My new Rottweiler puppy

[Jeff in St Pete]

Hi all,

Got a new puppy and had to show her off... Her name is Chloe and she is 9 weeks old. She follows me everywhere!

[Jeff in St Pete]

And she loves to chew on palms! She seems to favor this one - Ravenea sp. Giant. I need to break her of that habit quick!

[peachy]

Jeff she is gorgeous. The chewing stage lasts up to 2 years in big dogs btw !! Best to keep her occupied with other things.

Peachy

[Jeff in St Pete]

Thanks Peachy! In the past, I always had large dogs. My other dog Lulu is the first small dog I have ever owned. I adopted her within weeks after arriving in Costa Rica. After going through the puppy stage with Lulu, I promised myself I would never get another puppy again, but here I am...

[Kris]

Dear Jeff

Very beautiful puppy and i love her !

I must add here one thing about boxers & Rotts is that they are hard to train & hates being tied or leached to one corner of the property..

And Rotts could at times become very violent,and so family's with little kids do not own this power breed.But would safeguard its territory with its life as seen in doberman breeds.

Thanks for the visuals,And keep us updated on its grouth.

love,

kris

[John Case]

She will be a constant joy to you .....until she digs a palm.

[MattyB]

what a cutie! Try peeing on your palms leaves. It won't hurt them and will discourage Chloe from chewing on them. Reinforcement through training will be needed as well, but the pee is a little trick that'll make it easier.

[PalmatierMeg]

She's so cute. And look at the size of those feet. She'll be big.

[DoomsDave]

She's a doll!

As dogs go, I mean . . .

[Jeff in St Pete]

Thanks everyone. Sorry I am late with a response but I just returned from a trip.

Kris, she will never be tied up!

bepah, I know I am in for some painful palm losses!

Matty, I'm not sure if you are being serious or pulling my leg... But if it works, I have no problem peeing on my palm leaves!

Meg, you should have seen the size of her sister's feet... I picked the smaller puppy!

Thanks Dave!

[Ciczi in Sweden]

What a sweetie... She'll be much joy!

I know a Rotweiler named Atento. Quite old now but so friendly. He still thinks he's a small puppy because he likes to sit in ones lap. He weighs about 50 kilograms... :S

//Ciczi

[Kathryn]

I'm not much of a dog person, but I love puppies! She's cute.

[Kathryn]

what a cutie! Try peeing on your palms leaves. It won't hurt them and will discourage Chloe from chewing on them. Reinforcement through training will be needed as well, but the pee is a little trick that'll make it easier.

I always wonder how you know such things but am afraid to ask.

[FRITO]

Nice Pup Jeff! A rot was my first dog my parents had when I was just a baby/kid. I adopted a rott mix from the local shelter when I got my first place 5.5 years ago, he has now turned into a good protector and yard dog who roams freely in the back yard. He doesnt dig palms thank goodness, however his urine concentrated on small plants can kill them (ferns and palm seedlings)

peeing on the leaves I wouldnt reccomend, although it probably works you dont want to over fertilize small plants that way.

My best reccomendation I have is when he goes poop, scoop it up and place it near the palms you dont want him to be around, dogs wont dig/play in an area where they smell their own poo.

this wont hurt your palms either but I dont reccomend it for vegtable gardens.

enjoy and keep us updated!

Luke

[MattyB]

Lukes idea using their own poop works even better. Cover it up with a thin layer of mulch or dirt so you don't have to smell it...they dog will still smell it though. I was serious about peeing on the palms. It will not hurt them, especially if you just pee all over the leaves and not directly into the pot. It's just a more dominant dog (you) marking your territory. When your dog goes over to the plant and smells it, give a sharp "ahhht" and that'll grab their attention and that "paired stimulus" of the "ahhht" with smelling your mark is an easy way to train them that that plant is off limits. When the dog turns away from the plant immediately praise him and that positive reinforcement will solidify your training.

[Trópico]

Buy her toys so she does not go around looking for something else to chew. My dog lives around pretty much my entire collection. She is not interested in chewing palms with the rare exception when she feels sick and has no grass blades to consume. And one night, when she got mad at me started pulling on a palm leaf knowing that would get my attention.

The only casualty ever was when she was still a puppy she dug up a nice miniature bromeliad but that was it.

