I think im scared of rottweilers.. help please :(
- Thread starter Fran101
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I had a bad experience with a Bull Mastiff one time a few years ago (no injury to me but it was still quite traumatic) and to this day, I'm still a little wary of them, even though I've met perfectly lovely ones since.
Lizzy: "Carl" books, as in "Good dog, Carl." They're a series about a Rottie who is a therapy dog and has a wheelchair.
Lizzy: "Carl" books, as in "Good dog, Carl." They're a series about a Rottie who is a therapy dog and has a wheelchair.
I think it's very normal to be feeling the way you do. I think right now you're still shaken by the trauma you wen through which any of us would be going through had we been in your shoes. Give it some time and then try visiting with the friendly Rottie on your street, explain your fear to the owner and I'm sure he can help you with it. I know lots of people fear Rotties because of their size and looks but I yet have to meet one that wasn't gentle with everyone they met. Actually thought of owning one myself but I didn't have the experience or knowledge of the breed and didn't find anyone with the knowledge I needed either so I changed my mind. But I do love them, mostly because of their build and manners when well trained.
What a horrible, scary experience. OMFG. D:
Your injuries and that dog's death has absolutely nothing to do with you... he was unfortunate enough to be owned by an idiot, and he definitely should have been leashed, if not PTS long before he went after you. His owner abandoning him is proof enough that he was a badly bred, badly raised, badly owned dog. Try to think of it NOT as a breed issue, but as an owner issue. I don't avoid dogs based on their breed, but I do avoid dogs (especially when I'm out with mine) who are at the hands of morons (off-leash dogs... uncontrolled dogs... straining/lunging/staring dogs whose owners could care less... etc).
I don't blame you for being afraid. But, you know, plenty of people feel the same way about German Shepherds. You obviously know better than to judge that entire breed based on a few unfortunate GSDs who aren't given a fair chance to ever be good dogs. I hope you feel better soon, both physically and mentally. I can't imagine how freaked out I would feel if a dog ripped into me like that, regardless of breed.
Your injuries and that dog's death has absolutely nothing to do with you... he was unfortunate enough to be owned by an idiot, and he definitely should have been leashed, if not PTS long before he went after you. His owner abandoning him is proof enough that he was a badly bred, badly raised, badly owned dog. Try to think of it NOT as a breed issue, but as an owner issue. I don't avoid dogs based on their breed, but I do avoid dogs (especially when I'm out with mine) who are at the hands of morons (off-leash dogs... uncontrolled dogs... straining/lunging/staring dogs whose owners could care less... etc).
I don't blame you for being afraid. But, you know, plenty of people feel the same way about German Shepherds. You obviously know better than to judge that entire breed based on a few unfortunate GSDs who aren't given a fair chance to ever be good dogs. I hope you feel better soon, both physically and mentally. I can't imagine how freaked out I would feel if a dog ripped into me like that, regardless of breed.
Thanks everyone 
My leg hurts, but my doctor gave me pain killers soo it only hurts if i accidently put pressure on the back of my thigh or walk too fast. you only realize how important your butt is when your not allowed to sit on it lol
This may seem weird but i feel like Kenya knows, all of a sudden shes very calm, she stares at me constantly and was very calm when I put on her leash (usually shes jumping and doing the wiggle butt dance) and on the walk she was very careful not to walk too fast and stayed by my side even though i didnt ask her to heel.
Dizzy, its no problem, the pics are really cute. The more i look at them, the more i see the diffrences between milton and the rest of the crew and the dog that bit me. Same breed, but very diffrent character, i can tell just from the pictures.
My leg hurts, but my doctor gave me pain killers soo it only hurts if i accidently put pressure on the back of my thigh or walk too fast. you only realize how important your butt is when your not allowed to sit on it lol This may seem weird but i feel like Kenya knows, all of a sudden shes very calm, she stares at me constantly and was very calm when I put on her leash (usually shes jumping and doing the wiggle butt dance) and on the walk she was very careful not to walk too fast and stayed by my side even though i didnt ask her to heel.
Dizzy, its no problem, the pics are really cute. The more i look at them, the more i see the diffrences between milton and the rest of the crew and the dog that bit me. Same breed, but very diffrent character, i can tell just from the pictures.
((((HUGS))))
First of all, please don't blame yourself that the dog was PTS. When I worked for the animal shelter, I was attacked by a Lab/Dal mix dog. I was setting down his water and food bowls and he just went crazy and tried to rip my hand off. The day we had to euthanize him I felt terrible because he wouldn't be in that place if he hadn't have bitten me. But then I realized that I was glad he had attacked ME and not some little child somewhere.
And I don't blame you for being afraid. I've been bitten by a couple Australian Cattle Dogs and I'm wary of them now. It wasn't their fault, they just had rotten owners that never trained them. But I still get a little nervous when I see one now.
First of all, please don't blame yourself that the dog was PTS. When I worked for the animal shelter, I was attacked by a Lab/Dal mix dog. I was setting down his water and food bowls and he just went crazy and tried to rip my hand off. The day we had to euthanize him I felt terrible because he wouldn't be in that place if he hadn't have bitten me. But then I realized that I was glad he had attacked ME and not some little child somewhere.
And I don't blame you for being afraid. I've been bitten by a couple Australian Cattle Dogs and I'm wary of them now. It wasn't their fault, they just had rotten owners that never trained them. But I still get a little nervous when I see one now.
