All experiences appreciated-first post

[kiwirottie]

Hi Everyone, this site is just great.....and sooooo additive. My husband and I are getting our rottie in 8 weeks, yes born this week So this is our situation we have a daughter she'll be almost 7 mths when puppie arrives. Yes BUSY it what it will be but I didnt want to be working fulltime with a rottie pup as have done loads of reading and understand them to be very dependant on there human family for company, so this way I have lots more time to train and love(puppy preschool and dog obedience is a must for us), my daughter is very easy content little girl so no probs there....like a challenge Im obviously a little concerned how they'll mesh togeather both being babies but the other thing is my husband shifts have changed so every 8 wks he has 4 wks of night shift and I get really nervous as have no direct neighbours behind us and have been burgled (we now have an alarm), so the company we be appreicated...no this isnt why I've chosen a rottie, I've ALWAYS wanted one but wanted to wait till the time was right and we were settled as I once flated with my friend her boyfriend and Cruise there beautiful rot. The breeder is breeding with wonderfully terpermented dog and bitch and. we've met both. SO can anyone thats had a Rottie pup and baby growing up together please share there experiences and tips please. not to concerned which sex the terperment is most important but is one more instinctively better with kids?
Thanks

[TrishB]

Some people would recommend a female for your first Rottweiler. Some males. I would look more for a temperament that matches you, your family and your goals for the puppy.

Bite inhibition is a priority when getting a puppy in any house hold. With a young baby such as yours, it is an absolute MUST. When the puppy places its mouth on you, scream in a high pitched "YIPE!!" Be sure not to pull your hand away when you do this. At that moment, your puppy will react by opening it's mouth in surprise. This is an acknowledgment that it hurt you and it's sorry (just like would happen if it had bitten a littermate too hard).

When the mouth opens and releases the pressure, praise the puppy! They'll soon get the idea that human skin is SOOOOOOOOOOO sensitive that they can't put any pressure on you at all.

This is a simple lesson to teach, but is imperative in any household (especially when puppy has those sharp little milking teeth).

Of course, there are mountains of information here on the forums and keep reading!!

As I'm sure will be said LOTS of times in this thread, RULE #1:

Never leave your child unattended with your puppy. Not even for a minute. Your puppy isn't a babysitter just as your baby isn't a puppysitter. Therefore, never leave them alone together so that you never have to say "I was only gone for a moment, I don't know what happened...." If you don't know what they're doing, it's your fault, not the pups or the baby's.

Simple rules to a long and happy life together! Welcome to the fourms!

[kiwirottie]

Originally Posted by TrishB

Some people would recommend a female for your first Rottweiler. Some males. I would look more for a temperament that matches you, your family and your goals for the puppy.

Bite inhibition is a priority when getting a puppy in any house hold. With a young baby such as yours, it is an absolute MUST. When the puppy places its mouth on you, scream in a high pitched "YIPE!!" Be sure not to pull your hand away when you do this. At that moment, your puppy will react by opening it's mouth in surprise. This is an acknowledgment that it hurt you and it's sorry (just like would happen if it had bitten a littermate too hard).

When the mouth opens and releases the pressure, praise the puppy! They'll soon get the idea that human skin is SOOOOOOOOOOO sensitive that they can't put any pressure on you at all.

This is a simple lesson to teach, but is imperative in any household (especially when puppy has those sharp little milking teeth).

Of course, there are mountains of information here on the forums and keep reading!!

As I'm sure will be said LOTS of times in this thread, RULE #1:

Never leave your child unattended with your puppy. Not even for a minute. Your puppy isn't a babysitter just as your baby isn't a puppysitter. Therefore, never leave them alone together so that you never have to say "I was only gone for a moment, I don't know what happened...." If you don't know what they're doing, it's your fault, not the pups or the baby's.

Simple rules to a long and happy life together! Welcome to the fourms!

[kiwirottie]

Thanks Trish- sorry about quoting your ENTIRE thread, my first time on ANY forum so just gettin the hang of it, just wanted to say thanks or the puppy biting tip, it was great. Yes sounds like I'll find the right pup not sex depending. We just want a loving companion for the whole family- and yes never out of my site! Ive read a few threads on bringing home a newborn to a grown dog so would love to hear about anyone being in my situation :-)

[SABELLESMOM]

My girlfriend raised her now 6 year old male, at the time she had a toddler AND an infant. So, presently Kendra is 7, Lexi is 5, and Bryce is 10 months! She likes chalenges as well!

Remington is very well mannered, a gentleman. She worked very hard on everything, and I give her a great deal of credit. She also does Agility with Remmy.

It can certainly be done and has been before. Was it a smooth ride? To look at them now, you'd think so. But I'm sure she'll tell you there were moments. Looking back, she'd do it again. There were times she relied on some friends and a good support group (FLAOA- a kennel club) and a forum like this.

We're here. We love stories and pictures, and we'll help when needed, I'm sure. You sound as if you have a good pup coming and are already committed to making this work. There will be so many rewards!

