Advice needed on a new puppy.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Johnser

Thank you all for the advise. When I get the puppy, I plan on taking three weeks holidays to help the pup 'move in'. She wont be left alone for too long at any time when she moves in.

I havent picked a breeder yet, as it will probably be around October before I plan on getting the puppy. Thanks for the link to the Irish owner. I will PM him to see if he can give me some pointers as to questions I can ask or more important what I should look for with breeders. I also plan on consulting the Rottweiler Club of Ireland before purchase.

I'm asking these questions now, as I feel this is not a light decision when bringing a new life into your home. I have however been talking with trainers, about what to do, and what not to do. I dont what to pamper the dog so much that it gets seperation problems when we leave for work etc.

Thats interesting about the second dog. Let me explain more. The reason for the second dog, was we were originally going to get two rescue dogs, and as I have always wanted a Rottweiler, we decided to get one Rott and a rescue dog.

As we are missing for parts of the day, I just thought that it would be fair for any dog we get to have company. I understand that you cant just put two dogs together and expect it to work, also the second dog we get wont be a puppy, but will still be quite young, and probaly along the lines of a lab x. So I'll be relying on the people at the pound for their recommendations.

What age would you recommend adding a new dog to the mix. I dont want to wait too long, as that in itself can cause problems, and on the other hand I dont want to add one too early, as I'm sure that also have its problems.

I'm entirely at your mercy.

By the way we both come from homes where we have had multiple dogs.

Thanks again for all you help.

I look forward to sharing all my experiences with my puppy with every one on the forum.

John

Welcome, John.

You are starting out on the right foot, but please don't trip over the left one at the gate...LOL.

Please heed the advice of obtaining ONE dog at a time. A young pup needs your undivided attention, so that you can rear it properly. If you have two new dogs to the house, they'll likely bond with each other more than they'll bond with you humans, which will make training, attention, and basic manners a little more difficult for you. You'll be busy housetraining, getting to know the pup, attending obedience classes, and teaching the pup all about you. Rearing a pup properly is similar to rearing a human child, and takes A LOT OF TIME.

In addition, don't give yourself a "time limit" to work within while searching for your puppy. Many Breeders who are worth "their weight" only breed occasionally, but they usually know someone who has, or will have pups on the ground soon....So, start searching out and approaching ethical Breeders now - your local Breed Club, or All Breed Club is a good place to start for referrals.

When you find a few Breeders who's dogs you like, be frank and honest about your experience level, your expectations, your lifestyle, etc... A Good Breeder will then be able to help you in finding the pup that matches that. And don't be disappointed if there are no pups in a particular litter that fit the bill.... There will always be another litter down the road. Get to know the Breeders - get familiar with documentation regarding titles, and health certificates. Know BEFORE you buy.

In other words, it's terrific that you are in a place in your life in which you're ready to take on a rottweiler pup - but don't be in too much of a hurry that you make a choice because there's 9 little puppies climbing all over you, and your emotions take over.... Approach this decision with the knowledge that you will have to live with this creature for the next 10 years of your life. It's a big decision. Make it with care, and an informed mind.

Very best of luck to you.

[Johnser]

Thanks Poobearsmom.

Great thinking. The more and more I think about it, the more and more I agree with the advise given to me about a second dog.

This leads me to my new question. When would be too late to add a second dog. i fully understand that question is like asking 'how long is a piece of string?' as every dog is different, but usually when is too late? Post adolesence?

I'm going to start looking for a breeder ASAP, and I will contact the Rottweiler club if Ireland to see if they can recommend anyone to me. Dont get me wrong, the earliest I will be getting my puppy will be October, but if I have to wait longer for the right puppy, then I'll wait. I do feel that my other half wont be allowed to go with me to pick the puppy, as she's puppy mad and would want to take them all :-).

I want to make an informed decision on picking a puppy, and dont want to get stung by taking one from a BYB or a puppy farm (which is becoming a major problem in this country unfortunately). For example, I have checked the small adds paper, and there are literally 4 pages of Rottweiler puppys for sale, and my head tells me only a very small number of them are proper breeders. i just dont want to get duped by a good sales person. I have to make this decision with my head and not my heart.

[Canadianrotti]

We just added a puppy to our house that has a 9 y/o rotti/lab and a 4 y/o dogue de bordeaux. We got a female pup because our 2 other dogs are males and we did not want to have territory wars, whether this was correct or not I dont know but it worked for us. They all get along really well, although the pup wants to play a lot more that the other 2 do. I don't know that there is a "to late" when getting another dog. I would not get another dog if one of ours was sick or so old that it would put a strain on them. Our 9 y/o dog can run circles around the pup and the dogue all day long, so we knew he could still keep pace with a pup.

BTW check out info here on getting your dog fixed, it is very interesting and will help with the "when to" decision.

[Judi W]

Unless the existing dog has been poorly raised as far as its association with other dogs, there is no "too late" to acquire a second dog. There is however, definitely a "too soon". What is the purpose of the second dog? Is your GF wanting a dog to train and work with or would you be doing this part? (reminder, as far as marriage is concerned, "as good as" does not apply. It is like having your bags packed and sitting in the doorway. ) If you are the one who will be doing the training and work with the dog, let your new dog have your undivided attention until it is about 4 years old or so. You won't regret it as you will have a fine companion in that manner as you will not be splitting your time and attention.

[Johnser]

Hi,

In relation to marriage, we are engaged and have our wedding planned for next year, just my attempt at humour :-) We are both in our early 30's and never married before. Just a bit of background on us.

Why we want two dogs, a number of reasons. We both come from homes where there have always been two or more dogs. But also for company for the dogs when we are at work. Even though we may only be out for about 4 hours, I just think that they would be happier with some company.

I think that I will just spend my time on one dog for now, and make sure it is no stranger to k9 company, as you've pointed out it will make it easier in the years to come to get the second dog.

About the training, we are both quite interested in sharing the training. Nicola (my GF) has more experience with training than myself, and she's a wonder with dogs, so I'll have loads to learn. As I've mentioned before, I've spoken to trainers, and will get some basics and guidance from the professionals at the start. It will also help with the socialisation.

[Soulworx]

Hi John...
As u can probably see im from up North, in Belfast... Im in exactly, and i mean exactly the same position as you, only im a few months ahead of where your sitting right now... My girlfriend and i sadly lost Ben earlier this year, he was 16 and could never be replaced.

Since we were moving into a new house we started thinking about getting a rottie pup...i started looking for a breeder about 2 months ago. My friend is a Rottie breeder but unfortunately he was not going to have an pups around the time i needed (pity his dogs are great).

Anyway i contacted the Northern Ireland Rottweiler Club (NIRC) and found an excellent breeder, she was very experienced and answered 2 pages worth of questions i asked her over the phone, and sent me out an information pack on the sire and dam, and also about her setup. Everything looks, and she sounds extremely professional. My pup is being born this week (hopefully unless its a litter full of bitches )

I found so much info here and also on the net... here's a few links to sites explaining the Volhard's puppy apptitude test, and also a list of questions i used when contacting breeders.

http://dogtraining.co.uk/aptitude.html
http://www.esmondrott.com/questions.htm

The Volhard apptitude test is a short temperament test that should help you choose a puppy that is more likely to suit your needs, and can be very helpful if left to choose a pup with no help (But a good breeder should ask you plenty of questions to help you choose your pup, after all they know their own pups and each of their personalities and want them to go to the right people.)

Two pieces of advice that i have found useful....
1) Dont go to the local, or national papers for pups!!!!
I Phoned up one "breeder" who tried to sell me his pup like a used car salesman sells cars i didnt get an word in edgeways... when i asked if the sire/dam had been hipscored he said they didnt need it he could tell they were alright... then i asked him if he had x-ray vision and a degree in Veterinary science? (that shut him up ) Oh and when i asked him about the temperament of the parents, he said, "oh the father.... he'd bite u if u go near him but the mothers ok, she USUALLY lets u pet her". That was when i put down the phone!
which leads on the second piece of advice...

2) Be prepared to walk away from a litter.... its very hard not to fall in love with the first litter you see, but remember this is gonna be your companion for up to 15 years, an animal you will have living in your home every day for 15 years, dont let your choice be made because its the only litter around, or because theyre cute, it could make you miserable in the long run.

anyway i've been looking around up north for litters but there isnt that many about... think its because show season has started, but contact the Irish rottweiler club and they should help you, and if u wanna contact me, send me a PM and i'll be happy to help.
Cheers

[Judi W]

Excellent plan. No matter how much they enjoy each other, I believe all dogs would love to be "onlies" when it comes time to go places or get attention, or training, etc.

[Soulworx]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Excellent plan. No matter how much they enjoy each other, I believe all dogs would love to be "onlies" when it comes time to go places or get attention, or training, etc.

I hope so, i would worry about Bailey getting lonely when left alone (even if it will only be for short periods of time). We thought that getting another dog for "company" was the wrong reason to get a dog because 2 didnt really suit our situation. Im glad someone backs up that choice.

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by Johnser

I figured that with a female I might have a better chance of getting an easier going dog, than with a male. Then again, we all know nature can be unpredictable!

At our house it is just the opposite. Our male Keil is the laid back easy going one. Nothing bothers this boy. He is really good about not getting into things anymore and can be left out of his crate at night or when we are gone.
His sister on the other hand still needs constant supervision I have to keep her busy, because if I don't she will find ways to entertain herself and it usually isn't pretty She is a very busy and curious girl. I love her personality and have found her very easy to train, but she drives my daughter crazy. Good thing she is not my daughter's dog

[Johnser]

I'm going to phone the Irish Rottweiler Club tonight when i get home. I would really prefer to get a dog from a recommended breeder. In the back of my mind I was worried have the majority of breeders here in Ireland were BYB, and wouldnt know what a hip score was even if you told them! I feel a little better now after your experience Soulworx.

