The Second Dog Dilemma

[rsunny]

Hello everyone,

First of all, Wonderfully maintained forum, when the account was waiting for activation,i got a chance to go through some threads and topics, VERY professional and clean. Kudos to everyone involved.

Now to the topic

We (me, Wife and Christy, a 2 year old Lab girl) are a happy family. We always wanted a second dog and ever since we were introduced to "Butch", a friend's Rott, we have no doubts about which breed we would want. Now, we live in an apartment, we are both working, but we FIND time for Christie. Walks, Runs on the terrace, outside and indoor fetch games.

Right now we are offered a Rott pup, almost 2 months old, we want him too.

1) How will he/she be as a mostly indoor dog?
2) How will he/she get along with the Lab girl. (She is a darling, because we had a boxer pup with us for a month and the Lab was NEVER a problem)
3) We ourselves trained the lab, and shes an obedient girl and we are proud too. Will that experience do for training the Rott.

Thanks everyone on advance.
Regards

[brunie's mom]

I would pass on the Rottweiler puppy. If you are both working....it's too long a day for a puppy to be alone, and very hard to housetrain a puppy when no one is home. Also very hard to housetrain a puppy living in an apartment. You must be taking puppy outside every hour or so and up during the night at least once for the first month or so.

An older Rottweiler would probably work out fine....something 3 year old or older.
Training is much more important with a Rottweiler, because they can be bossy, and pushy....and not as easy going as a Lab. Formal obedience classes are a must for this breed.

Why don't you look at your local Rottweiler Rescue or shelter or petfinder to find a mature male dog. A male would be the best fit in your home.

Gina

[rsunny]

We have already faced the same situation with the Lab and we managed to train her. We would adjust our schedules and do the needful, eg; one leaving early , coming home at noon and going back, one leaving late to work....

My worries are about how both of them would be together, would there be any issues with that? And also how would a Rott be as a proper indoor dog.

Cheers

[rsunny]

We could take turns for the housebreaking, as we did with the lab, quite successfully. We are more worried about how would he/she be comfortable as an indoor dog and how well are Rotts with other dogs.
cheers

[rsunny]

And as for training, we could always enroll him/her , that shouldnt be an issue too.
Thanks

[AngelBunny]

I'm with brunie's mom on this. Just as young children don't learn anything by being left by themselves for hours at a time, neither do young puppies. With your FT work schedules (I assume you both work FT??) that puppy will be left by himself for much too long each day.

I've been active in Rottie rescue for about 10 years. Based on what you posted (and assuming you both work FT) my rescue group wouldn't adopt such a young puppy to you.

If you think Rotties are the breed for you, why not volunteer for Rottie rescue operating in your area? You'll get first-hand experience with the breed and you'll be doing something very valuable.

Based on my involvement with the breed (my only breed of dog since 1984) I would not encourage anyone try to train a Rottie w/o professional help. This is especially true for first time Rottie owners. (My rescue group, btw, requires that people who adopt from us--regardless of their experience and the level of training of their adopted dog (and some of the dogs are quite well trained) that the owner take the dog to obed classes.)

[gilby00]

I raised a rottie in a one bedroom apt and it worked out fine. however I was able to go home 2-3 during the day and spend a little time with the pup, I also spent every evening playing and training. if you can do the same thing, then i'd say it's possible, but if you can't i'd go along with the others who gave advice before me and go with a older rescue. They need love too. also i'd check with your apt mgr about having a rottie. just because they let you have a lab doesn't mean they'll allow a rottie

[hokisteph5]

It is true that puppies are a lot of work and an older puppy or adult dog may be the best fit. It's also true that most rescues won't adopt out puppies unless someone's home during the day. However, depending on your work schedules, it could work.

My brother and SIL now have 2 boxers, bought from a breeder. Each time they brought the puppy home they both worked full-time. They took turns coming home during lunch or their breaks to let him out.

Also, to answer your first question, I would say Rotties have no issues being an indoor dog. I exercise my two by taking them for walks or swimming in a nearby lake.

