Very Confused

[hopeful05]

First let me start of by saying that I am new to the site and I just wanted to say hello to everyone.I am currently doing a lot of research on Rottys in regards to their behavior towards children but I am seeing many different articles and I really cant figure out which way to go .I have two children (boys) 2 & 4 and a newborn on the way.I just purchased a home in Jersey with a good sized yard and was considering getting 2 puppys for the new home.Any advice or personal experiences of Rotty's with kids would be very helpful.

Thanks

[RottiMomCT]

I would strongly recommend AGAINST adding one or ever 2 pups to the home if you have three kids under the age of 4 in the home - you'll have your hands full with the kids...!!! Wait until the youngest is at least 2 years old.

Now...two pups...no way...One is plenty for starters...two is 4 times the work

Oh...welcome to the forums! Use the 'search' function - LOTS to learn!!!

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by hopeful05

First let me start of by saying that I am new to the site and I just wanted to say hello to everyone.I am currently doing a lot of research on Rottys in regards to their behavior towards children but I am seeing many different articles and I really cant figure out which way to go .I have two children (boys) 2 & 4 and a newborn on the way.I just purchased a home in Jersey with a good sized yard and was considering getting 2 puppys for the new home.Any advice or personal experiences of Rotty's with kids would be very helpful.

Thanks

Welcome to the forums - if you do a search on 2 puppies at once you will see that it is usually discouraged. Rottweilers are PEOPLE dogs who prefer YOUR company to a dogs company.

ANd with such young children I am sure you have your hands full - Rottweilers take around THREE years of training and classes and attention to mature.

But welcome again and I direct your attention to the archives - there is lots of good info there

[Ninasmom]

IMHO - Now is not the time to take on a rottie puppy, never mind two! Having a puppy is like having a newborn, only puppies move. Rottie pups are very time consuming; I believe moreso than most breeds; and require ALOT of training to get a well-behaved, happy dog. I appreciate the fact that you have fallen in love with the breed and want one, but agree with RottiemomCT - wait, AT LEAST 2 years... maybe three or four. And then, only get one at a time.

[brunie's mom]

Welcome to the forums.
You have been given good advice.
I also do not think that Rottweilers are "good starter dogs"...you really should have some dog experience before getting this breed.

They are also not for the soft hearted owner...they need leadership and guidance and if they do not get it will start leading on their own.

I also think that you have enough on your plate right now with two young children and one on the way. If you have never had a dog as an adult, then get another easier breed when your kids are older, and if you feel you have enough experience ,then sometime in the future get a well bred Rott.

Gina

[shybird]

My advice pure plain and simple is: At present time with two small children and one in the oven is to WAIT. You have your hands full now. You don't needed the added work of a puppy. No matter who promises to help, you will be doing all of it in the near future. When the newness wears off. Have the baby first and get into a normal routeen. A year or so at least. Don't over burden yourself or you will burn out. Take the time to learn all about the breed and it's drawbacks as well as it's plus's. One pup at a time. They need a lot of attention and training.

[BostonRott]

Welcome!

Sounds like you're learning a good bit, and making a good start. I would not recommend two puppies at once, to anyone. In order to properly socialize them, you'd have to keep them apart for the first 12-16 weeks, take them out separately, take them to classes separately, etc. It's too much work and not worth screwing up one or both pups.

Having 4 dogs myself and a newborn (7 weeks), I can tell you that it's a LOT of work, and I honestly wouldn't recommend a puppy now, unless you're only 10-12 weeks along. Puppies require a lot of work and time and being a new owner means that you've got a learning curve to work through. That on top of a newborn is a lot of work, and I'd hate to see you frustrated with the pup b/c of lack of time due to the newborn.

Spend time searching for a good breeder, get on a list now, and most likely you'll end up waiting 6-12mos anyway for the right pup to be born, and by that point, your baby should be well settled in.

[Marylou Mader]

You know what, 26 years ago, I had 2 small kids, and a baby on the way, we adopted our Angus and he grew to become a wonderful part of our family.

I agree, two pups are NOT a good idea, but if this (and I'm guessing it's the female) wants the Rottie, then why not?

I know there are other Moms on this list, what do they think?

#1 Does both husband and wife want the added burden of a puppy?

#2 Will you both be willing to not only teach the puppy, but the children to live harmonious with each other?

