The Rottweiler is a highly intelligent, courageous and affectionate dog and can be a lifelong companion. When raised and raised correctly, your puppy can make a great dog and a faithful friend. However, it is necessary to have experience in handling it and it is not a good choice for a person who owns a dog for the first time; with the right training and socialization techniques, however, he is able to grow up happy and confident.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Bring it Home
Step 1. Assess if the Rottweiler is a good choice for you
As there are many differences between the different breeds, it is important to determine if this is the right animal. Like all dogs, the Rottweiler also has its own specific personality and characteristics based on the breed; the more you know him, the more you are aware of the difficulties related to his breeding; consequently, you learn to react correctly. This puppy becomes a large breed dog (an adult weighs around 50 kg) and becomes very loyal to its owner, but is initially quite wary of strangers.
- He needs firm guidance from a person who knows his psychology and behavior; therefore, it would be helpful to already have experience in breeding other dogs that are meek by nature. A potential Rottweiler owner must be honest with himself and recognize whether or not he possesses such qualities; Since it is a physically imposing animal, a Rottweiler that does not obey commands is a dangerous dog.
- If you want to learn more about this breed, attend some dog shows and talk to breeders or those who already own one.
- Don't forget to check the home insurance policy; in some cases, the company will invalidate the coverage if you bring home a specimen of this or other breeds deemed potentially dangerous, even if this classification is incorrect. If you live for rent, you must speak to the owner before adopting a Rottweiler (or any other such animal), to make sure it is accepted.
Step 2. Choose a reputable and recognized breeder
Since there are so many breeders of this breed, you have to take your time to choose an established one; never contact the first one you find, instead look for a professional who submits his animals to all the screening tests recommended by veterinary associations to assess their health, such as hip, heart and eye tests. To be sure you are making the right choice, check both the physical conformation of the dog (which respects the typical characteristics for the breed), and the "work" skills (for example that it is inclined to obedience training or as a hound), as these factors show that the dog has the typical Rottweiler look and behavior.
Ask any potential breeder many questions, especially regarding early socialization with the mother and other dogs in the litter. It is very important that he has socialized well and is already accustomed to other people, places and noises before taking him home, as these experiences at a young age help him to become a balanced adult. Also be prepared for the breeder himself to ask you questions about what type of dog you are looking for
Step 3. Choose the puppy
Take your time deciding which specimen to take home. The first thing you need to check is that he is healthy and his mother is too; later, you can take the time to observe individual personalities. You don't have to get a shy puppy (as he may be prone to bite out of fear) or aggressive either; look for a friendly one, who lets himself be approached and who plays with his brothers.
Step 4. Give him vaccines and deworming treatments
Before taking him home or putting him in contact with other dogs, make sure he has had his vaccines and worm treatment on time. She should have received her first distemper injection at 6 weeks of age and should have a booster two weeks later. Once these initial "life-saving" vaccines have been performed, the puppy can begin the socialization process outside the home in the immediate vicinity.
- The Rottweiler is particularly susceptible to Parvovirus, a potentially deadly pathogen that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
- Check local legislation to find out if rabies vaccine is needed; it is almost always given when the puppy is 12 weeks old, while the Lyme disease vaccine is given at the age of 9 weeks and a booster 3 or 4 weeks later is required.
Step 5. Consider microchipping him and spaying or neutering him
Animal protection associations or the veterinarian can insert a microchip under the skin layer of the dog; this device makes it possible to identify the animal and bring it back to its rightful owner or to the shelter in case it escapes. You can also attach a collar with an identification tag showing all contact information. Talk to your vet to consider spaying or neutering him to avoid unwanted litters and offer the puppy additional health benefits.
- By sterilizing the female it is possible to reduce the stress and discomfort that usually experiences during the heat period, also lowering the risk of breast cancer, uterus and avoiding unwanted litters.
- By neutering the male you can reduce the chances of him walking away from home or fighting with other dogs, as well as testicular cancer.
Part 2 of 3: Raising a Rottweiler Puppy
Step 1. Get him to do a lot of physical activity
Take him for at least half an hour of walking every day; large animals need to move a lot to release their energy and stay healthy. If your puppy is less than six weeks old, allow him to play or exercise at least 4 or 5 times a day. As it grows, you can start taking longer hikes or hikes.
Give him toys that stimulate him and make him mentally active. By avoiding boredom, you prevent him from getting into trouble; give him toys that you can fill with food or treats, such as Kong
Step 2. Take care of her grooming
Fortunately, this dog has short hair and is easy to care for. Brush your puppy once a week using a soft-bristled brush to keep the coat healthy and shiny. Take advantage of this moment to check the legs too, make sure that the nails are short and the pads are not injured. Inspect the area between the fingers for red spots or abrasions and see if there are any growths or bumps on the skin. if you notice any abnormalities, contact your vet.
