Any and ALL advice needed...

[oneRottsmom]

I was given a Rottie today.. she's 10 months old. She was unwanted and uncared for by her owners who gave her to us.
They had her locked in a 12x12ft area since they got her 5 months ago. She only had social contact every couple days when they cleaned up her waste and gave her food and water.
These people were friends of mine and as soon as I found out a month ago what they were doing I started asking them if I could buy her. They finally just gave her to us today and I was more then thrilled to rush over and pick her up.
Any how she's here in my home now. She is very friendly and just as sweet and docile as can be. My questions are basically I know NOTHING about Rotts. She is untrained in any way and no house broken. I've got a Pitt Bull that we trained ourselves hourse breaking and command training. Is there anything about Rotts as a breed I need to take into account when training? Any advice at all regarding Rotts would be wonderful.

Thanks so much

Chell a new rottie mom:)

[marianne]

Welcome to the wonderful breed of Rottweilers! For starters,go through the archives. there is so much information in there it WILL make your head spin. Just be gentle with your girl. At 10 months she should have already gone into a first season? Hopefully she has been spayed. Give her as much time and love that you can. After you have gone through the archives come back and we'll try to answer specific questions. Opps what's her name?

[Storm]

Such negligence on behalf of these people grinds by bones. I would start by having the puppy checked out by a vet for a clean bill of health. Then educating oneself regarding the breed is a must, this forum is a great place for that. As mentioned do a search on puppies, socializing, training etc. There is tons of valuable info around here. I would also try to enroll in basic obedience classes ASAP. This is excellent not only for instilling obedience, but for building the relationship between you and your dog and remember it does not end once the first training period has ended. Rotties need a job and obviously they need the required attention and care. A well adjusted Rottie is a pleasure to have around, however it doesn't just happen. I'm glad the dog is in a home where he hopefully will have a better chance at life.:)

[Homerhomer]

First of all thanks for saving a life and welcome to the forum.
I would do temperament testing on her. I mean she was locked up by herself for the last 5 months so she really has no social skills. On the top of what other members already mentioned I would suggest getting The Idiots Guide to Rottweilers. There is also another general book about rotts that German Vanegas mentioned in another post, I can't recall the title right now.
Introduce her to the world but be carefull with that. Do you have a crate for her?
Good luck, keep us posted.
Your Friends......well I will keep the comments to myself, but they sure wouldn't be my friends any more.....

[KatMc]

Chell,

It's great that you have gotten a chance to enter the wonderful world of Rottweiler ownership (take that to mean being owned BY a Rottweiler...:D ).

The archives are a great place to pick up some information, but please don't hesitate to ask any question as the only dumb question is the one that's unasked.

You may have some challenges but in the end it's well worth the effort!

Good luck and keep us updated,

Kathy

[Deborah Reid]

Homerhomer said:

There is also another general book about rotts that German Vanegas mentioned in another post, I can't recall the title right now.

The Rottweiler Handbook. :)
Welcome Chell and congratulations on your new friend!!

[moondog]

Chell - Welcome to THE forums! :D

Rottweilers are wonderful dogs. They're smart, they're funny, they're willing and they're very capable. When given training, socialization and a place in your family, they will not disappoint. You'll come out the other side feeling very lucky to have one! ;)

The Rottweiler Handbook that was mentioned before is a really good reference book for the breed - easy to read and full of good information. Look for the post in this General Info forum by German Vanegas. The price is right, too - $10.00 :)

I wish you the best with your girl and keep us updated on how she's coming along! I bet she's darn happy she found you! :D

[delila]

Welcome oneRottsmom :)

Read, read, read. The archives here are worth more than their weight in gold. And there are tons of people here willing and able to try and help you, guide you, chat with you, whatever :)

Sit down relax and get ready to become a rottweiler addict, you think I am crazy but wait.

Congrats to you, welcome, and I am sure that we will talk soon :)

[oneRottsmom]

Thank you all for the friendly welcome.

I will be spending some time later tonight reading the archives for as much info as I can get.

Let me just briefly tell you my background with dogs.. I'm a foster mom for our local no kill rescue group, I usually have about 3 dogs here that I'm fostering at any time. My fosters have their own area of my 10 acre property. We have 3 of our own dogs a Pitt Bull, a Shep mix and a Yorkie (he's my 5yr olds) we also have cats, rabbits , horses and cows.

Rubix (the Rottie) is going to be kept in doors if all works out correctly. I'm sure that even after getting the books mentioned and reading the archives I will need advice so you'll see me often.
Oh yes to answer a couple of you asked if I have a crate for her.. yes.. I did buy her a crate last night. So far so good on the potty outside front she hasn't had an accident yet today and currently she's laying by my chair with her head resting on my feet. :)


Thanks again and I look forward to reading all your great advice in the future.

Chell

[KRISSIE]

Hi ONE ROTTSMOM,

Congratulations on the new addition to your family. You are just wonderful for saving this girl the way you did :) , the Rottweiler in my opinion is the BESt breed, they are loyal, loving , sweet, smart & protective. My home would never be without 1 or 2 ; lol.

I have a 4 year old female & a 11 week old male rotti, I have found that when I trained my female she was very quick to learn & eager to please. My male is a little more stubren; but he's learning. You can try training the female yourself , I'm sure she is very smart & will catch on quick but if you are having some trouble get her signed up in some training classes; also, there are a ton of good books out there all about Rotti's , pick one up I'm sure you will enjoy reading it.

Welcome to the Rottweiler Forum, you've come to the right place!
:D :) ;)

[livertw]

Bless you for rescuing your new furgrrrrrrrrrrrl! I too am a Rottmom by accident. A friend's bitch died giving birth, and my friend asked several friends to help her keep the pups alive. Well I never gave back my little foster baby, I just couldn't part with her after bottle feeding and bottom wiping her 'round the clock just like my own children. She's 13.5 months old now. Daisy is smart and sweet -- a couch-sitting, car riding, happy walking, tail (long) wagging buddy. I knew NOTHING about Rottweilers and found this forum and learned so much. Good luck and wet sloppy kisses for your new girl! :p

[AngelBunny]

oneRottsmom:

You've come to the right place for info, help & advice--everyone here is nuts about Rotties and will do their best to help you.

Having the vet check her out (& getting her spayed if she already isn't) is an excellent idea. Bring in a stool sample, too, to be sure she's free of internal parasites.

You have a kind heart--Rotties thrive in the company of their people and the life she was leading wasn't a life.

[Barbara Surplus]

Welcome, Chell, to this most wonderful forum. Your girl will repay you in spades for the many kindnesses you've shown her. These dogs have a loyalty and devotion to their owners like no other dog I've ever seen.

First and foremost, she's a dog and it sounds as though you have a pretty good understanding of what that's all about. Good luck with your girl. May you have many happy years ahead of you.
Barbara

[whitney greenway]

You picked a great place to come.
There is tons of information in the archives, tons more given everyday.
I am glad that you have your dog, good to know another one has been spared!
Best of luck~:) :)

Whitney

[Romeo'smom]

Hi Chell!

I've been a Rotti slave for a week now, and loving every minute of it. I have a five month old rescued puppy who was not taken the best care of and his owner was evicted and left the pup homeless. Lucky for me though he was socialized well. The owner at least introduced him to other dogs and people.

I have gotten a crate, and its been a lifesaver. Romeo has no manners and was allowed on furniture, including beds. I was worried about him hurting himself or something in the house by accident, he's a big old clutz and bumps into the coffee table and knocks stuff off of everything!

This forum is great! Everyone here is so nice and helpful. They've been such a wonderful resource for me while we are waiting to get into puppy school. We start next week, its the soonest we could get in and we had some things to work on.

The archives are wonderful. As soon as I found out I was getting him I started reading everything here I could find!

Best of luck with Rubix!