9-week-old puppies are lots of fun. Games should be short and controlled. You're laying the foundation for all of his future behaviour, so if you wouldn't want a 50kg dog doing it, don't let your puppy do it! ;)
Here's an article I found to give you some ideas:
Quote:
Exercise
Puppies need to run. Find a safe environment (fenced-in area, tennis court, etc.) and allow him to run free and play with you. Reward him every time he returns to you to check in. Don't rely on leash walking as his primary form of exercise. Even though this is good exercise for both of you, it is not enough for the puppy.
Using a long line to keep him safe and under your control, take your puppy for a hike, a swim, a walk on the beach, or a romp in the park. The more time you spend with your puppy doing fun, positive things, the deeper the bond between you will grow.
Games
Left to their own devices, puppies will teach you how to play. Instead, start to teach him games that you like and want to encourage.
Roughhousing with your hands should be completely avoided. This teaches grabbing, biting, and causes your puppy to be very "mouthy." Any "game" that brings out these types of behaviors should be completely avoided, especially with children.
Make sure your pup knows which toys are his. If you want him to play only with his toys, then he must be able to distinguish them from everything else. If his toys number in the dozens, then he will never be able to do this. Many people protest that even though the dog has "tons of toys, all over the house" of his own, he still takes things that are not his. Often that is the very problem -- he has so many toys strewn around the house amongst the children's toys, sneakers, shoes and articles of clothing, he cannot possibly keep straight which are his and which are not. Anything he can grab is a toy to him.
Consider designating a special toy box for your puppy's toys. Take him to his toy box and teach him the meaning of "toy box." Say "toy box", and when he takes a toy from his box, praise him like crazy, and join him in play with the toy. He will learn that if he wants something to play with or chew on, he just has to go into his toy box and retrieve a toy. Periodically, hide yummy treats or stuffed Kongs in his toy box to increase its attraction.
Games which encourage positive behavior such as retrieve, catch, hide and seek, find it, are all to be encouraged. Do not allow a puppy to jump up to get a Frisbee or a ball. While he is still growing, his bones are fragile and jumping should not be encouraged at this age. A wonderful toy that you might not have thought of is an empty hard plastic bottle (such as an empty 2-liter soda bottle). Puppies love to chase and knock such a bottle around because it slides or moves around easily and they cannot hold it in their mouths. |
As for being outside at night - in a word, no. Rotties are very social dogs and should be inside your home with you! The best place for him, year around is in your home, preferably by your bed, in his crate (or out of the crate when he's trained). Rottweilers, because they are so social, crave to be inside with 'their people'. Dogs that are in the home, with their people, bond better, behave better and are happier.
Your puppy will also need to be enrolled in Puppy Classes. These are classes for puppies of 12 weeks and age and up - that encourage a solid bases of training, socialization and owner education. Look up Obedience Trainers in your neighbourhood - your Veterinarian should be able to refer you to a good one. Be sure to ask when you're there for his next set of shots. Your Vet is a great resource - if you haven't been there yet, make an appointment today! :D
I would highly suggest that you do a search here on the forums for "Crate Training", "Puppy Training" and "Socialization". These forums will be a great resource for you, keep reading! :)
05-23-2002, 10:55 AM
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