Socialization and Discrimination against breed

[JuneyB]

Definitely replace muzzle with the bandanna....and a cart is an awesome idea!!!! Nothing attracts more positive attention than having a rott do something unusual...I have Duke carry my purse for me when we are in stores.....a comment of "how different is that???" leads to a mini-demo of his obedience...and generally the nervous nellies end up patting him and hopefully, rethinking their attitudes towards this breed.

[pazzo]

YES to what Cash said and Fbkeys! No muzzle, no bandana! Your dog is a good boy, to hell with what people think!

The best revenge, is success! Get out there, go to obedience classes (w/new trainer) and show your Rotti off with pride, if someone crosses the street...GOOD...more room for the two of you! Don't let people DICTATE to you, how they think things should be! SHOW them how it is! ....and ofcorse what a wonderful breed you own!

Dana

[Idealconcepts]

People who react by turing around or crossing the street, etc are ignorant. These ignorant people will end up rasing ignorant children, so don't feel sorry for your puppy/dog feel sorry for the kids who parents are teaching thier kids to stereotype, pre-judge dogs and possibly people. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone with this reply.

[2rotties2luv]

You can purchase a plain vest here:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/clothing/service1.shtml
If you scroll down, you will see they have a patch you can sew on the vest which says "I'm friendly - ask to pet me".

IMHO, If your dog is well trained and socialized, there is no reason why you can't walk him around people without a muzzle. Your responsibility is to have your dog under control and if you do, there's no reason why you shouldn't be there. If some people want to cross the street or give you looks, then that's their problem.

If you want to give your dog lots of friendly contact with people, why not train him as a therapy dog, get him evaluated and registered with Delta Society, TDI, or a local group, and visit a nursing home once a week? Your dog would probably love it, and you would be doing a great service for the residents of the home.

[flyballmom]

No way would I muzzle my friendly dog. I do put bandannas on them when I take them to doggy "events", but not just to walk them. I, too, have endured many dirty looks, scared looks, crossed streets, etc etc. When those things happen, I starting talking to my dog, telling her/him how good she/he is, and either put them into heel position or close side walking. I carry treats in my pockets to use as distractions if the dog is acting "too" friendly (ie: whining, trying to "go say hi" etc.) WE may know that the dog is just wanting to go meet someone, but the stranger walking down the street may not see it that way. A well behaved, obedient Rottweiler is going to make a much better impression than a muzzled one.

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

I would never muzzle Oscar unless there was a reason (his behavior). I just think they're plain cruel and you're being forced by society to do it to your dog because of THEIR ignorance. I take Oscar everywhere, yes I see the looks, yes I see people cross the street, yes I hear the whispers etc. Do I care...hell no. I also get ppl who come up and comment on how beautiful he is and well behaved. Sometimes the ignorances does upset me because I'm disappointed that society can be sooooooooo ignorant and if they actually took the 2 seconds to meet my dog, they'd see he's the biggest fur-baby around. He's always well behaved out in public, he LOVES people and he listens very well off leash etc. My dh owned a rotti years ago and when we got Oscar as a pup he warned me all about this and people prejudices against the breed etc. I just let it roll off my back now, ignore the stares, ignore the people crossing the street and just focus on this big, wonderful ball of fur who brings me TONS of joy!

As for dog parks, I think they're a nightmare waiting to happen. It's not my dog I don't trust, it's the 500 ankle biters who've had zero training and who's owners have zero control over. An uncontrolled dog bites your dog and your GASP! Rottweiler defends himself....guess whose dog is getting put down????!! It won't the little yipper, it'll be the mean, vicious rottweiler. Don't feel that you're slighting your dog by not taking him to a dog park, you're doing him/her a favour. Oscar doesn't get to play with any other dogs actually because no one wants him to play with theirs. We just make sure he gets tons of attention, exercise etc. I highly doubt he's missing out on "dog play". That's not to say I wouldn't let him play with other large dogs, just under my terms and in a controlled environment (i.e. my backyard, not the dog park).

When I leave work on sunny days in a hurry, the guys always laugh and say "going to go clear the beach again?" LOL!! Because they've all heard my stories of taking Oscar to the beach off leash, looking around 2 minutes later and it's now empty! hahah! I could careless...seriously! We have a ball on the beach during low tide, if people are freaked out of my dog...sucks to be their dog who just missed out on a good time at the beach. Keep in mind my dog stays with me, always listens to his commands and has never, ever ventured off towards anyone/dog on that beach. He's not interested in anyone, anything but playing with us!

Get the muzzle off your dog, he hasn't done anything to warrant it. Learn to let peoples ignorance roll off your back and just focus on your dog.

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Originally Posted by flyballmom

No way would I muzzle my friendly dog. I do put bandannas on them when I take them to doggy "events", but not just to walk them. I, too, have endured many dirty looks, scared looks, crossed streets, etc etc. When those things happen, I starting talking to my dog, telling her/him how good she/he is, and either put them into heel position or close side walking. I carry treats in my pockets to use as distractions if the dog is acting "too" friendly (ie: whining, trying to "go say hi" etc.) WE may know that the dog is just wanting to go meet someone, but the stranger walking down the street may not see it that way. A well behaved, obedient Rottweiler is going to make a much better impression than a muzzled one.

