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Location: Perth, Australia
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 27
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Adopting a rescued Rottweiler, advice needed for a smooth transition into the family.
Our family consists of my husband and I, two little boys, a beautiful rescued Pointer (8yo)and some crazy Weeros.
As we recently lost my baby George (14yo, maltese australian silky X), we decided to provide a home and family for another dog. Our first rescue has been a phenomenal sucess, so we decided to do that again. I thought that with 2 boys under 2 a big dog was a better option than a terrier. We do a lot of outdoors activity and exercise, and I am a stay at home mum so am around the house all day so the dogs have plenty of company, exercise and stimulation.
After checking out a number or rescue sites I found and fell for Bruce, a 6yo Rottweiler. He has a history of neglect, and some issues with men, so he has possibly been abused. We have met him a number of times and he was won over by my husband immediately, although he did have a big bark the first time he saw him, and it was very clear that Bruce was afraid, not agressive.
He gets along famously with my children, and even extended family members who were at first frightened by the stereotype of Rottweilers.
My main concern is our Pointer Feanics. He is well behaved and docile. We had him desexed a few months back so that we could introduce him to another male. But since the loss of our little dog George he has become very protective of me and the children. This was an issue the first time we met with Bruce but doesnt seem to be a problem now.
Feanics previously has never shown any aggression towards or even much interest in other dogs. But at the minute when I'm walking him he seems to have a growl at any dogs who try to show him any dominance, although he doesn't seem to want to be dominant to others, if that makes sense.
I am concerned that perhaps he is feeling a bit threatened by another dog coming in. They have gotten on increasingly well, but unfortunately Bruce doesn't seem to know how to play, and Feanics misreads Bruce's attempts to play and they have a growl and scrabble, but come apart as soon as I say anything. I am confident that I can control them, but I don't really know how to teach them to play together.
When Bruce eventually moves in, is this likely to be a problem? The rescue group recommended Jan Fennell books, which I have read and don't really have a problem with, but I really need more info and don't know where to start looking. I have ordered a few books on Rottweilers that should arrive any day now.
Most of all, I don't want them to hurt each other. I think they will be manageable, but I want them to both be happy and relaxed.
Any advice or information or a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Even if you think I'm mad to be taking the new one on like this please say so as I am in need of a bit of objective opinion.