HELP: Apt complex says yes to Rot but now says I have to get rid of him

[SABELLESMOM]

"Mixed breed?" Go for it! Print out a copy and give it to management, ASAP. Say he's black Lab and Coonhound... the black and tan variety! You just "found out his history," don't forget. This is "new" information you "just got." Be brave. Smile when you meet people. Talk with them. Ask them what they know about Coonhounds and Labs. Word will get passed around.

If the dog does approach another while on lead, say, " Oh my! Just the Coonhound in him. (laugh) They like to smell everything and everyone!" Then, "Oh, what kind of dog do you have?" -or- "Dear! You know how playful Labs can be! They must make friends with everyone!"

Chin up, and get that CGC, which BTW is not thru your vet, it's thru AKC. His good behavior will make an impression on all, over time. You may not have the time. If you can afford to, contact a Lawyer. This is easy for me to say as we have one in the family.

Yes, DO carry your own apartment insurance. Not to help any complex you live in but for yourself.

Don't muzzle him! That merely indicates you "know" the dog to be vicious. It will make people MORE afraid, not less.

PS: Hope you won't have to move, but I am glad you're willing to stick up for him and move out if you have to!

PPS: Put "mixed breed" on his dog license too. Don't know how things go in KY for this but here, you simply write it down and so it is. Write: Lab/Coonhound or Gordon Stetter/Lab, etc. Give a copy of this to management as well. He's a rescue.

[ZoesMomma]

Originally Posted by SABELLESMOM

"Mixed breed?" Go for it!

Chin up, and get that CGC, which BTW is not thru your vet, it's thru AKC. His good behavior will make an impression on all, over time. You may not have the time. If you can afford to, contact a Lawyer. This is easy for me to say as we have one in the family.


PPS: Put "mixed breed" on his dog license too. Don't know how things go in KY for this but here, you simply write it down and so it is. Write: Lab/Coonhound or Gordon Stetter/Lab, etc. Give a copy of this to management as well. He's a rescue.

And if someone points out that Stang is a Rottie with a tail, act TOTALLY surprised! Here in KY, they don't even have to see the dog when you buy the license, at least in Kenton County. Heck, you can even make up a breed and all they do is roll their eyes behind your back. You can get his CGC through a training club in Milford, OH. That's the only place I know of, but I'm sure there are others.

[cerulean]

Carrying your own "renter's insurance" may help... when I used to rent, it was less than $10 per month through USAA and very comprehensive (covered all my belongings even if my tools were in my truck on a jobsite, etc.)

Yeah, it's true how black-and-tan coonhounds have those same color-markings as Rotts, Dachsunds, Gordon Setters, Dobies, and what all else !! Even if you are forced to move maybe this will help you find a better place.
(Besides, maybe it's even TRUE... if he's listed as mixed maybe he really IS coonhound hahaha !!)

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by mjfish

How about if you agree to muzzle him while you're out walking? I know that's not fair, but it may alleviate some concerns.

Do NOT do this or even suggest this. If you do this you are ADMITTING that your dog and rottweilers in general are DANGEROUS! A good friend of mine tells me time and time again that a good part of why rottweilers have a bad rap is because as owners WE reinforce that bad rap by our own actions to "make fearful people more comfortable". WE reinforce their fear by doing things like muzzling, and correcting for the smallest movement towards someone or dog. It reinforces in fearful people's mind that there is a reason why the dog is muzzled or by golly, if the dog wasn't corrected, then they just might have been mauled.
What you need to do is get a lawyer that specializes in landlord/tennent issues. Did you get anything in writing that says that you can have this dog? The apt management is in a weaker position because they have allowed other forbidden dogs to be there. They have a history of not enforcing their own rules and now they have singled you out. That is called discrimination.
Start documenting every bark by other dogs during the official "quiet" times. Document all other dog violations by other dogs- date, time, situation, owner/dog name. Carry a video camera with you so you can film the little dog lunging at your dog, with your dog not responding. I know it is a difficult trick, but just having that video camera will reduce/eliminate the fearful people filing complaints that it was YOUR dog that was doing the lunging.

[Cdn1050]

I agree with Fbkeays. I would never muzzle, not even offer to muzzle my dog when out in public. It suggests that your dog is possibly dangerous to society and gives them more of a reason to ban him from the apartment complex. I feel bad that you're being singled out because of ignorant tenants.

[mjfish]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

Do NOT do this or even suggest this. If you do this you are ADMITTING that your dog and rottweilers in general are DANGEROUS! A good friend of mine tells me time and time again that a good part of why rottweilers have a bad rap is because as owners WE reinforce that bad rap by our own actions to "make fearful people more comfortable". WE reinforce their fear by doing things like muzzling, and correcting for the smallest movement towards someone or dog. It reinforces in fearful people's mind that there is a reason why the dog is muzzled or by golly, if the dog wasn't corrected, then they just might have been mauled.