We do the exact same thing. Sometimes he just wants to say hi (and sheer terror crosses the persons face) and will pull a bit towards others walking by us because he's wanting to go see them. I just talk to him, tell him what a good boy he is etc, etc and treat him. Once he sees that treat in my hand, the world comes to a stand still. LOL!!!

[smileygirl]

Keep you head held HIGH! Walk your boy where you want to walk(without the muzzle), I have found most of the people who oppose my dogs aren't people who I care to be freindly with anyway. Give your boy an extra treat or hug at the end of your walk and tell him you are PROUD of his good behavior...who cares if nobody else took the time to notice...YOU DID! Hugs and Kisses...he sounds like a great boy...Tina

[warrior1]

I am very proud of my boys behavior in public. I would never strap a muzzle on either of their faces to make others happy!!! We have been very lucky. We live in a nice neighborhood and my oldest boy knows everyone. He is known as "the mayor". Everyone stops by at the fence to say "hello" or if we are walking. My youngest male is following in those same "paw" steps. They are even at the bus stop every morning and afternoon to see my son leave and come back. Point is, if you have invested the time in training and manners be proud...show people an example of a well behaved dog.. despite the breed. If they need to cross the street..let them go. I have posted a sign outside my home...Love me Love my dogs!!!!!!

[scooterjohansen]

People are so stupid. yes this is a generalisation, however, again another example proves the above to be correct. Simple solution here is do not use the muzzle. Second is to educate people as you go about your business of walking your dog. If people are gonna walk around or over the street or run away, thats their issue. I certainly would not be giving stupid people any satisfaction at all by succumbing to their stupid ideologies. Its a shame, it happens a lot here and I just laugh at stupid people. The thing is stupid people are usually miserable in their own lives so this suffices as adequate punishment in the karmic circle. arrrgggh stupid people arrrgghhh

[Ariaditya]

When I walked with my boy and someone gave that look..you know..the " how could you bring such a vicious animal in this lovely neighbourhood - kind of look " and then suddenly he screamed ( so loud..what a shocking behaviour ) warned the children and other persons not to get too close or tell them to get back inside the house, (like there's a wild velociraptor on the loose with a 't-rex' as an owner) .. and then he walked to me and start talking about silly prejudice stuff about dogs..I usually take a deep breath ..give my boy a gentle tap on his chin..tie him down in a nearby fence..and then start to chase the person with a huge-pike stick and beat the crap out of him

oh..wait..wait ..that just a dream I had last night...

[Ariaditya]

Maybe some people afraid because he was wearing a muzzle in the first place? and start wondering why did that dog have to wear muzzle..well I'm not sure..

[kelis]

Originally Posted by Ariaditya

When I walked with my boy and someone gave that look..you know..the " how could you bring such a vicious animal in this lovely neighbourhood - kind of look " and then suddenly he screamed ( so loud..what a shocking behaviour ) warned the children and other persons not to get too close or tell them to get back inside the house, (like there's a wild velociraptor on the loose with a 't-rex' as an owner) .. and then he walked to me and start talking about silly prejudice stuff about dogs..I usually take a deep breath ..give my boy a gentle tap on his chin..tie him down in a nearby fence..and then start to chase the person with a huge-pike stick and beat the crap out of him

oh..wait..wait ..that just a dream I had last night...

Lol that will solve it!!! It would be well publicised that its not the rottys 2 beware of but the irate owners!!!!! ..

[SABELLESMOM]

This may sound silly, but if you're not mandated to muzzle him, why? To me a dog is muzzled for a reason, a bite history. If there is no bite history then take lots of treats, put a smile on your face like you have as much right to be there as anyone else. Greet people, wave to them and nod your head...all with confidence and a smile.

Also you might do some of your practice for a training class right out in public. If you want to sway public opinion there's nothing better than a well trained Rottweiler and a responsible owner working with one. You AND your Rottweiler should be the absolute best ambassadors for the breed you can be!

Yes! Bandanas! Sun goggles, even if he'll wear them. Think about your own view when you see a rottie with a bandana. Better than the one of the same dog with a muzzle? Which one might make you smile? Even if it is from the other side of the road, it takes head smarts to make head way!

It's going to take a lot of smart and brave folks to undo what's been done in parts of California and Denver, etc. But it's NOT impossible. Keep writing your city council, your mayor and right up the line! Tell them you intend to put your VOTE where it counts. If You own a Rottie it's worth considering voting some of these misinformed bozo's OUT of office. It is, after all, your vote.

[missy8]

The feeling you get when your dog is prejudged because of the breed never goes away. We got our first rottweiler as a pup in 1997, my kids were all young, I used to get so mad, like I would have some killer dog with 3 young kids! Remarks came from family, neighbors, and strangers, you name it. The bandana is a good idea, I even let my daughters paint my 115 lb. rottie's nails pink and green, because I'd read when people see that they have to smile. We now have our second dog, and she is not quite as big and intimidating looking, but you still get reactions, I try to ignore it, but it is always there. People who don't have dogs like ours don't understand how hurtful it is. By the way I was told never to muzzle my dog(unless it was absolutely neccesary of course) because it breaks down their trust in you. I never had to resort to a muzzle and hope I never do.