When I'm not exercising them, though, they're inside with me during the day while I work from home. They may play a little, but for the most part they're content to be couch potatoes.

[debbiej]

Hi and welcome! I can so completely understand how you want a rottie.

I have not had a rottie pup, so I can't address the hours/work issues. I can say that rotties are the best indoor dogs I've ever had. they do need exercise, but mine are happy as long as I am with them.

Rotties need to go to class. you may be the best trainer in the world, but they still need the experience of working around other dogs. I swear they enjoy being in a class setting, showing off how smart they are. they need to do something, they seem to need a purpose. taking a rottie to some kind of class is about the best way to spend an evening that I can think of. and the dogs love and need it.

I too agree a male would be the better choice, if you are going to have two dogs.

that brings me to my last point. I have 2 rotties, I wouldn't trade either of them for anything, but having 2 dogs is a huge jump in effort from having one. walks should be separately, training too, vet bills, food, time....everything increases. your lab will not get as much attention either. So while I totally understand your feelings, because I had them too (and got a 2nd rottie) remember your life will get a lot more complicated.

rottweilers are smart dogs with a work ethic. they are challenging and very, very rewarding. IMO, they take owning a dog to a whole new level with their intelligence, willingness and loyalty. They are amazing, they come into your life to share it, they are dedicated and loyal companions and you have to be there for them.

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by rsunny

how well are Rotts with other dogs.

If properly socialized they should be fine. My male's "best friend" when he was a puppy was a female yellow lab.

Here's a thread that explains why it's better to have your 2 dogs be of the opposite sex.

Originally Posted by rsunny

My worries are about how both of them would be together, would there be any issues with that?

My advice would be constant supervision for at least the first few months. If you're not able to be there then the puppy/dog is crated.

[QuietDaze]

I'm kind of surprised that some of you are assuming that he won't have time for a the puppy simply because they both work and live in an apartment.

If they've had the lab since she was a puppy then I'm sure they have the housebreaking routine that they use in order. They also have adapted to living in an apartment with a large dog that needs exercise. It sounds like those factors are already decided, what he seems to want to know is if the Rottie is going to get along with his lab and if he's going to destroy his apartment. That's what I get out of the question.

Other dogs? My dog LOVES other dogs but I made sure to socialize him with other dogs, we went to a puppy class with a few other puppies and he experienced seeing other dogs on a regular basis. Rotties are more prone to be dog aggressive but a lot of that depends on how you raise him. Having a female 2 years older is good. Being willing to take him to class is good. More important than even class is attitude. In my experience Rottie's are more dominant and challenging. They will take advantage of a weakness from the very beginning so that is something no one told me as a first time Rottie owner. The experience with the lab will give you a leg up, but you'll probably have to make some adjustments.

And again, as far as being a proper indoor dog? I'm not sure what your definition of proper is but my dog is pretty good inside. He didn't get an opportunity to destroy anything because he was crated until he was about 2 years old. He's 4 now but it wasn't until last year that I don't crate him at all, ever. They need plenty of stimulation and rules. We are pretty strict in my house, even more so than I was with my ridgeback. My suggestion is also to crate him until he can be trusted. You'll want to crate him in any event because 1-helps with housebreaking since you can't take him out every hour and 2-he needs to be kept separate from your Christy. Someone already said it but definitely check with your apartment manager about having a Rottie. Most will not allow it here in the States.

Also, if you're living in an apartment I hope you're on the bottom floor if you plan on having 2 big dogs running around.

[tla0126]

I have a Rott and a Chow, they get along great... They play and play and play. I had a rott in a 650 ft apartment. It never made ANY difference to him that we didn't have a backyard. Plenty of exercise through walks was more than enough for him. He's an inside dog through and through. I do agree with QuietDaze though, Beau (my rott) was crated when I was gone and at night until he was 1 1/2. At that time, I let him sleep in my room and he was crated when I was gone. He finally got crate free priveleges when he was 2. Sometimes he needs reminding though and goes to the crate for a "visit". I think it's doable, but make sure you will be 1000% devoted or you will regret you might regret your decision...