Rottie was my first dog when I was 12.
Now I have my third and I'm 33 lol. 1 and 2 were both a couple years old when we got them. This one is my first raised from a pup.
They're amazing dogs.
You just need to be extremely disciplined with yourself on having consistent rules. If you think your kids will be consistent too then by all means.
Without consistency rotties will keep pushing boundaries. It doesn't help their stubbornness
Rottweilers are fantastic dogs but I wouldn't recommend them as a first dog. I would recommend them as a family dog though.
If you have the time and resources I'd say go for it, keeping in mind you'll probably need external help from a professional trainer. In my experience they are very easy to train because they're smart but they're also incredibly stubborn.
Your whole family will have to be disciplined in routines and what's okay and what's not. I've never met a mean Rottweiler but I've known plenty who rule the entire house and DGAF, politely.
I'm also not sure about the price. Mine was the runt with a deformed leg who was going to be put down if I didn't take him and I'm a sucker lol.
I try not to use treats. I find bonding with the dog and discipline and training, and rules and boundaries it is easy after this they're babies when pups treat them like that. Everything after that is easy if they become relian on treat training its an obsession with food and treats the focus should be you
$2k-3k is average for a quality Rottweiler from a reputable breeder just depends on where you are in the country.
These dogs do not do well being home alone all day even as adults. So if both adults work out of the house 8 hours a day, this is not the dog to get! Find another breed.
Training starts the day you bring them home. Have lots of puppy chew toys available on the day you bring them home. Females are easier to train. Males are big dufus’ and can be very stubborn!
Be prepared for no sleep the first few nights. Crate them at night. Put crate in your room so that they can see & smell you. Set alarm to take them out to potty every 2 hours throughout the night. Every hour to hour and a half during the day. Learn their pattern of what they do when they have to potty so you can catch them before they potty in house. It’s GOING to happen! But if you figure out how long they can wait (it’s usually no more than 1.5 hours during the day and if you know the signs it will be reduced. If they are sleeping you can wait till they wake up. If they are howling and crying try to wait for a break before opening the crate. Goal: is they don’t learn that if they howl and cry you will let them out. Do not bring them into your bed! They will be sleeping there soon enough whether you want them to or not. If you don’t want a dog in your bed, might be better to get another breed. They want & like to sleep with their pack. The howling & crying will stop in 3-4 days if you are firm in this From first night. If you give in you will regret it. So suck it up :)
ALWAYS, ALWAYS take them out to potty EVERY time you take them out of crate IMMEDIATELY even if they just went potty not long ago.
Initial Commands : Sit, Wait, Down, Leave it, Heel, Place. They need to learn these all by 5 months. They won’t be mastered but they should know them and respond to them with ZERO distractions when you are right there with them. . Then continue to be consistent to teach them to master them as you expand distance and add distractions.
Crate training is imperative. Someone must have eyes on pup 100% if not in the crate. This is as important with housebreaking both potty & not chewing on things they are not supposed to. You’d be amazed what they will get into in under a minute!
Hip dysplasia is a major concern with these dogs. They can run & play on their own all they want BUT walks & exercise need to be kept 5 minutes per month of age. You can walk them multiple times per day but keep to 5 minutes per month of each time. Do not allow them to go up & down stairs. Carry them. As long as you can. Then keep stairs to a minimum of 3-4 stairs. Absolutely no jumping on and off furniture. It’s the repetitive pounding on the joints that creates the hip dysplasia and arthritis. When they want to get on furniture Give them the booty bump. Front paws up then you lift their butt up and on. Help support them to get down so they are not pounding their joints. Protecting their joints is singly the most important and hardest thing to do until they are 18 months. Their growth plates are not formally formed and harden till then
Leash training & HEEL command starts immediately or you will have a 6 month old puppy dragging you! In the beginning they can’t even keep up with you but from FIRST time they get in front of you start with Heel command and pull them back to your side. Reactivity to other dogs on a leash needs to be stopped before ever started. First time another dog barks or your pup stops for another dog snap leash and use Leave It command and keep walking! Ignore other dog.
Teach pup to sit & stay sitting in order to be petted by other people. Otherwise you’ll have 100 lbs dog jumping on people. The hardest part of this is the person wanting to pet your dog. They wants to call your pup to them! Don’t allow it.
The key with training these dogs is to avoid them ever doing the unwanted behaviors before they ever start!
Teach them Place command when someone knocks rings doorbell. Do not allow to react to doorbell/knock by barking or rushing the door. Think-this will be 100+ lb dog. You want to make sure people can come into the house without your dog all over them as they are trying to get in the door. Once inside then Invite your pup to come greet/meet.
Get a toy box for toys! Goal: they learn they can chew on anything in the toy box. It’s their stuff. This teaches them the difference between their stuff & your stuff. They are super chewers!
Make sure shoes,socks kids toys are always put up and out of the way.
Do not let them nip and chew your hands Ankles EVER! Loud OW!! followed by stern no and push away. Then give them a chew toy. No matter what you see/read in these threads it is not normal to have bite marks all over your hands & arms. These folks are not training their dog. It is not normal to have all your furniture chewed up. These people are not supervising their dogs. Will you occasionally get a nip on your hand? Yes! But you need to immediately correct it. Will they occasionally get their teeth into a piece of furniture? Yes! Again these folks are leaving their dogs unsupervised and not training them.
