First, consider carefully why you are re-homing your Rottweiler:

Lack of time?
Are you really that busy? If you feel you work long hours and your dog is home alone for long periods of time - have you considered Doggy Daycare or a dog walker? If you allow your dog an outlet during the day to expend some energy, the time you do spend with your dog will be much more enjoyable.

Obedience / Behavior Problems?
Are you having problems with your dog's behaviors? Have you ever taken your dog to obedience classes? One of the most common things we hear from owners who no longer want their dogs are: he does not listen or he doesn't behave. Have you taught your dog to behave? Have you taught your dog to listen? Many behavioral or obedience issues are easily corrected by taking your dog to obedience classes. Dogs deserve to go to school just as much as people do. If you are not happy with your dog's behavior problems, do you really think someone else wants those problems?

Please be realistic. There is no farm with lots of acreage waiting to take your problem dog so that he can “roam free and get lots of exercise and be happy.” First, this farm doesn’t exist. If these farms were plentiful, there wouldn’t be a need for Rottweiler rescue. Second, this is not the ideal life for a Rottweiler. Rottweilers prefer to be a part of the family and be with their people, not roam free in fields.

If you cannot keep your dog, you need to find a suitable home that will give him love, structure and obedience training. That is what a Rottweiler wants and needs. What a Rottweiler does not want or need is a great deal of space to roam free where he could get lost, injured or attacked by a wild animal.

Aggression / Biting Issues?
If your dog has aggression or biting issues it is your responsibility to either work through those issues or have the dog destroyed. Nobody is out there looking for a dog with aggression issues and a prior bite history. No matter how much you love your dog, if he has ever bitten anyone, you only have one responsible choice - take him to your veterinarian and have him humanely put to sleep. Don't leave him at a shelter where he might be frightened and confused and put other people at risk. Don't try to place him as a "guard dog" where he might be neglected, abused or used for dog fighting. As hard as it is to face, putting a potentially dangerous, biting dog to sleep is the only safe and responsible thing to do. It's the right thing to do.

Having Trouble Finding Homeowner's Insurance?
While this is not an easy situation and may take some time and research on your part, this is not an unsolvable problem. Many insurance companies do not want to insure your home if you own certain breeds of dog. You may find an agent who will insure your dog or you can have a policy that specifically excludes your dog or you may be required to carry an Umbrella policy.

Homeowner's Insurance & Dogs
Home Owners Insurance and Dogs
ASPCA - Insurance


Are you Moving?
Moving is the most common reason why people give up their pets. This is not your only option, there are many ways to keep your pets and find housing.

• Most people give up too quickly in their search for rental property that accepts pets. Don't be quick to jump on the first apartment you see. There'll probably be a better one available soon.

• Widen your search. Most people only look as far as the classified ads. Many landlords list their property through real estate agents or rental associations rather than the classifieds. Take advantage of rental services that help tenants find apartments. Ask friends, relatives and coworkers to keep an eye open for you. Many apartments are rented via word of mouth before they're ever advertised in the papers.

• A home that allows pets might be in a different neighborhood than you'd prefer. It might be a few more miles from work. It might not be as luxurious as you'd like. It might cost a few dollars more. Are you willing to compromise if it means being able to keep your dog?

• "No Pets" doesn't always mean "no pets, period." Many landlords automatically rule out pets because they don't want the hassle. Many of these landlords are pet owners themselves. Just because the ad says "no pets" doesn't mean you shouldn't go see the apartment anyway. During the interview, ask the landlords "Are pets absolutely out of the question?" If he answers, "well...", you have a chance! Hint: You'll have better luck asking this question in person than over the telephone - it's harder for people to say no to your face.

• In difficult times, people often have to move in with relatives or friends who don't like dogs. This doesn't have to be an impossible situation. Use a dog crate when you're not home or when your family doesn't want your dog underfoot. A portable kennel run can be set up in the yard for exercise and can be sold later when you have your own place and don't need it anymore.

• Don't think you're being unfair to your dog by moving into a smaller place than what he's used to. Dogs are very adaptable; they can often adjust even faster than people. Where he lives isn't as important to him as whom he lives with. He wants to be with you and he doesn't care where that is.

• Encourage a landlord to let you keep your dog

• Bring your well-groomed, well-behaved dog to the rental interview. Show the landlord that your dog is well cared for and that you're a responsible owner. Bring along an obedience class diploma, Canine Good Citizen certificate or other achievement certifications if your dog has them.

• Offer an additional security deposit or rental amount to be able to have a dog.

• Bring references from your previous landlords and neighbors, as well as from your dog's trainer. Invite the landlord to see your present home to show him that the dog has not damaged the property nor been a nuisance to the neighbors.

• Use a dog crate. Landlords are much more receptive to dogs that will be crated when their owners aren't home.

