Not So Sure About This Idea

[Ginger's Mom]

I agree with both of you to an extent there. When a dog has bitten before, there is always a thought in the back of your mind that they'll bite again. However, if this was about a labrador, for instance, I don't believe that it would hit the news, it would be more likely to be swept under the carpet and pretended the incident never happened.

I am not trying to be argumentative here, honest, but I really need to disagree. I believe it is the owner of this dog that is trying to make this a news event, not people who are opposed to Rotties. I had a foster dog who was a biter, I would never have thought of taking her to testing to become a therapy dog (and she was a small dog). I think if this lady wants to improve the status of Rottweillers, there are many ways she could truly help the breed. Taking a dog that has "mauled" her hand to nursing homes is just not the way to do it. And to put that dog and people in that position just for publicity is wrong. People should not be overcome by their desire to improve the the status of Rottweillers that they make bad or questionable decisions. I love Rottweillers, I have never met one that I couldn't walk up to and give them a nice big pet on that lovely big head. But this particular dog should probably not be in a nursing home. It has nothing to do with the breed. I feel sorry for this dog, I think she is using him to make a statement, rather than just enjoying him and letting him be her spoiled pet.

ETA: Buttercup, I just saw your post. This dog didn't just bite her, her broke several bones and tore tendons. There is a difference. Also, I, of course, do not know what caused that attack, but lets just say for the sake of argument one of the older residents lost their balance while going to pet the dog. The dog may see the sudden movement of the person coming at him as threatening. It is just not a good idea for this dog (not saying Rotties in general).

[Alysser]

I don't think it's a good idea either as it is a huge risk. If the dog broke a healthy persons bones then what will he/she do if she bit an elderly persons hand, who possible had arthritis or something else similar. The dog could knock down a person in a wheelchair, or someone who had a walker. I know Sassy used to be afraid of wheelchairs and canes when we took Sassy to my grandmas nursing home. She wasn't a therapy dog, but any friendly loving dog was allowed in to visit the people. I think the fact that she wants to do this for the dogs reputation is great but if that dog mauled her hand "accidently" it's should not be allowed. I cannot understand why a Therapy dog training center would allow a dog with ANY agressive history to become a certified therapy dog.