New to this site...

[summit]

Hello Everyone!

We are previous owners of two beautiful Rotties which have both passed on...we are now expecting a new baby boy to come home tomorrow and would appreciate any insight you may have regading raising a Rottie from puppyhood. As states before we have had two Rotties n the past, BUT, we now have four very young children in our home and need to know what to expect within the first few weeks. (Introductions to child and child to dog, etc. )

[ElsasFamily]

Oh you'll have so much fun, and work and more fun and a lot more work.

I would expect the pup to whine a bit for the first couple of evenings at home. Do you have a crate for puupy to sleep in? Too sleep a lot too.

Also, its best to also supervise children and dog. Neither knows what is exceptable behavior. You'll have lots of training to do for both.

Have fun, and please post pictures when you can.
~Kim

[summit]

Hi Kim,

Thanks for your reply...yes we do have crates. I am glad you mentioned all the work! We figure it will be quite an endeavor, but we are very excited as well. As an aside, we live just outside Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but as a child I lived in Leesburg, VA. and visited Manasas. We were only there for a few years, but I remember great beauty and lovely weather!

Summit (Sherri & John)

[Odoyle Rulz]

My rottie is now 6 months old and my daughter is now 14 months old, the only problem I had with him when he was a smaller puppy, was wanting to be the center of our attention and always wanting to be between us and the baby and would sometimes knock her down, but we broke him of that and everything has been great, he loves to let her play on him and all he ever will do is lick her face. Good luck with your new puppy

[ElsasFamily]

Sherri and John-
Next time you are in the area you should let me know. Elsa and I love to walk the Battle Field. We could use the company of another.

[JonandMichelle]

How old are your children?

[summit]

Our kids are 1 2 4 and6

[JonandMichelle]

Skip the thought on the first few weeks and think long term. I am a firm believer that children need/must be taught rules and learn respect towards the animals in the household. This should installed now and continue through out childhood. Next, supervision is a must. When there is supervision 110% at all times, there should be no room for error. Common sense plays a roll too. You should never allow your children to be on the same level as your new puppy. For example, on the floor. Do not allow your new puppy to crawl all over your children. Do not allow your older children to play tug with the pup. Do not expect your children (older ones) to correct your puppy. This is your job, not your childrens. You must teach your puppy to respect your children. Puppies will be puppies though. They will nip and tug and will want to chase and will get the zoomies. Again, this is where supervision and common sense will come into play. I have always taught my puppies from day one key phrases when it came to my children. Such as "baby, easy or together as easy-baby." This was their signal to calm down, be aware, and to approach gently. As you should know from owning two before, this breed is very trainable and smart. For your situation, it is easier as you are bringing a new puppy into the family rather a new baby into a household with a dog. The ideal situation should be you preparing the whole family for the arrivial. Going over the do's and don'ts. Going over house rules with the puppy. Knowing when puppy needs it's space, i.e, during rest, eating, playing with a toy. Knowing not to run in the house around new puppy, as this will trigger a chase response that could turn into a very scary situation for both children and puppy.
I'm a firm believer children and puppies (Rottweilers) can grow up in harmony if raised, trained, supervised, and taught mutual respect. It takes a lot of hard work, time and dedication but it's a beautiful thing when it all comes together.

[JuneyB]

Welcome Sherri & John....from another Calgarian!!!!

You guys are gonna be busy, busy, busy. And there are tons of threads here on puppy development; training and interaction with young children. Read, read, read and do your research.

And if you ever need a babysitter.......lol

June

[summit]

Thank you very much for your reply. We have spoken with our children about the Do's and Don'ts regarding the puppy (not nagged) and they understand so far. It is nice to hear confirmation from someone who already has experience with kids and puppies. We never experienced any problems with our other Rotties around small children as we laid down a solid foundation with them when they were puppies and throughout their adult lives. We too, feel supervision is key as well as mutual respect. Thanks again, any further information or ideas are welcome and appreciated.

[summit]

Thank you! We've read tons of books and are now onto threads such as yours. Appreciate the encouragement and offer of babysitting services...willing to take the kids or the dog??? lol

[JuneyB]

Definitely both!!!

From time to time my house has been overrun by stray dogs/cats & kids...and that was way before I ever heard about official "fostering"!!!!

Course..I might have to turn the teens over to ya for a day or so....not the dog, he's well trained!!!!

[summit]

An overrun house is all we know between our kids and all the other kids on block thinking our home is a running block party seems like a fun time for a new pup.Very busy but lots of fun.Picking up the new boy today were all so excited. Thanks again !!!