A rather convoluted story came back with my mum after a visit with her sister (my aunt).  I got a bit confused with the exact who's who but I think it was a cousin and her daughter...

Young mum with Rottweiler (about 1 year?) and Rottweiller cross (not sure with what, few months old) went to live her mum after splitting up with her boyfriend.  The young mum has now found another place to live but for reasons not explained hasn't taken her dogs with her.  Her mother has been left with these dogs that she can't manage and cannot afford.  She already has another of her daughters discarded dogs (an older lab).

The mother has been bitten more than once by the older Rotty - from the bits I could understand it sounds like resource guarding.  From what I know I'm not sure the mother has the skills, the time, or the resources to get control over the situation.  However she has said she loves the dogs and does not want them put to sleep.  I don't know whether she is considering rehoming them or whether this has simply come from my aunt who is worried this could all get very serious very quickly.  She asked my mum for her opinion, and she asked me...

If she decides that she can no longer keep them, what is the process for getting them rehomed?  I doubt there was a good breeder involved but I have no evidence to support this, just a feeling.  Presumably she must also declare the biting?  I'm not sure what I can do from several hundred miles away, and several steps removed but if there is any information I could pass to my aunt I guess that would be useful.  Help !!

is there a rottweiler rescue? it maybe worth ringing them if one exists or just a normal rescue center and asking their advice on this. the dogs could possibly stay with her until a suitable home was found instead of being kept at the rescue center. all this depends on if the dogs are able to be re homed because of their behaviour but this would need to be judged by someone who knows the breed.
what an awful situation to be in and very worrying if the dog has bitten her. i do hope she rings someone who knows the breed for advice and if nothing else finds out how to train this dog properly.

I don't know of the proper place in somerset but there are definitely rott specific rescues.  they should be able to help out and the one near me appears to have quite rigorous procedures before rehoming

> I don't know of the proper place in somerset

They are in the S East, near Eastbourne I think but I can check.  This is why it's difficult for me to actually do anything practical - I'm a bit removed both geographically and relationship wise.  I don't really feel I can give advice direct but can give some information to my aunt to pass on as a first step.  I'm not even sure whether her daughter has asked for help or if this was just a conversation between my aunt and my mum. (Families eh?!!)

> the one near me appears to have quite rigorous procedures before rehoming

Do you know what the process is for getting the dog/s into a rehoming centre in the first place?  I've only ever taken dogs out of rescue, not put them in, and I wonder what criteria they use before agreeing to try and rehome.

I wondered about breed rescue but I imagine they'd not be interested in the the rotty cross...

http://www.rottweilerrescuetrust.co.uk/ how about that one.

Thank you.  I'll print out the details and see if I can find a way to get the message through.

From the bits of information I have it sounds as if this is not a bad dog but a product of his circumstances.  Lack of preparedness and weak dog management skills have resulted in a confused youngster.  I'm sure that it would be best all round to find new homes for these boys as soon as possible.  Proper exercise, a good diet and an experienced owner may be all that is required to put him on the right track.  Fingers crossed

You've also got this one
http://www.rottweilerwelfare.co.uk/

and this one
http://www.rottweilersinneed.co.uk/

If they can't help along with the other one mentioned which is based in Kent, then how about this local rescue centre
http://www.raystede.org/

The other places are Dogs Trust(Shoreham) and the R***A(Brighton) - of the larger rehoming general centres in the area.