It took 2 1/2 years but he finally warmed up!

[natesmom14]

"He" being my father-in-law and he warmed up to our Rottweiler, Nikki.

I started posting here when we adopted Nikki from a rescue a little over 3 years ago. One of my biggest concerns then was my father-in-law's reaction at the time. He was fit to be tied that we brought this "weapon" (his words) in to a house with kids. He made it quite clear that she was not welcome up at his house (we used to bring our "notweiler" Daisy up there all the time when we visited). He would not come in our house unless she was locked in the bedroom. After quite some time- and after hearing numerous stories about her and her sweetness- and seeing that our kids still had all of their fingers and toes- he told us one day that we could let her out, he wanted to see her. Eventually that progressed to petting her.

He watches my daughter and picks my boys up from the bus stop one day a week when I work and waits at our house until my husband gets home from work- it started out (once she was free to come and go in her own house and not be in the bedroom) that he would have the kids enter first so she could "smell" them and not attack him (not that she would have anyway, but this was his thinking). Now he freely enters with no worries of "attack". He has actually complimented her MANY times about how sweet she is!!!

She is now actually INVITED up to their house to play- however, they have an English Pointer who IS a spoiled brat, who DOES growl at them when they approach her food dish or try to move her off the couch and who I think WOULD potentially get territorial and aggressive if another similar-aged female came on her property (Daisy was so much older and we did this before Nikki was around when the Pointer was still a pup, so there were no issues w/ Daisy and their dog), that Nikki will NOT be going on any playdates there for HER sake.

[Nishasmom]

When I told my mom and dad we were getting a rottie they thought we were crazy! "There too big, they drool, what if he bites, blah, blah, blah". Now, the whole family loves Nisha! She turned out to be smaller than my dads pointer; and no drooling at all! She LOVES to play with my little brothers (7 & 8); and to be honest, she is better behaved than them too !!

Although my dad did say, if he was a burgler he would NEVER try to come in my house! I guess thats a good thing?? I don't see Nisha as threatening at all; I guess I will always see her as my baby.

[SABELLESMOM]

Hey, GOOD PR takes time, sometimes. Good job Nikki!

[GWFJR]

It takes time and good experiences to dispell the Myth surrounding Rottys. I too experienced dismayed looks and doubters when I decided(after 6 months of research) to get my first Canine. Too many uninformed minds and misconceptions out there to deal with all of them. You eventually decide to "pick your battles" and just let the dogs actions speak for themselves. Even my Wife(at the time) was a serious skeptic. HER Family had never let a DOG in the House before.
Well, 25 years later the record for my previous 3 Rottys is impeccable with friends, family, and neighbors. They have been nothing but positive(and sometimes humorous) examples of what a Rottweiler can be. They have literally change hundreds of minds about the characteristics of this Breed. And I have no doubt this recently acquired "fourth" will be any different. I got my first back in '83 when The Omen and countless other movies were depicting Rottys in only one way. Aggressive! That was perhaps the biggest influence on the general public at that time. I seldom heard of a mauling or attack by a Rott at that time because they had yet to gain the popularity over here. Frankly I wish they weren't nearly as "popular" because obviously some morons don't need any type of Dog, much less a Rottweiler.
I guess my testimony is I wouldn't keep getting Rottweilers if I didn't think they were the absolute BEST Breed for me.

Best wishes for continued success!

[felicityjay]

well done for doing your bit to improve the breed image!

i had a very similar problem...although my family were even scared of fern when she was a tiny puppy as the very mention of rottweiler terrified all of them!!! it used to really upset me but as they have seen how loving and well behaved and sweet she is they are slowly warming to her!!!! woo hoo! although it certainly is taking a lot of PR on my part - constantly talking about how lovely she is, showing pictures, getting them to speak to people who had met her and showing off rossettes and certificates!

the only thing is it often seems like two steps forward and fern is welcome at the house for a visit and then there is a newspaper article about how evil rotts are and all of a sudden they are a bit wary again : (