Although classified as a 2nd category dog, the Rottweiler is not a naturally a bad dog or predisposed to aggression.
Although this dog is well balanced and consistently trained by its owner, its ” dangerousness ” is due more to its imposing size and strength than to its temperament, which is not naturally that of a dog that ” attacks everything that moves ” as conveyed by a whole host of preconceived ideas about it.
Characteristics of the Rottweiler
The Rottweiler belongs to breed group No. 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer, Hound, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs.
Of German origin, the Rottweiler is a very old breed originally intended for guarding and driving cattle, which is why this dog generally has very little difficulty living with cattle or even horses in stables, for example.
Furthermore, the Rottweiler is a large dog that can measure up to 70 cm at the withers and weigh up to 50 kg. These are data that should also be taken into account before adopting a Rottweiler, because not everyone can manage and support (physically and financially) such a large dog.
The Rottweiler: victim of a bad reputation
The Rottweiler is a breed somewhat mistreated by a false reputation as a bad dog, especially because of unscrupulous breeders who have favored and encouraged the reproduction of more or less stable balanced subjects. These practices have also contributed to classify the Rottweiler among the dogs categorized as dangerous. In fact, the Rottweiler, purebred or not, is part of the dogs of 2nd category.
Thus, in addition to learning about the physical and behavioral characteristics of the Rottweiler before adopting it, it is important to also be aware of the obligations associated with the acquisition of such a breed (possession permits, evaluation tests, regulations, discrimination, etc.).
As with all categorized dogs, it is necessary that a Rottweiler be adopted by owners who are aware of the work that needs to be done to deconstruct the bad (and false) reputation associated with this breed.
The Rottweiler, a dog that needs clear and consistent rules of life
The Rottweiler is a dog that can sometimes show a strong temperament and, it will then be more than ever necessary to set up clear and coherent rules of life at home.
These living rules concern the management of food, contacts and space. These three resources are indeed key resources for a dog and his master must make his dog understand that it is up to him to manage them so that the dog does not feel invested with the duty to take care of them and to take himself for the “boss” at home.
Thus, with a Rottweiler (as with another dog), it will be necessary to take care of:
Ø manage his access to food by feeding him after his masters (or at least one hour before them), in a room where he will be left alone during his meal. The bowl should be left for a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes. Beyond this time, the bowl should be removed whether he has finished it or not.
Ø Manage access to “privileged” areas of the house. It will be necessary to provide a comfortable bed for your Rottweiler, placed in a family living room so that it is not isolated from the group but in a place where it will not be able to watch all the comings and goings of the inhabitants of the home. In the same vein, access to the sofa will have to be regulated. This means that it is not compulsory to strictly forbid him to get on the sofa (this is an educational choice on your part) but to make him get off it on your indication. If he is reluctant to get off, then a strict ban on getting back on the sofa is justified, especially if you have young children who could come and “tickle” the dog while he is on the sofa.
Ø Managing contact with your dog. Make sure that you always take the initiative in contacts with your Rottweiler. Never respond to his requests for cuddles or to play with him. Instead, send him to his basket and call him back a few minutes later, when your dog has moved on, to offer him a cuddle or a play session.
To be well understood by the dog, these rules must be coherent, shared by all members of the family and respected in the same way by all, day after day.
Rottweiler and children:
 |
| Photo: Twenty20 |
The Rottweiler is not a breed of dog that attacks children more. Nevertheless, when this happens, the power of the jaws of these hounds does a lot of damage, causing dramas that make the headlines in the media. Yet most of these accidents could have been avoided if safety rules had been put in place at home. A dog rarely (if ever) bites for no reason and often the accident occurs when the child comes; “bothering” the dog when it is in its basket. If your children are old enough to understand this, also set up rules with them by teaching them not to bother the Rottweiler when it is in its basket. And no matter how old your children are, never leave them alone with the dog unattended, even for a few seconds.
The indispensable socialization of the Rottweiler
Like all Rottweilers, if the dog is socialized from an early age, there is no reason for it to be fearful or aggressive towards other dogs, humans or other animals around it.
From its first months, get your Rottweiler used to being around all types of animals and all types of people (adults, children, people of different sizes, walking with a cane…). Unfortunately, his categorization makes him a dog ” disabled ” from congenital contacts since he must always be kept on a leash and muzzled: which greatly biases encounters. Thus, it is in a private setting that the Rottweiler should have a maximum of positive and regular canine experiences so that he can maintain and develop his canine codes.
This socialization is all the more important to attenuate a guard instinct, generally well developed in the Rottweiler.
The particularities of Rottweiler training
The Rottweiler is a dog like any other that can be trained according to the principles of positive education.
If it is essential to teach his Rottweiler all the basics of obedience, it is also necessary, during his education, to put special emphasis on:
Ø learning how to walk on a leash. As a 2nd category dog, the Rottweiler will not have the opportunity to be walked in freedom. Given his size and power, teaching him to walk on a leash without pulling is therefore essential. And, in order to be able to socialize the Rottweiler as much as possible in different environments, different noises, different situations, etc. it will be important to be able to take it everywhere and walk it in different places. So, for the Rottweiler to be able to go on outings, it will be necessary to teach the Rottweiler to walk on a leash without pulling and to support the muzzle, and this from a young age.
Ø learning how to give up indications such as leave, stop, etc. These indications will help you to be able to control your dog in any situation.
Ø the positive habituation to wearing the muzzle. The law obliges the owners of Rottweilers to equip them with a muzzle when they accompany their master on the public highway, on public transport, in public places and, more generally, in premises open to the public as well as in the common parts of collective buildings… in other words: everywhere except in a private place. It will therefore be necessary to choose a comfortable muzzle for the dog (preferably of the Baskerville type) and to succeed in making the dog consider it as an accessory “positive”, associated with the pleasure of walking, in the same way as his leash or collar. Our article entitled “Getting your dog used to wearing a muzzle” may help you do this.
To facilitate the education of the Rottweiler as well as to meet his physical and mental needs, don’t forget to offer him nice daily walks.
The Rottweiler will not be a particularly difficult dog to train, if the master’s attitude is consistent, firm and fair and if all his needs are met, he will be able to cooperate with great pleasure. The Rottweiler is such a faithful, loyal and in-demand dog that he will love to spend time working with his master on various exercises, if these make sense, of course. His enthusiasm for listening, interacting and executing “orders” makes him a particularly gifted dog for various canine activities such as swimming, tracking or obedience.
On the other hand, avoid all high-impact canine sports where the dog has to jump, which are not adapted to the size of the Rottweiler. This can both strengthen his education, enrich the relationship he has with his master and above all expend his great energy. On the other hand, avoid all high-impact dog sports where the dog is led to jump, which are not well adapted to the size of the Rottweiler.
Finally, in order to well train a Rottweiler you must:
Ø Ignore the clichés related to his breed,
Ø consider him as he is rather than as a bad dog,
Ø accept the obligations associated with its categorization,
Ø to set limits on him from an early age,
Ø teach him to accept the muzzle and to walk on a leash without pulling,
Ø meet his or her spending needs (physical, mental, olfactory and social),
Ø socialize him from an early age through regular, controlled and positive encounters,
Ø take him to different places to get him used to different situations with you,
Ø create a real inter-species relationship based on trust,
Ø not to be too firm, and never to resort to brutality,
Ø respect and take into account his sensitivity, behind his “tough guy” shell,
Ø respect the principles of positive education,
Ø don’t try to teach him how to stand guard, it’s in his blood, he doesn’t need any more encouragement.