Let me guess; your kids have begged for a puppy for years and you are finally ready to give in. Having a dog is a rite of passage that comes along with childhood. A Rottweiler puppy can teach them responsibility and how to care for another living being, but as with any new arrival there are a few things you will need to take into consideration prior to bringing your new Rottweiler home.
Puppy Proof it!
If you already have kids then you are well versed in child proofing your home. In a lot of ways, puppy proofing is no different. You remove stray objects that could present and chewing or swallowing hazard and secure loose and dangling cords to avoid choking or electrical shock.
Any part of the home with objects that cannot be properly secured should be off limits to your new Rottweiler. This can include laundry rooms and closets (where the pooch might make confetti of your clothes or shoes) and storage areas where chemicals are present. Believe it or not a simple baby gate will serve the purpose of keeping your Rottweiler pup right where he belongs – at least until he is old enough to know better.
The Sofa is not a chew toy!
It is a natural canine instinct to gnaw and chew, even more so in puppies who will do it while teething. With that in mind, always have appropriate chew toys or rawhide available to keep your Rottweiler’s attention where it belongs and not on the leg of your new sofa or your favorite antique rug.
Of course, keeping your Rottweiler occupied is the best choice to avoid the often severe consequences of boredom, so be creative. The answer may be as simple as a tennis ball or a squeak toy, but be absolutely sure that the toys you give your Rottweiler puppy are appropriate for their age and size. Large dogs can choke on toys that are too small while smaller dogs will get bored when they can’t wrap their mouth around the toy you provide. What happens next? They find their own toy. Uh oh.
Setting the Ground Rules
Before you bring the new Rottweiler puppy home, you should sit down with your family and have a complete understanding of the rules. Such issues as whether or not the dog will be allowed on the furniture, what rooms of the house are off limits, where your puppy is going to sleep – each of these are issues that should be decided ahead of time. Remember this is a puppy, and you will need to allow for some flexibility.
Obedience Training to the rescue!
No matter how happy you are to have your new Rottweiler puppy at home, you will agree with me that obedience training may save your life (or your marriage…). It curbs negative behaviors while cementing an amazing bond between you and your Rottweiler.
You may opt to train your Rottweiler yourself at home or to use a professional dog obedience trainer. If you opt for a professional, ask for recommendations and references and make sure that the trainer is well versed in working with Rottweilers.
Final Considerations
Veterinarian: Last but certainly not least, you need a vet! Talk to your family and trusted neighbors and go meet with several vets until you find one that you are comfortable with.
Accommodation: Where is your Rottweiler going to sleep? I strongly recommend a training cage. They aren’t cruel at all, quite the contrary – they provide an area that your Rottweiler pup will view as a safe haven that is their own territory.
Children: If you have children, make absolutely sure that you involved them in every step of the process so that they will quickly learn there are many steps in getting a Rottweiler and taking care of it!
