Could My Dog Be A Racist?

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11 Answers

Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
It really depends. I have owned rott's, one of which was the daughter of one of the rott's from Lethal Weapon (3 I believe?). Anyway, if a rott has seen violence come from one particular race, you(or previous owner) change tone or demeanor around a particular race(if you distance yourself, change from happy to neutral, etc.), or a new person with an odd smell (personal odor smells different from other people you are usually around) comes into the animals/your personal boundary without greeting or in a shady manner, it may be partial to aggression towards that race/person.

I trust my current Rott as a better judge of character than myself, she won't let anyone in my apartment if they are high on anything or extremely intoxicated, won't allow new people in any room other than the living room, dining room, or restroom. She is apparently nice to everyone, except for once when my buddy brought  2 friends over - she immediately growled at them when they tried to come in. Three weeks later they were both arrested for theft.

Don't punish her for being apparently "racist", just try to bring her/him around a person you know well of that race and allow her to smell them and know that they won't cause you any harm. I highly recommend a leash for this excersize - us rott owners don't want any non defensive attacks to make the reputation of these lovely animals any worse than it already is... That is of course, just in case, as I have never met your particular pet.

Kudos, and good luck!

P.S. My first rott was racist against "African Americans", as the breeders that I received her from were, and I got her when she was just a small puppy.
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Anonymous
Anonymous commented
I think I try your experiment with bringing her around someone of that race that I know well and see if I can't get this little "habit" of hers to change, as it was a little embarrassing
Jacquelyn Mathis Profile
Rotties are a funny lot to begin with, they usually have one quirk or another that are like peeves to them. We had a rott husky mix one time, and you couldn't hold your hand over my husbands leg without fear of losing it. That could just be the case with your pup. I suppose it could be like that with him, but it's really not likely.
Penny Kay Profile
Penny Kay answered
I will tell you what I think. Dogs smell fear and react to it. The person who he went off on, probably has a fear of dogs, and yours smelled it, and reacted. My brother was afraid of dogs and I used to have to go on his paper route with him to keep the dogs away. One sniff of my brother and the dogs went nuts. That is why it is a good thing to address a fear of dogs. Bees also smell fear and will divebomb someone who is afraid of them while another person is not bothered by them at all. I know this because I used to be afraid of bees. My Ex got me over my fear, and bees do not bother me anymore. I had a dog that was my Car Dog, he loved to ride in the car. He hated gas station attendants, because they messed around with the car[in his mind], while they were pumping gas. Some dogs do not like mailmen for the same reason. However this sounds like a case of dog fear, reaction.
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Anonymous
Anonymous commented
As I said in my question, my parents neighbour has hunting dogs, therefore is not afraid of dogs!!
Anonymous
Anonymous commented
Not sure how to add to your shout box. However I have gotten your messages in mine.If you would be so kind as to read all of my question, as you stated you "did not" and also read ALL the comments, you would see that it appears every one has the same answer.... I made my dog racist. And also, I did agree with one of the comment!! So thank you very much for your "input"
Phoebe MadHat Profile
Phoebe MadHat answered
Some things dogs detect as 'bad', such as smoking, drugs, certain foods, fear, etc. Doesn't mean they are, it just may mess with your chemicals as a dog is checking you out. Then the dog says, hey, what's up with that, and freaks out. Dogs can develop racist tendencies if their owners have them. They don't get them on their own. It may be a long shot, but if these people are culturally loyal to their origins, it may be a food or a type of cigar, something like, that is unique to them. Maybe they have a particular scent related to themselves culturally or genetically that the dog has never experienced. Could be just a coincidence.
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Anonymous
Anonymous commented
Well as I said above, we are not racist. But someone else also did mention that perhaps it was there scent? Maybe, I guess?!
Phoebe MadHat
Phoebe MadHat commented
I know you aren't, I am just reassuring you that they can't learn it on their own. Perhaps you can readjust her fears by rewarding her for good behavior around strange people.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
NO, pets as children are not born with this issue it is a taught response. Your pet is only reacting to the way you have expressed yourself in situations. It also may be something you care about and your pet is being protective of what your love because they love you.
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Anonymous
Anonymous commented
Well my husband and I are NOT racist. It was NOT taught! She is ALWAYS very friendly!
Anonymous
Anonymous commented
I think all dogs get accustomed to the company we keep that's why it's good to take them for walks and let strangers say hello from time to time people are so f*d up let's hope it hasn't rubbed off
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
I don't know what the reasoning behind this is, but my dog does the same thing. For some reason he is more protective around brown people. I don't know why this is, because I have several brown friends that come to the house, and he is just fine with them.
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Anonymous
Anonymous commented
Well they are a strange breed!!!
Anonymous
Anonymous commented
My dog does the same thing, but I wonder if I where black would he be cautious of white people? My guess is he would be.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Yes dogs can form their own opinion... Trust them :) Dogs and children are great judges. Not sure why your dog decided it's likes and dislikes but we had a shelter rescue chow chow dog that was very aggressive towards anyone in military fatigues (even people who were around him all the time) so it was the uniform, developed a dislike for the CPS meter man (I caught him throwing rocks) and unfortunately african americans. Other than that he was so gentle he'd bring us tissues right out of the box with out a mark.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Yes It very well could be. I have 3 dogs and any time they see a black person they start barking and showing the teeth.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
As far as i know dogs can sense when a person is not no good.. Maybe this guy is nice on the outside and evil within
greg gowen Profile
greg gowen answered
If you suspect it to be so I would recommend a sensitivity or cultural awareness training class, these are given at various work sites, just say your dog is a companion dog that your doctor has ordered and they cant refuse the dog to be with you.

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