Thursday, August 21, 2008
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How to train your rottweiler puppy with simple commands

By MacDonald
 

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Buckle collar
  • 6-foot leash
  • Long training leash
  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Step 1:
    Rottweilers have been bred for centuries to work independently and they are really intelligent dogs. If your Rottweiler puppy seems stubborn, it is either because he is getting bored with repetition or you are not telling him clearly enough what you want him to do. You have to make training sessions short and fun. Some puppies are highly food motivated and respond best to treat rewards. Find a treat he really goes crazy for and only use this for obedience training. Other puppies love to play and chase squeaky toys. If this is your pup, get a really special squeaky toy and only use it for training. You have to figure out what really gets your Rottweiler puppy's attention and use that to your advantage.
  • Step 2:
    You must set your Rottweiler puppy up to succeed, not to fail. Here's an example. You are trying to teach your puppy to sit and stay, but he only sits for three seconds before getting up again. Instead of getting frustrated because he only sits for three seconds, reward him for sitting for two seconds. This is setting him up to succeed, and it is by being rewarded for doing the right thing, rather than being corrected for failure, that he learns. Once he is good with two seconds, increase the time to three seconds. This can take patience, but you have his whole life to learn.
  • Step 3:
    Your Rottweiler puppy will naturally come when called when he is little. Use his name and call him to you often. Always give him lots of praise for coming to you. When he gets a little bit older and you are taking him outside, use a 20-foot training leash. Call him and if he does not come right away, just pull him to you and always reward this. The message you are giving your Rottweiler puppy is that he has no choice. One way or the other, he is going to come when you call his name and no matter what he will get rewarded for this.
  • Step 4:
    Rottweilers are very honest dogs and you should be honest with him. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you tell your puppy "Sit" and he doesn't sit, do you repeat "Sit" eight times until he finally sits? By doing this you are teaching him it is OK to wait until you have repeated yourself multiple times. In other words, he is doing exactly what you are teaching him to do. Tell him to sit just once. Hold the treat over his head and gently push down on his rump until he sits. Then reward him. Always use the same word. Don't say "Sit" one time, and "Sit down" the next time. This is confusing your Rottweiler puppy.
  • Step 5:
    Incorporate training and obedience commands into everyday life with your Rottweiler puppy. Ask him to sit before he gets a meal. Have him sit while you put on his lash, and don't open the door to let him outside until he is sitting. This is teaching him control, and to look to you for guidance. When you play tug or fetch with him, teach him to "Drop" items in his mouth as part of the game. To teach him to enjoy his crate, give him his crate command (say "Crate up") and put his food or a treat inside the crate.
  • Step 6:
    Your Rottweiler puppy is a cute little ball of fur right now but will soon grow to be a large, strong dog. Don't let him do anything now that you don't want him to do as an adult Rottweiler. Teach him not to jump up on people right from the start, by saying "No," turning away and ignoring him if he jumps. Teach him to sit and offer his paw instead. Do not let your Rottweiler puppy bite people in play. When he does, scream very loudly "No" and stop playing with him. Even though it is just playing, you don't want him play-biting people when he is older.
  • Step 7:
    Because some Rottweilers can get aggressive with other dogs when they mature, it is important to socialize him early. A great way to do this is by enrolling in group obedience classes. You will both learn a lot and your puppy will be exposed to other friendly people and friendly dogs. Once your Rottweiler puppy has had his shots, start taking him out to places where he meets other people and other dogs and gets used to different situations. This will make him more confident and friendly as an adult.

Tips & Warnings

  • Rottweilers can be rather dominant and stubborn if they are not obedience trained right from the start so begin teaching him as soon as he comes home.
  • Play with your puppy a lot because he will learn from all positive interactions.
  • It is very important to socialize your puppy early by getting him used to cats, other dogs, and different people and situations. Otherwise he could grow up fearful and a fearful Rottweiler can be dangerous.

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