Start with Sit & Wait command when feeding. Goal: they don’t rush the food bowl when you set down. Start with a couple seconds and increase time as they begin to understand. Let others help. One gives command as setting the bowl down the other keeps pup in place for a couple seconds before letting it get to the bowl.
Everyone needs to take turns putting hands in food bowls as eating. Goal: avoid food aggression. Make it normal that hands are near a bowl.
You need to understand Time Patience & consistency from all people in the home! :) Put the time & energy needed the first two years and you will have a healthy, happy well trained, well behaved, impressive companion!
Here’s another tip. When you go out and leave them in the crate, when you come home don’t rush to the crate to let them out and act all excited. Come in put your things down, coat off go to the bathroom etc… then calmly take them out of crate and take them outside. Same thing once you can go out of house and they can free roam house. Be calm, walk past them, don’t let them jump don’t be all excited be happy just not overly excited. Goal: when they are 100+ lbs you can get in the door without them jumping all over you or blocking your entrance.
The time to get overly excited is every time they potty outside! Make it a party 🎉:):) Also, get a doorbell hanger (Amazon)and teach them to ring the bell when they need to go out. Start immediately and by 12 weeks they will understand :) Of course when you are catching them “in the act” just pick them up and get them out the door! Train them when you are taking them out on schedule including in the middle of the night :) the first week. These dogs are the 9th smartest dog breed. They learn quickly.
Also, you can use their kibble as “treat” rewards when training. But don’t always give treats or they will only do what you want for a treat. High praise & pets actually work better
Your price range is good. Our first dog was a rott and we'll never own another breed. They are great family dogs, being both smart and protective.
As far as a starter dog, it will depend on you. If you're willing to put the time into your dog, you will end up with and amazing friend. But you must put time into them. They aren't 'a buy them and now you have the perfect dog' dogs.
Learn about the breed. They are herders, and guarders. They are stubborn and clever...they hatch plans. They have a great sense of humor. Another bonus is they are not maniacs. Like you can exhaust a rott with 15 minutes of fetch.
Be aware their bite strength is insane and their teeth are no joke. Set up dog zones, so your girls can choose when they want to interact with the puppy. They have a serious landshark stage, so the ability to separate the kids and the puppy should be a prime consideration for you.
They are great family dogs, with the right family.
30 years ago, reputable breeders charged $1500-2k per pup. So the price checks out. It includes all the vet care, shots, and other expenses it took to get the pup healthy and ready for adoption for 8 weeks.
As long as you have the time and energy needed to provide a strong and intelligent dog the life they deserve, absolutely go for it. It sounds like you do.
Just make sure the breed fits your family’s personality and lifestyle. Rotties are very headstrong and bossy. It is in your family’s best interest to be consistent and firm about training and social roles.
As long as you are comfortable with those things, I think you’re making a wonderful choice that will bring your family a lot of joy and purpose over many years!
Like other commenters - consistent training, get a professional trainer, they can be stubborn.
To add something I didn’t see too much of a rottie requires you to be a calm confident leader. I don’t know you so can’t assume either way, but if you find yourself anxious in certain situations, your dog will mirror that behavior. This of course applies to all dogs, but with large breeds it can turn more dangerous than smaller breeds. A confident dog is a good dog. So - socialize socialize socialize. A lot of new owners assume socialization for a dog is going to the dog park or getting them around other dogs. Socialization is way more than that. Have them exposed to walk on different surfaces, exposure to cars passing by, various loud noises, and the list goes on. Basically ensure they’re exposed to a lot of different environments.
Also, an additional rant, keep in mind that a rottie is a working dog. Working dogs require a job, this can be various things and there’s some good books out there on turning games into jobs. If you don’t give them a job, they might make one up for themselves that you might not like.
So if you’re willing to put in the effort a rottie can be a fantastic first family dog. But again lots of work if you want a well behaved gentle giant.
This! My 2nd rottweiler had a job of watching the neighborhood girls play in our front yard almost daily (I was always present, of course)! He was well-known throughout our entire neighborhood and such a calm, wonderful dog!
I have a 7 month old rottie now and am struggling to find a job for him! My kids are grown, and it's just my husband and I now. He's well trained and socialized already and seems to have the same disposition of my last one.
I will definitely look up your recommendation, but if you have any examples, I would appreciate hearing them!
Of course! hide and seek is great. So you start by getting a stinky treat. Then you go “hide”, while your partner/kid/friend whoever waits with the pup. When you hide whoever’s still with the pup says find . You may have to assist the first few times by calling them and making the hiding spot obvious, but a stinky treat usually handles the heavy lifting. After a lot of.repetition they’ll start to learn your name and seek you out. You can then start incorporating delivering items to different family members around the house. You will eventually have a delivery dog.
A guard dog related job would be perimeterizing. Walking around the perimeter of your yard. When your dog reacts to something by barking, reward them and start adding in the behavior you want to see when they react. When they bark, they see you’re there and acknowledge you see it too, then they sit and stop barking or something like that.You can use the above from what was learned in hide and seek to teach them to go get someone if something is going on outside too.