While I understand this and agree, it may be a compromise to a very difficult situation. If the owner (speaking generally here, may not apply to the OP) is not able to move, is it better that she just turn the dog back over to the shelter then? It sounds like the OP has given this dog a very good home, and I would rather see the dog be able to stay with the owner, even if that means having to use a muzzle while on apt complex grounds. Further, maybe the OP can get an agreement from the complex management that a muzzle is used until she can show that the dog passed the CGC, and then the muzzle would no longer be required.

CDN -- if the complex mgmt agreed to the muzzling in writing, then it would not give them more of a reason to ban him -- it gives the OP the legal footing to stand on to keep the dog.

I would rather see a muzzle than to see the dog given up. JMHO.

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by mjfish

I would rather see a muzzle than to see the dog given up. JMHO.

Of course. Still that is NOT the situation, here. The OP has already stated she would move rather than give him up. Thank Goodness!

If, for the sake of argument, a township somewhere, "demanded" or required muzzling? I'd move to a place that didn't. A muzzle makes people even more fearful, and the dog TOTALLY unapproachable.

[92StangMan]

Here's an update:

After a week of talking, pleading, saying that I would meet almost any regulations to keep him here, he is no longer with me. I had to take him back by Wednesday, so since I worked a split shift today (morning and then came back in the evening), Stang and I left yesterday. He was very happy to see the lady at the shelter since she took care of him for about 5 months but once he was inside his kennel and knew what was up, he became very sad. It was tough to watch. The thing that bothers me most is that I cannot explain to him what is happening and nothing that he did.

While he is in the shelter, I am searching for a new apartment. I made a post on Craigslist and already received four phone calls today and will check out the places this weekend. I now know that anything they say regarding my dog staying there, it will be in writing!

Not having him here feels weird and my apartment is too quiet. He was only here a few weeks but we bonded a little more than I thought we would in that short of time.

[Sheenagirl]

Are you saying the shelter is keeping Stang until you find another apartment and then you are going back to get him? I sure hope so.

If you want him bad enough you will find a way...

[92StangMan]

Yes, the shelter where I got him from is holding him until I can find an apartment -- or at least the first 30 days.

[jlaack]

Yes, the shelter where I got him from is holding him until I can find an apartment -- or at least the first 30 days.

Of course right now devote your financial resources to finding a new apartment. However if you have extra perhaps kick a little towards the shelter for "kenneling" Stang. If you think you won't be able to find Stang friendly housing be sure to let the shelter know. As attached as you are to him it would be sad if he missed a chance at a good life if he was being held to be with you but it never pans out. I wish you the best.

[styric]

I understand how difficult it is to find a place... it took me a long time to even find one, and it's in the worst area of town. The landlord used to have two Rhodesian Ridgebacks and understands how it is dependant on the owner as to how the dog behaves. I took Orion to meet him on our second visit to the place and he fell in love with the 4 month old sweetie when she lay at his feet and studiously licked his leg up and down. He is definitely appreciative of the kennel, property liability insurance I pay for with Orion and the fact I have both a muzzle and a citronella bark collar to deal with any real or made up neighbor complaints.

I ended up getting rid of my roommate who was stupid to the point of dangerous when it came to dealing with Orion and pay double rent on my own. I can't really afford it and I'm beyond broke, but it's worth it to keep her.

We're staying here until summer, where I have a new place lined up. I've spent the entire year looking for it. It has a yard, takes any dog up to large Golden Retriever size (she's a small bitch which makes things easy) and accepted Rottweilers in writing. I'm paying out of the nose for it.

Both are private landlords, and I second the trainer recommendations, offers to pay triple security deposit and pretty much do anything including grovel and kiss their feet. Also make sure to ALWAYS pay your rent on time to the minute if possible so that you are considered a good tenant where it matters, in their pocketbook. It also goes a long way when you tell them your dog is sick and ask for the first time to be late on rent to pay for the massive vet bill.. that one is from experience.

[SABELLESMOM]

Oh, too bad. It must be hard to be without him, dear boy. Hope you find an apartment. Then the two of you can be a team.

[alice's mommy]

I'm concerned about the 30 day time limit with the shelter. Do you get the option of taking your dog out at that 30 day mark? Is there some kind of pre-warning for you? If you aren't able to find another place by then, perhaps board the dog somewhere where you don't risk having the dog adopted out on you or pts.

Hope you find something soon! Best of luck!

[ZoesMomma]

Originally Posted by alice's mommy

I'm concerned about the 30 day time limit with the shelter. Do you get the option of taking your dog out at that 30 day mark? Is there some kind of pre-warning for you? If you aren't able to find another place by then, perhaps board the dog somewhere where you don't risk having the dog adopted out on you or pts.

Hope you find something soon! Best of luck!

I can well imagine how empty your apartment feels, they carve out a niche in our lives very quickly. If you need to board Stang, the boarding kennel I use is owned by a Rottie and Dobe lover and reasonably priced as well. It's maybe half an hour from Florence, in Independence. I can also put the word out among my "doggie" friends about your need for a Rottie friendly place to rent if you'd like.