Second, be aware of the following:

Did you acquire your dog from a breeder or breed rescue? Most reputable breeders are concerned for the welfare of their dogs and will take the dog back if the owner can no longer keep it. Be sure to check with your breeder before re-homing your dog. If you adopted your dog be sure to check the adoption contract you signed when you adopted your dog to make sure you are not breaking a contractual obligation by re-homing your dog yourself. Most rescues have a clause that the dog should be returned to the rescue if the adopter can no longer keep it.

Advertising your dog as Free to a Good Home is not always the best idea. There are many people out there who try and acquire intact dogs for unethical breeding practices, or any dogs for use as guard dogs or sale to animal research facilities. Please be sure to read the following article: Free to a Good Home? (http://www.parrett.net/animalaid/free.html)

Did you know that dogs whose owners surrender them to animal shelters do not have a mandatory time limit before being destroyed? In most places it is the law for an animal shelter to hold a dog for 7-10 days in order to allow time for the owner to find and claim the dog. However, if you give your dog up yourself, your dog may be euthanized within the hour. Volunteers at animal shelters do not want to destroy animals, but they have no choice, there are so many homeless pets out there that there are just not enough resources to care for them all.


How to Find a Home for Your Rottweiler:

1. Evaluate your dog's adoption potential:
   What home would be best for your dog? Children? A fenced in yard? Other dogs? Other pets?
   Does your dog have any behavioral or social issues that would need a certain home? Be honest to ensure your dog ends up in a permanent home once he leaves you.
   
   
2. Prepare your dog for adoption:
   Is your dog up to date on vaccinations? Moving to a new home is very stressful for a dog and they are susceptible to illness, being vaccinated prior to the move will help your dog to stay healthy.
   Is your dog spayed or neutered? Get it done before adopting your dog out!! This will ensure that your dog will not spend a miserable life in a puppy mill or with a unethical breeder.
   
   
3. Does your dog have a permanent ID?
   If your dog has never been tattooed or microchipped, this is a great time to do it. It's not unusual for newly adopted dogs to get loose and become lost. A permanent ID will help your dog get back to you or his new owners.
   
   
4. Make your dog presentable:
   Bath, brush and clean up your dog. Trim his nails and clean his ears. If you are unable to do these things yourself, make an appointment with a groomer. Buy your dog a new collar and lead.
   
   
5. Set an adoption fee:
   Charging an adoption fee dissuades certain unethical and undesirable people from contacting you to adopt your dog.
   
   
6. Advertise your dog:
   Make use of local newspaper ads as well as the Internet. Write a flattering, but honest description of your dog. Is your dog housebroken, trained, good with kids? Emphasize your dog's good points, but don't exaggerate either. State any definite requirements you might have for his new home: fenced yard, no cats, kids over 10, whatever. Always state that references are required. This tells people that you're being selective and that you're not going to give your dog to the first person that contact you. This statement will do a lot to keep people with bad intentions from calling you. Create some flyers and post them at grocery stores, department stores, vets' offices, pet supply stores, grooming shops, factories, malls, etc. - anywhere you can find a public bulletin board. If you have friends in a nearby city, mail them a supply of flyers and ask them to post them for you.
   
   If you reside in ME, NH, VT, MA, CT or RI we would be happy to post your dog on our referral page. Email:
   
   
7. Interview potential adopters who call:
   You are under no obligation to give your dog to the first person who contacts you. You have every right to ask questions and choose the person you think will be the best match for your dog. Don't let anyone rush you or intimidate you. When people call have a list of questions available:
   
   
   • First of all, get your caller's name, address and phone number. Deceitful people may call you from a phone booth or give you a fake address. Ask for information that you can verify.
     
     
   • Does the caller's family know about and approve of their plans to get a dog? If not, suggest they talk it over with their spouse and call you back. The same applies to people living with a companion or roommate. When one person adopts a dog without the full approval of the rest of the family, the adoption often fails.
     
     
   • What is their living situation? Do they own or rent their home? If renting, does their landlord approve? You'd be surprised how many people haven't checked with their landlord before calling you. Ask for the landlord's name and number, then call him yourself to verify that this person can indeed keep a Rottweiler.
     
     
   • Does this person have children? If your dog is not good with kids or you are unsure how your dog is with kids, be honest. Ask them if they plan on having children in the future, many people re-home their dogs when they start a family.
     
     
   • Why do they want a Rottweiler? Are they educated about the Rottweiler breed? They might not have the slightest idea what a Rottweiler is all about and might not like its temperament and characteristics. If their expectations don't match your dog's disposition, the adoption's not going to work. Be honest about the breed's good and bad points. Is a Rottweiler really what they're looking for or would they do better with another breed?
     
     
   • Have they owned a Rottweiler or working breed before?
     