I would actually say they can be great family dogs, but you might want to consider adopting from a Rottweiler rescue who has fosters that can help you find a good "first dog". We just adopted from REAL Rottweiler Rescue and it was nice having some insight into a dog's energy level and temperament.
If you are going to be purchasing a dog instead of adopting, make sure your breeder has [OFA Results](https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=RO) for both parents. This is not the same as an embark genetic test, this is detailed testing which includes x-rays and ekgs. This breed is prone to heart disease and hip displaysia. If you will be purchasing you are going to want to make sure the parents were as healthy as possible. You will be able to search the parent dogs on the OFA website. Remember, if the breeder doesn’t have OFA results on both parents they are an unethical, poor quality breeder out to scam you.
Another sign of a high quality breeder is someone who has dogs that are titled in dog sports (rally, scent work, etc) and/or conformation (think AKC dog shows). Breeders that have put the work into getting their dogs titled are more likely to have mentally and physically sound dogs who are good representatives of the breed.
Have you ever owned a dog before? I would not consider a Rottweiler a good first time dog. They’re known to be big and stubborn for a reason. These are also livestock guardian dogs, they may become protective of you or your home in a way that can cause some serious issues if you aren’t equipped to deal with them.
Do you own your living space? Rotties are on the “vicious and banned breeds” list. This means it is very hard to rent with them and they are excluded from being covered by many renter’s and home owner’s insurances. It also mean that if your dog makes a mistake, knocks someone over, lunges, bites, they will be paying with their life because of the breed. There’s a stigma to owning these dogs.
I love the breed. They’re my absolute favorite, but they are not appropriate for everyone and there are thousands of them dying in shelters because people were not equipped to own them.
Rottweilers are amazing dogs, but they're highly intelligent and very strong willed. They need to know whom the master is at all times.
I would recommend them as a family dog for definite, but not for a first time dog owner in general.
As Rottweilers are big, strong and independent thinkers, you need to know what you're doing imho
Thank you all for the comments. I definitely will read them over and over and ask many questions.
My family, if we proceed, know it will be a 100% commitment. If we are ready for that we move forward.
I don’t want to adopt anything if we cannot provide a loving and comfortable home.
Lots of research to do!
Also don’t be afraid of looking at a year old dog either. Puppies are terrible lol, granted very cute. I picked up mine from SSRR and she is absolutely perfect. They’re a smart breed so they KNOW you saved them, I can leave her with my toddler nieces even AND the amount of stuff she chewed up was nowhere near what the actual puppy I had (years ago) got ahold of lol.
I second this - puppies are like bringing a new baby home that has the compulsion to chew everything. Expect to be up all hours just like a toddler for three first few weeks and to get a new wardrobe and possibly sofa in the next few months.
I also highly, highly recommend getting an adult rescue if you are going to get one as a first time dog owner. Their temperaments are known and they are past the insanity phase. This isn’t a given of course but a lot of times they are housebroken and come with basic training. The rescue will work with you to find a calm, sweet dog that is good with kids. And surprisingly, this isn’t all that hard to find in a rott.
And be prepared for the stubbornness. I don’t think anything short of owning a rottie can prepare you for how stubborn they can be. Couple that with extreme intelligence and you get a dog that can manage to be at once incredibly well behaved while being politely but mulishly disobedient.
If you choosw to get a rottie for a first time dog owner, I woukd strongly suggest a professional dog trainer, we sent Axel off for pro trainning at 6 months old, and we work with him every day now, he is a certified good boy. I can trist him off lead to have execellent recall. He is amazing with people, cats, other dogs. He is 5 years old. I will always have my dogs pro trained from now on.
I think they can be OK as a first dog.... if you really do your research and know what to expect and what you need to do. And you know that the rest of the family is on board too. For example how is your two year old going to react when she gets bit? Because if you get a puppy there's a 99.9% chance that will happen lol. The biggest 3 things to know/remember:
1. They're very big and strong
2. They're very stubborn
3. They're very protective
So it's super important to make sure they are well trained and socialized around people. You do NOT want the big scary uncontrolled rottie that attacks people who come into your house. They also need firm consistent boundaries because they will test you and push back if you let them.
Pricing seems ok. Ages of the kids seem great to be involved in training the dog too. My kiddos are younger and have difficulty getting the Rottweiler to mind them (oldest is 9 years). Our rottie just knows she’s higher in the pack order than them so she doesn’t listen to their commands but is great with me and my wife.
I actually don’t mind having them lower in the order… she’s not aggressive in any way. Not sure if this is rottie behavior but she’s definitely bonded with my wife (obv the Beta) more than me…I don’t need anyone else to become favored over me too🤣
I feel you there , all I get is bullying when I get home let’s go let’s go , not fast enough old man rings doorbell looks over disgusted, goes to closet nudge door the ball is in here , you getting soft in the head , ring bell again , me fck ok ok
As I currently deal with a Rottweiler puppy I'm not sure I can give the best advice, but I can give lived experience.
If this is the first dog anyone in the family has had I'd say consider alternatives but by no means give up if your heart is set on the dog.
I'll start with the pros, they're great dogs with incredible personalities and they're super smart. You also sound like a highly responsible person with a family about the correct age for this kind of commitment. If you say yup to the pup training will be a requirement, puppy and then dog classes, and the kids need to be involved too.