#3 Training will be a MUST, will both of you be willing to go off at least one night a week to classes? and a daily regimen

#4 Picking up after puppy (fecal engineering) feeding and just having that extra work to add to a heavy burden?

#5 Hair Hair Hair, do either of you have a problem with it?

#6 Weather, what seems easy in the summer, may not be in the cold winter months.

#7 Willing NOT to keep the dog in the yard to develop bad behaviors like fence running and chasing

I could go on and on, but I don't want to sound like a doom and gloom. I just wanted to add a few words of wisdom...

Keep us posted as to what you do, and make sure you buy a puppy from a knowledgable, and respectable, and honorable person

[rottcrazed]

I can give you my experience from two sides.

I am an owner of 4 Rottweilers, and I have had 3 or more large dogs in my home for 8 years or more (lost track of time .... ).

I have HAD two young dogs together at the same time when Jewel, my now 3 year old bitch, was a 9 month old, we introduced another puppy, who was exactly 7 months younger. We co-owned Never with both girls' breeder. I also had two older dogs (who are still here, 8 y/o F and 6.5 y/o M) as well.

I had WAY too much on my plate with the two puppies and by the time Never was 9 months old herself, I decided I needed to send her back as I didn't have the time to train both to the degree I would like to. It was a hard decision, but in hindsight, I made the right one.

Now, having said all of this, I also had triplets in February of 2001. They were about 15 months old when Jewel came to be with us. By then, they were pretty good with dogs having been raised with them; but they were raised with (and BY) 3 older, well-trained, well-socialized dogs (2 Rotts and an older Golden Retriever). I have enough dog experience that I would have had no qualms about bringing in ONE puppy when the kids were young (but I waited as per the wait list for Jewel's breeder), but NOT 2, and I still would never raise two together now - WAY too much work for me.

It is a lot of work for parents of young children, especially the ages of yours, and with one on the way, I would be VERY afraid that two puppies, even one, would be left outside to his own devices because he is too much of a burden for your lifestyle and a Rottweiler (or any dog) left to his own devices is as good as having a ticking timebomb. They need as much work as children, but they need is to be condensed initially into a few months because dogs grow and mature at a much faster rate than kids. Socializing and training is a life long process as well, so puppy kindergarten classes are not the end of it.

In reality, you really should wait until you are able to devote the time required to a puppy. I would suggest waiting until the baby to come is at least a year old, and beyond that, PLEASE only get one. Sure, you could add another down the road, but one will prove more than enough initially.

My puppies, when they are very young, go everywhere with me and meet and greet as many people as I can find who will pet them. You need to be able to do that and a newborn along with a toddler and another child will likely not allow you the time to do all you need to with a puppy. Puppies, like children, are a blessing, but in my experience, animals in general, get taken for granted that they will just become what we want them to. WE make them what they are by what we do with them and for them, and we invite them into our lives, we NEED to make sure we can do everything to make them the best little canine good citizens that we can.

I hope this helps a little bit ...

kristi

[BostonRott]

Wow Kristi, GREAT post, very informative!!!

[hopeful05]

Thank you guys for the great advice I think I will do a little more research and in the meantime try to find a good breeder and obedience school in jersey and possibly get on a waiting list.

[hayandrob]

Just wanted to post that we have recently bought a pup~now 10 weeks and we have a 9 month old daughter and two year old son in the house.We're very lucky that Ruby is proving to enjoy training and is picking things up very quickly but it's still a lot of work!We've had to build "Ruby" time into our schedule to ensure that she gets the right amount of one on one attention~it really IS like having a third child As we made the decision to bring Ruby into our home we realise it's down to us to train her to become a well mannered,children friendly dog and whilst I appreciate that it's a lot of commitment needed to do this we're doing it together as a family and thoroughly enjoying it

[Patty1231]

Speaking from my own experience, I have had one newborn and one puppy (not at the same time). The puppy was MUCH more work than the baby! I would also advise against any puppy at this time, not just a rottie. Enjoy the youth of your children - they grow way too fast. You will have plenty of time in the future to bring a puppy into your lives.

[rottielover2004]

I waited until my daughter was 7 months old before getting harley. I do not think I could have done it any sooner. You are right. Puppies are a heck of alot more work than babies. Now my daughter 16 months old, and really starting to enjoy the dogs, as they enjoy her :)