     
   • If they have owned a dog before did it meet a premature death (hit by a car, lost and never found, etc.)?
     
     
   • How many dogs have they had in the past?
     
     
   • Did they re-home any previous dogs? Why?
     
     
   • Do they have a yard? Is it fenced? Your dog will need regular exercise, are these people willing to provide that? Are they willing to walk the dog daily?
     
     
   • Where will the dog spend most of its time? While Rottweilers like to be outside, they much prefer to be inside with their people. They want to be a part of the family.
     
     
   • What activities do they plan to do with the dog? Will they take the dog to obedience classes or outside activities?
     
     
   • Get references! Get the phone number of their vet (if they've had pets before) and three other personal references. Call those references! Explain that this person is interested in adopting your dog and you want to know what care, annual vaccinations and heartworm preventative their previous pets had. Were they in good condition and well-groomed? How long have they known this person? If they were placing a pet, would they feel comfortable giving it to this person? If they have owned a pet before, call animal control in their town and inquire whether there have been any complaints about their dogs. If they have had to pay fines for anything, do not adopt your dog to them.
   
   
   
8. In person interview:
   Conduct two in person interviews. One at your house and one at the potential adopter's home. This will allow you to see where your dog may live.
   
   
   • If these people have a dog, plan to have the dogs meet on "neutral" territory to ensure they will get along, such as a park. Dogs usually are territorial and meeting a strange dog at their home causes them to be hostile and they may even start a fight. Be sure you are both comfortable handling your dogs so that you can stop any unpleasant interactions before they get out of hand.
     
     
   • If these people have children, make sure the children come along to the interview. Are you comfortable with how the children treat your dog? Do you feel they will be a good match? Does your dog like them?
     
     
   • Do you like these people? Are you comfortable having them as guests in your home? Would they make good friends? If not, don't give them your dog. If something about them doesn't seem quite right, even if you can't explain what it is, don't take a chance on your dog's future. Trust your instincts. Wait for another family!
     
     
   • Will they allow you to follow-up on your dog? Will they permit you to call and possibly visit your dog after the adoption to ensure he is doing well? If the answer is a definite no, don't give these people your dog.
     
     
9. Prepare your dog for his new home:
   Once you have found a family you are comfortable with, give the potential adopters a few days to think it over and make sure that this is the right decision. Once they are sure this is what they want to do, prepare your dog for his new home:
   
   
   • Your dog's medical records and the name, address & phone number of your vet.
   • Your name, address & phone number (new address if you're moving).
   • Your dog's toys and belongings (dog bed, blanket, etc.).
   • A supply of dog food, any supplements or medications and some of his favorite treats.
   • An instruction sheet on feeding, any special needs your dog may have, etc.
   • Some reading material about the Rottweiler breed.
   • Collar and leash with ID and rabies tags.
   • If your dog is not neutered/spayed, add into the contract that any AKC papers will not be released until proof of surgery has been supplied to you.
   
   
   There are some things you need to explain to the new family before they take your dog home. Dogs go through an adjustment period when they are re-homed. They need to learn the rules and boundaries of their new home. Your dog will also be mourning the loss of you and your family and may be depressed and not eat for a few days. This is normal behavior for a dog who has been uprooted. For some dogs this lasts for a few days, for others it may last longer. During this time, they should avoid forcing the dog to do anything stressful - taking a bath, obedience training classes, meeting too many strangers at once, etc. - until he's had a chance to settle in. Tell them take things easy at first and give the dog time to bond to them.
   
   Some dogs temporarily forget their training and some may even act out while testing the boundaries and limits in their new home. A well-housebroken dog may have an accident during the first day in his new home. This isn't unusual and rarely happens more than once.
   
   
10. Set some time aside for saying good-bye.
    Set aside some time with your dog to take a walk and play his favorite game before he leaves. This will be an emotional time and it is better for you to get your emotions out now rather then when sending your dog home with his new family. Being taken away with strangers is upsetting enough without your dog seeing you upset as well.
    
    
11. Sign an adoption contract:
    Have the new owner sign an adoption contract with a waiver of liability. Keep a copy for your records. A contract will help to protect the dog and the waiver of liability helps to protect you. Remember - a waiver of liability will not protect you if you have lied or misrepresented the dog to his new owners. Sample Adoption Contract.
    
    Tell the family they should call you if the adoption doesn't work out and they can't keep the dog. Be willing to take the dog back if it doesn't work out - this will prevent your dog from ending up in a shelter and possibly being euthanized. Let them know you want to keep in touch and will call them in a few days to see how things are going. Tell them to call you if they have questions or problems.

If you feel that your situation is workable, but you need more information, please see these other sites for detailed information on some of the topics above:

If you still feel that re-homing your Rottweiler is your only option, please see these other sites for detailed information on re-homing your dog: