Rotti Advice before I buy/adopt

[Rocmistro]

Hi fellow Rotti-lovers.

I've been doing a lot of research on the breed and want to get your thoughts and advice on my particular situation.

I love dogs; I love big dogs in particular and Rottweilers especially. Something about them gets me fired up. Big, massive, noble, courageous. Despite all the bad press I read about and hear about, I don’t think I have ever personally met or witnessed an ill-behaved Rott. So it makes me very sad to hear, as my research has shown me, all the bad that there is surrounding these dogs and the misperception. I am buying a new house soon, hope to be closing within a month, and the first addition to my new home will be, you guessed it, a dog, and hopefully a Rottweiler. This is where I want your advice, because I’m determined to not be an owner who will fail this wonderful breed and all you other good Rotti owners as well.

So about me: I’m a big confident guy, 8 years in the Marine Corps and I don’t think I’ll have any problems physically with the dog or establishing basic dominance. I’m financially secure and shouldn’t have any problems with basic care unless something tragic happens that ends up costing me thousands of dollars in surgery.

I am adopting my mother’s cat. He’s a good guy, a little on the old side. He doesn’t act like “prey”; he’s been socialized to other dogs and is content to sleep on their backs and snuggle with them. My mom’s Shar-pei and the cat play together, and I’ve seen the Shar-pei take ½ the cat’s body into his mouth to lick him and nuzzle him. It’s kind of cute actually.

Issue 1:
Anyway, a Shar-pei is not a Rotti and I’d like to know if in general that means there will be problems socializing a Rott to a cat. Any suggestions how to go about this?

Issue 2:
I work 9 to 6. I have no kids and no wife, so there will be no one home during the day. Does modern dog owning philosophy consider it fair to have a home alone all day, crated or otherwise? There is a part of me that feels horrible doing this, although I’ve seen other people do it successfully. I don’t know if Rottis are a good breed for this. Once I get home, however: playtime. Walks, running around. I’m an active guy and I plan on taking my dog with my just about everywhere.

Issue 3:
In light of issue 2, one of my possible solutions was to get 2 Rottis so they would have each other for companionship while I’m away. Is this a good idea? If I get pups at the same time (littermates) can I expect them to get along for most of their lives? If I decide to adopt/rescue 2 Rottis (this is actually what I would prefer to do) can I expect 2 non-litter mates to get along with each other? Should I try to get a specific combination of sexes?

So I guess those are my major concerns and I look forward to hearing your advice on these issues. Again, I’m committed to having Rottis brought up correctly, so any other advice or ideas you have, I’m game to hear.

Thanks!

[brunie's mom]

Welcome! Glad that you are asking questions before you consider adopting a dog.

Sounds like you have put in alot of thought..and I think you would make a good dog owner.

An adult dog will be fine alone for the hours you work. Please do not think of getting a puppy, and forget about getting two puppies at the same time. They will spend their time alone, and will bond to one another. They will need an extra ordinary amount of time to train and bond with two puppies..almost impossible for someone that works full time and lives alone.

I would suggest you get in touch with your local Rottweiler rescue...and look for a young, or middle aged dog to adopt. A dog that does well with cats. Most rescues have dogs living in foster homes and can tell you the info you need to know before adopting.
Rottweilers and cats do fine in most homes...as long as the cat has a good exit plan and a room that the dog cannot bother the cat in.

I would also find out if your home owners insurance will allow you to have a Rottweiler...many companies do not.

If you do get a nice dog, then get the dog enrolled into obedience classes, and when it's all trained an settled in your home (a year or two), then think of adding an opposite sex dog to your home. Opposite sexes do best in most homes.

Gina

[Shelby427]

I concur with Gina. A puppy wouldn't do that great in your home as you work a lot. Puppies that are 8 weeks old have to go outside to eliminate every hour on the hour during the first few weeks, then taken out every couple of hours to be properly house-trained. An older dog would be a better fit.

Do NOT get two puppies at once. This is a misconception that they need a 'friend' it's difficult to own and properly train two puppies at one time. They tend to bond to each other and not to you, which is what you want. Get one dog first, then after the dog is reliably trained, then think about getting another one.

Also, be sure to enroll in OB classes for the first couple of years. Rotties are a working breed and need stuff to do to keep them stimulated and happy (and tired).

And totally not trying to be a jerk, but Rotties are not meant to be a massive breed, so please run from any "breeder" that tries to sell you a pup from a sire that is 140lbs. It's a common thing for new rottie people to think 'bigger is better' so they fall for the BS that BYBs hand out. Good luck!

[tla0126]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

I would also find out if your home owners insurance will allow you to have a Rottweiler...many companies do not.
Gina

Good Point... I work at an Insurance agency, and although we don't insure with rotties =(, I know for a fact that State Farm and Traveler's both do! So, you are definately not optionless!!! Good luck and I'm glad to hear you are thinking of adopting an adult pup. My boyfriend and I just did that and now he has a forever home!

[targonrotts]

first, check if your homeowners or your area of new home has any rottweiler restrictions.
then for your issues...
1. cat. a puppy can be brought up with a cat if socialized right. an adult rescue who had cats can also work out with proper introductions and socialization.
2.work hours. i have done it, as i also live alone. it's not impossible but harder. try to come home for lunch, get a pet sitter or walker, meet your new neighbor. yes, it is easier with an adult or older pup than a young pup. it is harder to housebreak and train if too young. right now i am on lunch break, came home to let my 4 dogs out.
3. no, get one dog at a time. 2 tend to bond with each other instead of you and work is double to train and socialize. when older and trained, then if you can handle it, it may be a thought. opposite sex is best.
4. add on. when you are with your dog, spend lots of time with him, train and socialize! exercise makes a less destructive dog.

welcome to the forums, you are getting some good advice here!

[Ramses' Dad]

Originally Posted by targonrotts

first, check if your homeowners or your area of new home has any rottweiler restrictions.
then for your issues...
1. cat. a puppy can be brought up with a cat if socialized right. an adult rescue who had cats can also work out with proper introductions and socialization.
2.work hours. i have done it, as i also live alone. it's not impossible but harder. try to come home for lunch, get a pet sitter or walker, meet your new neighbor. yes, it is easier with an adult or older pup than a young pup. it is harder to housebreak and train if too young. right now i am on lunch break, came home to let my 4 dogs out.
3. no, get one dog at a time. 2 tend to bond with each other instead of you and work is double to train and socialize. when older and trained, then if you can handle it, it may be a thought. opposite sex is best.
4. add on. when you are with your dog, spend lots of time with him, train and socialize! exercise makes a less destructive dog.

welcome to the forums, you are getting some good advice here!

^^^Good Advice!! ^^^
I own 6 dogs myself and have gone through all this from the start. My rottie was raised from the time he was a pup with other dogs in the house and cats...he loves them all. As far as leaving the dog/s alone for most of the day, it is correct a big dog will do much better. But the problem in getting a bigger dog is that you do not always know the dogs history. While i have had success in rescuing before, i personally really found it beneficial to work with my rottie from six weeks. But it may turn out just fine adopting. There are some wonderful rotties out there that for whatever reasons have been surrendered. if you do buy a puppy, make sure to meet the dogs parents. This is very important for many reasons. One is temperament and the other is making sure of the health conditions and family environment and so on. When it does come time to get another dog i have some advice that may be pretty helpful. When getting a "playmate" for my rottie (male), i wanted to make sure that there wouldnt be dominance issues. So, i bought a golden retriever (a male). A dog that is naturally more submissive than the rottie but can still handle the massive size and they are the best friends in the whole world. I myself have personally had more issues with my female dogs over the years. As far as you being able to handle the dog you will be just fine. My girlfriend runs with my rottie everyday. Just make sure you train the dog from a young age. Hope this is helpful!- Matt

[fostermom]

I have a multile dog home (mostly rotts), and foster primarily rotts and rott mixes...I also have six cats. THE only dog I fostered that was cat aggressive was a german shepherd. I absolutely agree that an adult dog would be best...the fosters I bring into my home are all adults and do fine with my cats. I would leash the dog to you initially until you trust the dog's behavior around cats...I would not allow any chasing (again, leashing prevents that), and I would not allow the cat and dog to be together when you are not home (put the cat in one of the bedrooms until you get home). If the dog has fostered in a home with cats, chances are he or she will do fine with your cat but I would still do the precautions I mentioned above. Many shelters will test dogs with cats as well so that may be a good option too.
Thank you for considering adoption...there are many great dogs needing homes, and one (of many) advantage of adopting an adult is that you can really see what his temperment is.

[Ayoka]

I think you're asking the right questions.

The only think I could add, is get a book on training to read up on before you get a dog, I never realised just how much training was needed until I got into, luckily I LOVE it and find dog behaviour fascinating so I do a lot of reading. There are a few good general books like dog training for dummies and rottweilers for dummies.

The more up to speed you are on potential training issues with a new dog (housetraining, destructiveness, nipping etc.) the better equipped you will be able to deal with those things. A lot of owners fail their dogs because they don't understand that "training" is more than obedience class, it's teaching a dog to live peacefully with the other animals in the house and be well behaved around people. Also,...being a "big" guy has nothing to do with being a good trainer It's about being mature, fair and consistent. Anyone who keeps those 3 things in mind while training can handle any dog, no matter the size.

Also, another thing to think ahead about if you decide to get a dog is who would care for the dog if you had to travel for work etc. A lot of people get a dog not realising that even going away for a weekend means you need to arrange alternative care and that you HAVE to go home after work to let the dog out instead of doing happy hour with friends. Not that you can't do those things but I think the people that think ahead about that stuff (and plan accordingly for care) are likely going to have a dog for the duration of it's lifetime.

[CanineCoach]

You are asking good questions and getting good advice. I want to second or third the opinion NOT to get two pups at once. It's not double your fun, it's double your trouble. You need to work hard on forming that bond with one dog and let him/her be the pup before you get another one. It seems like a good idea, especially if you are gone all day, but there is just no way for your pup to bond as closely with you as he will with the other pup given the opportunity!

The other issues can be negotiated. I commend your commitment!

[Xena's Daddy]

Hey, welcome aboard! First of all I'd like to say that I agree with Bruniesmom that you sound like you'll be a good dog owner. You're asking all the right questions, and at the right time......BEFORE getting a dog!! If only everyone would do that...............

Secondly, I think you're getting all the right advice so far, so all I can do is offer is my own personal experience.

You sound a lot like myself when I was first considering getting my girl. They're my favorite dogs, but are they right for me, what about the liability, what about puppy hood, I live alone & work full-time, do I get two, and so on.

Well, after a lot of research, (4-books & LOTS of internet reading!!) I found out that a Rottweiler was actually well-suited for a guy like myself. (Great news!!) I'm also a big, confident, authoritative, & active guy, yet fair & consistant. These dogs need love AND guidance. If you can give both, I think you'll do well.

As far as housebreaking the puppy, I found that to be fairly easy. (I don't know, I may have gotten lucky!) I trained her to go in only one place in the yard (A small wooded area I have on my property), and after 2-weeks of consistant reminders & encouragement, she had that 100% licked. She has not gone 'potty' in my grass since she was 3 1/2 months old!! (She's 7 now!!) As far as being at home alone while I was at work, she was always able to hold herself without a problem. (?)

She spent the first month in her crate while I was at work and at night. Then she was confined to the gated kitchen for the next couple of months during the day, but remained crated at night. She was granted the freedom to sleep with Daddy instead of the crate at 6-months of age, and was worthy of total freedom in the house at all times by 8-months. I lost very little during that time. (1 pair of cheap shoes, 2 books, a Christmas ornament......oh, and a Playstation game) She learned quickly that I don't like it when she eats my things, so that was nipped in the bud. Oh yeah, she did take a 'lick' at my food once........ONCE!! LOL..........anyway,

I began her training early on with puppy kindergarten for basic sit/stay commands & socialization. After that, we continued her training w/ general obiedience. I wanted to do more advanced training with her, but the truth is I'm kind of a busy guy, and she learned so much so quickly that it didn't really seem necessary. (I had no plans of showing her or doing agility........although I thought about it!) She's been a great dog ever since. She's so in tune with me, (And I with her) she hangs on my every word, does NOT touch my stuff, waits to see (from me) if she can do something or not.....BEFORE she does it! She's always looking to me for approval, a real gem. (They ARE the best dogs!)

Also, I took her EVERYWHERE with me, so although she was at home alone a lot of the time waiting for me to get off of work, once I got there we always found somewhere to go. Even now, she runs over to the door everytime I grab my keys just to see if she's coming on this trip. If not, she calmly strolls over to the middle of the living room & lays down like a good girl. She's always there to greet me at the door when I come home & acts like it's been a week since she's last seen me!

And as far as cats go, her best friend growing up was my Mom's cat! They would play together for hours on end, without a single aggression incident or injury. My girl happens to be a very happy, friendly dog who never really has a problem with anybody. And my Mom's cat was also a 10-year old, non-prey moving creature, so I think that helped a bit.