[Squeaky2004]

I don't have any children myself but we do have a 4 month old pup! Just wanted to say congratulations and have LOTS of fun with your puppy and your baby

[kiwirottie]

Thanks so much Sabellesmom. Wow good on your friend! Yes we are both very exicited....I'll be spending the next 8 LONG weeks reading every inch of this site and talking to other dog owners, I feel the personal experiences of other dog owners are invaluable!! Same as other parents when we bought our wee girl home.
Thanks Squeaky I'll be able to learn from your posts with a busy wee pup at hand :-)

[TrishB]

You may want to find an obedience club in your area and chat to them now. It always helps to set up your network of 'doggie friends'. Might as well get it started!

I also had a dog walker for the first few weeks. I know you'll be home, but with a wee one and a pup - you may appreciate the 1 free hour a day while they tire out your pup for you.

Interview them (it is a job and they will be working for you!). Make sure that they understand your training approaches that you wish to use, how many dogs they walk at a time, if they can take on a puppy (they require extra work), etc.

Mine was FABULOUS and I owe her the world. I was single and living alone - I couldn't walk him mid-day so I had to get a dog walker. Denise is also responsible for a HUGE amount of socialization that Parker received with other dogs and she was a gem. Of course, you'll have to wait until the pup has had their second shots (approx. 12 weeks) but then they'll be good to go!

If you do a search here for "puppy" "training" "books" "new baby" you'll find a wealth of knowledge here as well!

[Squeaky2004]

Originally Posted by kiwirottie

Thanks Squeaky I'll be able to learn from your posts with a busy wee pup at hand :-)

My first rottie, but yau learn quick There are alot of WONDERFUL and VERY rottie oriented people on these forums, that have had many years experience. I am sure we will learn from eachother, and I am more then happy to help where I can been through quite a bit already lol but loving every minute, my girl is a she-devil LOL...so we have our hands full hehe.

[alex221]

Once your breeder gets to know the puppies in the litter, their personalities and such, he/she should also be able to help pick out which one will be best suited to your family and lifestyle.

I know the next 8 weeks will go slowly for you....Best of Luck!

[kiwirottie]

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far!! I spoke to the obedience club last night(morning here down under) and she gave me a couple of tricks to figure out the dominant one(s), first by picking up under the chest and waist and holding just off the ground for 30 secs, if the pup struggles for the whole 30 secs if a dominant little pup and then roll onto back hold there again for 30 secs.
The breeder knows our situation also so when I talk to him next(they're due tongight or tomorrow! ) I'll go over that again.

[Roxibear]

My daughter was 9 months when we got our first rottie, tina, and the two were so close for the next twelve years. Tina was never a mouthy pup so we had no concerns there, I wonder what it would have been like with Roxi my present pup who is 8 months in four days. Roxi was very mouthy for a period but happily has settled down. The sex question is a hard one. As you'll know all recommendations are to get a bitch as your first rottie but I have met just as many good dogs as bitches and if anything some more bad bitches than dogs. Anyway, best of luck and keep us posted.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by kiwirottie

The breeder knows our situation also so when I talk to him next(they're due tongight or tomorrow! ) I'll go over that again.

If your breeder is a good, experienced, COE breeder, they would be the best to tell you which puppy would best meet your needs. They are with the litter 24/7 and have the best insights into which puppies behave which ways the most consistently.

If you trust your breeder (and you should if you're getting a pup from them) you should also trust them to pick the best puppy for you and your family.

[kiwirottie]

If your breeder is a good, experienced, COE breeder, they would be the best to tell you which puppy would best meet your needs. They are with the litter 24/7 and have the best insights into which puppies behave which ways the most consistently

Thanks Trish yes I do trust him and he's registered and COE so I'll do that, and I'll be sweet talking my father in law into some puppy walking, he lost his GSD last year.

Roxi, did you ever feel your child was in danger, like could you trust Tina, I would never leave them alone as above but after reading this site Im astounded by all the probs people are having with aggression and dominance in there pups and dogs/bitches. I know we have to be firm and assertive with the dog and do dog obedience training plus daily ongoing training,did you find that enough, could they have fun and hang out together when a little older?(I know it depends on the dog-but I'm just meaning with your experience with Tina).

[Roosmom]

Originally Posted by TrishB

You may want to find an obedience club in your area and chat to them now. It always helps to set up your network of 'doggie friends'. Might as well get it started!

I also had a dog walker for the first few weeks. I know you'll be home, but with a wee one and a pup - you may appreciate the 1 free hour a day while they tire out your pup for you.

Interview them (it is a job and they will be working for you!). Make sure that they understand your training approaches that you wish to use, how many dogs they walk at a time, if they can take on a puppy (they require extra work), etc.

Mine was FABULOUS and I owe her the world. I was single and living alone - I couldn't walk him mid-day so I had to get a dog walker. Denise is also responsible for a HUGE amount of socialization that Parker received with other dogs and she was a gem. Of course, you'll have to wait until the pup has had their second shots (approx. 12 weeks) but then they'll be good to go!

If you do a search here for "puppy" "training" "books" "new baby" you'll find a wealth of knowledge here as well!

You might also look into handling classes.
Even if you have no plans on showing the dog, what you get from class will be worth it's weight in gold.
roosmomdeb