Rottweilers are said to be incredibly loyal and friendly and they make excellent guard dogs. This is of course in stark contrast to the stereotypical image of the so much purported violent nature that one usually associate with this breed of dog. The truth is that with the right training, Rottweilers can be trained to do just about anything and can become a lifelong loyal companion. And if you are considering owning a Rottweiler, then these couple of training tips might be just the thing to get you started.

Sit

First off we’ll start with the all-important “sit!” command. This command is probably one of the most important commands as it helps when feeding, grooming and successive training. To do this, gently but firmly push the dog’s rear-end toward the ground while firmly repeating the word “sit”. When he or she accomplishes this, an affectionate reaction in terms of praise can be offered to the dog as well as a treat to show that the action was correct and that you are happy with it (very important since Rottweilers aim to please).

Stop

Ensuring that your dog understands either “No!” or “Stop!” can be rather exhausting, depending on what you choose to allow your dog to do or not to do. For some this might encompass a range of things and for others not as many. When catching your dog doing something he or she shouldn’t be doing, use a firm voice to issue the command and pull the dog away from the object or area of its mistake. Keep an eye on your dog and if he or she repeats the process, then keep doing so until the goal is achieved.

Stay

Finally we’ll have a look at the “Stay!” command. To achieve this it might be necessary to start while the dog is seated. Hold your palm, fingers spread, about seven inches away from the dog’s face and issue “Stay!” before moving away. At first this might fail as Rottweilers love affection and want to be close to you. Repeat this process, using various distances from the dog as your objective. Should your dog get it right, walk towards him or her and praise her affectionately.

It is important to maintain eye contact with your dog whilst training to ensure that he or she understands that you are in control. Reacting aggressively to any wrongs committed or impatiently to any commands not always understood the first time may adversely affect your dog.