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry this happened to you. I can certainly see where you would be terrified. I would be too quite honestly. It certainly is an eye opener when something horrible like this happens. I hope with time you will be able to start letting go and rebuilding your confidence.
This was NOT your fault. Like other said, this was a dog with an unstable temperament. It is not a normal behavior at all. What a scary thing to happen.
This was NOT your fault. Like other said, this was a dog with an unstable temperament. It is not a normal behavior at all. What a scary thing to happen.
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Soo sorry to hear this happened to you Fran.
Like others have said, the most important thing is that you not blame yourself... if you werent there someone else would have been... this dog was put to sleep because it was dangerous, poorly bred, poorly trained, something... but it had NOTHING to do with you, nothing!
It will probably take time... starting out with puppies and little guys will probably help you work your way up to the bigger ones again.
Easier said then done I know, but try to think in different terms... you were attacked by a dangerous dog, try and forget the breed. My first poodle was attacked and almost killed by a Golden... any dog can be dangerous. If you think of it that way, it may be easier to put the fear of Rotties out of your mind. But I am sure it will take time, just RELAX and work on getting better.
Did anything happen to the guy?!
Like others have said, the most important thing is that you not blame yourself... if you werent there someone else would have been... this dog was put to sleep because it was dangerous, poorly bred, poorly trained, something... but it had NOTHING to do with you, nothing!
It will probably take time... starting out with puppies and little guys will probably help you work your way up to the bigger ones again.
Easier said then done I know, but try to think in different terms... you were attacked by a dangerous dog, try and forget the breed. My first poodle was attacked and almost killed by a Golden... any dog can be dangerous. If you think of it that way, it may be easier to put the fear of Rotties out of your mind. But I am sure it will take time, just RELAX and work on getting better.
Did anything happen to the guy?!
*HUGS* Fran, and I echo what many have already said. It was not your fault, and it's such a shame that something like this happened to you. I'm so glad you're on the mend.
Take time to heal, and then try to work on the fear you have. A lot of it may just calm if given some time, especially because you -know- that it's irrational. Wait a while, then if the sight of a rottie scares you still, try to get some help for yourself, hmm?
Again, so glad you're okay, and RIP to that poor mentally unsound dog.
I'm so glad you're on the mend.Take time to heal, and then try to work on the fear you have. A lot of it may just calm if given some time, especially because you -know- that it's irrational. Wait a while, then if the sight of a rottie scares you still, try to get some help for yourself, hmm?
Again, so glad you're okay, and RIP to that poor mentally unsound dog.
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I hate to say it but there is one breed that truly terrifies me and I just can't seem to get past it.
I am absolutely terrified of Rottweilers.
I've witnessed a few attacks from this breed. (2 when I was a child)
Whenever I come across one I just freeze up and start shaking.
I just don't know how to get passed it.
I've been able to get over my fear of Pit bulls but I just can't get passed the Rottie fear.
(I mean I have no fear of Dobies or other large dogs just Rotties)
I've tried believe me I've tried to get passed this fear but it doesn't seem to be going away......infact it just gets worse
I am absolutely terrified of Rottweilers.
I've witnessed a few attacks from this breed. (2 when I was a child)
Whenever I come across one I just freeze up and start shaking.
I just don't know how to get passed it.
I've been able to get over my fear of Pit bulls but I just can't get passed the Rottie fear.
(I mean I have no fear of Dobies or other large dogs just Rotties)
I've tried believe me I've tried to get passed this fear but it doesn't seem to be going away......infact it just gets worse
As a past owner of Rottweilers, I am so, so sorry to hear that this happened to you. That's awful. But please don't blame yourself for what happened to the dog. It's not your fault at all, and as others have said, if he was that unsound of mind then he's better off being put to sleep IMO. I hope, someday, that you will be able to overcome your fear of Rottweilers. It will definitely take time, and I can certainly see why you're afraid now.
I'll be honest; I always am a bit inwardly tentative around Rotties here. When I worked in the Grooming Salon, many Rotties were nervous to the point of biting. Let me tell you, not many of them had a high threshold. And it's very true, it's always the owners that don't really care. Many rotties are not well socialized with people and other dogs; because people get them and don't realize the amount of Socialization and training they need.
On the other hand, I have a few favorite Rotties, and a lot of the young Rott owners take their dogs to classes-- and we even have two regulars that have Therapy Rottweilers.
I can't imagine why that would happen to you-- but I'm very sorry it did! Especially with you doing such a good thing by helping out at the shelter I'm sure the dog was always friendly in his own comfort zone, but being taken into a place like that, he probably nearly lost his mind!
As a side note, I would buy a pack of kennel leads, hang them up by the front door, and enforce the rule "Dogs MUST be on leash at all times." Hopefully that would stop anything like that from ever happening again.
On the other hand, I have a few favorite Rotties, and a lot of the young Rott owners take their dogs to classes-- and we even have two regulars that have Therapy Rottweilers.
I can't imagine why that would happen to you-- but I'm very sorry it did! Especially with you doing such a good thing by helping out at the shelter
I'm sure the dog was always friendly in his own comfort zone, but being taken into a place like that, he probably nearly lost his mind!As a side note, I would buy a pack of kennel leads, hang them up by the front door, and enforce the rule "Dogs MUST be on leash at all times." Hopefully that would stop anything like that from ever happening again.