Do you have a newly adopted Rottweiler? Or, are you struggling to train your Rottweiler? Rottweilers are known to be loyal, obedient, and intelligent, naturally. Accordingly, they can be trained properly, as they have no many difficulties in understanding your commands. However, you certainly need the right way on how to train a Rottweiler. Properly trained Rottweiler can live happily within the human family. They know their position properly and they can adjust well. Again, proper training is the key.
Ideally, the training for Rottweiler puppies starts when they are 7 to 8-week old. This is the ideal time to begin implementing the Rottweiler training tips. But, what if you adopt the dog when he is older than 8 weeks. Do not be discouraged, since you still have the chance to train the Rottweiler properly until it reaches the age of 6 months.
Rottweiler Training Tips: Beginning of the Training
At the very beginning of the training, there are some general rules to make your jobs easier. The following are some Rottweiler training tips: how to train a Rottweiler:
- Make the session short and fun; This is the first thing you have to note when training the Rottweiler, regardless of the age. Before the puppy is 6 months old, one or two minutes is enough for each session. Longer session has few, if any, benefits. Why? The Rottweiler puppies have short attention span. If you train them for longer than 2 minutes, the dog is not able to pay attention to your commands anymore.
- Establish the rules; This is an important thing to do at the very beginning phase of the training. The rules refer to things that you have to reinforce and the dog will follow throughout the training sessions. The rules aim at improving the dog’s behavior. Some trainers use the term dominance for the rule-establishment session. However, the term is overused to some extent. There is no need to show that you dominate over the dog. Instead, just show tender and careful understanding. Then, never show aggression towards the dog. Hitting the dog does not benefit you at all.
- Socialize the puppy earlier; Imagine how frustrating it is to see your dog barking or being aggressive when he is around other people or within other dogs. To prevent such problem, make sure that the dog socializes earlier. Do this by taking the puppy out for walks in your environment, over a friend’s house, or to a park. Taking him out regularly helps the Rottweiler puppy fight against fear and stress and develop confidence. For this, make sure that he has positive experience every time you take him out.
- Reinforce positive behavior; This rule applies for training any breeds of puppies. As the trainer as well as the master, you are just suggested to reward positive behavior and never punish any misbehaving. Positive reinforcement in how to train Rottweiler means training by reward. Actually, the dog does not understand anything you say. He will just repeat one action, when you treat him after doing it. If you do this repeatedly and consistently, the dog will eventually make such behaviors as habits. Rewards may come in the form of toys, food, or anything that the dog likes.
- No physical discipline; Physical discipline and yelling are never suggested for training any breeds of dog. They will never bring you to the desired results. Physical discipline just leads to fear and confuse, while you may feel frustrated because of it. Imagine this condition: You punish the dog with physical interference for toileting in your house two hours earlier. The dog actually does not know what he has done. It is useless to punish him, as he does not have any idea on it. Conversely, when you treat him after going out for outdoor bathroom, he will do the same then. As you keep treating him after doing the good action, he will make outdoor elimination a habit.
- Maintain high-level patience. For many dog masters, teaching Rottweiler is rather challenging, thanks to the loyal characters of the dog. Since they naturally wants to be close to you and always be at your side, teaching some basic commands may be challenging. The same case applies for preventing separation anxiety and stress. Therefore, patience is the key. There is no need to yell or get angry at the dog. Remember that they are naturally lovely companion.
- With these general rules in mind, you can proceed to the next Rottweiler training tips and train the puppies for simple commands.
How To Train a Rottweiler: Simple Commands
As mentioned above, training session for a Rottweiler puppy must be short, simple, and fun. Otherwise, he will not pay attention to your commands. The basic session in Rottweiler training is teaching simple commands. The following are some basic commands to teach to your Rottweiler:
Use "Sit" Command!
Instead of teaching him his name, you had better teach the dog to sit as the first command he should learn. Why? The “Sit!” command will be necessary in many situations. When the dog understands this command, the remaining training sessions will be much easier. The following are some Rottweiler training tips to teach him “Sit!” command:
- Make sure to attract his attention first;
- You can use hand gesture instead of voice. The body gesture makes it easier for the dog to focus on you;
- You may combine the hand gesture with short voice command. But, make sure you give the voice command after you get his attention. If he does not pay attention to you, the voice command will not work.
Use “No!” or “Stop!” Command
This is another important command that your dog has to understand. “No!” or “Stop!” command tells your dog is doing something wrong. Rottweiler loves mouth items. They love carrying things on their mouth. However, it can be trouble some if the puppies begin biting your shoes, the kids’ toys, or other valuable items. You need to tell them to stop it. The following are some Rottweiler training tips for this command:
- You may choose either “No!” or “Stop!” command, but make sure you use the same command consistently.
