Rottweiler Training

Take your pup to a training class - some Rottweiler breeders insist on this in their contract. This will get him or her used to other dogs and situations. Many clubs run puppy classes which they can attend once their inoculations are completed. These courses run for varying periods of about 8 to 12 weeks, and are invaluable for socialising and accustoming pups to other dogs in a controlled environment. Visit a club or clubs before enrolling and avoid any club where handling is rough.  Make sure that the club has trainers experienced with Rottweilers. Not all are. Ask around before you go.

Obedience training is essential in order that the Rottweiler who, in most instances will be stronger than his owner, is always under reliable verbal control. Rottweilers are a very intelligent breed. They are fast learners, quick to respond to commands once they understand what is required, and very willing to please a handler for whom they have respect.

The key to training your Rottweiler is to employ firm but fair and gentle discipline and to reward and praise enthusiastically good behaviour. If correction is necessary then voice alone should be sufficient. There is no reason to employ harsh physical methods which will simply undermine the dog’s trust and respect for his handler.

Rottweilers compete very successfully in advanced obedience and do very well in the demanding sport of Schutzhund. The importance of early and constant socialization cannot be over-emphasised. The more people of all kinds that your Rottweiler meets the more confident he or she will become and the less likely to make errors of judgement. Adequate socialisation will also ensure that he does not develop fearfulness or become over-protective or aggressive. Interaction with dogs and other animals from a young age will do much to ensure that problems do not arise later.

If you would like to read more about training a Rottweiler, please read some of these excellent, highly recommended books:

* Training Your Rottweiler by: Barbara McNinch
* Rottweiler by: Wilhelm Jonas
* The Everything Rottweiler Book by: Margaret Holowinski
* A New Owners Guide to Rottweilers by: Urs Ochsenbein
* Rottweiler by: Di McCann
* Rottweilers for Dummies by: Richard G. Beauchamp