Well, I wish you the best of luck on your research & hope you come to a comfortable decision! Please post if you decide to adopt......and include some pictures!!
Regards,
MK

[jlhnokc]

"if you do buy a puppy, make sure to meet the dogs parents. This is very important for many reasons. One is temperament and the other is making sure of the health conditions and family environment and so on. When it does come time to get another dog i have some advice that may be pretty helpful. When getting a "playmate" for my rottie (male), i wanted to make sure that there wouldnt be dominance issues. So, i bought a golden retriever (a male). A dog that is naturally more submissive than the rottie but can still handle the massive size and they are the best friends in the whole world. I myself have personally had more issues with my female dogs over the years. As far as you being able to handle the dog you will be just fine. My girlfriend runs with my rottie everyday. Just make sure you train the dog from a young age. Hope this is helpful!- Matt"

Sorry, but this advice is quite off. If you decide to buy a puppy, read up on the forums about purchasing a puppy and make sure to buy from a COE breeder. A COE breeder will not always have both parents. And meeting the dogs parents one time will not give you any idea of what their temperment is or health conditions. Also, have same sex dogs is NOT a good idea no matter what breed they are.

[Ramses' Dad]

Sorry, but this advice is quite off. If you decide to buy a puppy, read up on the forums about purchasing a puppy and make sure to buy from a COE breeder. A COE breeder will not always have both parents. And meeting the dogs parents one time will not give you any idea of what their temperment is or health conditions. Also, have same sex dogs is NOT a good idea no matter what breed they are.[/quote]

I have 6 dogs of same sex, all male, with zero issues. and i purchased my golden from a highly regarded breeder that that was recommended to me by other well known breeders in my area. he did not have the parents on site. while it is true in many cases it is not necessary, it does provide a nice piece of mind. In my case it turns out my golden's parents both had pretty sever medical issues leaving my golden with severe hip dysplasia, skin conditions, and undescended testicles. So, it would have been nice to know that first hand. Never mind that he was a highly regarded AKC breeder. People are people. It was later discovered he was engaging in cruel backyard breeding practices unbeknownst to everyone for years! made local news in las vegas. so NO, the advice is not off

[Rocmistro]

[quote=Ayoka;811338]Also,...being a "big" guy has nothing to do with being a good trainer It's about being mature, fair and consistent. QUOTE]


And thankfully, I don't think that. What I do think being a 'big guy' helps in is restraining the dog when he decides the little old lady in the cane would be a good playmate or pulling on the leash. I also think it helps in the perception of the outside world to the breed/owner. "Ah...that guy is big, he can handle that Rott if it decides to lunge on his leash, so I don't feel weird about walking on the same side of the street as he does".

That kind of thing.

[Rocmistro]

Originally Posted by Shelby427

And totally not trying to be a jerk, but Rotties are not meant to be a massive breed, so please run from any "breeder" that tries to sell you a pup from a sire that is 140lbs. It's a common thing for new rottie people to think 'bigger is better' so they fall for the BS that BYBs hand out. Good luck!

No jerkyness taken, Shelby. And I don't think i'll be buying a puppy anyway, based on what I've read here. I'm just about 99% committed to rescuing one. But the massive comment...was more about their heads in particular. They just have such big fat massive heads! I love em.

[moondog]

Here's my 2¢!

First and foremost, in my experience Rottweilers LOVE Marines, LOL! I've had two Rottweilers, and my son was also in the Marine Corps (7 years). Not only have both my dogs (owned at separate times) adored my big, tough, Krav Maga student, good hearted Marine of a son, but all his big, tough, Krav Maga student, good hearted Marine friends as well. So you've got that covered. My Luna used to love to take turns body slamming the kickboxing punching bag in the garage with my son...LOL...and she was a sweetheart of a Rottweiler.

Second, I've always had one dog, one cat. If you have a good "dog" cat, you should have no serious problems. My cat loves to wrestle with Chili, and is usually the instigator of any horseplay between them. Chili has learned how far to take it (through my supervision), and has developed an attitude of amusement at the kitty's efforts to "take her down".

Third, a Shar Pei is strong-minded like a Rottweiler, but I think you'll find (as I have - having a Shar Pei in our office each day) that a Rottweiler is MUCH more receptive and responsive to direction, hahaha.

And finally, an adult dog that receives adequate interaction/companionship when you are not at work will simply sleep the day away, so I don't consider that a problem, either.