Edited April 28, 2010 by Trópico

[MattyB]

Good advice. A constant supply of toys and chew bones helps a lot. I've found that if you keep only 1 toy and 1 edible chew bone/rawhide available at any given time that the chances of them digging and buring them are less. We've had 4 dogs at a time before and sometimes that's hard when one dog wants to steal everyone elses snack'ums and go bury them for later.

[Utopia Palms]

Dear Jeff

Very beautiful puppy and i love her !

I must add here one thing about boxers & Rotts is that they are hard to train & hates being tied or leached to one corner of the property..

And Rotts could at times become very violent,and so family's with little kids do not own this power breed.But would safeguard its territory with its life as seen in doberman breeds.

Thanks for the visuals,And keep us updated on its grouth.

love,

kris

BLAME THE OWNER not the BREED.

Give a dog or any animal for that matter no attention and tie it to a tree in the back yard. It will of course naturally guard its territory and potentially become a danger to society. It will Exhibit behaviour of a WILD ANIMAL and not a domestic pet.

A domestic pet has modified behaviour and training with a combination of the mother dog and the breeder/owner of the mother dog before puppy is 8 weeks old.

Any dog no matter what the colour will be a danger, if you do not give it the proper attention and socialization and training. Even a Chihuahua can have to potential to kill. Originally a pack animal bred to bring down its prey.

Why would they select the most intelligent working dogs to be German Sheppards, Dobermans and Rottweilers? Because they learn quickly and adapt well to naturally protect. Rottweilers were breed as a herding animal to protect the herd.

A correctly trained a protection /working dog can be a wonderful companion/family as well.

Truly a dogs potential is as much as you want to put into. They teach animals to do tricks for television commercials and train dogs to be guide dogs for the blind.

I must say any dog encouraged socially and guided through training will be an excellent family companion.

BLAME THE OWNER not the BREED.

please find attached my dogs

Thanks Teresa

UTOPIAROTT ROTTWEILERS

Work and Confirmation Rottweilers

[Utopia Palms]

Hi all,

Got a new puppy and had to show her off... Her name is Chloe and she is 9 weeks old. She follows me everywhere!

[Utopia Palms]

Hi all,

Got a new puppy and had to show her off... Her name is Chloe and she is 9 weeks old. She follows me everywhere!

She is a beautiful dog.

May you enjoy your companion

and her puppy days are not for long..........before you know it the year with pass.

Teresa

[peachy]

You are so right Teresa, I cringe when I see certain 'types' of people marching about with a young doberman or rottie on a leash and one just knows that the pup is in for a life of trouble. I had big dogs most of my life, St Bernards, Mastiffs, Dobermans and German Shepherds, grew up with them in fact. Now I have a Pug and Pekingese and they have bitten more people in their young lives than all of the big dogs combined. All dogs need attention and training, but maybe more so in the case of the powerful breeds as they can do more harm due to their strength and size. Dogs dont want to be nasty (well maybe my Pug enjoys it a bit too much) their main aim in life is to please their owner and its the owners obligation to care for their needs, which includes attention and training. BTW, that puppy is almost edible...so gorgeous.

Peachy

[Alicehunter2000]

Matt is right about the peeing...but only for a female. A male will try to mark over your mark and then it will become a regular stop on their territory. The female may mark as well but due to the anatomical differences may only pee on the ground next to the palm. I have found that this is a wonderful way to mark and help restrict roaming in my male Doberman (Hunter... RIP). I would walk around the perimiter of my front yard (at night ) and mark my territory ...Hunter as a little doby would walk behind me and mark on or nearby. I never had any problem with him or my female (Sonja) leaving the yard (no fence!). Of course I would reinforce the behavior (territory restriction) with verbal commands.... but the marking worked well.

Some other (possibly unorthodox)tips that also work well are half-chewing some steak or other meat and offering your little puppy the remainder with your slobber on it. This I am told by some old country folk and dog hunters will help seal the bond with your little puppy. You will in essence become the new "mama" for the puppy. Don't know if it work but it seems to make some sense.

My breeder gave me great advice when I bought Hunter years ago. When he is doing something bad, squirt him with water. It works great. You can use this to reinforce commands without having to physically touch the dog. Puppy chewing on a palm....squirt her with water in the face and yell "NO" .... you can also add a few drops of ammonia "only a few drops" to scent the water and make it more effective. I would only do this if regular water doesn't work. I used an empty spray cleaner bottle that had "Water Only" written on it, and never used it for anything else. After awhile I would only have to show the bottle to my dogs to make them stop a behavior. You can also use one of those pump up kids water guns that shoot 10 to 20 feet! that way you don't have to get up off the couch to dicipline your dog .