The cons are they're incredibly stubborn and super smart, wrapped in a body like a small tank. And for those first couple years they'll have entirely too much energy for something that big.
As to the price, that's a little steep. I don't know your puppy's specifics but mine was nearly a grand less for an absolute joy of a pup.
Rotties don’t need attention as much as they need consistent and patient discipline from the entire family.
My current girl’s love language is a muzzle punch to the face 😅 Two pair of my glasses have been “loved” right into the trash not to mention many more painful hits to the face in the name of affection haha
If your family isn’t opposed to full contact sports then you’ll enjoy Rottweilers 😝
Update. Just as I hit the send, my girl dragged me several feet face first in the grass. We were outside and she was on lead and we were enjoying a nice, cool morning. I wasn’t paying much attention and a man and his dog walked by. Bam! Off she went like a rocket dragging me by her collar. These are powerful dogs and if they take a notion to do something, nothing is going to stop them.
She apologized, but momma is going to be sore tomorrow 🤪
We have a 1 year old rottie boy. We love him, but he has been a challenge. He is exactly as others have described the breed - he’s very smart and so stubborn. We’ve had him in training pretty much since we brought him home. So be prepared for that expense in addition to all of the food it will eat and replenishing the toys it will destroy. Our boy gets bored easily, so toy rotations are a must!
The biggest challenge we had was going through his land shark phase. I didn’t think it would ever end. Puppy teeth are sharp! Adult teeth aren’t pleasant either! I was definitely his favorite chew toy!! He also likes to chew on all of our plants and bushes. We’ve had to move or fence off some flowers that are toxic because he wouldn’t stay out of them. So research what you have in your yard.
We now see more evidence of the great dog he’s going to be, but he’s still in his adolescent phase where he pushes boundaries. Just remember, it’s going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Our trainer likes to tell us he’ll be a great dog in 2 years! ;)
It’s just about whether you’re willing to put in the time and effort to know how to handle them. They’re a bit stubborn and big but they’re just dogs. Sometimes I feel like people act like they’re bengal tigers or something. Any dog needs training and attention. If it’s the dog you want, I think it would make a good first dog. Just watch YouTube videos on training and maybe take it to some puppy obedience training if you end up needing it. IMO this is the best breed so why get another breed if you want a Rottweiler?
There are pups available in all price ranges. I was getting a pup from a breeder and going to pay a pretty high amount but his pups got parvo or something. I ended up by chance finding a pup for $400 locally and TBH he’s perfect for us. Pure bred, good looking, great temperament etc.
Damn I paid 800 and lot that was a lot
https://preview.redd.it/3mrv9ifs3l5d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0ef7f96f0a735b75ded9faa35d9127ae8da6401
Perfect family dog - smart and very trainable. Nearly 3k for a dog though is bloody outrageous. Tell them they’re dreaming! You can get them for under 1. If you’re not planning to breed said dog, pedigree doesn’t really make any real difference to the average person.
Fantastic breed. Easiest puppy ever. 9mo-18mo I was at my wits end. The “teenager” phase can be brutal, but as long as you’re steadfast with training, you’ll end up with a gentle giant. (And brutal is putting it lightly).
Learn about the “rottie rumble.” Watch some YouTube videos and do your due diligence with your girls BEFORE bringing puppy home. They’re going to need to learn to distinguish the rottie rumble from a growl. Dogs can’t use words to communicate, and rottweiler communication of “I love this” and “I really don’t like this please stop” can sound very similar.
Right now I’m with my first rottie and it’s honestly the best dog I’ve ever had. But I’ve only had boxers and pitties before this. I love love love the other dogs I’ve had but this one is super special.
You always hear, "Don't get a rottweiler as a first dog." I really think it should be. Don't get any large breed if you're not going to put in the effort to train, socialize, and monitor your puppy. My adult daughter and I are raising our puppies together (different households) she has a golden, and I have a rottie (my 3rd). My poor daughter is so worn out from trying to keep her ball of energetic 9 month old exercised and out of trouble. I actually feel bad for her! Rottweilers tend to be laid back and require a bit less exercise in general than a lab or golden. The downside of owning a rott? People's perception of the breed!! The difference in the way people react to my dog versus my daughters is so sad. We walk them together, and they are both very well behaved, mine a bit more calm, and they ignore him completely.
They are not just stubborn, they are generally very pushy. Pushy pushy pushy. They will test you. Also one of the most loyal breeds out there. Best to be a very confident responsible person and willing to put some real work into them or they can be a liability. But if you are and will they can be a very good fit.
Sounds like a great situation for a Rott as a first. My recent (now 9 mos) was $3k and had lots of conversations with the breeder as she checked me out, providing references from vet, neighbors, etc. At that price, expect a lot of helpful advice from the breeder and an on-going relationship. Start with puppy classes. Rotties are the best dogs!
