Now this is a dog! Jason looks tough, but he's a big ol' sweetheart. If you are looking for a tough-looking guy on the outside, but a tender guy on the inside then this is the one for you.

 

Here are some highlights of Jason's outgoing personality:

•  Loves long runs or walks and walks very well on the leash in the heel position

•  Loves to be chased outside, roll around on the ground, and play with his stuffed animal toys

•  Loves belly rubs and affection

•  Has the perfect balance between activeness and laziness (loves his sleep!)

•  Will come when called on the first time and is extremely obedient once he trusts you

•  Knows Sit, Stay, Paw, Down, Watch Me, and responds on command

•  Great guard dog and will bark to alert you when people are at the door, but greets them warmly once inside

•  Gets along with other dogs if they are respectful of him.  He prefers female to male dogs.  He is definately the Alpha Male

•  Completed a basic obedience training class with his foster

 

 

Volunteer Update 10.18.10:  Jason and I had some bonding time yesterday.  We went to the Paw Park in Sanford.  He had not seen me in quite awhile but he climbed right into my truck.  Jason just loves people!  I think every dog deserves to have days of hanging their head out of the window of vehicle and feeling the breeze against their face.  Jason loved it.  He also rode very good in the truck.

 

When we got to the park, we walked the perimeter of the fenced dog park area.  After walking the perimeter, I kept him on leash but we went inside the park.  I kept him on leash since I was not sure how he would respond.  There were a lot of small and large dogs in the park but Jason wasn't really responding to them.  The only response from Jason was when a 6 month old Boxer ran up and got right in his face.  He snarled but I corrected him, positioned myself in between the two dogs, and then Jason turned away from the dog and me.  Jason responded immediately to correction.  He did not lunge or continue any negative interaction with the Boxer.   

 

When we got back to the Center, I wanted to test Jason with cats.  I took him on leash into the free-roam cat room.  If a cat hissed at him, Jason turned away from the cat.  Another great reaction by Jason!  Jason sniffed around a little bit...then laid down in the middle of the cat room floor. 

 

Foster Update:  Jason is the most laid-back dog I think I've ever met. He is perfectly content to lay around the house with you, although he does want to be wherever the people are. He loves walks. As far as the leash goes, he's good and doesn't pull, but can become very distracted if he wants to look at something. Thank goodness he doesn't bolt, because he is VERY strong. He can be left alone without issue - completely housebroken, doesn't chew at all. He hates thunderstorms, and will want to hide in a corner (near you, of course) until it's over. When someone comes to the door, he growls a bit but doesn't get too loud, just lets them know he's there.  As far as my other dogs are concerned, it seems to be going well.  He will willingly lay next to and play with both dogs, and has even laid on my bed with me and my female dog (she also licks his face and steals his toys). I don't know how he'd be with small dogs or very dominant dogs - if he feels threatened he may react.  Jason can be a little pushy when it comes to food. He'll come get in my face and let me know he's hungry and is VERY pushy when bowls are put down, however, I feed all three together with no food aggression issues.  I'm working with him on doing a down/stay before he gets his food (my other two already do this) and it's definitely helping.  Jason would probably be good with kids.  He's sooo chill and he doesn't mind being manhandled (bear hugs, grabbing tail and ears, that kind of thing) at all - doesn't even flinch.  This dog is so amazing and deserves a forever home and I want to help him get it!

*** Are you not familiar with Rottweilers? According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Rottie is calm, trainable, courageous, and devoted to their owner and family. The Rottweiler is probably descended from the Italian Mastiff. During the Middle Ages, it was used as a herd dog. It was bred in the German town of Rottweil in Wurttemberg. Practically extinct in the 1800's, the breed population began a comeback in the early twentieth century due to the efforts of enthusiastic breeders centered in Stuttgart. Some of the Rottweilers talents include: tracking, herding, watchdogging, guarding, police work, carting, competitive obedience, and schutzhund.
They have a reliable temperament. Protective, he will defend his family fiercely. They require owners who can handle their massive size. The Rottie is a natural guard dog with a mellow temperament. They are highly intelligent and have proven their worth beyond question in police, military, and customs work over many centuries. This breed needs a lot of companionship and socialization to be truly happy. They can be aggressive with other dogs and should be kept on leashes in public places. Friends and relatives of the family are normally enthusiastically welcomed. Strangers can get no further than the sidewalk. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.