To take Rita home or not?

[klandry]

I have a question for anyone who can be of help. My name is Karen & I live in S.E. Texas. Upon returning to work after Hurricane Rita, we were suprised with a new guest at our Facility. Our new guest was a female Rottweiler who we appropriately dubbed "Rita". We could not call the Animal Shelter or Humane Society to pick up her because they were already full of pets that were either abandoned or lost during the storm. So she has been here at our facility since October. Since I don't have any experience with Rotts, I cannot judge her age. However because of her large size and the way she carries herself, I'm assuming she is not a puppy. We know nothing of her background or her previous family. She is very loving and docile. She lies around all day and only gets up to change positions, be fed or get some love and attention from anyone. She has never been aggressive, unfriendly or even barked at any of our 17 employees. We have many vendors & customers who are coming and going all day, some have only been once so she is not familiar with them but she has never offered to even budge from her resting spot when they walk upon her. She has never even barked at any newcomers and we have plenty every day. She has even adopted a stray cat and the two have become fast friends. Because of Homeland Security (we deal with overseas export through marine vessel loading) and other issues with our facility regulations, our Manager has decided she needs to go. I don't want to send her to the shelter since they are still full with other hurricane left overs but I'm also wary of taking her home. Like I said before, I have no experience or knowledge of Rotts other than the few horro stories everyone seems so ready to tell me now. I know nothing of her previous life or her temperment, only what I've seen in the last 8 months. I have a 7yr old son and a 3yr old daughter. They have been to my work many times and have played with Rita while there. She seems to do fine with them and loves the attention they give her. I also have a 6 month old English Bulldog at home. Although myself, my husband and my children want to bring Rita home very badly, all these factors make me very worried about actually doing it. Can anyone give me any kind of insight on what I should do? Should I take her home or not?

[BostonRott]

I think you've seen all that you need to see of her, and I don't see any real issue in you taking her home, assuming that you can provide adequate care (food, veterinary, etc).

People (and the media) are FULL of horror stories about Rottweilers, and most people (upon first finding out that you have one) will be more than happy to remind you of those stories. Ignore them.

She's proven to you that she's well socialized, non-aggressive to people and small animals and I'm guessing she's been fine with your kids or you wouldn't be considering this. I can't think of a better resume for a dog you plan to adopt.

I would make the intro between her and the bulldog on neutral territory (a park, a school ground....), and I would be sure to give her a few days to adjust, but other than that, I don't see any huge stumbling blocks for you.

[jakesfostermom]

She sounds like a wonderful dog that has given you every reason to try her in your home/life! The option to do otherwise will always be there (placing her elsewhere) should she not work out at your home - but if she is as good as she sounds - I suspect you will have a wonderful canine companion for many years to come - GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND RITA!!!!! Keep us posted???

[JD102175]

You could try calling a local canine behaviorist or maybe even a local rescue and ask if they would be able to come out and do a temperment test on her.

Jaime

[LavenderRott]

Well, her personality sounds much like my girl, Chase. In 8 years, she never gave me a lick of trouble.

My best advice would be - take your pup up to meet her and see how they do.

If everything goes well. Take her home. Keep her seperated from kids and your pup when you can't surpervise closely. Find a training class to get her into. Make sure to get her vetted - you don't want her passing anything unpleasant onto that little pup of yours.

Keep us posted! We love rescue stories.

Oh - if for some reason you can't keep her - there are several people here who work with or run rescue groups that may be able to help you find a forever home for her.

[klandry]

How should I handle the sleeping arrangements? I've read several articles about keeping Rotts inside and outside. She will come inside here at work if allowed but she sleeps outside. Our Bulldog of course is an inside dog & I don't want Rita to be jealous or think that we care for Winston more than we care for her. I've never had a large inside dog so I'm not sure of what the boundaries are. Nor am I sure of how the potty training would go since I don't think she's even close to being a puppy. Any ideas?

