Not a Rottie owner...yet.

[Altesse43]

Rottie's are my dream dog and I have been researching and talking to owners on what they do as far as training, etc. I know Rotties can be 'aloof' and touchy about who is allowed to do what. I was thinking that setting up weekly 'fun' visists to the vet would be a good idea. The vet and others at the office would examine the teeth, touch the feet, maybe take the temperature, etc. Giving lots of loving and pats so puppy would get used to all the stuff they do. I know things change when the hormones kick in, but has anyone done this?

I will most likely get a 'beta' male and plan to have him neutered asap.

I am going for a career in law enforcement and would have him evaluated to see what he would be best at - patrol, SAR, etc.

First and foremost he will be a pet.

Females are good at the searching and protection sides of K9 work but I heard they don't do well in suspect apprehension because they won't leave their officers when they feel the officer is in danger.



Are male K9's (regardless of breed) generally neutered or not? (I guess I have never thought to ask..or look!

[BrandiJ]

I can't really answer most of your questions as far as K9s, but having him checked over often is a great idea. It's just a small part of socialization, that everyone should be doing anyway. I handle my pup every day, feeling her all over, looking in her ears, eyes and mouth, and handling her feet. But having strangers do it too is a very good idea.

[itzivy]

Originally Posted by Altesse43

I will most likely get a 'beta' male and plan to have him neutered asap.
:

There is a view that if you neuter you pup very young - he may look bitchy and may not develop to the full potential. Have you heard about it?

[BrightEyez]

Does an examination cost? I think you're better off investing that money into socialization classes rather then "fun at the vet". You should check your dogs teeth daily when hes a puppy, touch his feet, balls, ears, everything every day..AND every time he goes to the vet let the vet do the same..make the visits a good experience and he will enjoy it and remember it. Dont change too many vets, pick a reputable one that you will stick with. I dont think he needs to go every week in order to get use to his vet.
Its good that you're doing all your research..and make sure you can pick a breeder that can tell you about each and every puppy as well as their temperments(from what they've observed). This is what we did with our dog..and our breeder took the most dominant male and female for herself. (she loves a challenge and is into showing etc)

[Mavides]

Originally Posted by BrightEyez

Does an examination cost? I think you're better off investing that money into socialization classes rather then "fun at the vet". You should check your dogs teeth daily when hes a puppy, touch his feet, balls, ears, everything every day..AND every time he goes to the vet let the vet do the same..make the visits a good experience and he will enjoy it and remember it. Dont change too many vets, pick a reputable one that you will stick with. I dont think he needs to go every week in order to get use to his vet.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the OP was just talking about a trip to the vet's lobby...not an actual office visit each week. Any good vets' office should NOT charge you to come in and borrow their scale and work on socializing your pet. As a trainer, I OFTEN recommend people with dogs that are nervous of the vet's office to go in at least every week, if not more, for just cookies from the receptionists, a quick trip up onto the scale and a scratch on the head from whomever has a free moment. It's GREAT socialization - and that one time that they get poked and prodded out of the 25 times they just get cookies and pats won't set you back at all in your training! :) Make sure you're dog is finished with vaccinations though before you start this, and while he/she is young, I might suggest calling ahead to make sure they didn't have any sick dogs in recently. I suggest dropping in to a few different vets even - not only does it give your dog more experiences and more socialization, it might help you find a back-up vet or two...which is always a good idea to have! Best of luck with your new pup!!!

[rottielover2004]

That was how I socialized Harley... Best Idea. Most people at vet offices love puppies, and the weighing every week too. Now Harley is the only rottweiler they will take without a problem. No muzzles. They have had many bites with this breed, and now are looking at them in a different light because of Harley. I say go for it....He will love you for it, especially the yummy cookies he will get.. LOL good luck to you

[Altesse43]

Originally Posted by itzivy

There is a view that if you neuter you pup very young - he may look bitchy and may not develop to the full potential. Have you heard about it?

I guess I meant to say as soon as the breeder/vet recommends it without damaging his 'maturing' as a male, but hopefully avoiding the worst of the negative 'hormonal issues' of a male. (Marking, humping, 'teenage rebellion', agression, etc.)

[rottielover2004]

it will help the neutering, but it will not stop it. Most are behaviours that can be worked on from the start. Respect, and training. The only real thing that neutering will stop. Is making babies

[brunie's mom]

Do ALOT of research in finding a good breeder. I know that there is a big puppy mill breeder in your state.
Do not be taken in by fancy ads or websites.

Make sure that both sire and dam have some sort of titles (Champion,etc)
Make sure that both have their hips, eyes, heart and elbows cleared and certified by OFA. Go to the OFA website and check it out... www.offa.org
Make sure that the breeder belongs to the breed club and is a COE breeder.

There is more info on the Breeding Forum, just read the "stickies".

Gina

[Altesse43]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

Do ALOT of research in finding a good breeder. I know that there is a big puppy mill breeder in your state.
Do not be taken in by fancy ads or websites.

Make sure that both sire and dam have some sort of titles (Champion,etc)
Make sure that both have their hips, eyes, heart and elbows cleared and certified by OFA. Go to the OFA website and check it out... www.offa.org
Make sure that the breeder belongs to the breed club and is a COE breeder.

There is more info on the Breeding Forum, just read the "stickies".

Gina

Thanks for the warning.

So far I have only talked to memebers of the Northstar Rottweiler Club. I am also biased in that all of the dogs I have met have all been fabulous examples of the breed. Everything a Rottie should be.

The next events I go to, or as I go along, I will ask Rott people to refer me to a breeder. Any self respecting Rott person will give me the best breeders they know.

[RottsNScotts]

Hi and welcome! Having been a police officer, canine handler and now own/handle/train my own dogs for sport and show (injury retirement), I need to recommend that you separate your law enforcement career from your dog search in your mind. They should be totally separate goals in your mind. The best canine handlers are those people who were outstanding officers on their own and it takes time and dedication to accomplish that as you are starting, let alone raise a working patrol/SAR dog on top of it.

In addition, I can't address SAR dogs, having never worked one but I can tell you that no successful patrol dog was EVER a "beta" dog! Also, I have known several very successful female police dogs. The main reason you don't see many isn't their reluctance to leave their handler but that any female good enough to be a working patrol dog is generally kept for breeding unless she has a serious disqualifying fault, such as too many missing teeth; in that case she would be spayed and worked.

There are very few neutered male police dogs; generally, if they are neutered, it is in response to a specific problem and, I have to say, I didn't see it make much difference to the dog I knew that was WAY over the top. He was STILL way over the top after neutering - they had to line his patrol car in metal because he got so nuts, he would chew anything in reach! GSD with a female handler VBG!

I take my pups in to the vet's weekly for a weigh in, cookies and a scratch from the very beginning. That is why, to this day, when I have one dog in the vet's, the other 3 are in the van yelling that they want to come in too! I haven't been charged for this either as the staff and vets know that I am just making their life easier later!