Neighbors Hate Rottweilers

[RoxiesMama]

I live in a neighborhood of young families with lots of children of all ages and lots of dogs of all kinds of breeds, both big and small. My neighbor to my left has made it very clear that she HATES Rottweilers. I apolagize for the length of this post, but you'll all get a good laugh at this story. We built our home 3 years ago and our neighbor's small dog came visiting with them. After they were gone, my husband said, "If that dog ever poops in my yard I will get a Rottweiler and take care of that problem." It was a joke of course as we both love Rotts and would never want one to harm anything. But a few days later my husband and 7 year old daughter were out checking the new house and our daughter walked over to the husband of the neighbor and said, "MY DAD SAID.....!" Yep, you can imagine the rest! My husband was in the garage and acted as if he never heard it and nobody has ever brought it up. But now we are looking at getting one and whenever we talk about dogs, the neighbors are quick to remind us of their hatred of the Rottweiler.

Surely some of you live in populated neighborhoods and have had to deal with neighbors who have either hated your Rottweilers and/or you because you have one. How do you deal with it? What do you say to them to ease their minds that you are training your dog and you are educating yourself every day, etc.? What can I do that would make my situation with my neighbors any better? Or can't I? I'm open to any suggestions other than not getting one at all-LOL!!!

RoxiesMama

[Roscoe's dad]

All i can suggest is that you have a well trained and socialised dog that will in time amaze your neighbors. There are some who no matter what can not be convinced that your dog is a typical rott, not the rotts that you read about.

[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.

[hokisteph5]

I don't think there's a lot you can say to make people like rotties better. For me, I just try to show them that Samson or Gretchen are well-behaved and well-trained. My vet knows they're both in training; in fact, she uses the same trainer/company I regularly use. Showing off their tricks seems to work wonders too. I mean, how mean can a dog be if they're eagerly and quickly obeying my command to sit, shake, play dead, etc.?

[LavenderRott]

When I got Chase my brother informed me that he didn't want my rottweiler any where near his children. It didn't last long but it was several years before he was invited to my house.

I would imagine that you paid good money for your house. If you had wanted someone else to be able to tell you what to do or what type of dog you could have - you could have bought a condo. Personally, I wouldn't be that worried about the neighbors (other then to make sure that my dog was always safe).

Other then training your dog to be the best DOG it can possibly be, there probably isn't much that you can do.

You might want to make sure you never, ever leave your dog outside unattended and such though. A member recently had their dog killed in their backyard while they were out.

[Sharon Marples]

From day 1, when that puppy comes to your home, you show your neighbors that you are working and training it EACH day.

Start leash training in your yard so they can see you working with the puppy. Socialize it outside with your children so they can see it is being raised responsibly with kids. Get some toys and play with it or start it on some small agility-type obstacles. Even puppies can learn to go through the tunnel and have fun with some of the other things.

Play with it so they see the pup is getting lots of attention.

Do not ever leave it alone in your yard, do not allow it to bark.

You will need to re-educate them (the neighbors) so they can find out that our breed is not all bad. It will take time and patience (more with your neighbors than your puppy!).

[jenlee]

it's their stupidity... who cares what your neighbors think????

[BostonRott]

If you get a puppy, be SURE to get the puppy over to see them. I'd be willing to bet their hatred is based on media stereotypes and not on much personal interaction. It's hard to resist a cute puppy and Rottie pups are among the cutest of all breeds.

Along with the other advice, I would have the dog on leash ANY time it is outside your house. My dogs are even on leash from the front door to the car (this is about 10 steps in distance).

Finally, there was a recent tragedy on the board where a member's dog was killed by neighbors who did not like the breed. Please do not EVER leave your dog outside alone, even if you have a 6ft fence and a secure kennel within that. Tossing in poisoned meat is not much of an effort.

I would make sure that any time you have the puppy meet the neighbors, the puppy is sitting or in a down, and NOT jumping on them.

