advice needed please....

[shelleyappleby]

Hi,

Im new to the site, i just need some advice really i myself was raised with a rottweiler she was female wasnt trained well only as a guard dog and my mum took her on at 2 years old she was a bit nervous because she wasnt treated too good, my mum took her on before i was born. Sindy was perfect with me chin on my moses basket as a baby if i stirred she would nudge my mum to tell her i was awake and use to sleep with her head next to mine on the floor, basically she never ever showed any nasty behaviour to myself, i was even caught eating out of her bowl thats how close we was. Now i know this is not the case with every dog in this breed, but i am looking to purchase a dog myself and as my partner works nights i would like a dog i know i would feel safe being in the house alone with as i know these dogs are very loyal, but of course i have to consider i have two young children both under two years old, now i know they would be raised together but of course the way this breed is talked about this day and the stories you hear about them attacking young children this is my concern, was i very lucky that my sindy was a star with myself and my younger brother??? she didnt like other dogs and would attack them and bikes anthing with wheels and jumped through a glass paned window (thank god a thick cutain was there) when we nearly got burguled. I dont want to buy a dog to have to give it up or risk my children now i know theres a risk with every dog but the difference between a little yorkie attacking to one of these on a young child is alot different, a it more advice would be great.

Thank you x

[BeauandShan]

Hi

I understand your concern but in my limited knowledge I have had three rotties all bought up with my children and have never had a problem. I have found them very loyal and trustworthy although I would not leave my kids unattended with any dog for any amount of time.
Just remember what you hear in the press is usually fabricated out of all proportion to make a story, They dont know the dogs background or its living conditions they are just out to get readers no matter what the cost.
If a dog is bought up with boundaries and rules and love you shouldnt have any problems.

[crazyonehuh]

Originally Posted by BeauandShan

Hi


Just remember what you hear in the press is usually fabricated out of all proportion to make a story, They dont know the dogs background or its living conditions they are just out to get readers no matter what the cost.
If a dog is bought up with boundaries and rules and love you shouldnt have any problems.

Couldn't have been said better. I have always had a Rott at the house with small children. It is a lifestyle that the dog learns when you bring it home. So having children gives the dog a lot to do as a pup. Keep in mind that this breed has a desire to please. And with constant work on your part you can have the greatest friend and protector

[SABELLESMOM]

Two parts to the equasion, basicly: 1.) A well temperamented dog, and 2.) wisdom in training kids and dogs.

Work with the dog, in your home. Enroll in classes, keep going, don't stop! Work hard and sensibly.

THINK! Avoid putting your dog into situations where you don't have full control. For example...your parents are the ones to blame for your dog chasing bicycles. She was obviously loose, or she couldn't have done it. Or, they could have tried to desensitize her to bikes.

Kids, must learn boundaries with animals. Common sense! Respect a dogs space, and need for occasional down time. Nothing harrassing.

Give them some empowerment when they're old enough. They can have the dog sit, and give enthusiastic praise. Have them "teach" a well behaved dog to fetch.

[speedy78]

Again this breed gets the bad image because of statements. just because one dog bites doesnt mean they all do. I love my dog but with all the training in the world I would still not leave her alone with a child. what I have noticed about my dog is she is very protective of me already at 6mths. she puts herself between me and anyone who comes into my office even when I tell her its okay she stays by my side. I havent trained her for that but I am the one her does go to her training and feeds her and walk her. this is my first rottie and I love her to pieces but I used to think the same about them being attackers and viscious. they look mean but they are usually big sucks inside. the ones with the bad image are the ones with the bad owners. with training and love they are truly peoples best friend

[Milliebaby]

I totally agree with the last statement.
We got Millie when she was 9 months old form a rescue and we have had no problems with her and my kids. She is very protective of all kids we have in the house but has shown no aggresion at all.
So if you train the kids and the dog properly on how to behave around each other there should be no problems.
If you can please get one from a rescue and free up a place for another rottie that needs our help.

June
x

[shelleyappleby]

my mum always had sindy on a lead as people would be scared of her and shout abuse and cal her the devils dog!!! - she went for bikes and other dogs while on the lead but got on with her thre sisters ok which lived with my nan and auntie perfectly with the odd scrap here and there.

Would it be best to wait till my children where old enough to understand more, like them understanding that they cant just jump on the dog etc, i would hate to put my children in that situation and the dog.

Which is best female or male for tempers????

I would never leave the kids alone with the dog, would the dog generally be ok with other children like when the kids have friends over or when my neices visted???

I also believe this breed is misunderstood ANY dog can bite i would personally worry more about a dog with lock jaw ( iam right in thinking that this breed doesnt?)

Any advice about this breed would be more than grateful, i dont want to rush into this decision, it wouldnt be fair all round.

thanks again x

[fostermom]

I foster adult dogs...I had a woman with two small children inquire about my foster Zach. It ended up Zach adopted to a family in Canada but I heard that this woman ended up buying a puppy. Four months later I get a call from her saying she wants to rehome the puppy...she couldn't deal with the puppy antics AND small children. She finally decided to keep the pup, but two months after that she called me back again and wanted her six month old puppy GONE (as in yesterday!). What horrible thing was this puppy doing??? Knocking over the children, using them as chew toys...puppy type things. So if you are comtemplating getting a puppy, keep in mind there's about a two year window where they try your patience and a lot of time involved in training to end up with a well mannered dog.
There are MANY well-mannered, kid friendly, settled dogs in rescue that you might want to consider...personally, I'd much rather foster a dog four years old (or older!!) than a pup or adolescent...the older dogs are worth their weight in gold and so much easier to live with.
Everyone has a differing view on whether males or females are best...the males I've had have been more laid back, the females feistier...but I'd look more to temperment than sex to figure out what the best dog for your family would be.
EVERY rott and rott mix I have had, including all my fosters, have done great with children.
I don't believe ANY breed can "lock" it's jaws.

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by fostermom

I foster adult dogs...

...EVERY rott and rott mix I have had, including all my fosters, have done great with children.

I don't believe ANY breed can "lock" it's jaws.

Adopting a fostered dog is a GREAT idea! You can skip all the puppy stuff and go right straight into training! Anyone who's ever fostered, I've known are very careful where they place the dogs they care for.

You'd still need to work hard on training. Classes would be great! The BONUS with a class is YOU learn so much yourself! You learn about dog behavior. You can ask questions! You can ask about "how do I stop" this or that behavior. You learn how to give the right cues, to obtain the behavior you want. YOU learn about "dogs."

I know there is no breed that can actually "lock" it's jaws. Powerful? Maybe. Determined? That too. But "lock?" Nah...... <sigh> So many "stories" get passed around.

Yes, there ARE bad, evil people out there who abuse and mistrain dogs for fighting. They're a bad lot! Many times the dogs, once the dog fighting ring is discovered, have to be (PTS) put to sleep. I'm fairly sure that's one place the "locking jaw" idea came from.

[shelleyappleby]

thanks for all the advice, and about the lock jaw stuff, just shows that you do kind of take in all the negative stuff that people say about these type of breeds. I would 100% take the dog to training without a doubt. My son is at an age (nearly two years old) where he is a bit cheeky and my mums pekingnese is so scared of him coz he chases him and because the dog darts about my son thinks its a game. We do tell him no and show him whats right and wrong i think its an age thing so i think im better waiting till my son is a bit older when hes learned that the dog is not a toy for his entertainment - could you image him chasing a rott about for fun!!!

looking at the pics of all your rotts, my one looked smaller but still with the stocky build, or is it that males are generally alot bigger???? x