[AngelBunny]

I agree with BostonRott and jakesfostermom in that she sounds like a stable dog. You've had about 8 moths to observe her, if I'm counting correctly.

I'm involved with rescue and from what you say, she sounds like prime material. I think reading thru the Rescue postings here will be informative and helpful.

Do you have a crate?

I suggest having Rita drag a leash around 24/7 at least for the first week or so would be a good thing. This gives you a safe way to snare Rita should the need arise.

Re: JD102175's suggestion about contacting your local rescue to see if they'd eval her. My rescue will not eval dogs for owners due to potential liability issues. We can't put ourself in the position of facing possible legal action if a privately owned dog we eval bites after it passes our eval and we tell the owner we think the dog is OK. It would be better to ask your local rescue group for the name of a behaviorist or you could check their Web site. My rescue group has a list of trainers and behaviorists with whom people have worked.

[JuneyB]

Like Bostonrott said...Rita appears to have proven herself as a well socialized, non aggressive dog....who deserves a good forever home, which she may have found with your family. If you have time to browse thru some of the threads here....notably the ones describing what we like most about our rottweilers.....their loyalty; reliability; calmness; trainability; confidence; sense of humour are some of the traits that most endear them to us. Ignore any comments...Rita has shown that she is not a "horror movie" rottwieler!!!!

As with any large dog, please ensure the children and the dog are supervised at all times when they are together.

Thank you for considering giving Rita a home. She sounds like a wonderful girl.

[observer]

I would have your current dog and Rita meet on neutral ground.... your workplace, where Rita "lives", isn't neutral. But, I'm betting that will go just fine.... give them some time to adjust to each other at home, supervise the dogs and the children together, and enjoy her... she has given you no reason to doubt that she would be a wonderful addition to your family. I'd give her that chance.

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by klandry

How should I handle the sleeping arrangements? I've read several articles about keeping Rotts inside and outside. She will come inside here at work if allowed but she sleeps outside. Our Bulldog of course is an inside dog & I don't want Rita to be jealous or think that we care for Winston more than we care for her. I've never had a large inside dog so I'm not sure of what the boundaries are. Nor am I sure of how the potty training would go since I don't think she's even close to being a puppy. Any ideas?

I can only tell you what's worked for me. I crated both of mine at night or when I couldn't supervise them. Now that they're a little older and are housetrained, both of mine sleep in the bedroom, but on the floor, on beds that I bought for them. When I leave the house and can't take them with me, I usually crate them. If it's only a quick errand, I may test how they behave left out, but usually they're crated. Crating also helps with housetraining.

I also have cats and have set-up boundaries for the dogs by putting up baby gates. The cats were here first, they're not going away, and I wanted them to have a safe place to retreat to if they wanted. The gates also keep the dogs out of the litter boxes.

[marianne]

Rita sounds like a good girl. After 8 months IF she had any bad habits they should have been spotted by now.

As for your Bully pup, I have both Rotties and Bullies living in the same house! They do get along very well. I do crate the bullies at night and leave my rottie in the kitchen. Right now the Rottie Hannah,sleeps in the kitchen with 2, 3 month old Bulldogs. They are in crates too,but Hannah has the run of the kitchen.
Yes do introduce Rita and the bully on netural terriority.

Good luck!!!!!

[BostonRott]

Crate at night and housebreak like you would any other dog. She may be able to go longer between outings, but you need to use the same methods (out after eating, playing, when first awaking, etc). You'll be fine!

[klandry]

So you guys think we should try to make her an inside dog then?

[LavenderRott]

Well of course we do! A truly happy rottweiler is the one sleeping next to your bed at night.

[SABELLESMOM]

Rottweilers need to be with their families. They are altogether happier. A crate was suggested, and often works best. You know she's safe when you're not at home.

But, if not, and you have room for a bed or blanket somewhere, I'm sure she'd be content. Either way. You've already seen how "adaptable" she is. I'm sure she'd make an irresistable addition to your home and family!