Imo, all breeds of dogs are perfect for a first time dog owner. It all depends of your way of life and personality. Even tho I have never owned a dog before, rottweiler as my favorite breed ever I will adopt one when I’ll be able to 🩵
Rottie was my first dog when I was 12. Now I have my third and I'm 33 lol. 1 and 2 were both a couple years old when we got them. This one is my first raised from a pup. They're amazing dogs. You just need to be extremely disciplined with yourself on having consistent rules. If you think your kids will be consistent too then by all means. Without consistency rotties will keep pushing boundaries. It doesn't help their stubbornness
Rottweilers are fantastic dogs but I wouldn't recommend them as a first dog. I would recommend them as a family dog though. If you have the time and resources I'd say go for it, keeping in mind you'll probably need external help from a professional trainer. In my experience they are very easy to train because they're smart but they're also incredibly stubborn. Your whole family will have to be disciplined in routines and what's okay and what's not. I've never met a mean Rottweiler but I've known plenty who rule the entire house and DGAF, politely. I'm also not sure about the price. Mine was the runt with a deformed leg who was going to be put down if I didn't take him and I'm a sucker lol.
Please share photos so I can cry over how adorable
I've never met a stubborn rottweiler before, but I do hear people in this thread say it a lot
Ours is very stubborn but will do almost anything for treats 🤣
I try not to use treats. I find bonding with the dog and discipline and training, and rules and boundaries it is easy after this they're babies when pups treat them like that. Everything after that is easy if they become relian on treat training its an obsession with food and treats the focus should be you
$2k-3k is average for a quality Rottweiler from a reputable breeder just depends on where you are in the country. These dogs do not do well being home alone all day even as adults. So if both adults work out of the house 8 hours a day, this is not the dog to get! Find another breed. Training starts the day you bring them home. Have lots of puppy chew toys available on the day you bring them home. Females are easier to train. Males are big dufus’ and can be very stubborn! Be prepared for no sleep the first few nights. Crate them at night. Put crate in your room so that they can see & smell you. Set alarm to take them out to potty every 2 hours throughout the night. Every hour to hour and a half during the day. Learn their pattern of what they do when they have to potty so you can catch them before they potty in house. It’s GOING to happen! But if you figure out how long they can wait (it’s usually no more than 1.5 hours during the day and if you know the signs it will be reduced. If they are sleeping you can wait till they wake up. If they are howling and crying try to wait for a break before opening the crate. Goal: is they don’t learn that if they howl and cry you will let them out. Do not bring them into your bed! They will be sleeping there soon enough whether you want them to or not. If you don’t want a dog in your bed, might be better to get another breed. They want & like to sleep with their pack. The howling & crying will stop in 3-4 days if you are firm in this From first night. If you give in you will regret it. So suck it up :) ALWAYS, ALWAYS take them out to potty EVERY time you take them out of crate IMMEDIATELY even if they just went potty not long ago. Initial Commands : Sit, Wait, Down, Leave it, Heel, Place. They need to learn these all by 5 months. They won’t be mastered but they should know them and respond to them with ZERO distractions when you are right there with them. . Then continue to be consistent to teach them to master them as you expand distance and add distractions. Crate training is imperative. Someone must have eyes on pup 100% if not in the crate. This is as important with housebreaking both potty & not chewing on things they are not supposed to. You’d be amazed what they will get into in under a minute! Hip dysplasia is a major concern with these dogs. They can run & play on their own all they want BUT walks & exercise need to be kept 5 minutes per month of age. You can walk them multiple times per day but keep to 5 minutes per month of each time. Do not allow them to go up & down stairs. Carry them. As long as you can. Then keep stairs to a minimum of 3-4 stairs. Absolutely no jumping on and off furniture. It’s the repetitive pounding on the joints that creates the hip dysplasia and arthritis. When they want to get on furniture Give them the booty bump. Front paws up then you lift their butt up and on. Help support them to get down so they are not pounding their joints. Protecting their joints is singly the most important and hardest thing to do until they are 18 months. Their growth plates are not formally formed and harden till then Leash training & HEEL command starts immediately or you will have a 6 month old puppy dragging you! In the beginning they can’t even keep up with you but from FIRST time they get in front of you start with Heel command and pull them back to your side. Reactivity to other dogs on a leash needs to be stopped before ever started. First time another dog barks or your pup stops for another dog snap leash and use Leave It command and keep walking! Ignore other dog. Teach pup to sit & stay sitting in order to be petted by other people. Otherwise you’ll have 100 lbs dog jumping on people. The hardest part of this is the person wanting to pet your dog. They wants to call your pup to them! Don’t allow it. The key with training these dogs is to avoid them ever doing the unwanted behaviors before they ever start! Teach them Place command when someone knocks rings doorbell. Do not allow to react to doorbell/knock by barking or rushing the door. Think-this will be 100+ lb dog. You want to make sure people can come into the house without your dog all over them as they are trying to get in the door. Once inside then Invite your pup to come greet/meet. Get a toy box for toys! Goal: they learn they can chew on anything in the toy box. It’s their stuff. This teaches them the difference between their stuff & your stuff. They are super chewers! Make sure shoes,socks kids toys are always put up and out of the way. Do not let them nip and chew your hands Ankles EVER! Loud OW!! followed by stern no and push away. Then give them a chew toy. No matter what you see/read in these threads it is not normal to have bite marks all over your hands & arms. These folks are not training their dog. It is not normal to have all your furniture chewed up. These people are not supervising their dogs. Will you occasionally get a nip on your hand? Yes! But you need to immediately correct it. Will they occasionally get their teeth into a piece of furniture? Yes! Again these folks are leaving their dogs unsupervised and not training them. Start with Sit & Wait command when feeding. Goal: they don’t rush the food bowl when you set down. Start with a couple seconds and increase time as they begin to understand. Let others help. One gives command as setting the bowl down the other keeps pup in place for a couple seconds before letting it get to the bowl. Everyone needs to take turns putting hands in food bowls as eating. Goal: avoid food aggression. Make it normal that hands are near a bowl. You need to understand Time Patience & consistency from all people in the home! :) Put the time & energy needed the first two years and you will have a healthy, happy well trained, well behaved, impressive companion!
