How to Care for a Rottweiler Puppy

Rottweilers or Rotties have gained a bad reputation for viciousness that they do not deserve. But because of this public perception, many areas such as New York City public housing ban Rottweilers. Be sure to check your local laws before bringing home a Rottweiler puppy. Rottweiler puppies need to begin training and socialization as soon as possible because they grow into 155 to 130 pound dogs and are very strong. They were bred to be so large and imposing in order to herd and move cattle and then became guard dogs, according to "ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs."

Things You'll Need

  • Dog bowl
  • Veterinarian
  • Puppy obedience classes
  • Collar or chest harness and leash
  • Fenced yard
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach the Rottweiler puppy to sit. This is the basic command that will help in more complicated commands later on in life. Puppies follow their noses. Show the Rottie its food bowl at the puppy's nose height. Raise the bowl over the puppy's head and slightly towards the back. The puppy will sit in trying to follow the bowl as you say "sit." Praise and immediately give food reward. Repeat a few times a day.

    • 2

      Take the Rottweiler to visit the veterinarian regularly. If the puppy's tail has been docked, check to see that the stump is not developing sores, called tail dock neuroma. Rottweilers are especially prone to catching the parvo virus, according to "ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs," so do not miss any parvo inoculations. Rottweiler puppies also bolt down food. They need to be supervised at least an hour after they eat a meal because Rottweilers are prone to a potentially deadly condition called bloat or "twisted stomach." If the puppy begins to retch but not vomit, has a swollen abdomen, drools and becomes very restless, get the puppy to a vet immediately.

    • 3

      Socialize your Rottie. A Rottweiler that is scared may bite, and need to attend puppy obedience classes. This will help the Rottweiler learn basic obedience skills in getting along with other dogs and strange people. While the Rottie is small, introduce the puppy to different situations such as riding in a car, listening to a vacuum cleaner run and watching children play. This gets the Rottie used to different situations.

    • 4

      Keep the Rottie puppy exercised. Walk the puppy with a collar and lead for at least a half hour a day or until the puppy begins panting. If the puppy pulls to the point where it is choking, use a chest harness instead. Play with the puppy in a fenced in yard so that the puppy gets to run. Keeping it exercised will keep the puppy healthy and help take away any excess energy that could discourage training sessions. A bored Rottie puppy with lots of energy could develop chewing problems.