Rottweilers have been given a bad reputation by people who have neglected to train them properly; but Rottweilers are intelligent dogs and loyal pets.
Rottweilers are a large, husky breed with a huge jaw, big head, and beautiful black and tan markings. Sadly, many people have acquired Rottweilers for protection or to frighten others, and if not trained properly, Rottweilers, like other large dogs, can be deadly. The most important thing to remember when you own a Rottweiler is that their looks are protection enough. Most people are fairly intimidated by the sight of a large, barking dog. If you want protection for your home, a gentle, harmless Rottweiler will be equally as scary looking as a vicious one, but you won't be in danger of the dog hurting someone.
Rottweilers are intelligent dogs that are naturally protective of their property and enjoy pleasing their master; yet they can also be headstrong and stubborn, so these potential personality qualities must be dealt with at a young age. Your Rottweiler must be taught to sit, stay, heel, lie down and stop at the sound of your voice - immediately. This is for the safety of the dog as well as the safety of others. Dogs will often become distracted by a squirrel or another dog across a road, and you don't want the him to suddenly run across a street, with you left unable to control his behavior. If he begins to run, you want to be able to give a command and have him defy his instincts and return to you immediately. This can be done with proper training.
The first thing a family with a Rottweiler puppy needs to do is to perform dominance training. This is done by having each family member, from the tallest to smallest, to take turns pinning the puppy to the floor by his scruff. The puppy won't like this: he will protest and cry and maybe even try to bite, but each person must hold him there until he raises his back leg in submission. Depending on the temperament of the dog, he may submit immediately, or he may raise a large fuss before giving in. Either way, he must give in. Hold him there until he gives up, or he will be given the message that he can win and dominate the family.
By the time a puppy is about 6 months old, every dog owner should take the puppy to a group obedience class that can be found in the phone book or by a referral from a Veterinarian or pet store. These classes are invaluable resources for the master to learn how to train a dog with basic commands, and it is a good opportunity for the Rottweiler to become socialized. Socialization is an extremely important part of a Rottweiler puppy's life, as it will teach him to interact with other dogs and people, and not to view them as a threat. Many problematic Rottweilers are difficult and dangerous because of the lack of proper training and a lack of socialization. As often as possible, take your puppy to parks, on long walks, and even into Veterinarians and pet stores so he can meet the world. He will be naturally curious and friendly, and this will pave the way for his life behavior.
Training any dog takes commitment and consistency. When you learn from the obedience class all the things you want to teach your Rottweiler, set aside time each day to work with him. Not only will you both enjoy the interaction, but he will learn what you expect of him and be eager to please.
