A Rottweiler is one of those misunderstood breeds; unless you bring one home, you don’t really know what to expect from them. If you are considering adopting a Rottweiler, you might ask; are Rottweilers easy to take care of?
Rottweilers, also called Rotties, are easy to take care of when compared to other dogs. These gentle giants can make a devoted, vibrant addition to your home when they are adequately trained and socialized. Rotties should also be groomed well and given the love and affection they deserve.
If you don’t know how to care for Rottweilers, there is a plethora of information available to learn everything you need to know about this sweet breed. Making the effort to train your Rottie will also ensure they behave to the best of their ability.
Are Rottweilers Easy To Take Care Of?
Rottweilers are easy to take care of; that being said, knowing what they need is crucial to make it easier to care for them. This is true of any dog. In terms of how to properly care for your Rottweiler, you need to train them, socialize them, feed them well, and keep them fit and entertained with exercise and toys.
A Rottweiler‘s diet is very important for their overall health. These big dogs can get quite hungry. In order to satisfy them, you want to feed them a high-quality, high-protein diet. Since Rotties enjoy playing and exercise, getting them outside to run around or go for long walks can help keep them trim, which is paramount, especially as they age.
Rottweilers need ample opportunities to exercise both their bodies and their brains. Taking them on walks or jogs will be fun for both of you, and letting them play with other dogs they have been properly socialized with is important for them as well. Toys that require them to think, solve puzzles for treats, or encourage them to run around can also foster good mental and physical health.
It’s also ideal to learn your Rottie’s behavior very well, as they are prone to various health issues as they get older. Knowing their unique temperament will help you notice when something is amiss so you can get them checked out once you notice a change.
Are Rottweilers Easy To Train?
Rottweilers are known to be incredibly smart, and they can pick up training and commands swiftly. Since your Rottweiler will always want to see you happy, especially with them, they are going to be motivated to absorb the training you implement. These dogs are very observant of your behavior towards them, and when they bond with you, they will always want to see you happy.
That being said, a Rottie can be a stubborn dog when they are bored. You need to train them, but you also need to break up that training with some leisure time and some time to relax. A Rottie also doesn’t understand their size and can be somewhat clumsy. Thus, they might accidentally and innocently knock you or someone else over during playtime.
Due to Rottweiler’s keen sense of loyalty, when you have bonded with your dog, their stubborn tendencies tend to fall to the wayside and they will pick up commands and preferred behaviors with much more ease.
A Rottweiler also loves to be congratulated for learning and loves being told how good of a dog they are. You’ll see their sweet faces instantly light up when you use positive reinforcement and rewards to encourage their good behavior. Any alternative forms of discipline will not be well-received by your Rottweiler, so it’s not even worth a try.
Are Rottweilers Easy To Potty Train?
Rottweilers will generally pick up potty training easily, especially if you start this training right away. As with any other training you do with your Rottie pup, you want to be encouraging and positive throughout the entire experience. All dogs make mistakes when learning bathroom habits, but Rotties will not respond to you becoming upset with them.
The best way to train your Rottweiler to perform consistently when it comes to potty training is giving them a reward, such as a treat, when they go to the bathroom outdoors. They’ll learn pretty quickly that this is the appropriate way to go potty, and they’ll be incentivized to continue that behavior because they know you’ll be pleased with it.
Are Rottweilers Social?
It’s beneficial to socialize your Rottweiler around people and dogs early in life. If you are able to bring them home as puppies, you’ll have the best chance of socializing them. If they are older when you bring them home, you will still be able to socialize them as they learn to trust you. Be sure to know their history so you tailor their training to their needs.
Rottweilers usually enjoy the company of other animals and people. They enjoy being able to play and interact with other dogs and will soak up any attention people are willing to give them. Just be aware that Rottweilers are protective and appreciate feeling dominant, so they may not like other dogs that try to dominate their space.
As with anything, you want to introduce your Rottie to others slowly, keeping them on a leash and limiting interaction until all parties become increasingly comfortable. Be sure to positively reinforce their playfulness and affection with treats and praise. When they act up, remove them from the situation, and try again at another time when they are calmer.
Do Rottweilers Like Other Pets?
Unless you bring home more than one Rottweiler from the same family, or another dog your Rottie has already bonded with, it’s best that they are the only pet in the home. They can be unpredictable when it comes to living with other animals.
While they aren’t aggressive all the time, they may feel uncomfortable with other pets, especially if those pets are dominant or are of the same sex.
How Do Rottweilers Behave?
Rottweilers have an incorrectly negative reputation because, if they wanted to, they could do a lot of damage. These are big dogs who will guard their loved ones because of their deeply ingrained sense of loyalty. They naturally want to protect their loved ones, their home, and their things.
Rottweilers love people, and they love getting attention. These big dogs often don’t realize how big they are, so they won’t hesitate to jump up on your lap to give you some kisses and cuddles. One of their many endearing qualities is how they appear to smile when they are happy.
Even though Rottweilers are some of the smartest dogs in the world, they have a natural sense of silliness that is absolutely wonderful to watch. Even though these gorgeous dogs are strong, they tend to be a little bit clumsy and uncoordinated. As they aren’t prone to injury, this quality is just one of the many reasons these dogs are so endearing.
How Do Rottweilers Communicate?
Rottweilers are not big barkers. They will not usually bark to get your attention. Rotties also enjoy holding eye contact with their pet parents. This is a major indicator of whether or not your Rottie trusts you. They enjoy taking in their surroundings and know what’s going on at all times, but they also like to keep eye contact with you to understand how you’re doing as well.
When your Rottweiler has come to love and trust you, you are going to know it. These pups are not afraid of showing affection or cuddling up with their pet parents.
How Do You Groom Rottweilers?
Keeping your Rottie well-groomed is an important component of their health. However, grooming can pose a challenge given how big and strong these dogs can become. It’s important to brush them frequently since they can shed quite a bit. You also want to give them a bath occasionally, as they can stink due to their love of exercise.
When it comes to bathing your Rottweiler, go slow, be gentle, and have lots of treats close by. You will probably need someone to help you as well. Make sure it’s someone your Rottie trusts. When it comes to keeping their nails trimmed and their ears cleaned, going to a groomer may be best, so they can perform, or at least show you, the proper grooming techniques for Rotties.
Final Thoughts
Given how affectionate and intelligent Rottweilers are, they have been trained as very apt service dogs and police dogs, and enjoy that role as much as they enjoy being part of a family. They truly don’t require much more effort than other dogs; they just require some care that is tailored to their breed.
Raising a Rottweiler can be an incredibly rewarding experience for a multitude of reasons. Are Rottweilers easy to take care of? Absolutely. Their hearts and appreciation for their pet parents is the only thing bigger than their stature. When you bring home a Rottweiler, you are caring for a dog that will become your best friend for their entire life.