[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Sugeeta

Please use the services of a professional dog trainer for breeds like Rottweilers. These are essentially attack guard dogs and are genetically predisposed to attack.

Genetic modifications over the generations have resulted in somewhat more sedate behaviour capable for domestication.

Ensure you provide enough exercise and activity for your Rott. pup from the beginning, else he will tend to become bad tempered. Instilling discipline in the pup will ensure he will remain manageable when he grows up.

totally.

I would strongly dissuade Rottweiler as it is your first dog. Keep a more docile breed. If you do not have ample space (garden or large porch), keep a small dog. A large dog requires a lot of space.

Rottweilers like Labradors are extremely intelligent, and there lies the problem, they will always try to out think you, any slack will be fully exploited.

Unlike other breeds (except the Pit Bull), Rottweilers attack instinctively, even their masters. So a strict training is obligatory when they are young. Once the training is over, you have to be firm but fair in treating them. They also require a lot of exercise, at least two hours of brisk walk and a lot of play.

In short, you will have signed up for a life time of training, exercise and occasional bites.

[Thad E Ginathom]

I would second the advice. I think it is important for an inexperienced dog person to go for an "easy" breed. There are many dogs whose first instinct seems to be a desire to please --- don't think that they won't raise a row against intruders or protect you if you are under attack.

[MuzzledMoose]

Originally Posted by Sugeeta

Please use the services of a professional dog trainer for breeds like Rottweilers. These are essentially attack guard dogs and are genetically predisposed to attack.

Genetic modifications over the generations have resulted in somewhat more sedate behaviour capable for domestication.

Ensure you provide enough exercise and activity for your Rott. pup from the beginning, else he will tend to become bad tempered. Instilling discipline in the pup will ensure he will remain manageable when he grows up.

I totally disagree with the statement "predisposed to attack". Any dog can be mellow,clam,rude or ferocious based on how it is brought up from the puppy stage.
If the dog is freely moving around and is well socialized with people and other animals and vechicles around, there are very less chances that it will become arrogant or ferocious
On the other hand a chained dog with little freedom will wreck havoc even if is calm otherwise.

[Sugeeta]

Originally Posted by MuzzledMoose

I totally disagree with the statement "predisposed to attack". Any dog can be mellow,clam,rude or ferocious based on how it is brought up from the puppy stage.
If the dog is freely moving around and is well socialized with people and other animals and vechicles around, there are very less chances that it will become arrogant or ferocious
On the other hand a chained dog with little freedom will wreck havoc even if is calm otherwise.

I agree with your first statement. However, please read the following :

Rottweilers are dangerous dogs and should not be family pets | Forums | icNorthwest

Rottweiler Temperament « Official Rottweiler Blog

Rottweiler UK

These powerful breed at times are unpredictable. My husband is in the veterinary pharma business and interacts with many breeders. Rottweiler is a breed not usually recommended for urban homes, especially with kids around.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Different breeds of dog certainly have different natures, and different degrees of sociability, playfulness, desire to please, etc. Also different breeds require different amounts of exercise.

This is not to deny that the soppiest dog could not be turned into a killer by ill-treatment, or that the best cannot be had from a different kind of dog by good training. I would not start with a "difficult breed," any more than I would recommend a beginner to drive a difficult or high-power car.

My mother's doggie experience ranged from German Shepherds to poodles. Later in her life, when she decided that she could no longer rely on living longer than a puppy, she took adult dogs from rescue homes. and, however bad their habits, she quickly made them into loving, well-behaved dogs. How did she do that? It certainly didn't come from books and I don't know how ... and the point is, we have to ask, it means we can't! Which is not to say don't start somewhere.

Another way in which all dogs are not the same. Some can take your child's arm off; others can't. Simple factors of size, mouth, strength. A terrier can really make itself felt on your ankle, but it is not going to change your limb count.

[Aroy]

Here is an extract from one of the above articles

Whether it is the right dog for you needs to be weighed well before you decide to get a Rottweiler puppy in your home. This dog needs constant reinforcement of rules until it is about two years of age. In case you are not capable to give total attention to this dog for these two years, this dog is definitely not for you. The Rottweiler is easy to train, but it has to be done consistently until they mature. They are dogs who will always test how far they can go and any behavior discrepancy should be firmly checked when it happens.

Another quote from http://www.petplanet.co.uk/dog_breed...le.asp?dbid=57
The importance of socialisation and training from an early age cannot be overstressed! These are intelligent dogs but can be rather dominant in nature. They require firmness and consistency from an early age from an equable, calm handler. The breed is extremely sensitive to your voice so use this to your advantage when it comes to praising the dog. Attack training is highly discouraged in case it overstimulates their already protective natures and they become uncontrollable.

In a nutshell, if you are prepared to
1. Train the dog and keep it company for two years
2. Constantly reinforce that you are the pack leader
3. Give it plenty of exercise

Then it is for you. If you want a "buy it and forget it" kind of dog, it is definitely not for you. In fact if you relent on any of the above points, you are in for a nasty surprise, as the dog will take over from you, the role of the pack leader, and constantly bully you (biting and keeping you in your place is assured).

