The Rottweiler is a very intelligent, brave, and loving pet dog breed. If properly bred and raised, little rottweilers can grow into well-behaved adult dogs and loyal companions. Rottweiler maintenance needs to be done by experienced individuals and is not a good choice for people who are new to dogs. Through proper socialization and training, the Rottweiler will grow up to be a happy and confident dog.
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Part 1 of 3: Bringing Rottweiler Puppies Home
Step 1. Consider whether or not a rottweiler is right for you
Given the many differences between dog breeds, it is very important to consider whether or not a rottweiler is right for you. As with most other dog breeds, the Rottweiler has unique behaviors and specific traits. The better your understanding of rottweilers, the deeper your knowledge of the potential challenges of keeping a rottweiler and how to deal with them. Rottweiler puppies will grow into large dogs (with an adult dog weighing approximately 50 kg) who are very loyal to their owners and wary of strangers.
- Rottweilers need firm guidance from an owner who understands dog psychology and behavior. Therefore, experienced dog owners will be better suited to become Rottweiler masters. Prospective owners should really be aware of their ability to raise dogs. Given their large size, a rottweiler that disobeys your orders is potentially dangerous.
- To learn more about rottweilers, visit your local dog show and talk to other rottweiler breeders and owners.
- Also check your home insurance policy. Some insurances will not apply if you own a Rottweiler or other dog breeds that are labeled as dangerous animals, even though these labeling methods often contain errors. If you're renting out a home, check with the owner before deciding to adopt a rottweiler (or other pet) to make sure you're allowed to keep it.
Step 2. Choose a breeder with a good reputation
Given the large number, you need time to choose a quality breeder. Don't be in a hurry to choose. Look for breeders who check their animals' pelvis, heart, and eye health. To confirm which race you choose, check the conformation points (inherited types or show lines) and workability points (example: guardability or Schutzhund). These two points will indicate whether a puppy has the appropriate appearance and behavior as a Rottweiler breed.
Ask the breeder as many questions as you can, especially those related to early socialization with the pup's mother and siblings. It's important to get your puppy out as early as possible and introduce him to people, places, and other sounds before bringing him home as these experiences will help him grow into a confident, well-behaved adult dog. Also be prepared to answer questions from the breeder regarding what kind of dog you really want
Step 3. Choose your puppy
Don't be in a hurry to choose. You have to make sure in advance that the puppies and their mother are in good health. Then, observe the behavior of each puppy. Don't choose a rottweiler that's too shy (as they mature, a biting nature will emerge) or one that's too aggressive. Look for puppies who are friendly, approachable, and play well with their siblings.
Step 4. Give your puppy vaccines and deworming medicine
Before you bring your puppy home or introduce him to other dogs, make sure he has the latest deworming and vaccinations available. Distemper injections should be started at six weeks of age with booster injections (additional treatment given after the primary vaccine) two weeks later. Once all the important vaccines have been given, start getting your puppy to hang out in the area around the house. Don't forget to always have your puppy checked by the vet for a booster shot every year.
- Rottweiler dogs are susceptible to parvovirus, a deadly disease that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
- Check local laws and regulations to determine whether or not a rabies shot is mandatory. Most rabies vaccines are started at twelve weeks of age in puppies while the mange (lyme) vaccine is started at nine weeks followed by a booster shot between three and four weeks thereafter.
Step 5. Consider microchipping and neutering
Your local animal rescue agency or veterinarian can place a microchip under your rottweiler's skin. If your puppy gets lost, a microchip can help someone else return it directly to you or to an animal shelter. You should also put an identification collar around his neck with your contact information written on the surface. Talk to your vet about neutering puppies. This can prevent unwanted puppies from being born and provide a variety of health benefits.
- Castration of a female puppy can reduce the stress and discomfort she experiences in heat, eliminate the risk of uterine and mammary cancer, and prevent unwanted puppies from being born.
- Castrating male puppies can reduce their tendency to go exploring, fight, and their risk of testicular cancer.
Part 2 of 3: Raising Rottweiler Puppies
Step 1. Get your puppy as active as possible
At a minimum, take your rottweiler for walks twice a day, each lasting thirty minutes. Rottweilers need a lot of activity to release energy and maintain health. Make sure you allow four or five periods of activity each day for rottweilers younger than six months. As they get older, you can take them for long walks or up mountains.
Give your rottweiler a variety of toys that can stimulate him and keep his brain active. A bored Rottweiler has the potential to act destructively. Try to give him a toy that can be filled with food or treats
Step 2. Comb your rottweiler
Fortunately, rottweilers have short coats so combing is easy. Comb your puppy once per week with a soft brush to keep his coat healthy and shiny. While you're combing, check the soles of the feet to make sure the nails are trimmed short and the soles aren't damaged. Examine the area between each finger to make sure there are no rough or red spots and look for lumps or bumps on the skin. If you find anything suspicious, consult a veterinarian.
