Neighbors Hate Rottweilers

[GypsysMom]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Rottie owners are usually held to a higher standard than Golden owners or Lab owners. Behavior that wouldn't be tolerated in a Rottie goes unremarked when it's exhibited by one of the "family-friendly" breeds.

The way to combat the mind set that Rotties are not good dogs is to make sure your Rottie is a very good dog. By taking Fido to class, by picking up after your dog, by basically providing NO ammunition at all to be used against your dog. You need to be the Model Citizen, the dog owner sent by Central Casting.

When you take your puppy for a walk, consider putting a bandana around his or her neck--maybe relating them to upcoming holidays. They do a remarkable job of defusing fools.

I agree with this statement, my neighbor has a golden that is a menace, he has attacked my "bully breed" 2 xs and my lil dog 3 times, the other neighbor next to me has told me she "HATES" rottweilers WEll to bad for her, I paid good money for my home and I can have what I want, As to the Goldens next to me I know the neighbors think he is aggressive as well, after the last attack on my big dog they keep him inside most of the time, no more running around unsupervised, they have seen him run after my rottweiler pup several times , BUT GOLDENS ARE SO GREAT!! yeah right

Just make sure your pup is well socialized, trained and has great manners

[sekhmetsat]

making sure your dog isn't a nuisance goes a long way to winning neighbors. my dogs are never outside alone, are basic-trained, and friendly.

[fbkeays]

I would suggest that when you get your puppy that you don't tell them that it is a rottweiler. Just ignore their questions on what breed. Ask them what they think it is. I would bet that they have no idea what a rottweiler looks like.

[GypsysMom]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

I would suggest that when you get your puppy that you don't tell them that it is a rottweiler. Just ignore their questions on what breed. Ask them what they think it is. I would bet that they have no idea what a rottweiler looks like.

YOu and my husband said the same thing in my case, but this lady knew what Gypsy was she said "Oh I see you have yourself a rottweiler puppy" I tried to explain to her they are not "killers" but she didnt want to hear it, but its ok this is a lady that hates my yard because it has Junk!! hehe so I collect more for her to see

[Rubyhead]

I agree with everything everyone has posted. I live part time in an urban setting. My back yard is fenced and my two rotts are never out alone. I walk the dogs in the neighborhood and they are on their best behavior. When we approach a mom with kids and I see that fear on her face, I have the dogs go into a down position until they pass. They always always comment how well behaved the dogs are and them I usually make some sort of 'Carl' reference in the hopes that they will go home and read a Carl book.

I always like it when people have a nice warm fuzzy experience with the rotts, you can see by the expressions on their faces that the dogs have made them feel special.

Good luck, and I bet you can win them over. And if not you'll win everyone else over and they'll be odd man out in the neighborhood.

[slinger]

I agree!

When we first got Sofie, many of our friends thought we were crazy. As she grew up, and they'd come and visit, they saw what a loving, obedient girl she was.

I would explain that she was a great example of what a Rotti really was like, but many of our friends still thought that there couldnt' be any more "friendly" Rotts like her.

Oh well, they'll see after we get the next pup!!

~Leanne

[kala]

When I first moved into the neighborhood where I live the guy on the corner (one house down from me) didn't like Rottweilers or Dobermans. I had two Rotts and a Dobe. His brother lived between us and let his little girl play with my dogs, supervised of course. Glenn, the one who disliked my dogs, got to see what good dogs they were and I put forth a good example with my dogs. Making a long story short, move a few years ahead, Glenn came over and said "want to meet my new dog?". Yep, he had found a stray Rott and took her in. Now I rent from him, with a Rott and Dobe. The Rott that lives with me is really his girl, but we share her.

You can change peoples minds by showing what great dogs they can be. Set a good example and hope the neighbors see the light. If they don't come around it's there loss and nothing you will ever do will change their mind.

sue

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by GypsysMom

YOu and my husband said the same thing in my case, but this lady knew what Gypsy was she said "Oh I see you have yourself a rottweiler puppy" I tried to explain to her they are not "killers" but she didnt want to hear it, but its ok this is a lady that hates my yard because it has Junk!! hehe so I collect more for her to see

When I took Gretchen in to her first vet appointment, this elderly couple was in there paying. The wife looked at me holding Gretchen and asked what type of dog she was. When I said Rottweiler she said, "Oh, she's cute. Can I pet her?" I said "Yes" and the husband said (to his wife) "You won't be able to in a year."