[yogi1771]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

My mother's doggie experience ranged from German Shepherds to poodles. Later in her life, when she decided that she could no longer rely on living longer than a puppy, she took adult dogs from rescue homes. and, however bad their habits, she quickly made them into loving, well-behaved dogs. How did she do that? It certainly didn't come from books and I don't know how ... and the point is, we have to ask, it means we can't! Which is not to say don't start somewhere.

Something similar to"Dog Whisperer" ,need to watch the show on Natgeo at 9pm really phenomenal how he controls the dogs.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Dog whisperer, horse whisper, yes... exactly that sort of thing.

There were basic techniques she told me, like house-training with a newspaper. Goes something like putting the youngster on a newspaper every time it about to <whichever> and eventually put the newspaper outside, then start putting the dog outside. Dog soon gets message and goes to door when wanting to "go out".

I think some apartment dwellers here have taught the dog to use the bathroom.

But yes, it was much more basic essential understanding than technique. I guess even she had to start somewhere though.

(Cats, now. They'll find a plug hole and wee down it. They don't have to be taught, least-ways, they do, but mum does it. I'm a cat person )

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Dog whisperer, horse whisper, yes... exactly that sort of thing.

There were basic techniques she told me, like house-training with a newspaper. Goes something like putting the youngster on a newspaper every time it about to <whichever> and eventually put the newspaper outside, then start putting the dog outside. Dog soon gets message and goes to door when wanting to "go out".

I think some apartment dwellers here have taught the dog to use the bathroom.

But yes, it was much more basic essential understanding than technique. I guess even she had to start somewhere though.

(Cats, now. They'll find a plug hole and wee down it. They don't have to be taught, least-ways, they do, but mum does it. I'm a cat person )

The newspaper method is better than training them to use your toilet. First of all they get the idea that they have to do it outside and not inside. Secondly they gain tolerance and wait till they are taken out. Lastly that gives you an opportunity to take them out.

I have trained my Labrador to do potty on a bed of leaves or in grass. That way he does not mess up the pavements and the roads.

The most important training is to make them obey you. Males especially Alpha males are a pain to train; as they always try to assert their pecking order; but once they accept your "Pack Leader Status", it is fine.

A first time dog owner may not get all his training right, and that is why I am not in favour of first time owners getting Rottweiler or other guard dogs, as any slip up in training will result in the Dog bullying the Master. The bigger the dog the more dangerous the situation if the dog and not you is the Master.

Another problem which keeps cropping up with new owners is that they underestimate the amount of exercise and time needed to be spent with the dog, especially hyper active dogs like German Shepherd and Labradors. After the honey moon of ownership is over, they cannot cope up with the tedium of ownership and either give the dog away or worse slacken and let the dog "go to dogs".

[Sankar]

I've been doing some reading about this breed since the last few days and i think i might reconsider the decision of getting a Rott. Most of the Rott attacks were caused by chained dogs but have also come across a socialised un-chained family pet attacking family members. More than me getting bitten i'm more worried about mom or dad getting bitten by the dog when im not around, i don't want them to suffer in their old age.

We have a medium sized yard in the front, then there is terrace and then i plan to take it out on walks. I can take it for a 1 to 1.5 hour outing in the morning and for a shorter duration in the evening. What other choices do i have? I can't keep a breed that sheds too much, and don't want a breed that is too small, prefer medium sized dogs. Boxer has a better temperament i suppose? Boxer and Lab are the other two options i have in mind.

[Thad E Ginathom]

I think that is a very wise decision.

As mentioned, I'm a cat person, but did grow up with dogs due to my mother's attachment to them. When I was born, she had a couple of German Shepherds. Very much one-person dogs, that took little or no notice of me! After loosing the last, she got a Golden Retriever, which, really, is a long-haired labrador. Utterly soppy dog. As we were both youngsters together, we played a lot --- and I had plenty of scratches, but never, never would she bite hard. They were bred as retrievers, ie to go fetch birds that their masters shot, so they have this ability to hold gently.

I never had a boxer, but I remember one that belonged to a colleague. As a puppy, every time they went out, it destroyed some furniture. It really drove them crazy, but they still loved it. I guess they are playful and attention-seeking!

[Red Liner]

Boxers are awesome. A friend of mine has 5 of them :-)

[kri$hna]

Originally Posted by Sankar

We have a medium sized yard in the front, then there is terrace and then i plan to take it out on walks. I can take it for a 1 to 1.5 hour outing in the morning and for a shorter duration in the evening. What other choices do i have? I can't keep a breed that sheds too much, and don't want a breed that is too small, prefer medium sized dogs. Boxer has a better temperament i suppose? Boxer and Lab are the other two options i have in mind.

i think you can try out the hounds, rampur hound if you can find one and like the looks of them. Also, short haired geman shepherd should be a good option as well, they dont shed much and have amazing temperament to go with you and your family, including kids !

[Thad E Ginathom]

Hound need a lot of exercise, don't they? I know they come in a lot of different shapes and sizes, but when I think "hound" I think long, strong legs that need to be worked.

[Sankar]

Yes sight hounds like Rampur and Mudhol likes to run a lot i've heard! I don't think i will be able to excercise them enough.

Does anyone know kind of a temparement does Indian breeds like Rajapalayam, Chippiparai have? Not much info on the net regarding these two.