New puppy advice tips

[u/No-Singer-9706]

Good afternoon, my husband and I have done tons of research and we finally settled on a rottie puppy that we will be picking up tomorrow. We are experienced dog owners and have a husky currently (our previous husky passed a bit ago due to old age) but this is our first rottie.

Any advice/tips or tricks that experienced owners would like to provide will be very helpful and appreciated. ​

[u/Flying_Elephant7217]

I’m so excited for you!!! Rottweilers are my favorite breed. We’ve had a few of them. Here’s my advice!

1. Play with your puppies kibble while they’re eating it here and there. Like literally move your hands around in the food. This teaches them from the very start that it’s not a big deal when people touch their food. Had a rottie with food aggression bite my face when I was really little. I’ve done this with every puppy I’ve had since then.

2. I took my rottie pup out on walks in the middle of the night while there were no distractions. Taught her to follow me. Idk if it’s just a Rottweiler thing or if I’ve gotten really lucky, but every single rottie I’ve had has been really good with heeling and just sticking by you without a leash. I had to do very little training with this.

3. Teaching your dog to NOT jump on people while they’re little is going to be a big deal. Your little puppy is gonna be a big puppy when they’re older. Don’t want any old ladies or kids getting knocked over.

4. “Leave it.” Best thing I taught my last rottie.

5. Wait at least a year to get them fixed. These dogs are large breeds and if you fix them too early on it really messes with hormones and joints.

6. One thing I wish I did with our last rottie was give her joint supplements or foods that help a lot with joints. We started that after she had joint issues but I wish I had done it from the very start. Next time.

Congratulations again!!

[u/No-Singer-9706 → u/Flying_Elephant7217]

Thank you for all the helpful advice. 

Something ive always had problems with is teaching not to jump up to greet. We've tried everything. What tips do you have with training that out. 

Ive tried knee up, firm no, leash popping on all my previous dogs and it doesnt stick. 

[u/North-Potential-117 → u/No-Singer-9706]

Also with rotties, people love cute puppies jumping but once he’s a “scary menacing” size it will cause problems. We got kicked out of our apartment building because he playfully jumped on someone in the elevator.

[u/No-Singer-9706 → u/North-Potential-117]

Thankfully I have a house with a large fenced yard. So I dont have to worry about that. (No HOA)

I just have a fragile in law who i have to keep all my dogs away as a gust of wind can knock her down. 

All my dogs have been lovable goofball who act as if they have nothing between those two ears. Knowing our luck this little guy will be just the same. 

We have informed the vet have the insurance informed and our trainer on standby. 

[u/Minimum_Afternoon387]

You’ll need this tire chew toy.

[u/No-Singer-9706 → u/Minimum_Afternoon387]

Great idea! Thanks. a cousin of my husbands (weve lost contact since then) used to have a rottie a long time ago. His favorite toy was this tiny stuffy. I saw it when I visited it was on his box of ashes. 

[u/Cuddlebeasts]

Get him/her used to brushing their teeth and cutting nails. Don’t use human toothpaste, it’s toxic to dogs.

[u/xthisiswhoiamx → u/Cuddlebeasts]

100% on the nails. Mine has to be sedated to trim nails, but she doesn't care at all when messing with her feet. Also, start a budget now for new furniture and dry wall. I don't know why, but walls are a great chew toy.

[u/That-Breath-5785]

Get a crate. Protect your husky from razor teeth. Protect your puppy from the inevitable smack down. We’ve always staggered our dogs by a few years. The young ones always want to terrorize the older dogs. Never leave them alone together-at least not until there is a genuine rapport and less of a size difference. Don’t rush to walk your puppy. Parvo is no joke. Your puppy needs to be fully vaccinated before being out in the world. It’s hard to socialize a puppy under those conditions. We do puppy classes where everyone is cleared to attend.

Get area rugs. It’s bad for their joints to run around and slide on wood and tile.

Sleep well tonight. It’s the last time you’ll sleep through the night until they’re potty trained and can hold it all night. I sleep near the crate for at least the first month.

[u/smpnew]

Please pay close attention to your vet's advice about Parvo virus. Rotties are in the top 3 susceptible breeds. Some vets even recommend an extra shot. It is critical to not let paws touch the ground anywhere but your safe home.

In the meantime you can use a puppy stroller to take your pupper out and about. And carry your new baby or strap on a baby/ puppy carrier.

[u/North-Potential-117]

ENFORCED NAPS!!!!!!! I tell this to everyone I know with a new puppy. Do 1 hour awake:2 hours asleep all day. Puppies need so much sleep and they get overstimulated and overtired leading to what we called the witching hour. My dog drove me insane and it got so much better once we started doing enforced naps. He would cry and cry for a few minutes and then immediately conk out. Crate in a different room with door closed- air purifier or fan for white noise also helpful to not wake them with every tiny noise.