Neighbors Hate Rottweilers

[LORHEL]

My neighbor accross the street from me ending up coming over after we got Zeke, stating he loved rottweilers..etc etc... of course he was checking him out already...he thinks hes some kind of dog trainer...he and I had major words after he threatened to have Zeke turned in, when the only crime committed was we were on our porch with Zeke, and the neighbor tried approaching again, this time he was told not to, as Zeke had issues..mind you he was on a leash being held by us... on our property.. and we almost NEVER were out in the front of the house with him...

Zeke had not ever escaped like his dogs did on a daily basis, ... the guy is a freak-- trust me...so I see them gathering their dogs up like i said, on a daily basis, next to my fenced in yard....

long story short the a.. ended up threating me, I came back at him, with

I've spoken to every neighbor next to and around me, and NO one but YOU has a problem. My dog doesn't get out, loose, and you have NOTHING on me.

I ended up calling Animal Control on him, after he told me they were coming out anyway because he wasn't going to have Zeke around ... he claimed he would take a baseball bat to him if he ever saw him running in the street..

Imagine our delight, when we had a fourth of july celebration, with lots of kids (zeke was good with those he knew, and actually very protective of children..in a good way)...he was very gentle with them...anyway...

we all were on our way out, with company behind, and I made the remark that the neighbor had his mouth hanging to the ground, since all the kids came out with their fingers, toes, etc... you get the scarasm....

To this day I refuse to even look at him....that is a worst case scenerio... most people do only know what they've seen, and once you show them a well behaved dog, like the others said, they at least attempt to try to make the effort to tolerate them, or even befriend them.

I've changed several people's mind who didn't know anything about dogs, or rottweilers...but I still remind them they are ALOT of work and not for VERY MANY PEOPLE AS THEY MUST HAVE THE TIME AND DEDICATION TO DEVOTE TO THEM...and I remind them the majority of "bad news" stories, result from owners who have no business having the dogs in the first place, or careless ness... but that these dogs must be supervised at all times, etc. etc...

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by chuck2969

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.

I'm still working with Samson on his leash walking skills because he does strain on his leash. That's probably his weakest area because he's friendly. He wants to meet people and other dogs, but doesn't quite understand (yet) that he's not the one who decides. He does well in training class, though, so I know it's more about keeping his attention focused on me.

[keller27]

We had new neighbors move in afew months ago, and right away I took Khori over to meet them and their children. The prior owners already told them about Khori and that I was a trainer. This whole neighborhood knows him. We have a neighborhood girl who knows every single dog and knows their tempermant. She comes over to ask if Khori can come out and play or walk with us.

[blatt mom]

I agree with well trained.
Banish the old image that some people have.
Some people will never chage their minds though.
We are fortunate enough to have two mixed dogs behind us one part wolf.
Our other neighbor next to us have three pugs.
Good luck!:)

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

I honestly wouldn't make a decision based on making my neighbours happy. For example, I personally would never purchase a lab, retreiver, poodle or anything included in the "happy family breeds" because of numerous reasons that I won't bother going into. So would I care if one of my neighbours bought one of those breeds? No. So why should I pick my dog based on what they like/dislike?

Unfortunately with the Rottweiler breed you're going to have alot of opposition. People just don't excuse the same behavior from a Rotti as they would a lab or similar. My rotti has been in obedience since 12 weeks old, is a big goofball who loves anyone who even speaks to him, is well mannered, quite well behaved despite his current "teenager" status , is always in the house with us and only outdoors in our fenced backyard when we are home, has never escaped our property, has never done anything to scare or frighten any neighbors or anyone for that matter, only barks when he should, is religiously walked 2x per day...the list goes on. I can't say the same for all of the rest of the "family" dogs in my neighbourhood. Those dogs are lucky to see a 30 minute walk 1x per week, if that.

Since getting Oscar my dh and I have made it our mission to make him an ambassador to his breed. I want people to see that Rotti's are NOT these vicious, foaming at the mouth dogs they have the rap to be and I'm certainly not going to give them any grounds that his anything but an ambassador. They can 'THINK' or 'FEEL' what they want, but they won't have any 'examples of bad behavior' from MY dog!

That being said, there are 20 houses on my culdesac. 2 neighbours and 2 neighbours only will even acknowledge Oscar, despite all of the above. The rest avoid him like the plague, cross the street, go back into their houses when he's working with me in the garden (even though I have him tied). Every single day someone crosses the street on us when we're out on our walks. They look straight ahead and ignore us and/or stare at him to make sure he doesn't "make a move or EAT them" . I've had children say "oooooh mommy! look at the big doggy!!" and their mothers completely ignore them, gather them up and cross the road. I've had other dog owners freak right out and literally pick their dogs up off the ground and carry them or literally turn around and walk the other direction. We've had people blatently make rude comments right to our faces or towards our dog. I've cleared the entire off leash beach of all dogs and owners when I've unclipped Oscar's collar (hey! more room for us! haha). Keep in mind the dog doesn't go more than 1 meter from my hip EVER and I only unclip once we're no where near other dogs. They literally leave the beach.

So do I get upset when these things happen? Sometimes... I mean when you have a dog who is just so well behaved and brings so much joy to your home...it does anger me that people are so unbelievably closed minded and ignorant. BUT I really try to just let it roll off now, there's no point in allowing it to upset me because it's just a reality. If people say ignorant comments or ask ignorant questions, I answer them and try to remain calm. I love saying "would you ask me that question if I had a lab or retreiver?" Usually shuts them right up. One day while finishing a leashed hike I came up to our truck and there was a lady just letting her lab run all over the parking lot with zero control, it was growling at Oscar etc. So I put Oscar into the truck and he barked at the other dog once IN our truck. The lady says all freaked out "is it safe now?" as her dogs still running around loose. Sure I saw red but I calmly replied "well is your dog on a leash yet? If not... no it's not safe." Her jaw hit the ground.

That being said, anyone I have crossed paths with that loves and knows the breed as much as I do, ADORES Oscar and can't get enough of him. Even my mother who was petrified of Oscar as he was growing up is in love now. He totally melted her heart. Anyone who has given Oscar 2 seconds (i.e. our 2 neighbours) and stopped to say hello and given him a little patt, instantly became his best friends. If people would just take the time to say a simple "hello Oscar" to him, they'd get the privledge of knowing a WONDERFUL, loving goofball.

If you choose to have this breed it has to be based on your love, knowledge and want for this kind of dog. Don't base it on others interpretations or others feelings towards getting one.

Oh and by the way....Rotti's do come in handy when you have little doggies peeing in your yard (like your neighbours). LOL!! We had a small dog who would walk over to our front yard, poop and wander off. I yelled at it, threw water...it could careless. So when we got Oscar as a young pup, I put him on a leash, opened the front door and well lets just say the dog's never stepped foot on our grass again. hahaha!!

Sorry I got a bit winded....

Julie

[janinetj]

I see that the bad rottweiler reputation isn't just here in the UK!! i frustrates me so much, when will people realise that in 99% of cases the problems are irresponsible owners i had the same problem with my previous dog a staffordshire bull terrier she was excellently trained so never meeded a leash and would respond to my every command but the good news was neighbours soon realised what a loving animal she was with not a single bit of harm in her and within no time she was known and loved by the whole neighbourhood until i lost her to cancer 2 years ago she was 13.
i now have a 4 month rottweiler and am now socialising him in the same way and hope he gets the same respect.