My mother n law found this rott for my 6 year old n 3 year old son threw Facebook this dog (named him zombie) was found in a cemetery they believe he's about 6 months n thinks he comes from an abusive home because he is very submissions.. my 3 year old wanted to play with him n started putting things like his blanket on his back n zombie snapped at him like leave me alone... then zombie was sleeping my 6 year old very cautious went to pet him n zombie snapped again but this time was on top of my 6 year old. He hasn't actually put his mouth on them but it freaks me out n I think maybe he came from a home that a child abused him.. he's really not that playful either n when he wants to play we only play with a ball but he will only play with me.. I have owned many dogs but never a rott.. I now have my 6 year old feeding him his food hoping that it will build trust with zombie n him he's a really Good dog but I'm not sure if I can handle this.. Anyone have any advice?
Thanks for the advice.. we have only had zombie for a week now n I'm right next to my 6 year old when he's feeding the dog. My kids are use to being around dogs and know not to make sudden movements or pull, poke or tease dogs. I most of the dogs I owned where from the street. I will have to look for a trainer in my area.. and see if it helps. But since these things have happened my kids won't go near the dog unless the dog comes to them n then they just pet him.
I love dogs and I would NEVER have a rottie with little ones . . . unless I had hand-raised that dog from 8 weeks of age and knew every quirk to its personality.
It might be that he would have a better home elsewhere. But no matter what my kids' safety comes first.
We just got a rott, he was 7 weeks when we got him. He is the best puppy, house trained in a week, crate trained in 2 days. We lucked out big time. But we also got to meet the mom and dad, and they were the most gentle giants ever. Please don't write off this breed of dog, but that is why we got a puppy and not the 8 month old from a rescue center. If you do keep him be very careful, but unlike one person said, while he is eating you do need to be in his face to teach him not to be overaggressive while he eats. I pull on my dogs ears and when he growls I take his food away till he calms down ,and I keep petting him. Good luck,
I hate to say it, but I think out of an abudance of caution, you should get rid of the dog. It doesn't matter if you are standing right next to your child or not If that dog decides to go for your child, there will be nothing you can do to stop it. First, it will happen so fast that you won't have time to react. Second, the dog is probably extremely heavy and strong. You are not stronger than the dog and you don't yet have authority with the dog.
I really think this dog should be taken to the Humane Society and retrained and socialized before being adopted out.
C. - welcome to Mamapedia.
Let me get this straight - your mom found a dog for your family through Facebook. You did NOT visit with the dog PRIOR to adopting him?
Sorry - but if your mom adopted the dog - they are expecting HER to take care of it. She should have been upfront with them at the adoption.
Rottweilers are great dogs!! However, like any ANIMAL, they can be bad - not because of their breed - but because of how they were raised.
You know nothing about this dog. You don't know it's background, etc.
I would give the dog back to my mother in law and tell her thank you very much, however, before she gets the family a dog again, we ALL have to visit with the dog and see if we "mesh" as a family. The dog needs to be re-homed as it is not a young child dog.
Good luck.
Honestly, this dog shouldn't be in your home. It's probably a dog that is fearful of children and needs to be in a home that isn't ever around them. (Think, old person who lives alone and needs company.) If you foolishly decide to keep this dog (please don't keep him!!!) read this very carefully:
1. NEVER mess with a sleeping dog. Ever. Do not under any circumstance allow this.
2. Your child should NOT be handling this dogs food. That is asking for an accident. Please stop this.
3. Don't play by covering, stacking, or putting things over a dog.
4. This dog is new, this is very scary. MOST dogs in scary situations will snap, but that does not mean they continue to do so.
5. This dog needs time to adjust to life, before your children have so much time with him. Allow him to figure out his world, then bring your childern around. Give him time and space to become secure, and THEN allow your children to cautiously be around him.
6. Be VERY cautious in their play with this dog. Do not allow them to touch while he is sleeping, eating, or relaxing. Be RIGHT there to make sure they don't poke, tug, or annoy the dog.
7. If the dog snaps after you give him time to adjust, then the dog needs to not be around children. He should find a home with no little ones, that is better suited to his personality.
Please, find a better home for this dog. There are dogs (like all animals and people) who simply can't be around children. There is a home for this dog, I'm sure...he is just a puppy and is very afraid and has time to grow and be secure. This home is just NOT yours. Try to find a home with an older couple or person, that needs some company.
I would take him to a professional trainer and explain the situation. Most dogs (but not all) can be good dogs with the right training. His sketchy background warrants extra attention and he may need extra training. Your son will also need training, puppies look like stuffed animals but shouldn't be treated like them.
I am a dog lover but I think this is not the right dog for you and your family. It is only a matter of time before one of those snips turns into a bite!
Do you have any idea the damage this dog could do to your child if he turns on him?
Kids (of all ages) have died in dog attacks and many who survive have horrible debilitating scars for the rest of their lives.
You know nothing of the dogs breeding so you don't know if the parents have a temperament problem.
A dog is a pack animal - your family becomes his pack.
The dog needs to know that family members out rank him - even - ESPECIALLY - the 3 yr old.
Be extremely careful with this dog.
you need to get rid of the dog! Rotts are NOT good family dogs. My mom had one when I was a teenager and she was the nicest dog UNTIL we moved to another state and she just snapped. The dog loved my mom but anytime I would go near it, she would start growling and barking at me. I never did anything to that dog. Since that dog is already snipping at your kids, get rid of it NOW. Really, why wait until it rips your kids apart!! There are some dogs that are just not kid friendly and if you don't even know where it came from, that's even worse.