- As you voice the “stop!” command, move the puppy immediately from thing that he is doing. This shows him that he should not have done it.
- Ignore him, but make sure to keep your eyes on him.
- If he does the same thing again, voice the same command and take him away from it.
- Do not give any treat until he behaves correctly.
- Once you say “Stop!” or “No!” and he stops immediately, give him the treats.
- Do not yell at the puppy even though he is misbehaving. Yelling or shouting just makes the dog confused and does not help anything.
Use “Down!” Command
This command is taught only after the dog understands the “Sit!” command. This is important particularly is you have a jumper breed of dog. Jumping may lead to problems like physical injuries. Teaching this command could be tricky. The following is how to teach the Rottweiler not to jump by teaching him “down!” command:
- Make sure you are prepared with treats in hand;
- Show him that you have interesting treats;
- Say “Sit!” command and make sure that he does sit;
- Make sure he focuses on you. You can put your hand (which holds the treats) near his nose.
- Move your hand down to the floor and say “down!” command.
- Normally, he will follow your instruction as he focuses on the treats.
- Give him the treats if he lays down properly.
- Repeat the same command, and do the same reward system.
- Obey him if he fails to do your instruction.
Normally, it takes about a week to familiarize the dog with the new command. Practice is consistently but make sure the session is short. The session is regarded successful anytime you can command the dog to stop jumping.
Use “Stay!” Command
This command is also taught when the puppy is familiar with “Sit!” command. Otherwise, teaching “Stay!” command can be frustrating. Some masters found that teaching this command is one of the most frustrating parts of the Rottweiler training. However, you have huge chances to be successful with it, as long as you maintain high amount of patience.
Teaching this command is important, as you know that Rottweiler are loyal companions. They always want to be with you, next to you, or at least around you. However, there might be many cases, in which you have to tell him to stay away. The following tips may work for you:
- Make sure you have some treats at hand.
- Tell the dog to sit first. That is why “Stay!” command is suggested after the dog is done with “sit!” command;
- Get his attention by putting your hand near to his nose.
- As soon as he focuses on the treats, say “Stay!” command and then step back slowly.
- Give him the treats if he is done with the command.
It is very likely that, at least at the first session of the Rottweiler training, the puppy will run up to you. If this happens, ask him to sit down again, and place the treats in front of his nose. Repeat the command “stay!” while you are stepping backward. Repeat the process until the Rottweiler puppy is done with the command.
For some dog masters, teaching the “stay!” command is a frustrating session. Therefore, it takes more patience. Therefore, make sure to choose the right timing and phase to teach this.
“Come!” Command
This command is taught when the dog has been done with “stay!” command. Otherwise, you will find teaching the command frustrating. If you choose the right timing, teaching this command is a fun, thanks to the natural character of Rottweiler that loves his master. Understanding this command may help your Rottweiler avoid danger sometimes in the future. Imagine the condition that he is running toward danger and he does not understand your command to come.
Just like teaching the commands above, make sure you are ready with his favorite treats before beginning the session. The following are some of the steps:
- Make sure that he pays attention to you. Calling him and show him the treats may work.
- Slap your thighs and say “come!”. Make sure to use a friendly voice.
- If necessary, you can use hand gesture. However, whatever the gesture you use, make sure to use it consistently;
- Give him the treats the puppy does it well.
- Make sure to work on those commands regularly. Make the session short and fun, but do it consistently.
How to Train a Rottweiler: Rottweiler Crate Training
Well-trained Rottweiler is actually a gift for you. Why? He is a cute and loyal companion. He always wants to make you happy. Rottweiler is also known as one of the most powerful, the largest, and the most robust dog breeds of dog. For some dog masters, the naturally loyal character of Rottweiler makes it challenging for crate training. Again, never give up, let alone, get upset with the dog. Note that, he is a companion, and he will do what you want him to do.
Crate training is important for you Rottweiler. If you begin the training earlier, this is less challenging. Crate training benefits you and the dog as well, as you teach him the right way to use bathroom, whether it is in the crate or outdoor. Crate training also teaches your Rottweiler to be comfortable in his ‘home’ while you are away. This keeps him safe in your house and avoids him from potential danger. More importantly, proper crate training can help alleviate separation anxiety. This is particularly important if you are working away from home.
Crate training for Rottweiler is mostly similar to that for other breeds of dog. The keys are choosing the right size of crate, providing the training in a gradual but consistently, and providing the right rewards and punishment.
