Dealing with neighbors

[goforit]

I live in a rather unusual setting. I am the only house on the right side of this little private road which leads down to the beach. Then there is a little drive which is on the left and leads up into a circle where all the other houses are. I am only describing this so that you get a feel for the neighborhood which is very closed off to everything else. Anyway, I am getting a very mixed reaction to me having a Rottweiler. Some asked if their children could take her for a walk, or play with her. While others (the two neighbors who I am good friends with) refuse to even get near my dog Emma who will be 4 month old in June. Still another neighbor's son made the statement "You can't get a homeowners policy if they find out you have a Rottweiler". It took me months to do the research on a breeder with a good reputation for producing very stable tempermants. I know what I have to do regarding socalizing training etc, and that you can't change some people's minds. But for some reason I am really hurt by some of these comments. The only other two dogs in this little neighborhood are a Dob, and a Chow neither of which has a yard to run in, and bark like crazy if you get near the house. My dog has a huge fenced yard to run and play in. Now really, who should you me more afraid of? I guess I'm not asking a question, but just needed to vent a little. I want to take Emma down to the beach where dogs are allowed to run, but am afraid some of my neighbors might try to cause problems for me. To the best of my knowledge, there are no laws in New York state regarding homeowner policies being denied to people who have Rottweilers. Has anyone in NY state had problems with this?

[Shelby427]

There are definitely insurance companies that will NOT insure you. Some will say no way, some will. This has been discussed here before. I live in NY and I have State Farm insurance on my condo in Buffalo - I'm living in Rochester now and I've already contacted State Farm for when I buy a house, to see if they have any limitations. They only ask if the dog has a bite history, or if the dog has been trained for protection or fighting. Call around and ask, that's the best way to find out.

[groupieindenial]

I don't think its a "state" law thing, but more of an insurance company policy thing. I would check your policy out, even do an anonymous call, "I will be buying a home soon, and want to know of any policy restrictions on dogs."

As for people, ignore their ignorance. Prove your dog deserves to be part of the community by obviously training him well, but show that you take extra precautions. Its our responsibilities to never underestimate our dogs. Also, I take the time to explain to the neighborhood kids why they shouldn't "rush" a dog, even if they know the dog. What hugs mean, and explain a dog's body language. Its taken some time, but I feel that my neighbors now trust me with my dog, and let their kids hang out with us, or play with us, even though they themselves won't come near us. lol.

Ya know what suckers most people in, is dog tricks. Yep, its an almost instant "awwwwwwww", combines cute with obedient.

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

Ya know what suckers most people in, is dog tricks. Yep, its an almost instant "awwwwwwww", combines cute with obedient.

This strategy works for me. It's a little hard to keep thinking a dog is vicious when they're taking a bow, playing dead, or praying.

[AlphaLeader]

It's always felt odd to me that people want to walk the dog mainly because it is a rott...

I've never had anyone ask to walk the labs I've had... or even my border collie... but they want to walk the rott.

One guy wants to take Tavi to the beach alone... yeah riiiiiight... I'm SURE that's going to happen.

tricks are always good for the aww effect as stated above... Good luck...

[Lola B Marie]

I checked wirh my carrier AllState, before we got Lola. The agent said, Rottweilers were not on her danger list for N.Y.S. That was two yrs ago but to my knowledge,nothing has changed.

[StephanieandToby]

The best way to shut your neighbours up is to have the quietest, best-behaved dog around!
Don't give them fuel for their fire!

[trish603a]

i agree with stephanieandtoby, i had two people who kept making calls to my HOA saying that i owned a Vicious rottweiler. well i had the board members of the HOA come out and do a home examination with my rott. they were so impressed at how quiet, well mannered, calm, and obedient she was, that they actually sent letters to the two homeowners about making false claims to the HOA, and what the repercussions were. now everyone knows we own a rott, but they never see or hear her, unless we are on our daily walks.

[debbiej]

Two of my neighbors have rotties (one a mix) who are badly behaved. I visit with any neighbors I see while walking my dogs, and always mention that we are training, or that they are doing homework or something to let people know that they are well behaved and are NOT the dogs that jump the fence, or drag their owners around.

[toby01]

My neighbors directly behind me have 3 children. They often times play with my 2 sons. Last summer, Ranger was a big fluffy pup, and they ohhhed and ahhed at him. Now that he's 85 pounds and quite big, they don't come over. It's sad really. They invite my sons to play in their yard but when they are invited over, they decline, every time. I feel like my choice in pets has ruined my friendship with their parents. But really, if they don't value my opinion on weather my dog is a good choice for my family, then I don't really need them as my friends. Funny because I think that my lab is more troublesome than my rott. Even with Ranger being well behaved and anything but a nuisance, I know in my heart that they will never warm up to him. I guess we rott owners just have to develope a thick skin.

[goforit]

Thanks to all who responded. I was talking to my girlfriend this morning and she said just keep taking Emma around and down to the beach. Don't let their ignorance bother you. As long as she shows no signs of aggression, and doesn't bark, there is probably nothing they can really do. I am checking on the insurance today. I have been with this company for 32 years so I am pretty much on a first name basis with the agent. However, in Dec 2004 I had a major house fire. They were great, but I would rather do this without calling directly. I just never thought of this as an issue before I got Emma. But it is important to know where I stand.

[Troodie's Mom]

Some people are simply afraid, and the best way I've found to deal with that is
have your dog out and about and meeting people so they can draw their own
conclusions. That's what we did, and all our neighbors adore Troodie.

Also, we had no trouble getting homeowners insurance through USAA- we simply told
them we had a very nice rottie, and we have been with that company for almost 22 years.
Just be upfront, honesty is the best policy, and if your insurance agent has doubts,
invite them over to meet your dog.

[BethP]

Yeah, neighbors are the worst, sometimes. I just got my rottie, Sam, and he's inside, doesn't bark or bother a fly, and the man next door seen me walking him, and was asking alot of questions, then mentioned that he was "worried" about his kids getting bitten. I mean, what the?? Sam stays inside, is only out, on a leash, I might add, when me or my husband are out, and he is more mild-mannered, docile, and quieter than the mixed breed neighborhood dogs that people let run loose all over the place, at which this guy's kids would have more of a chance of getting bitten by the neighborhood dogs than getting bitten by Sam.

I don't get it. All I've seen Sam do, even before I brought him home from the shelter where I work, is try to love up on people.