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

When I took Gretchen in to her first vet appointment, this elderly couple was in there paying. The wife looked at me holding Gretchen and asked what type of dog she was. When I said Rottweiler she said, "Oh, she's cute. Can I pet her?" I said "Yes" and the husband said (to his wife) "You won't be able to in a year."

And let's face it - as Rottweiler owners we have to have a tougher skin. If you don't think that you can handle the sneers, comments, reactions, etc. of people to your dog - you might want to reconsider this breed.

What I can say is that they're worth it! I love my boy with all my heart. There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for him.

So while there are people who still avoid us and give us looks, I prefer to focus on those who want to learn and meet my dog. 1 convert is worth 50 sneers.

[RoxiesMama]

Thank you all so much for your replies! There is no doubt I will have to deal with my neighbor's fear and responses, but that won't stop us from getting our Rottie. We will just make sure we work extra hard at making sure she is the best puppy in the entire neighborhood. Their dogs do their businesss in other people's yards, jump up on people, and have nipped at least two children in our cul-de-sac, including my 2 year old, and one dog even attacked two small dogs! But of course no one does anything because they aren't Rottweilers. You guys are educating me more and more every day-thank you!

RoxiesMama

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by TrishB

And let's face it - as Rottweiler owners we have to have a tougher skin. If you don't think that you can handle the sneers, comments, reactions, etc. of people to your dog - you might want to reconsider this breed.

What I can say is that they're worth it! I love my boy with all my heart. There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for him.

So while there are people who still avoid us and give us looks, I prefer to focus on those who want to learn and meet my dog. 1 convert is worth 50 sneers.

Agree wholeheartedly. I guess I was just the one of those people out there who didn't know a lot about the rottweiler, good or bad, until I started researching breeds after my beagle passed away last summer. Therefore, I didn't really have a set opinion one way or the other. I just wanted a breed that was compatible with my personality and lifestyle.

When I adopted Samson, I didn't realize how much I would come to love this breed and their sense of humor so I absolutely agree they're worth it.

I'm also surprised when I'm out and people you wouldn't think in a million years would love rotties, go on to tell me about how their aunt owns them or they have one. I've also found that the people who don't like them and make ignorant statements aren't necessarily the people I'd choose to be around either so it all's good.

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by TrishB

1 convert is worth 50 sneers.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but for me, that's where the training comes into play. I love teaching them tricks and last year at my family's Christmas get-together, it would've been a little hard to think Samson was vicious since I showed off his abilities.

Everyone fell in love with his "bang, bang, play dead" routine. I showed it off to my dad, stepmom, brother, and future SIL the night before the rest of the family got to see it. At the brunch we attended, my dad was at another table and I heard him telling my aunts and uncles, through gestures, about Samson's trick.

Samson almost has his "take a bow" mastered, but like I've said before, actions speak louder than words when it comes to educating people.

[AngelBunny]

The forever family of one of our fosters taught him "Go to sleep." Baron lays down and drops his head to the floor. He'll stay like that, eyes moving around, nub wagging.

Beyond cute.

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

The forever family of one of our fosters taught him "Go to sleep." Baron lays down and drops his head to the floor. He'll stay like that, eyes moving around, nub wagging.

Beyond cute.

That sounds cute. I taught Samson "pout" where it sounds similar to "go to sleep," but can't get him to put his paw over his eyes.

[chuck2969]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

I'm also surprised when I'm out and people you wouldn't think in a million years would love rotties, go on to tell me about how their aunt owns them or they have one. I've also found that the people who don't like them and make ignorant statements aren't necessarily the people I'd choose to be around either so it all's good.

My experience exactly. I've had elderly couples walking their little dog stop and comment on what a handsome boy I had. It really helps to work on the dog socialization skills so your pup isn't straining at the leash every time another dog goes past. No reason to give the impression your dog wants to "attack" their dog. I like to practice on the neighbors who have dogs that go ballistic when we go by. I'll have my boy sit and be calm while they are barking behind the fence or gate.