Bathe him as little as possible. Washing it with shampoo can deprive it of the protective sebum that covers its skin; when bathing, use a dog-specific shampoo, as it won't dry out the skin as much as human shampoo or cleanser
Step 3. Give nutrient-rich foods
Ask your vet to recommend high-quality products for your little friend. When choosing commercial dog foods, look for those that have meat as the first ingredient on the list (and not its derivatives); meat derivatives are fine for feeding it, but should be among the last ingredients on the list. Choose a specific puppy food for a large breed that contains nutrients in appropriate doses to help your faithful friend develop the sturdy skeletal system he needs.
Be careful to feed him only after exercising; if you feed him before a game session, you expose him to the risk of gastric swelling and volvulus, both serious diseases that can kill him; feed him at least one hour after or four hours before physical activity
Step 4. Train him to do his business properly as soon as possible
Begin to accustom him to the cage to avoid unpleasant accidents in the house; buy one that is the right size for his breed and put inside his blanket or the fabric he uses for his bed, as well as some tasty treats. Leave the door open all day so your puppy can explore it freely. Start putting the food inside the carrier and close it while it is eating; once finished, he may moan or whine, but don't let him out until he calms down, so that he begins to associate staying inside with a moment of tranquility.
Never leave it in the cage for more than one or two hours, because it should not be experienced as a punishment, just as you should never leave an adult specimen for more than four or six hours
Step 5. Set up a routine and be patient
Create a structured schedule for when you take him out to do his business. For example, you can choose to have him go out immediately in the morning, after meals or playtime, and just before bedtime. Always praise him, so that he can associate outdoor defecation and good behavior with your complacency. You also need to learn to recognize the signs that your dog needs to "go to the bathroom" so you can take him outside right away. Puppies often tend to sniff, run around, pant, bark or run when they need to get free.
Do not punish him if he gets dirty in the house; just ignore it, clean it up and try one more time. Do not never rub his nose in stool; it is a cruel gesture and in the future the puppy could hide any other accidents.
Part 3 of 3: Socialize it
Step 1. Start the socialization process from an early age
It is very important for puppies to start familiarizing themselves with new situations, with other dogs and with people early on. From birth until the age of three and a half weeks, the puppy needs to be with his peers and with his mother to learn normal relationships with other dogs. From the age of three to twelve weeks he is inclined to accept new experiences; it is therefore a good idea to expose him to as many different situations as possible (as long as they are safe): traveling by car, being outdoors, meeting other dogs or pets, people of various ages and sizes, and so on.
If he is removed from his mother and siblings at birth and raised alone, he may have difficulty adapting and become aggressive towards other dogs
Step 2. Make sure he is comfortable
Check him to make sure he feels good in moments of socialization; some experiences may overwhelm and scare him. If a situation causes him to react with fear, gradually introduce him to that experience, giving him time to get used to it. Use common sense and never force him to live in a certain situation or to be close to someone who scares him; in this case, immediately move him away and distract him with a toy or treat.
As he reaches the age of 12-18 weeks, he begins to become more wary in certain contexts; this is part of the normal development process and helps him become cautious when he is alone
Step 3. Enroll him in socialization courses
One of the best ways to allow your puppy to interact with others is with these courses. During the lessons, the dog comes into contact with puppies, adult dogs, people, new things to see, sounds, smells and equipment. These courses also represent an opportunity for you to learn socialization, training and bonding with the animal.
- Ask the vet to recommend good courses or enroll your puppy in those organized by animal welfare associations or large pet shops.
- It is quite normal to feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a dog, it is a commitment that takes time, patience and effort. Things soon settle into a routine and it may be helpful to talk to other owners who have experienced the same difficulties as you.
Step 4. Monitor his interactions with other dogs closely
Since you never know how he reacts with his peers or adult specimens, always check him out when he is in "social" circumstances. If you feel that he has stopped playing and has taken a defensive posture, intervene to stop the behavior before a fight starts; for example, if one puppy bites another, you should take action, especially if the one biting shakes his head and locks the other to the ground. Make sure both animals are calm, then reward them and let them keep playing.
- Be ready to intervene promptly and stop a fight; It is worth having toys available to distract the dog, keep him on a leash or play a blown horn.
- Start basic training from an early age but make it fun; it is imperative that a Rottweiler is well trained.
Advice
- Do not try to make the puppy grow faster or make him grow larger than nature intended. Forcing him to carry more weight does not make him bulkier or stronger and could even cause serious health problems, such as bone and joint damage, heart disease, and more.
- Always give him the highest quality food formulated specifically for large breed puppies.
- Puppies benefit from the routine, so try to set up a satisfying schedule of meals, exercise, training and fulfillment of physiological needs.
- Never encourage him to "protect you" and do not make him unfriendly or unwelcoming to visitors; Rottweilers are guard dogs by nature, just trust that they will protect you in case of need. Indiscriminately promoting an aggressive attitude harms not only your dog, but the whole breed.
