FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It depends on your lifestyle, home situation and commitment. Rottweilers thrive where they are members of the family and included in your day-to-day activities. Rottweilers are part of the AKC working group. They are descendants of ancient drover dogs and are happiest when they have a job to do. They are not overly active but certainly enjoy any activity that their family is doing – from a hike to chilling at home. They do need to have large-muscle play and that is where a fenced-in yard is extremely important. However, they do not want to be by themselves – maybe for a little while but they are family dogs and want to be where you are. If you maintain a busy lifestyle i.e. work and lots of extra activities that take you away from home, we don’t think a Rottweiler would be a good fit for you at this time.
Rottweilers are medium-large dogs that are very protective and loyal. Socialization is extremely important at a very early age. Pound for pound they have one of the strongest “bites” because of their large heads. A well- socialized puppy will be confident and happy. Obedience classes are fun and a good way to socialize your dog. Some people hire trainers for specific help with certain behavioral issues.
No, but they do shed more than most people expect. Brushing with the occasional bath will keep their coat looking healthy and shiny.
Yes, they love their little humans but children and puppies need to be supervised. Most children love animals but do not always handle them properly. Also, young puppies tend to bite hands. Puppies need to be constantly diverted so they do not become destructive. Rottweilers love their family members but may not be so welcoming with others.
BRINGING HOME A NEW PUPPY
It is stressful for puppies to leave their familiar surroundings and litter-mates. You should have everything in place i.e. crate, bowls, bedding, toys etc. the day you come home.
You want to start out on the right note with the puppy and let him/her get used to new family members, new sounds and their new environment. Hopefully, it will be a calm and soothing beginning.
A crate will ensure his/her safety and ultimately, he/she will come to know that it is his/her special place when he/she wants to get away and rest. Buy the largest one possible. We bought ours at the Tractor Supply Store. We also covered the top (with a blanket) of our crate to make the puppies feel more secure.
To house break and train a Rottweiler puppy, it will require many trips outside. Patience and consistency are key to this process.
Our rule of thumb has always been about 15 minutes (or less) after feeding, take him outside. If you see the puppy hunched over, quickly scoop him/her up and take them out. As soon as they wake up, have them go outdoors.
Whenever he/she goes outside, praise him/her and have treats or even pieces of his/her dog food in your pocket to reinforce the good behavior.
Refrain from yelling at your puppy if he has an accident. Puppies and dogs learn best with positive reinforcement and age-appropriate dog treats. Do not rub your dogs nose in the mess if an accident has occured. This can cause confusion and the pup will think going to the bathroom is "bad" then they may begin to hide it around the house.
Puppies also have a hard time telling the difference between grass and carpet/rugs. If possible put away any rugs you can while house training your puppy. You can consider keeping your puppy in a room that does not have carpet for free play and time with the family.
As your puppy gets older, their muscles will become stronger and they will be able to go for longer extended period without accidents, combined this with the positive reward of treats for going outside will help to make house breaking your Rottweiler an easier task.
Consider purchasing bells for the door that the dog will use when he wants to go outside. Also, a dog door that leads into a fenced-in yard is very convenient as your puppy gets older.
Please do not take him/her into a pet store. There are far too many germs for a young puppy. Their series of shots will continue through 4 months of age. We do not recommend taking dogs to a pet store, dog park, or any events where other dogs are until they are older. It is far too dangerous. I know it is tempting because you will want everyone to see your beautiful new puppy but it is not worth the risk.
You can take a puppy around a friend or a family member’s pet that you know is in good health and up to date on shots.
Please supervise any children (especially young children) that are around your new puppy. Most children love animals but do not always handle them properly.
Always supervise puppies outside. Do not let him out of your sight. They are faster than you think and can get away quickly. Inspect your fence daily for damage or holes that a puppy could slip through.
Beware and do not eave your Rottweiler puppy outside unsupervised because they can become an easy target for theives. Stealing puppies and young dogs has become more common in recent years and Rottweilers are highly sought-after.
Protect your puppy with a good fence, possibly installing locks on gates, micro-chipping your puppy and most importantly, stay with them whenever they are outside.
As long-time dog owners, we believe a fenced yard is the best way to go. Our adult dogs have an extremely high predator-prey drive. They can take off after other animals and be gone in a matter of seconds. Fenced in yards also keep them safe from other animals.
If you live in a two-story house, make sure stairways are blocked and any open railings have a barrier at the bottom so the puppy does not slip through and fall through.
Many puppys will need practice and patience to learn to master stairs and railings. Always supervise them during this process.
Socialization is extremely important especially for Rottweilers. They love to be outdoors and with their owners. They enjoy all kinds of activities and are happiest when given a job to do.
When something happens that upsets him/her (i.e. knocking over a trash can), act very calm and do not overly sooth him/her. Don't even react. The reasoning is this: if you make a big deal about it, it actually creates the opposite effect, the dog becomes more upset.
If you stay calm, the dog thinks well that wasn't such a big deal. You reinforce a calm reaction if you don't try to sooth them too much. Also, when you arrive home and the puppy has been in the crate for a while, she will make a big fuss. Try the same approach of not fussing too much, he/she will learn to react more calmly and feel much more confident and self-assured.
If you have other dogs, it is extremely important that you constantly monitor their behavior towards the new puppy and do not leave them unsupervised.
After four months, consider taking your dog on a hike or to a park – someplace with people and other dogs. Your puppy will get to exercise, meet people and become comfortable and respectful towards other dogs. It is also a great way to show off your beautiful dog.
Keep your puppy leashed for control and bring along a pocket full of treats to reinforce a positive experience.
MORE ABOUT OUR BREEDING PROGRAM
"From Farm to Family" our small breeding program adheres to the AKC Rottweiler pure breed standard, and we strive to look for ways to improve our breeding practices. Our program’s hallmark is a strong breed and a sound temperament.
OUR FARM-RAISED ROTTWEILERS
As an established and reputable AKC Rottweiler breeder in Maryland, we have dedicated years to breed impressive dogs so you can have a healthy and happy Rottweiler in your family. Take a minute now to meet ours!