I always gave my dobies large round beef bones uncooked and frozen to discourage chewing on other things. Rawhide lasted 2 minutes and make their breath stink....also not great for their stomachs. Same with cow hooves....stinky. Cooked bones splinter and have more bacteria problems than uncooked bones. Make sure the bones are large (small is a choking hazard) beef (NO Swine) cross cut soup bones. They are cheap from your grocer or butcher. The puppy will spend hours pulling the marrow out of the middle and the flavor and bone will last a long...long time....weeks.

Oh, and ....I would never allow your puppy to jump up on furniture or allow her to jump up and put her front paws on yours or anyone elses body....and not allow her to "play" bite you or anyone else "especially kids". These behaviors are dominance behaviors and are "cute" while they are puppies but are difficult to manage in a 100 lb. adult dog. Be firm and fair with your puppy...if she starts thinking she is boss, roll her on her back and grab her skin on the side of her throat/cheek area firmly (don't pinch) and tell her NO! I would only recommend this dicipline while she is a little puppy and only for aggresive behavior (even playing or mock aggression) toward you or kids etc. I would also highly recomend "Crate Training" your puppy.....do some research on the internet. This is highly effective in promoting potty training and feelings of security for your dog....Highly recommended!

A Well trained and obedient puppies make outstanding adult dog companions.

Enjoy your new puppy, she is a cutie!

[Alicehunter2000]

I just thought of one more thing .....If you are hand feeding a treat and your puppy grabs the the treat from your fingers this is not the best behavior to learn. I would make the dog sit first then take the treat with one hand and simultaneously use my other hand to "smooth back the ears in a petting motion and say "easy...easy" .....Smoothing back the ears puts the dog in a very gentle calm submissive posture during the excitement of receiving a treat.

I also always combined visual commands with verbal commands....very effective when you want to control your dog quietly.

Hope at least some of my suggestions help you with your new baby.

[Utopia Palms]

Great Advice David,

We are on the same page

Postive training works the best.

Teresa

PLANT MORE PALMS TO SOOTH THE SOLE

[Jeff in St Pete]

Wow, I've learned a lot reading all the responses. Thanks everyone! Chloe is growing like a weed and is putting on about 5 pounds per week. I'm training her with lots of positive reinforcement and love.

Teresa, your dogs are beautiful!

[kahili]

Jeff, I also would like to say that Chloe is a real sweetheart! I have such a soft spot in my heart for puppies, and she would be at the top. I also am partial to the name Chloe as I have a 1.5 yr old Anatolian Shephard/German Shephard mix named Chloe. I also have a 120 lb Rottie/Chow/Lab mix named Bear who is the biggest baby.

I agree totally that it is all in how you raise them. Lots and lots of attention and love, but even more reassuring to them is that they know that you are in charge and that they respect you and know what the rules are. I think when they do, they make the best mannered dogs and everyone that is around them will give them positive attention. There is nothing that makes a dog happier then to have you around them all the time. Like you, I work on my property, and when I am in the grhouses, they are too. Same when I am outside working etc. I can't understand people who have animals and never interact with them-whats the point? Not to mention what they are missing out on not forming a close relationship with their animal.

When they are puppies, one of the things that I do, is when I feed them, I stick my hand in the bowl while they are eating for a few minutes, until they get the idea that I am the boss. I can feed them anything (meat etc) and they are so dainty as they take it out of my hand. I can also take anything out of their mouth, including bones etc when I need to. Its easy to do too.

I wish you a really long and rewarding relationship with Chloe, I know she is so lucky to have you as a owner.

[Jeff in St Pete]

Kahili, sorry I missed your response. I agree with you that it's all how you raise them. Chloe knows that I am in charge and I can tell she gets very upset when I scold her for misbehaving. She really wants to please me and I praise her all the time for doing the right things. I can stick my hands in her bowl while she is eating and she has never once growled at me. This was something I was worried about since I have a friend with a Rottweiler and no on can go near him when he is eating or he will growl and snap at you. I didn't want Chloe to be like that, but it turns out she is not a growler anyway

Here are a couple of photos that I took this morning. She is growing so fast!