Some people can never be changed, we've got many in our neighborhood like that. However, we've been here 10 yrs, there are no problems and my dogs are both well trained and well-behaved. Good manners go a long way.

[TrishB]

Everything that was said above.

Make sure that you have a properly fenced yard. If you plan on working your dog in your front yard (to show off how wonderful your training is going), make sure there's a low fence there too. You never want to be accused of having your dog 'running at large'.

Plan on learning Carting - it's hard to turn down a dog that is pulling a cart full of kids or groceries for their owner.

Essentially - I would ignore them. They have no more of a right to tell you what kind of dog to get than you do telling them to landscape their yard. Actions are louder than words. Prove them wrong.

[DCs Dad]

My neighbor just told me the other night how well behave DC is, and it goes against everything that she ever heard about rottweilers. There’s a German Sheppard that lives a few doors down that is a terror, and her owner cannot or will not handle the dog. It’s not always the dog, it’s the owner.

[Mojave's Mom]

Originally Posted by jenlee

it's their stupidity... who cares what your neighbors think????

While I agree and generally don't care what others think of me and my decisions, the fact that I own a breed that is not well looked upon by a huge portion of the population dictates that I WILL care.

That means whenever my dogs are out with me, they are on their BEST behavior. If I see a situation where there is even the slightest chance that there will be a problem, I avoid it at all costs.

I'm not coming down on you, but the clear fact is BSL is very real. Folks out there who do not do right by this breed are affecting MY right to own them.

To the OP, I agree with what everyone said. I used to train Mojave when we were preparing for Open level work out in my front yard- jumps and all. The elderly neighbor across the street who had pointed her finger in my face and told me the day I brought him home that I needed to "see to it that dog never attacks my grandchildren when they visit; chain him up" ended up being his biggest fan.

Good luck.

[smileygirl]

Ignorance to the breed can only be overcome 1 GOOD rottie at a time. If you want a rottie and understand the commitment it takes...get one..train him/her...and let him/her behavior speak for itself. I just got off the phone with a parent(who know I have two rotties and has meet them) about interaction rules when my kids have friends over. Easy conversation MY children are never left unattended with the dogs...therefore when friends are over the dogs just stay in a different part of the house. Maybe someday(it has happened with a few close friends) we will be treated like any other family. Mine are also never left unattended outside...it only takes one sicko to loose a cherished part of your family. Good Luck with your decision...Tina

[Dugganmom]

I also live in Minnesota...and my neighborss also dislike/terrified of my rottweiler....It sucks but they are just stupid people who believe all the news reports....If you ever need to vent i will listen....we used to live in princeton mn. and my neighbors were scared of duggan out there to! But my neighbors daughter who is about 15yo loves duggan...you should see the look on her moms face when she plays with duggan...very funny!!!

[SABELLESMOM]

Our neighbors are fairly over run with Rottweilers! If you put us in the corner of a seven block radius, there are, I believe 7 Rotties including to our 2. All are well cared for and trained. Nice responsible neighborhood! And a whole clump of such well behaved dogs, has nearly every passer by looking.

We live on a hill, and many like to walk in this neighborhood thru to a large open weave of roads beyond. Some days, when are out on the patio, a pedestrian will stop and talk a while. No, I've not had a frightened one stop, except once. And there are those, too. They stare and walk faster.

I don't delude myself, however. They are not out unless I am home. And my yard is rather private, with the dogs in the most remote corner.

Your dog can be a breed ambassador, I'm sure! Good luck!

[MomMcpsl]

My best defense is just having the two best behaved dogs in the neighborhood (Rottweiler and pitbull mix). When I walk my dogs, on leash of course, and their jack russells, yorkies, small random dogs etc run out of their yards w/no leashes on, or bark their heads off, or chase us down the street, my dogs just keep their composure and manners 100% of the time. That is really the best defense b/c what can they say when my Rottie or Pit mix is behaving better then their cute little white fluff ball? They can hate on the outside, but on the inside I'm sure they're all jealous!