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Original poster

should I report dog

89 replies

Flute56 · 30/11/2019 10:45

I recently stayed with some people who have a rotweiller dog. I was concerned and asked if the dog was dangerous. They said no it has the personality of a labrador. However because they have a large property they have the dog as a guard dog. At first the dog was ok but then suddenly the dog went for me and I was very scared. Should I have reported the dog? What if the dog went after a child? It is all very well to say the dog as the personality of a labrador but if it a guard dog what is the use of that if there is an intruder? Because these people were so nice and upset at what happened which thankfully nothing serious happened I was reluctant to take matters further. However they said what I should have done was put my arms up and shouted down to the dog. This means that the dog has a tendency to be fierce because otherwise they would not have said that is the command when the dog gets over excited or comes at you so if the dog is as gentle as they first made out then why is the dog for guard purposes and why would the dog be trained to follow such a command and stop coming at you? They must know the dog can be unpredictable so they have trained it to follow the shouting down command but they said oh no our dog is fine and gentle. I almost said if the dog is so gentle it would be no good if there was an intruder because the dog would just roll over and expect the person to stroke it

OP posts:
Original poster
Flute56 · 30/11/2019 12:30

I was on their property because they invited me to stay

OP posts:
WiddlinDiddlin · 30/11/2019 12:31

That sounds like very typical big dog 'play' where the dog has not been taught how to politely communicate with people, listen to cues, not mouth etc.

If this dog had been aggressive and intended to do harm or attack you, then you would have injuries now, the fact he mouthed your wrists and ankles and you are not complaining of injuries speaks volumes.. this was not an attack...

HOWEVER... it seems clear that the owners are thoroughly deluded and incompetent, the dog did scare you and theres reasonable grounds to assume the dog would scare someone else and could knock them down and injure them.

I would speak to the owners and suggest they get a trainer/behaviourist in and also attend classes... if they do want the dog to act as a deterrant to intruders, teh dogs size, and appearance can be enough.. if they want the dog to do more than this they actually need a licence for a trained guard dog, and that dog must be held on a chain OR be handled directly by someone with a security licence.

You might also want to point out a guard dog won't be covered by pet dog insurance...

EntropyRising · 30/11/2019 12:32

It's hard to say based on the information you've given, because this might be what he's trained to do.

Doesn't sound great on the face of it, but I think you'd be mad to have a rottweiler. I've seen a very lovely one but I've also seen a fucking scary one and they are way too powerful.

Branster · 30/11/2019 12:34

In defence of labradors, they are excellent guard dogs!

PrayingandHoping · 30/11/2019 12:34

Did the dog mark u.... if it was attacking u and put it's mouth on your arms and legs you would have minimum and mark if not a wound

EntropyRising · 30/11/2019 12:36

Did the dog mark u.... if it was attacking u and put it's mouth on your arms and legs you would have minimum and mark if not a wound

I've seen dogs start out playful then turn aggressive.

Floralnomad · 30/11/2019 12:36

Sounds like an over excited dog and you sound like a bit of a wuss with big dogs and if it was a Labrador you wouldn’t have started this thread it’s just because it’s a Rottweiler . If it’s on their property I can’t see the issue - don’t visit again is the answer .

CaptainCabinets · 30/11/2019 12:39

This is all a bit weird and vague.

ysmaem · 30/11/2019 12:48

The dog was excited. I have a shitzu who doesn't know what to do with himself when I come home. He licks and chews/mouths my hands at the same time cause he's overjoyed. If the dog had bitten you you would have known about it.

SuperDonkey · 30/11/2019 12:49

I used to play fight with my border collie all the time as a kid, she would "put her mouth around my arms and wrists" but wouldn't put enough pressure on to hurt you. She's old now and doesn't play like that any more.

Sounds like the dog was trying to play fight, but it can be scary if you are not familiar with the dog.