Bathe to a minimum. The protective oil layer on the puppy's skin will be damaged if you shampoo it. When you bathe them occasionally, use dog shampoo. The drying effect is not as extreme as human shampoo or dish soap
Step 3. Feed your puppy a nutritious diet
Ask your vet for high-quality food recommendations. When choosing a dog food, look for one that lists meat (not meat derivatives) as one of the ingredients listed at the beginning. You are not forbidden to give meat derivatives, but should be listed at the bottom of the list of food ingredients. Also choose a food specially formulated for large breed puppies. Its nutritional ratios are specially designed to build the strong bones needed by large dog breeds.
Feed your puppy after activity. If fed before activity, your puppy is at risk for gastric bloating and intestinal twisting. Both are conditions that can be fatal. Therefore, wait at least sixty minutes after the activity or four hours before to feed him
Step 4. Train your puppy to be kenneled immediately
You should start cage training to prevent accidents in the house. Purchase a kennel designed for large dogs and place a blanket or bed for your dog in it along with some treats. Leave the door open all day so your puppy can check on it. Start feeding your puppy in the crate and close the door as soon as he starts eating. Once done, the puppy will whine or howl to beg to leave. Don't let it out right away, wait for the whining to subside so your puppy can associate the crate with quiet time.
Do not leave the puppy in the crate for more than an hour or two. The cage should not be a place of punishment. Do not leave an adult dog in the crate for more than four to six hours
Step 5. Create a routine and be patient
Establish a regular schedule for taking your puppy outside for a bowel movement. For example, you can take him outside to pee in the morning, after meals, after playtime, and right before bedtime. Always praise your puppy for going outside to see it as a nice thing to do and make you happy. Don't forget to always keep an eye on it. If your puppy shows signs of wanting to go to the bathroom, take him out of the house immediately. Often times, puppies will sniff, pace, bark, or run around when they need to pee.
Avoid punishing your puppies when they poop in the house. Just ignore it, clean it, and try again another time. never ever scold your rottweiler. This is inappropriate and could cause your puppy to hide any litter he accidentally dumped in the house.
Part 3 of 3: Making Rottweiler Puppies Hang Out
Step 1. Start bringing your puppy to social life from an early age
Puppies will learn a lot from early interactions with situations, other dogs, and the people in their lives. From birth to 3½ weeks of age, puppies need to be between their siblings and their mother in order to learn normal dog socialization. From three to twelve weeks of age, puppies will absorb new experiences so this is a great time to introduce them to as many new situations as possible (safely). Examples: driving by car, outdoor environment, other animals, people of all ages and sizes, etc.
If your puppy is taken from his mother and siblings from birth and raised alone, his adaptability will be low and his behavior will tend to be aggressive towards other dogs
Step 2. Make sure your puppy is comfortable
Observe your puppy to make sure he is in a comfortable position to socialize. Certain experiences can make him confused and frightened. If there is something that scares him, introduce it to him gradually so that adaptation can be done by him slowly. Think carefully before introducing him to new things and never force a puppy to be in a situation or around someone that scares him. If your puppy seems frightened, take him away and distract him with a toy or treat.
Once they are between twelve and eighteen months old, puppies will approach new things with greater caution. This behavior is normal and is a puppy's way of learning to be careful when alone
Step 3. Put your puppy in a socialization class
One of the best ways to interact with your dog with other puppies is through socialization classes. In the class, your puppy will be exposed to puppies, people, adult dogs, and a variety of sights, sounds, smells, and equipment. You'll also have the opportunity to learn coaching and socializing skills and bond with your rottweiler.
- Ask your veterinarian for class recommendations. An alternative is to register your dog directly at a community training center or major pet stores.
- Since puppy rearing will take time, patience, and effort, it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed while going through it. After a while, all these activities will turn into routine. Also, you can get help by talking to other people who are going through or have been through the same thing.
Step 4. Supervise interactions with other dogs
Given the difficulty of knowing how your puppy will react to puppies or other adult dogs, always keep an eye on his interactions. If, instead of playing, your puppy is defensive, stop the interaction before a fight breaks out. For example, if a puppy starts biting each other, stop the socialization, especially if the biting puppy also shakes his head and pins the other to the ground. Make sure both puppies calm down again. When you have them, you can treat them both and let them get back to playing.
- Be prepared to mediate and stop fights. It's even better if you have a toy that you can use to distract, keep the puppy chained, or sound the trumpet as a warning.
- Begin basic training from an early age; make the training fun. It is very important to train your rottweiler as well as possible.
Tips
- Don't try to make your puppy grow faster, or heavier, than it should. Heavier weight will not make his body bigger and stronger. Instead, it can lead to serious illnesses such as damage to bones or joints, heart disease, etc.
- Always provide high-quality food made especially for puppies of large breeds.
- Given that puppies will grow well with a routine, try to make a schedule of eating, urinating, doing activities, and exercising well.
- Don't encourage your dog to 'protect' you or try to make him less friendly and suspicious of guests. Rottweilers are natural guard dogs. Just trust your dog to be protective when conditions require it. Encouraging undue aggression will not only harm your dog, but the rottweiler breed as a whole.