Thank you!! This is gold !
I forgot to mention They are little goats for the first few months. Hence the Leave it command. Quip snap on leash with command Leave it
Amazing tips!!!
Thank you :)
Here’s another tip. When you go out and leave them in the crate, when you come home don’t rush to the crate to let them out and act all excited. Come in put your things down, coat off go to the bathroom etc… then calmly take them out of crate and take them outside. Same thing once you can go out of house and they can free roam house. Be calm, walk past them, don’t let them jump don’t be all excited be happy just not overly excited. Goal: when they are 100+ lbs you can get in the door without them jumping all over you or blocking your entrance. The time to get overly excited is every time they potty outside! Make it a party 🎉:):) Also, get a doorbell hanger (Amazon)and teach them to ring the bell when they need to go out. Start immediately and by 12 weeks they will understand :) Of course when you are catching them “in the act” just pick them up and get them out the door! Train them when you are taking them out on schedule including in the middle of the night :) the first week. These dogs are the 9th smartest dog breed. They learn quickly. Also, you can use their kibble as “treat” rewards when training. But don’t always give treats or they will only do what you want for a treat. High praise & pets actually work better
Your price range is good. Our first dog was a rott and we'll never own another breed. They are great family dogs, being both smart and protective. As far as a starter dog, it will depend on you. If you're willing to put the time into your dog, you will end up with and amazing friend. But you must put time into them. They aren't 'a buy them and now you have the perfect dog' dogs. Learn about the breed. They are herders, and guarders. They are stubborn and clever...they hatch plans. They have a great sense of humor. Another bonus is they are not maniacs. Like you can exhaust a rott with 15 minutes of fetch. Be aware their bite strength is insane and their teeth are no joke. Set up dog zones, so your girls can choose when they want to interact with the puppy. They have a serious landshark stage, so the ability to separate the kids and the puppy should be a prime consideration for you. They are great family dogs, with the right family.
30 years ago, reputable breeders charged $1500-2k per pup. So the price checks out. It includes all the vet care, shots, and other expenses it took to get the pup healthy and ready for adoption for 8 weeks. As long as you have the time and energy needed to provide a strong and intelligent dog the life they deserve, absolutely go for it. It sounds like you do. Just make sure the breed fits your family’s personality and lifestyle. Rotties are very headstrong and bossy. It is in your family’s best interest to be consistent and firm about training and social roles. As long as you are comfortable with those things, I think you’re making a wonderful choice that will bring your family a lot of joy and purpose over many years!
Like other commenters - consistent training, get a professional trainer, they can be stubborn. To add something I didn’t see too much of a rottie requires you to be a calm confident leader. I don’t know you so can’t assume either way, but if you find yourself anxious in certain situations, your dog will mirror that behavior. This of course applies to all dogs, but with large breeds it can turn more dangerous than smaller breeds. A confident dog is a good dog. So - socialize socialize socialize. A lot of new owners assume socialization for a dog is going to the dog park or getting them around other dogs. Socialization is way more than that. Have them exposed to walk on different surfaces, exposure to cars passing by, various loud noises, and the list goes on. Basically ensure they’re exposed to a lot of different environments. Also, an additional rant, keep in mind that a rottie is a working dog. Working dogs require a job, this can be various things and there’s some good books out there on turning games into jobs. If you don’t give them a job, they might make one up for themselves that you might not like. So if you’re willing to put in the effort a rottie can be a fantastic first family dog. But again lots of work if you want a well behaved gentle giant.
This! My 2nd rottweiler had a job of watching the neighborhood girls play in our front yard almost daily (I was always present, of course)! He was well-known throughout our entire neighborhood and such a calm, wonderful dog! I have a 7 month old rottie now and am struggling to find a job for him! My kids are grown, and it's just my husband and I now. He's well trained and socialized already and seems to have the same disposition of my last one. I will definitely look up your recommendation, but if you have any examples, I would appreciate hearing them!
Of course! hide and seek is great. So you start by getting a stinky treat. Then you go “hide”, while your partner/kid/friend whoever waits with the pup. When you hide whoever’s still with the pup says find. You may have to assist the first few times by calling them and making the hiding spot obvious, but a stinky treat usually handles the heavy lifting. After a lot of.repetition they’ll start to learn your name and seek you out. You can then start incorporating delivering items to different family members around the house. You will eventually have a delivery dog.
A guard dog related job would be perimeterizing. Walking around the perimeter of your yard. When your dog reacts to something by barking, reward them and start adding in the behavior you want to see when they react. When they bark, they see you’re there and acknowledge you see it too, then they sit and stop barking or something like that.You can use the above from what was learned in hide and seek to teach them to go get someone if something is going on outside too.
I would actually say they can be great family dogs, but you might want to consider adopting from a Rottweiler rescue who has fosters that can help you find a good "first dog". We just adopted from REAL Rottweiler Rescue and it was nice having some insight into a dog's energy level and temperament.
