Is Reading Enough?

[laurlitt]

I've seen so many posts suggesting potential new Rottweiler owners to read read read before they can be ready to own a Rottie. Well I must say that I did my reading before buying, but nothing has taught me more than having a Rottweiler itself. The books very rarely say more than a Rottweiler needs lots of time, training, companionship, respect, etc. (which is all true), but I don't think any of the books truly prepare a person for the wide variety of issues that may pop up with Rottweiler ownership. I am not discouraging the reading, but what other ways are there to educate the public on issues like over breeding, genetic issues, temperment issues, responsibilities of ownership (the kind often discussed here), the importance of obedience training, and all the other stuff that isn't in the books?

So frequently the excuse for the bad reputaton of the Rottweiler is bad breeding and bad owners (and I'm not disputing that), but what are 'we' doing to change that? This discussion board probably only reaches 1% of the Rottweiler owners, so what do the other 99% know and how do 'we' educate them?

Some food for thought!




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Laurie & Blaise
(Los Angeles)

[2RottieMom]

I have numerous books at home. The Complete Rottweiler, The Complete Idiots Guide, etc. I have learned alot mostly from the Idiots Guide. "But" I have learned even more from alot of the well educated rottie people on this board. I would rather hear from other rottweiler owners of their experiences, problems, etc. And I know that if I have a problem with one of my rotties, I can come here to find the answer. A book that you read doesn't give you all of the inside, deep down answer's to questions that you may have. I educated myself on the breed before I purchased but I know alot more now than I ever did because of this board. As for people who think our breed is "bad" and how to educate them? When I take my dogs out in public and people make "rude" comments such as "aren't those dogs the ones who kill and attack". That is when I open my mouth and educate them. I explain to them that not all rottweilers are "bad" and most see that from my two. I have changed some peoples opinions of the breed, but there are those who will not change. Hey, you can't get water from a dry well.

[tsjazoo]

When me and my fiance' were talking about getting a rottie the first thing I did was buy books. They did answer some if my questions and gave me ideas for more questions to ask the breeder. I'm not saying by any means that you should only read books, but it's a good start and it is somewhere to start. When people talk to me about getting a rottie, I tell them to get books, check out the internet (I always give them this website to go to) and talk to people who own rotties and breeders. They can all tell you good information, suggestions, causations and let you know for sure if rotties are the breed for you. After all that investagation in to rotties, we got Damon, our 1 1/2 year old rottie. So I guess my point is that no matter how much research and puppy classes or obedience classes, I still have questions. I think that I will almost always have questions. All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS WEBSITE!!!!

Jacque'

[Ladybeth1]

As a first time Rottie owner, I first read numerous books on Rottweilers. Then I did alot of internet research. I didn't know about this board at the time, but would definitely recommend it to someone thinking about getting a Rott. This type of board would give a potential owner alot of insight into the responsibilities of owning a Rottweiler. When I first started research, I knew nothing about back yard breeders, and what it took to train a Rottweiler. Because of the research, I knew to buy my rottie from a responsible breeder. This would help to insure my dog would have the proper tempermanent, and characteristics of the Rottweiler. Because I got my Odin from a good breeder, I've been able to keep in touch (he's my neighbor so that helps) and get alot of good advice. Of course none of this completely prepared me for the real thing, bringing our puppy home and raising him has taught me so much. When it came time for obedience training, my breeder suggested I get a private trainer, since this was my first rottie. I had to be trained to properly train my dog. Raising a well trained and socialized rottie is my small way of teaching others how wonderful this breed can be. When people see how well trained and calm my boy is when they first meet him helps to change their ideas about "those viscious rotties".

The point of reading the books and doing internet research is to insure that new owners buy from responsible breeders, and have a good understanding of the responsibilities of owning and caring for a rottie. Talking to other responsible rottie owners and breeders also helps to reinforce this. If all potential rott owners would take the time and do this, then it would put the backyard breeders out of business, and hopefully the Rottie rescue folks too!