I really hope this isn't even a real question
My daughter adopted a Chocolate Lab/Blue Healer from some people who were going to put the litter down. She couldn't keep the dog in her apartment so she asked me to take the dog, and I did. Everything was fine for the first few months, then this dog snaped. She attacked my 2 small dogs several times and my grandson once. Did not bite the baby. I took one of the small dogs to the vet because he was bleeding after an attack.
The vet told me the Lab/Blue Healer had to be put down. NO choice. I called a freind who is a vet (lives in another state) the Humane Society, a dog trainer and few pet rescues. I got the same answer from everyone. the dog needs to be put down.
Two reasons:
One, I could not live with myself if the dog attacked and hurt or killed someone.
Two, the libility involved. Even if I re-homed her and warned the new person adopting her that she had attacked, I was liable. I could be sued for medical and funeral bills, wrongful death ect ect ect. It could easily be a million dollar lawsuit.
Some breeders are not responsible breeders. They inbreed their dogs. When this happens some of the dogs have disabilities, sometimes they are simply a little crazy and attack people and other animals. This is not your fault but this dog needs to be put down.
Sorry but this dog is not right for your home. Please put your children first. Rotties can be the SWEETEST dogs on the planet, my sister's used to sit on my lap when I was out back BBQing it was the cutest thing, but if ANYONE approached that she had not said was okay watch OUT! She was also never allowed with the kids with out an adult in the room. Zombie is telling you something - LISTEN before a bite does occur. I am sure you vet can/will help.
I bet you they can help too!
ETA my 6yr old feeds the dogs too, but they are crated while he gets their food ready so there is no chance of them getting possesive, dogs do that about food you know. So, crate the dog, allow the child to handle the food with clean hands before/after and open the crate allowing the dog to go to the food. Keep everyone away from the dog while eating, esp small children.
Rotties are great dogs, but they are one owner dogs. You are the one. It doesn't mean Zombie will not love the kids, but that is now your dog.
At 6 months the dog was probably not abused unless you see scars on the dog, but just not properly socialized.
I strongly suggest socializing the dog every chance you get and get him in some good training.
Zombie will make a great family pet. He just has to get to know the kids. In any event, never leave the kids alone with the dog until you can trust the dog with the kids and the kids with the dog.
You need to get him trained. Do it asap before he gets any bigger. Tell your kids not to pet him when he's sleeping/eating. Get him walkin on a leash and get him to the trainer asap. GL
Please get rid of the dog for your kids sake.
Who knows down the road with proper training it could be a great family dog... but then again it could be the worst mistake by keeping him.. who knows... but for the sake of your kids, please don't take the chance.
Rott's are very powerful dogs. If something happened, you wouldn't be able to stop it.
We had a Husky/ German Shepard mix.. she was also powerful, but not near as powerful as a Rott. My son was 2 and tripped in the yard and startled the dog ( I know not the dogs fault) but she turned and pounced on him and bit him in the face. She obviously wasn't trying to hurt him as the bite wasn't full force. But it was hard enough to leave teeth cuts on his face. Had the bite been 1/16 th of an inch to the right it would have taken his eye. Thankfully we were able to glue the cut on his eye brow shut and no stitches were needed to the rest of the cuts to his face. But it was too close of a call for us.
We called around to MANY places to take her and unfortunately nobody would touch her due to her one time "attack" even though in my heart I believe it was not her fault as she was startled and didn't bite at full strength. But I wasn't going to take a chance of it happening again and next time it being worse or to give her away and have it happen to someone else or somebodies child. We put her down.
Maybe you can find someone who doesn't have young children and will be able to have her properly trained and spend the time with him that he needs to learn to trust again and hopefully he will become a great dog for someone else. But honestly I would not keep him. After a week your kids shouldn't be too attached and would understand why he has to go to a different home where he can live a wonderful life... with no more possible problems.
Good luck.
abused dogs can be untrustworthy. maybe not a good choice for a family.
Please don't write off the breed as suggested, that is the most ignorant thing I've heard. We adopted our male Rottweiler at age 4 and he has been the best family dog. I have children from 3-8 and they pull in him, lay with him, kiss him and he is the most gentle giant around. Before our rott we tried adopting a small Maltese-yorkie mix and she was the meanest dog, always growling or nipping. It's the personality not the breed!!! Hire a trainer or start obedience training ASAP! Food aggression can be overcome
Unless you are planning on having the dog trained by a reputable trainer who understands mastiff breeds, not a training school, I don't think this dog is the right dog for you. Mastiff breeds are awesome pets but they are very different from any other breed. Especially one that's off to a rough start. We had a rottie and it did the same thing that your dog is doing. Your dog is entering into adolescents and they get cocky. It's important that a dog that size is shown who is alpha. Your kids aren't big enough or mature enough to show the dog who's alpha and he's dominating them. Don't leave him alone at any time with your kids. I'm not saying he's a bad dog, but they do require training, unless you are very familiar with the breed. Our trainer is really good, he specializes in mastiff breeds. He's expensive, but worth it. Feel free to send me a private message if you're interested in contacting him.
My neighbor kept a dog like this, but she made excuses about his behavior for too long. Eventually, her son ended up in surgery when the dog - completely unprovoked - nearly too his hand off. The kid wasn't even near the dog, it came running in from another room.
"Zombie" is not suitable for a home with kids. Do find a trainer, but for rehab and rehoming purposes. The dog can't stay with you.
