderful parents, who already created an environment suiting his needs for development.

It’s my experience (through 31 years) that contact with animals is an invaluable pedagogic tool to “reach and open” people with many different kinds of disorders. It doesn’t have to be DOGS (and definitely not demanding Rottweilers) who need training, consistency, socialisations and leadership to be a GOOD companion. A rabbit or a guinea pig is just as good to talk with and entrust to, pet and cuddle.

[rottie relative]

THANK YOU for the kind words. We are an animal family for sure. Justis has a horse, the "ownership" to him means when we ride he rides "his horse" I think a dog might mean close to the same thing. When we start "puppy classes" with the Aussies he will learn quickly if this is for him. His treatment of the cat and dogs has really made a huge turn around.
thank you again

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by rottie relative

THANK YOU for the kind words. We are an animal family for sure. Justis has a horse, the "ownership" to him means when we ride he rides "his horse" I think a dog might mean close to the same thing. When we start "puppy classes" with the Aussies he will learn quickly if this is for him. His treatment of the cat and dogs has really made a huge turn around.
thank you again

Sounds like you are one of the few newbies to come here and ask a question and listen to the answer. You have been fortunate to get replies from dog experts and human behavior experts.
Glad to meet ya :)