My cousin had her face mauled as a toddler by a Rottie, needed stitches still has the scars as an adult, it went for her because she was eating food the dog wanted. On the other hand, MIL had two Rotties that were very well behaved and protected her sons/walked around with them as kids etc.

I wouldn't report, I'd speak to the owners about training the dog more.

Boots20 · 30/11/2019 12:53

If the dog was attacking i imagine it would have mauled your hand off not put its mouth around your wrist and then your ankle then walk off

KarmaStar · 30/11/2019 12:54

Report the dog?don't be daft!!
He was doing his job.you don't mention any injuries.
Move on!

Aridane · 30/11/2019 12:56

He was protecting his property which is what he has been trained to do.
Unfortunately you were a stranger on your own in his garden. He did was he was meant to do, it's not his fault.

Nor was it the OP’s!

hazeydays14 · 30/11/2019 13:06

My dog mouths at hands and wrists when he’s excited. It’s a bad habit and he wasn’t taught differently as a pup (we adopted him) so having him as a 1yr old now it’s a challenging behaviour to change.

However I can see why you found it scary if you’re not used to big dogs who act like this. Ours is a small/medium mix breed so when he jumps and does this it doesn’t feel as threatening, but I do warn all visitors who come before they are introduced and try and keep him as calm as I can.

Elieza · 30/11/2019 13:21

Move out. Is the dog old? Sometimes they go a bit loopy when they get old. Could have mistaken you for a stranger?

TheoriginalLEM · 30/11/2019 15:34

If they invited you to stay then they should have ensured that you could roam around the grounds safely, or warned you that they have a guard dog and told you where to avoid.

You do not want to be bitten by a rottie - I say this as someone who used to own them

Booboostwo · 30/11/2019 16:11

If you are in the UK you can report the dog to the Dog Warden who deals with dangerous dogs, the question is, is this a dangerous dog? Was the dog biting you or was it mouthing you? Some dogs need to mouth when they are excited and while not the best of manners it’s not a dangerous behaviour.

stophuggingme · 30/11/2019 16:22

@Floralnomad
If it’s on their property I can’t see the issue - don’t visit again is the answer .

You are obviously unaware of changes to the Legislation whereby a dog being on the owner’s private property is now classed as three same as if it were in a park. Furthermore if a dog causes an individual to fear they may attack that is also relevant.

SilverySurfer · 30/11/2019 16:23

It's impossible to respond without you saying if your skin was damaged or if it drew blood?

Hoppinggreen · 30/11/2019 21:33

You know that a dog if that size could have done you serious damage if it had attacked?
You are being a bit odd and vague in your posts, did it actually bite you or not? If it bit you will be injured and need medical help for a. tetanus jab or similar
If it just put your wrists/ankles in its mouth I can see why it might have been frightening but it didn’t “attack” you

Floralnomad · 30/11/2019 21:37

stophuggingme , I’m well aware thanks but I can’t see the police being interested in the OPs sad tale of the dog jumping up , getting her wrist in his mouth ( no mention of actual biting / puncture wounds/ blood loss) and then walking away in his own garden . If the OP doesn’t like the dog that lives in this house then the answer is to not visit , not waste police time .

user1497997754 · 30/11/2019 21:40

If that do this wanted to have hurt you and bitten you he would of. This doesn't need reporting as you said they put him straight on the chain. I imagine he didn't know you and was just sounding you out

Hepsibar · 30/11/2019 21:42

How horrible chaining a dog. Sounds like they are not all that nice.

LazyFace · 30/11/2019 21:53

Agree with Hepsibar... 3 foot chain is ridiculously short as well.

kierenthecommunity · 30/11/2019 22:02

I’m glad I’m not the only one that picked up in the chain. Three feet is hardly giving it ‘space to roam’ it may as well have been tethered. A large animal like that needs a lot more space. No wonder it’s a bit loopy.

Do they exercise it? Maybe reporting the dog will do it a favour