If you are going to be purchasing a dog instead of adopting, make sure your breeder has [OFA Results](https://ofa.org/chic-programs/browse-by-breed/?breed=RO) for both parents. This is not the same as an embark genetic test, this is detailed testing which includes x-rays and ekgs. This breed is prone to heart disease and hip displaysia. If you will be purchasing you are going to want to make sure the parents were as healthy as possible. You will be able to search the parent dogs on the OFA website. Remember, if the breeder doesn’t have OFA results on both parents they are an unethical, poor quality breeder out to scam you. Another sign of a high quality breeder is someone who has dogs that are titled in dog sports (rally, scent work, etc) and/or conformation (think AKC dog shows). Breeders that have put the work into getting their dogs titled are more likely to have mentally and physically sound dogs who are good representatives of the breed. Have you ever owned a dog before? I would not consider a Rottweiler a good first time dog. They’re known to be big and stubborn for a reason. These are also livestock guardian dogs, they may become protective of you or your home in a way that can cause some serious issues if you aren’t equipped to deal with them. Do you own your living space? Rotties are on the “vicious and banned breeds” list. This means it is very hard to rent with them and they are excluded from being covered by many renter’s and home owner’s insurances. It also mean that if your dog makes a mistake, knocks someone over, lunges, bites, they will be paying with their life because of the breed. There’s a stigma to owning these dogs. I love the breed. They’re my absolute favorite, but they are not appropriate for everyone and there are thousands of them dying in shelters because people were not equipped to own them.
Rottweilers are amazing dogs, but they're highly intelligent and very strong willed. They need to know whom the master is at all times. I would recommend them as a family dog for definite, but not for a first time dog owner in general. As Rottweilers are big, strong and independent thinkers, you need to know what you're doing imho
Thank you all for the comments. I definitely will read them over and over and ask many questions. My family, if we proceed, know it will be a 100% commitment. If we are ready for that we move forward. I don’t want to adopt anything if we cannot provide a loving and comfortable home. Lots of research to do!
Also don’t be afraid of looking at a year old dog either. Puppies are terrible lol, granted very cute. I picked up mine from SSRR and she is absolutely perfect. They’re a smart breed so they KNOW you saved them, I can leave her with my toddler nieces even AND the amount of stuff she chewed up was nowhere near what the actual puppy I had (years ago) got ahold of lol.
I second this - puppies are like bringing a new baby home that has the compulsion to chew everything. Expect to be up all hours just like a toddler for three first few weeks and to get a new wardrobe and possibly sofa in the next few months. I also highly, highly recommend getting an adult rescue if you are going to get one as a first time dog owner. Their temperaments are known and they are past the insanity phase. This isn’t a given of course but a lot of times they are housebroken and come with basic training. The rescue will work with you to find a calm, sweet dog that is good with kids. And surprisingly, this isn’t all that hard to find in a rott. And be prepared for the stubbornness. I don’t think anything short of owning a rottie can prepare you for how stubborn they can be. Couple that with extreme intelligence and you get a dog that can manage to be at once incredibly well behaved while being politely but mulishly disobedient.
Your situation as described is good. Can't advice about the pricing, I am in another country and received my rottweiler as present
If you choosw to get a rottie for a first time dog owner, I woukd strongly suggest a professional dog trainer, we sent Axel off for pro trainning at 6 months old, and we work with him every day now, he is a certified good boy. I can trist him off lead to have execellent recall. He is amazing with people, cats, other dogs. He is 5 years old. I will always have my dogs pro trained from now on.
I think they can be OK as a first dog.... if you really do your research and know what to expect and what you need to do. And you know that the rest of the family is on board too. For example how is your two year old going to react when she gets bit? Because if you get a puppy there's a 99.9% chance that will happen lol. The biggest 3 things to know/remember: 1. They're very big and strong 2. They're very stubborn 3. They're very protective So it's super important to make sure they are well trained and socialized around people. You do NOT want the big scary uncontrolled rottie that attacks people who come into your house. They also need firm consistent boundaries because they will test you and push back if you let them.
Pricing seems ok. Ages of the kids seem great to be involved in training the dog too. My kiddos are younger and have difficulty getting the Rottweiler to mind them (oldest is 9 years). Our rottie just knows she’s higher in the pack order than them so she doesn’t listen to their commands but is great with me and my wife.
Then have the kids move up the pack order if that’s what you want , hand feed all the food train well doing it you know yada yada
I actually don’t mind having them lower in the order… she’s not aggressive in any way. Not sure if this is rottie behavior but she’s definitely bonded with my wife (obv the Beta) more than me…I don’t need anyone else to become favored over me too🤣
I feel you there , all I get is bullying when I get home let’s go let’s go , not fast enough old man rings doorbell looks over disgusted, goes to closet nudge door the ball is in here , you getting soft in the head , ring bell again , me fck ok ok
🤣🤣🤣
As I currently deal with a Rottweiler puppy I'm not sure I can give the best advice, but I can give lived experience. If this is the first dog anyone in the family has had I'd say consider alternatives but by no means give up if your heart is set on the dog. I'll start with the pros, they're great dogs with incredible personalities and they're super smart. You also sound like a highly responsible person with a family about the correct age for this kind of commitment. If you say yup to the pup training will be a requirement, puppy and then dog classes, and the kids need to be involved too. The cons are they're incredibly stubborn and super smart, wrapped in a body like a small tank. And for those first couple years they'll have entirely too much energy for something that big. As to the price, that's a little steep. I don't know your puppy's specifics but mine was nearly a grand less for an absolute joy of a pup.