[This message has been edited by Ladybeth1 (edited June 23, 2000).]

[Echowe]

I have a few books on rotties and two I like very much. They are not your expensive thick books. If fact one of them is a paper back. Both books stressed the fact that rotties are people oriented and have the desire to be with people. They also talked about socializing, obedience training, breeding, probems. It was a fairly well written book with many good facts and not your general information either. Reading does help but of course the actual ownership teaches more. The experience from others also help a lot. Think of it as having a realy baby. There are books you can read all about how to take care of infants. There are people who had kids and would give you their opinion. But nothing is like the real thing...actually taking care of your own baby. I still don't know how people do it...taking care of a human baby!!!! For me, I am going to stick to Rotties. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[rottweiler_fancier]

I'll tell you that I spent YEARS reading; looking at different breeds, learning about care, etc. (At last count I have 60 books in my little library and I've read every book in our library front to back and sometimes I re-read books.) I will tell you that most books say the exact same thing. Teaching a dog to sit can only be done so many ways...so basically if you read one good book you've taken in 90% of the info that can be found in a book. No; a book will not prepare you for what is ahead...nothing but hands-on experience can. You can read about every Rottweiler in the world but you'll never have a real idea for the Rottweiler's character until you've owned one or met one. Not every Rottweiler is a "clown" like a book may say...not every Rottweiler is a hero as you may read. I think the best way to prepare yourself for a dog is by looking at adult rotts (in real life), talking to breeders and people who own them, and view every aspect of the breed. I learned the true character of the rottweiler, not after years of reading about the Rottweiler, but after talking to a breeder in a Chatroom. She told me some of her dogs favorite games, some of their personality traits, etc. And even that didn't prepare me for when I went to a dog show and met them one-on-one. Ok, I'm rambling but a book does only so much.

How do we educate others? Therapy dog visits to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. Writing a book detailing about how you would describe the Rottweiler as someone experienced with the breed. Make a website like the one I have. Write articles on the breed. Send out newsletters, etc. There are just a ton of things you can do. I have personally taken in about 30-50 e-mails in the last few months, responding to people who are having problems with the Rottweilers. Some of them take in the advice....some just give up. It's basically their choice if they want to work through their dog's behavior problems or not. My e-mail is always open.


-Dana W.

[Ken Butterfield]

Hello, reading & doing your homework is great but I would recomend joining a good working rottweiler club. For there should be good counsel.

[laurlitt]

Interesting thoughts. I guess part of my intent of the original post was to get ideas/thoughts on how we educate the many people out there who don't bother reading books, who don't have access to the internet, think all Rottweilers should be bred, etc. My guess is that there are about 500,000 Rottweilers currently alive in the US... Only 3000 read this Rottweiler discussion forum. How do we educate the others in larger masses? More food for thought?

[SarasMom]

Originally posted by laurlitt:
My guess is that there are about 500,000 Rottweilers currently alive in the US... Only 3000 read this Rottweiler discussion forum. How do we educate the others in larger masses? More food for thought?

Well, maybe all the others will eventually join our group. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif Oh, no, I think I can hear Roscoe fainting somewhere out there. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

Seriously,
You can change your little part of the world by training your dog to be a good representative of the breed. Educate any chance you get. If all 3000 of us do our part, we can make the world a better place for our Rottweilers.

[jenawel]

I got my first one and had done no research, but then again I was not expecting to get one until the day I got her. So I did all my research and learned as I needed to. I think it has all been a great expirence.

[rottweiler_fancier]

Originally posted by SarasMom:
Seriously,
You can change your little part of the world by training your dog to be a good representative of the breed. Educate any chance you get. If all 3000 of us do our part, we can make the world a better place for our Rottweilers.

Very good point; all Rottweilers should at least have their Canine Good Citizen. Join a class, even if your dog is trained. Show people Rotts can be Top Dog in the Class.


-Dana W.