SPDR Rottweiler Rescue

10/31/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GikRioUbi/

Some dogs are tethered to a kennel.
Others are tethered to our expectations.
And that tether is much harder to see.

They live inside our homes now.
They sleep on orthopaedic beds.
A few toys to play with. A wardrobe full of coats.
They are loved. Oh, how they are loved.

But a loved life is not always a lived life.

We shrink their world for convenience.
We want a dog that fits into our life,
not a life that stretches to fit a dog.

So before they even arrive, the plan is made.
They will be calm when people come over.
They will be fine with 10 minutes around the same block.
They won't complain when we skip it.
Five minutes of fetch while dinner cooks.
And they will be my loyal companion.

But what if who they are doesn't fit the plan?
What if they were bred to run for miles and we give them a block?
What if they were bred to use their nose, and we never give them anything worth sniffing?

So the cracks show.
The chewed rug.
The paint scratched off the wall.
Whining at the door.
Jumping all over guests because it's the most excitement they've had in 8 days.

And we call it misbehaviour.

So we train them harder.
Not to understand them better-
but to make them fit neatly again.
Calmer.
Quieter.
They need to accept this is the life we decided they should have.

After all, dogs are meant to be loyal companions.
We never stop to ask if we are being a loyal companion to them.

We look at photos of dogs chained to kennels and feel angry.
We all agree, that's no life for a dog.
We give ours a bed instead of a rag on the ground.
A beautiful home instead of a chain.
A couple of toys instead of dirt and twigs.
We just don't see that the chain can still be there

10/29/2026

So sick of the "dominance" bs.

THE PLOT TO DOMINATE HUMANS

We hear it far too often - “my dog is dominant” or “trying to be the alpha” or “I have to be the pack leader to show my dog who’s in charge”.

The definition of dominance - dominant in the chain of command / occupying or being in a commanding or elevated position / having a controlling, prevailing, or powerful position in a social hierarchy. Do we really believe this of our dogs in the context of our relationship with them? Are dogs really trying to take over our homes and rule the world?

We control everything in their lives - what and when they eat, when they go out, their choices, where they sleep, who they interact with, their environment etc. and yet it’s still believed they are trying to dominate us.

Yes, dominance between dogs does exist, but not in the way that we may assume. It exists in certain situations or contexts, is fluid and may constantly change. It’s not usually about using force but about one individual deferring to another.

Dogs know that we are not dogs and they don’t expect us to behave like other dogs.

Dogs need us to be their advocate, a source of security, of safety and a secure base from which they can navigate our world – not a source of pain, fear, intimidation, force, competition and dominance.

There is a vast amount of scientific evidence and information available that debunks the dominance myth as it pertains to our relationship with dogs.

A few links for further reading and information:

Dr David Mech - scientist and wolf researcher
https://davemech.org/wolf-news-and-information/

From APBC - SJ Evans, Dr Anne Mcbride
https://apbc.org.uk/my-dogs-being-dominant/

From Ready Pup Go –
https://readypupgo.biz/why-dominance-theory-fails-in-dog-training/

10/25/2026

MIND YOUR MANNERS!

The safe, respectful, polite way to interact with a dog.

Imagine a stranger walking up to you, invading your personal space, touching you without consent or maybe cornering or restraining you so you can’t get away.

Would you feel threatened? Would you feel safe? Would you accept this without reacting?

You try to communicate your discomfort, but the person ignores you and continues to touch you, leaving you no choice but to defend yourself.

This is perfectly understandable when it comes to people, but somehow, we often don’t understand that dogs have the same need for space, choice, consent and safety.

Dogs are frequently approached, touched and crowded by people without being given a choice. Their body language signals of stress are not understood or simply ignored.

Then, when a dog growls, snaps or reacts defensively, we act surprised.

One of my own dogs is particularly sensitive to unfamiliar people. If we have visitors, I always ask that they give her space and avoid trying to interact with her.

She needs to make the decision that she feels comfortable enough to approach and interact.

So often, my request is ignored. Sometimes resulting in a reactive response from my dog. The person is then genuinely shocked - What's wrong with your dog? Why is she so aggressive!

The real question should be - why wasn't her need for space respected?

Her personal space had been invaded, she had not been given the opportunity to feel safe or choose to engage. When her body language didn’t work to keep the person at a distance, her behaviour escalated.

We expect people to respect our personal boundaries. We expect to have a say in who touches us, when and where they touch us and if it’s acceptable. Why should it be different for dogs?

Dogs are not public property. They are sentient individuals with their own preferences, fears, boundaries and ways of communicating.

Being friendly, familiar or well-behaved does not mean a dog is freely available for anyone to touch.

Feeling safe is rooted in choice, in consent and the right to say no and we need to respect that.

10/25/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1K6wpzebAU/

This is so accurate for Rottweiler rescue. Imagine all those dogs are Rottweilers. Then, although many are lovely dogs, imagine half of them leash and/or dog reactive, so they can't be around other dogs. And often they have stranger danger as well - barking and growling at visitors to your home, or people you see on a walk, or the vet. The people surrendering them don't socialize or train them, and many are abused as well, if only by neglect, yet somehow the people think that because it's a Rottweiler, someone else is going to want the dog and the behavior problems that they created. And adoptions have dropped off significantly in the past year for all rescues and shelters due in large part to economic factors.

This is conceptually what we’re up against every day. So many of these dogs are perfect and many are purebred (seems to be a desire).

Please encourage friends and family to please consider rescue vs breeders. There are far more animals in need than we can keep up with.

Help us help them. 💕

10/22/2026

🤔 hmmm. I like how Rocky thinks. I should have tried this for the Rottweilers that I had over the years.

Seriously though. I'm glad for the 42 Westies (and don't envy the staff having to wade through 350 applicants and probably many times that number of phone calls) but damn, it's hard not to feel envious.

Rocky heard about the Westies. Specifically, he heard that 42 Westies received 350 adoption applications.

Unlike some cats, Rocky didn't make a big fuss about it. He simply came up with a plan:
✅ Borrow a fluffy white wig
✅ Become "Westie-adjacent"
✅ Wait quietly for the right person to notice him

Rocky is a shy sweetheart who can be a little overwhelmed by new people and new surroundings. But give him time, patience, and a calm place to call home, and his sweet personality quickly begins to shine.

Thanks to the ASPCA, Rocky's adoption fee will be waived this Friday and Saturday during our Fee Waived Adoption Event: The Not-Westie Festie! He may not be a Westie, but he's hoping his wig, his whiskers, and his gentle heart will be enough to win someone over. 🤍🐾