Photo by Austin Kirk

Originally Posted On: https://happytails.tips/all-about-rottweiler-puppies/

EEK! PUPPIES! If that is your shriek or your gut instinct when you see puppies, you’re not alone. Puppies are just too cute not to get excited about. Nature made them that way so that not even the puppies’ mothers can refuse them and humans can’t help but care for them.

Yet, there are a lot of puppies people have mixed feelings about. Take Rottweiler puppies for example. So cute, yet you might hesitate to pick one up or even consider taking one home. The truth is, Rottweilers have received such a bad rap that even the sight of a Rottweiler puppy might make you step back for a second. Here’s everything you should know about these puppies, and how you can make one of these dogs just the sweetest family pet ever.

Buying a Rottweiler Puppy

If you are going to buy a purebred Rottweiler puppy, buy one from a registered reputable breeder. These breeders have to carry high standards in their breeding dogs in order to provide papers for every puppy they sell. It also means that they have to genetically test every dog in their breeding stock to weed out genetic disorders that can make the puppies sick, die of congenital defects, etc.. No amount of veterinary care or holistic health for dogs can make a difference if the breeding and bloodlines of these dogs is hampered by birth defects.

The defects the breeders look to weed out include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which can be very crippling to these heavy-bodied dogs, heart defects, and eye disorders. By making sure the parent dogs do not contain genetic markers for these defects, the breeders can insure and reassure buyers that the puppies will not have these problems as the puppies grow into adult dogs. Other disorders and illnesses common to Rottweilers can be treated either by veterinary care or holistic health approaches.

Adopting a Rottweiler Puppy

If you happen to hear of a litter of Rottweiler puppies in a pound or shelter, be careful. While these little pups need your love and affection every bit as much as the puppies from a reputable dog breeder, there is a good chance that these pups will have some defects. Often they come in as a case of animal cruelty, puppy mills, or from dogs seized in raids that then give birth when they are safe in the shelter.

A vet has to give them a once-over in the pound, but then it’s up to humans to help the pups become healthy, well-adapted little dogs. On the flip side, you may find that volunteering at the shelter to help with these puppies will give you a lot of insight into the Rottweiler dog breed and make them less threatening to you. You will be able to discover how sweet and loyal their personalities are while getting them to accept humans and look forward to human companionship.

Training a Rottweiler Puppy

Training a Rottweiler puppy is akin to just about training any other sort of puppy. However, these puppies belong to the “working class” of dogs, meaning that they are more likely to learn very quickly whatever it is you want them to learn. Obedience training will go a long way. They have been trained to do everything from pulling small carts to guiding the blind to herding cattle, they are a herding dog. They can also learn multiple tasks at the same time (e.g., sit, stay, fetch simultaneously without working on one command for a long time).

Raw Food Treats for Training

Your puppy will learn the fastest if you use a small treat that is made from pure meat. These holistic treats are very tasty to your puppy and he/she will be willing to work overtime to learn what you want him/her to know. Tiny bits of raw meat from a raw meat diet for dogs also works, if you are not opposed to carrying around a bag of the food and rolling it in your fingers to create small balls for training treats.

It also helps to praise your new puppy a lot and give him/her lots of pets every time he/she does well. These dogs are so focused on trying to please their humans that some puppies will train with just praise and pats of encouragement without treats. You will have to try both approaches to see what your puppy is willing to do. A Rottweiler owner working with the leash helps tremendously with temperament and socialization. Puppy socialization is very important for the rottweiler breed. These pups will become a large dog and need leadership early on in their experience.

The Personality of a Rottweiler

If you train your Rottweiler puppy and give him/her lots of love, time, affection, and socialization, these dogs will never bite or harm anyone. The proof is in the number of dogs that have been trained to fight in dog fights and then have been rescued and rehabilitated to become very good family dogs. Some of those dogs are a lost cause, but many, especially younger dogs, easily retrain and reacclimate to become excellent family pets that never harm anyone.

Ultimately, you will have a loving dog that often acts like a huge puppy. These dogs, despite their immense size, are extremely affectionate and playful. They often think they can drop their 100-lb bodies in your lap and be lap dogs, which makes their personalities even funnier and more endearing.

Caring for Your Rottweiler Puppy

Pure, cold water is a necessity for these big dogs. They can drink one to two gallons in a day if and when you properly exercise them. They can’t go without water or exercise either otherwise, they become bored and start tearing up things to relieve their anxiety. They are also the type of dog that is completely lost and can get into a lot of mischief if left home alone too long. If you want to avoid a number of digestion issues in your Rottweiler puppy, be sure to exercise often, keep the puppy in a kennel when you are not home, and provide him/her with a lot of water to keep his digestive tract healthy.

Natural Supplements

There are a few dog-friendly supplements you can give for dogs that have stomach troubles. If your puppy is having a difficult time defecating, try probiotics made for dogs or canned pumpkin, which can get your puppy’s intestines moving again. If your puppy is experiencing diarrhea, a little Slippery Elm sprinkled on your puppy’s food will halt the intestinal discomfort and diarrhea. Nux-Vomica is a natural remedy that not only fixes intestinal issues but prevents your puppy from heaving and/or vomiting, issues that can cause severe dehydration and even death in a puppy.

Start out on the Right Foot – A Raw Food Diet

In terms of puppy food, you could do a raw diet, this is the best way to activate and support the immune system. It has added nutrients a growing puppy needs and this formula removes some of the things a puppy cannot yet digest. Consult a holistic pet expert to ensure that you are using the right raw diet food for your Rottweiler puppy.