The journey begins toward therapy work

[LORHEL]

Of course, I wanted to share this with my rott.net friends first, I wrote to the local person/contact for the visiting pets program, because I have had a goal to do this for Makita and I. I was worried about the rottweiler part, but read this....*******

Makita is a lovely girl, and you are very fortunate to have her! You and
Makita will be a welcome addition to our teams.

I understand your concern about working past the stereotype image of the
Rottweiler, and that's not a problem with us. You may be happy to know that
we have two other very wonderful Rottweilers in the Visiting Dogs Program.
The one thing we take into consideration with ANY of our dogs is
compatibility with other dogs... and it's NOT a breed thing - it's driven by
temperament, training, and individual dog personalities, just like people
who have personality clashes.*****************







Sooooo.... I am hoping that we can do this, minus the other dog part, not being a problem. My biggest concern is that these neighborhood dogs who have came at us in the last few months, might have an effect on her outlook of other dogs. People wise, I am not worried, and she has had that informal training with my mom at her seniors complex.

Please cross your fingers for us, on the other dog part, and we'll keep you posted. :D
Lori and Makita

[Muckdogs]

Good luck. This is very worthwhile work. I'm sure that Makita will be a great ambassador for our breed.

[KatMc]

Good Luck to you and Makita!

That's what I also want to do with Vienna. Time will only tell on that.

Bucky's mom had some trouble when she first tried to sign Bucky up with a group because he was a Rottweiler, but they eventually got in and Bucky was even on one of their newsletters.

I think it's great every time we can show what great dogs these guys really are.

Kathy

[Elijah's Mom]

Lori, that is wonderful that the visiting pets program doesn't discriminate against Rotties!:) I think Makita will be bringing lots of needed smiles.....:) :) :)

[CarolineS]

I haven't encountered anyone who is responsible for testing potential therapy dogs who is prejudiced against Rotts...the problem sometimes comes with gaining acceptance in the facilities they visit. All you gotta do is get your foot in the door though and our guys usually prove themselves. :) Some of the nurses at the hospital where Maggie visits were initially against her, purely because of her breed, but now, three years later, Maggie is the only dog allowed in the hospital.

Hopefully, any trouble you've had with other dogs won't have an impact. Dresden was attacked and injured by two neighbourhood dogs last year. Dresden hasn't developed a problem with other dogs because of it and has been fine with any other dogs she's met since. And she's met a ton since we've been to doggie camp, agility classes and tracking classes.

Dresden is going for her therapy evaluation in three weeks and good luck to you on whatever type of test Makita has to perform before you can visit. :) The more sweet, well-behaved Rotts we have in therapy programs, the more we help break down breed stereotypes. :)

[LORHEL]

Okay, I need some advice.... I went to the non-dog first class last nite. I really tried to go in this thing without a chip on my shoulder, since I really don't have alot of bad experiences with people and negativity towards the breed...

BUT... and maybe I am taking this wrong, but I don't know....when we got to the part where you check in, I had my card, showing I had already paid and already provided my proof of Makita's shots, etc...(not to mention I already provided them with her basic obedience at petsmart certificate and CGC certficiate...(of course the people working there don't have it on hand I realize)...

The lady was extremely rude and asked me several times why I didn't bring my shots record for her, and I explained to her TWICE that I had ALREADY provided that previously.. She did apologize for being "SHORT" with me. But the part that really p.o. was her comment "you have the rottweiler"




Okay first of all, I don't HAVE to do therapy work with Makita. However, I do believe she has a gift with people and I want to know if I should grit my teeth and show them what she can do...and move on to the visiting dogs part...

We are in with people who can't control their dog on a leash, digging problems, etc.... back to basics..so I'm not really worried about that. But if I am p.o. then its pointless to go on.

I refuse to go to a class where we won't participate because I have a rottweiler, and the instructor looks right through me.

Unfortunately I do not know of another club locally where we can do this.

What do you guys think, was I being over sensitive, or seeing a problem before it started. Unfortunately there were no rottweilers execept Makita that are going to be in this class.

All I want is someone who looks at us like a dog is a dog, and if they have bad behavior then we'll go from there...
No prejudgement..

:(

Thanks for the replies.

[Bucky's Mom]

I refuse to go to a class where we won't participate because I have a rottweiler, and the instructor looks right through me.

Bucky has YET to be assigned a place to visit - first it was we need outdoor venues - need to wait for warm weather - then there were NO outdoor venues "appropriate" for such a "big dog" - So we have been biding our time - come APRIL - they will have a BOOTH at an event that needs to be manned. GUESS who will volunteer to sit there??? - In order to be an "ambassador" you have to work your way into the inner workings of the group
Perseverance AND Tenacity wins out over a**holes everytime!!

(you can quote me :D)

HANG IN THERE - PROVE THE JERKS IN THE GROUP WRONG - NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF YOU LET THEM GET TO YOU!!

Lisa (Bucky's Mom)

[LORHEL]

Thanks Lisa, I needed a kick in the rear... I think I will show them, that we can shine, and get past their class...

Oh by the way.... the trainer brought her golden out at the end of class...she had her in one of those pet tents.... well needless to say what the first thing that lovely girl did was hop into someone's lap and lick their entire face...

talk about control.... hm......
and setting an example...:D :D

[Bucky's Mom]

Thanks Lisa, I needed a kick in the rear... I think I will show them, that we can shine, and get past their class...

Get PAST it?? - Eventually you will be TEACHING it :D - Hang in there!! - Lisa (Bucky's Mom)

[DNeff]

Originally posted by LORHEL
I think I will show them, that we can shine, and get past their class...

The best way to show them how wrong they are is to show them up. If you go to class and have a "evil" rottie who is ten times more talented and better behaved then everyone else, who look like the fool then?!!!!

There is no defense like a good offense! Go get'em!!!!

Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX OAC OGC NA NAJ NJC TT CGC
http://members.aol.com/dplantier
http://members.aol.com/rottweilerworld

[Miabella]

You and Makita deserve to be in the class, and I know you will do a great job and do us all proud. Don't let some sourpuss ruin your fun, get out there and prove how good a team you are. You can do it! :) :) :)

[LORHEL]

Thanks again, you guys always know just what to say....:D :D

I'll let you know how our first "real doggie" class goes...:D :D

[Sasso]

Okay, puppy k. is nothing compared to therapy class, but... when we went to our first puppy class, everyone looked at Harley like they were afraid he was going to eat their puppies. And he was only a puppy himself!!! Even the instructor made a mention about bigger puppies bullying the smaller ones, specifically mentioning "the rott"....

Well, we stuck it out, and by the end of the first class, everyone was more curious than hostile or afraid. By the end of the course, Harley was everyone's favorite (except their own pup, of course).:D :D

Guess we showed'em, huh! And I know you and Makita will, too.;) Hang in there and enjoy your classes with your sweet girl.:)

[Mojave's Mom]

Lori, another thing to consider is perhaps if some of YOUR insecurities might be showing through and you're projecting them onto others. Don't back off because you're assuming that they're prejudging you...even if it might completely seem as they are. Like everyone else says, the best way to handle this is to prove them wrong.

So yes, grit your teeth, go in, work your dog, and keep moving forward.

[LORHEL]

MM, you might be so right about that, considering you know the story as well as I do prior to this. :( And, I admire all you have accomplished with Mojave and now your little girl :D

So yes, I will work on that. Its still very hard not to start thinking the worst, or be hesitant at succeeding... because it feels like its "odd" or wrong. Thanks very much.