I'll let you know what the club tell me tonight when i call them, in fact I'll give the IKC (Irish Kennel Club) a call now and ask them if they have a list of registered breeders (no guarantees of quality etc, but a better place to start).

Right called them, and they were very helpfull and pointed me to the secetary of Rottweiler club. She only takes calls after 7pm (its 4:00pm now), so I'll just have to wait.

I'll be online later, and let you know how it goes.

It is funny with the differences between males and females. My friend has a beautiful Boxer, Jake, he's now about 18 months old, and really big, but a complete softy. On the other hand he (my friend, and not Jake) was telling me that a relation of his has Jakes sister, and she's really hyperactive. Once Jake gets his long walk, you wont see him for the night!

Anyway, I'm off home, I'll post an update later on my search.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Johnser

In relation to the Rescue Dogs. There are rescues in Ireland, but not breed specific. It really breaks my heart to say this, but with a Rottweiler, I'd perfer to get one as a puppy, so I would have control of the puppies upbringing and socialisation. I know its not fair, as the perfect dog for me may be sitting in the kennels. But I feel with a dog of this breed and power, and as it will be my first, I just think that it be fairer on the dog and myself, if we bonded from as early as possible in the dogs life.

BTW three of our last dogs were resues (Malamute x, Lab x and a Pom / King Charles, but the jury is still out on that the last one as to its breeding). They came from really bad back grounds, and one didnt even have any teeth it was so mal nurished. I suppose this is where my love and understanding comes from with dogs. Rescues are wonderfull places, but yet so heart breaking.

In all the years we've been fostering for our Rottie rescue group, most of our fosters have been mature males. Since both of us work FT, we don't have the time for young puppies, and one of our two personal females would take a very dim view of another female in her house. Our situation means it's males for us as fosters.

All the dogs in our rescue group are temperament tested. Males 1 year and older are temp tested by two different evaluators, and the dog must pass both. My group also tries hard to match the dog's temperament and activity level with this or her forever family.

Guaranteed, if you came to our house and met our two girls and our current foster (who's 3 yo), there would be no way for you to tell he hasn't been our dog from the time he was a puppy. Foster Boy has bonded to us and we treat him as we treat our girls. (Well...not exactly--he's not allowed on the furniture.)

The bond we have with our current foster--and the one he has with us--is par for the course. An outsider wouldn't be able to tell our fosters aren't our dogs nor that we haven't had them from the time they were puppies.

Anyhow, good luck with your search for a breeder. The more time you put in now, doing your homework, before you get your puppy, the happier you'll be in the long run and the smoother everything will be for you--and your puppy--once puppy arrives at your home.

[rottsnroses]

Hi Johnser! I am looking forward to spending 3 months in Dublin between now and the end of the year. Hopefully I will be able to catch some rottweiler venues while I am there.

My husband and I have a similar situation to you and your financee in that we both work, but I am home for lunch every day. My husband owns his own business so his schedule is very flexible.

Luna arrived when Max was 18 months old, and it has been a lot of extra work taking care of 2 young dogs. A lot more than I expected. I can't even imagine having 2 babies at the same time! Max is pretty well behaved and has been in OB training since he was 6 months old, but it has still been a challenge dividing time between the two and giving both the amount of time that each needs in respect to training, socialization, exercise, etc. It would have been much less stressful to have waited until Max was in a "finished" state.

While they do keep help keep each other company, I've noticed that 2 dogs pretty much get bored just as easily as 1. Although it's also had it's rewards, I personally would not recommend adding an additional dog until your pup is at least 2 or 3 years old.

[Johnser]

Hi guys,

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

Thanks again, for the all the encouragement and advise. I can tell you that Dublin is lovely in the summer, but be prepared for some rain.

I'm afraid that there is no update yet, as I phoned the Rottweiler Club on Friday, and left a message, but she hasnt returned my call yet. Due to the time of the year, I'd say she maybe on vacation.

I may start a new threat as a sort of diary of getting my new puppy.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Johnser

Hi guys,

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

Thanks again, for the all the encouragement and advise. I can tell you that Dublin is lovely in the summer, but be prepared for some rain.

I'm afraid that there is no update yet, as I phoned the Rottweiler Club on Friday, and left a message, but she hasnt returned my call yet. Due to the time of the year, I'd say she maybe on vacation.

I may start a new threat as a sort of diary of getting my new puppy.

I'll be looking forward to the first edition of the "Johnser Chronicles"

[Johnser]

ok so. Thats what I'll do.