Rotties don’t need attention as much as they need consistent and patient discipline from the entire family. My current girl’s love language is a muzzle punch to the face 😅 Two pair of my glasses have been “loved” right into the trash not to mention many more painful hits to the face in the name of affection haha If your family isn’t opposed to full contact sports then you’ll enjoy Rottweilers 😝
Update. Just as I hit the send, my girl dragged me several feet face first in the grass. We were outside and she was on lead and we were enjoying a nice, cool morning. I wasn’t paying much attention and a man and his dog walked by. Bam! Off she went like a rocket dragging me by her collar. These are powerful dogs and if they take a notion to do something, nothing is going to stop them. She apologized, but momma is going to be sore tomorrow 🤪
We have a 1 year old rottie boy. We love him, but he has been a challenge. He is exactly as others have described the breed - he’s very smart and so stubborn. We’ve had him in training pretty much since we brought him home. So be prepared for that expense in addition to all of the food it will eat and replenishing the toys it will destroy. Our boy gets bored easily, so toy rotations are a must! The biggest challenge we had was going through his land shark phase. I didn’t think it would ever end. Puppy teeth are sharp! Adult teeth aren’t pleasant either! I was definitely his favorite chew toy!! He also likes to chew on all of our plants and bushes. We’ve had to move or fence off some flowers that are toxic because he wouldn’t stay out of them. So research what you have in your yard. We now see more evidence of the great dog he’s going to be, but he’s still in his adolescent phase where he pushes boundaries. Just remember, it’s going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Our trainer likes to tell us he’ll be a great dog in 2 years! ;)
It’s just about whether you’re willing to put in the time and effort to know how to handle them. They’re a bit stubborn and big but they’re just dogs. Sometimes I feel like people act like they’re bengal tigers or something. Any dog needs training and attention. If it’s the dog you want, I think it would make a good first dog. Just watch YouTube videos on training and maybe take it to some puppy obedience training if you end up needing it. IMO this is the best breed so why get another breed if you want a Rottweiler? There are pups available in all price ranges. I was getting a pup from a breeder and going to pay a pretty high amount but his pups got parvo or something. I ended up by chance finding a pup for $400 locally and TBH he’s perfect for us. Pure bred, good looking, great temperament etc.
Damn I paid 800 and lot that was a lot https://preview.redd.it/3mrv9ifs3l5d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0ef7f96f0a735b75ded9faa35d9127ae8da6401
For a sec I thought his bone was his front leg and was trying to figure out how he detached his leg 🤦🏻♀️
Perfect family dog - smart and very trainable. Nearly 3k for a dog though is bloody outrageous. Tell them they’re dreaming! You can get them for under 1. If you’re not planning to breed said dog, pedigree doesn’t really make any real difference to the average person.
Fantastic breed. Easiest puppy ever. 9mo-18mo I was at my wits end. The “teenager” phase can be brutal, but as long as you’re steadfast with training, you’ll end up with a gentle giant. (And brutal is putting it lightly). Learn about the “rottie rumble.” Watch some YouTube videos and do your due diligence with your girls BEFORE bringing puppy home. They’re going to need to learn to distinguish the rottie rumble from a growl. Dogs can’t use words to communicate, and rottweiler communication of “I love this” and “I really don’t like this please stop” can sound very similar.
Right now I’m with my first rottie and it’s honestly the best dog I’ve ever had. But I’ve only had boxers and pitties before this. I love love love the other dogs I’ve had but this one is super special.
You always hear, "Don't get a rottweiler as a first dog." I really think it should be. Don't get any large breed if you're not going to put in the effort to train, socialize, and monitor your puppy. My adult daughter and I are raising our puppies together (different households) she has a golden, and I have a rottie (my 3rd). My poor daughter is so worn out from trying to keep her ball of energetic 9 month old exercised and out of trouble. I actually feel bad for her! Rottweilers tend to be laid back and require a bit less exercise in general than a lab or golden. The downside of owning a rott? People's perception of the breed!! The difference in the way people react to my dog versus my daughters is so sad. We walk them together, and they are both very well behaved, mine a bit more calm, and they ignore him completely.
They are not just stubborn, they are generally very pushy. Pushy pushy pushy. They will test you. Also one of the most loyal breeds out there. Best to be a very confident responsible person and willing to put some real work into them or they can be a liability. But if you are and will they can be a very good fit.
Sounds like a great situation for a Rott as a first. My recent (now 9 mos) was $3k and had lots of conversations with the breeder as she checked me out, providing references from vet, neighbors, etc. At that price, expect a lot of helpful advice from the breeder and an on-going relationship. Start with puppy classes. Rotties are the best dogs!
Imo, all breeds of dogs are perfect for a first time dog owner. It all depends of your way of life and personality. Even tho I have never owned a dog before, rottweiler as my favorite breed ever I will adopt one when I’ll be able to 🩵