New to Rottweilers

[funko]

Our son moved back into the house with a three year old Rot. he got from a friend and then moved out to a place where he could not take the dog with him - so we have a new member to our household now. We have allways had big dogs (sheperds & lab's) in the house and have no problem with this. She is the only dog here now and is very loveable. She is about three years old, not fixed (yet) and with a very good attidude. Her history is sparce, yet she will follow some basic commands (when she wants to). She acts as if she might have been abused in the past, cowers if you yell at her, etc. She has bonded with the family and seems very, but not overly, protective of my family after the past 3 months living here. Is there anything "special" I need to know or do with this breed of dog that is diffrent from other large breeds? Any information would help as we have become very attached to her.
Thanks in advance,
Funko

[summit]

In my opinion, I would begin with a refresher class in obedience. There is never a need to yell at a dog, she's likely not deaf. LOL Read, read and read some more. Glad to have you aboard, best of luck! :o)

[llwaxan]

Once you've had a Rottie, you never "go back"...lol.
Welcome and like Summit's pops suggested, search the forums and read.

[Trace]

Rottie's are quite unique. It seems as though you're doing the best thing by seeking information. There's a lot of information in the forums that will be helpful from nutrition to training. Also, there are a lot of great books out there about Rotts.

As summit suggested, both you and your girl would benefit greatly from getting into some obedience classes.

Good luck!

[HerculesMomma]

The best thing I ever did was take my adopted 3 yr old male rott to obedience class. It taught me how to be able to read my dogs behavior and it taught him to listen to me. I sincerely believe this is where our bond was built.

Good luck with your new girl!

[debbiej]

Welcome! There is a lot of information here that, as you browse and read, will help you learn about rotties.

They, like all dogs, come with different temperaments, but have many wonderful traits that seem to be unique to the breed. Having leadership and knowing their place to fill is very important to them. They are dignified and yet anxious to please, they love to have a 'job' and a place to fill. They are not dogs that can be ignored, they need to be part of the family. Training is of utmost importance; both to establish a bond between you and to establish leadership. A rottie that feels confident in it's owner's ability to make decisions about it's actions and place in the world is a happy rottie. Obedience classes at the very least are invaluable because there is a very real need to socialize your dog, so that she learns manners and is at ease around strangers and other dogs. good luck and enjoy your new girl!

[SABELLESMOM]

Most dogs cower if being yelled at. I've never laid a hand on any of mine and they purely wince uncontrollably if they're caught eating tissues or something...and I don't even yell, actually.

Go to class and build a relationship with her. You will never regret one minute of positive training time you put in with your dog. And the rewards are more than just the dog learning a few things.

Rottweilers are incredibly intellegent and like to please. Your girl will undoubtedly stand out from the rest as brilliant! Take the step and work with her, please. I've had GSD's, Belgians, Dobes, Labs, Spaniels...etc. I've FOUND my breed in Rottweilers.

[llwaxan]

Sablesmom---your sentiments about our breed could not have been stated any more simply or elegantly....

[AngelBunny]

I take it for your comment, "...not fixed (yet)..." you plan to spay her? This is an excellent thing to do with a pet.

In addition to the good comments you've gotten about signing yourself and your new addition up for a series of obed classes, is to practice NILIF with her. Do a search on NILIF--you'll find lots of good suggestions.

Another suggestion is to keep her lean. All my Rotties have been stomachs on legs masquerading as dogs, so if your girl is like mine, her interest in food is likely higher than what's good for her. There are many problems associated with obesity in dogs, just as there are in people.

Thank you for standing by the dog and not taking her to a shelter. As a person involved in rescue, I very much like this.

[hmeadq]

Our boy cowers when you even catch him doing anything wrong...

WE have never hit him and only VERY rarely yelled (just a couple embarrising times), he may have been abused before we got him at 4 months, but I think he just REALLY wants to please us....