Raising dogs, especially taking care of the rottweiler, is a specialty of humans across the world. Some zoologists say dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all canines evolved from wolves. Since then, we have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, ranging in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of tallest dog. But the most preferred canines are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The rottweiler is also a favorite choice among dog owners. Some owners are oblivious, however, of some of the most common rottweiler care tips.
General cost of care for the rottweiler
The yearly budget for rearing the rottweiler—to include nutrition and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between $420 and $780. This does not even count capital costs for sterilization procedures, collar and leash, carrier and a crate. Tip: Be positive you have all the necessary supplies before you bring your rottweiler home.
Basic rottweiler Care
rottweiler Feeding Schedule
- rottweiler pups between eight and 12 weeks need 4 bowls of food every twenty-four hours.
- Feed rottweiler puppies three to 6 months old 3 meals every twenty-four hour period.
- Feed puppies six months to one year old two times in a 24 hour period.
- By the time the rottweiler reaches his or her first birthday, 1 meal daily is usually enough.
- Many times rottweilers, however, do better with 2 smaller servings. It is your job to learn your rottweiler’s eating tendencies.
High-quality dry dog food ensures balanced nutrition to grown rottweilers and may be mixed with broth, water, or canned food. Your rottweiler may also enjoy fruits and vegetables, cottage cheese, and cooked eggs, but these additions shouldn’t result in more than 10 percent of her daily allowance. rottweiler pups should probably be given a high-quality, name brand puppy food. Please try to cut down on “people food”, however, because it can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, bone and teeth concerns, and may result in very finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Give clean, potable water exclusively, and be sure to clean water and food dishes very regularly.
rottweiler Care Tips: Make sure to get your rottweiler plenty of daily exercise
rottweilers must get daily physical activity in order to stay healthy, recharge their brains, and maintain their health. Daily physical activity also really helps rottweilers fight boredom, which has the potential to lead to destructive behavior. Getting out and about will cure many of your rottweiler’s desires to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Activity needs can depend on your rottweiler’s age and his level of health—but merely a walk down the street every day and ten minutes in the backyard probably isn’t enough. If your rottweiler is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will probably be much more.
rottweiler Grooming
You can help reduce shedding and keep your rottweiler clean with brushing. Inspect for ticks and fleas daily during the summer or other warm weather. Many rottweilers don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Before bathing, cut out or comb all mats from the rottweiler’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your rottweiler
Pups, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to manage. When carrying your rottweiler puppy, place one of your hands under your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or your other hand supporting her hind legs and rump. Don’t ever try to lift or grab your pup by his or her forelegs, back of the neck or tail. When you must lift a bigger, full-grown rottweiler, lift from underneath, bracing his or her chest with 1 arm and rump with your other.
rottweiler housing
rottweilers need a cozy peaceful place to be able to rest away from all drafts and off the ground or floor. You may wish to think about buying a dog bed, or make one out of a wood box. Put a clean comforter, blanket, or pillow in the bed for cushioning. Wash your rottweiler’s bed covering frequently. If the rottweiler will be outdoors often, be certain she has access to plenty of cool water and covering in the summer, and a dry, covered, warm area in winter.
rottweiler Licensing
Your city has licensing rules to follow. You should attach the license to the rottweiler’s collar. This, together with an identification tag or tattoo, can possibly help you recover your rottweiler should she become lost.
rottweiler Behavior Facts
rottweiler Training
A well-mannered, companion rottweiler is truly a blessing. However, untrained, your rottweiler can easily be a lot of trouble. Teaching your rottweiler the fundamentals—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—improves your relationship both with the dog and your neighbors. If you’re the owner of a pup, start training her on the appropriate responses as soon as humanly possible! Doggie snacks should be used as a lure and recognition. Puppies should commence obedience class when they have been sufficiently immunized. Contact your community SPCA or humane society for information on training courses. Always walk your rottweiler leashed when, even while a pup. Be certain your rottweiler will come to you every time you say. A disobedient or aggressive rottweiler should not play with kids.
About your rottweiler’s Health
Your rottweiler should see the vet for a full check-up, immunizations and a heartworm exam annualy, and promptly when she is injured or ill.
Your rottweiler’s Dental Health
While many of us might simply dislike our rottweiler’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it might mean. Foul breath is a symptom that your rottweiler should get an oral screening. Dental plaque due to bacteria causes a foul smell that can only be freshened with treatment by a professional. Once your rottweiler has had a professional cleaning, the teeth and gums can be kept up by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. The vet can supply you with additional advice on reducing dental diseases and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your rottweiler’s teeth. Clean them with a gauze pad, a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over the finger, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Periodontal disease,which is an infection between the gum and tooth, often affects rottweilers. Frequently, loss of teeth occurs because of periodontal disease. Disease can possibly also propagate to the rest of your rottweiler’s body. Your vet will brush the rottweiler’s teeth while performing his regular health test.
Halitosis (bad breath) in rottweilers
If your rottweiler has smelly breath, periodontal disease may not necessarily be the issue, as other more serious problems also have that symptom. Diseases of the intestines or liver sometimes also cause halitosis, while a sweet, fruity smell may sometimes be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possibility when your rottweiler’s breath smells like urine or ammonia. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your rottweiler has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Tick and Fleas in rottweilers
When it’s warm, it’s important for you to perform daily, regular inspections of your rottweiler for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are several new technologies of tick and flea reduction. Speak with your rottweiler’s doctor about his or her options.
Heartworm problems in rottweilers
This parasite lives in the heart and is passed from an infested dog to your rottweiler by way of mosquitoes. Several rottweilers die annualy due to heartworms. It’s very important you ensure your rottweiler has a blood test for worms annually each spring. It is also good to give your rottweiler a once-a-month pill throughout mosquito season in order to protect him from heartworms. Your rottweiler should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some areas, usually the areas with milder temperatures, where the doctors recommend worm tablets be taken continuously.
Medicines and Toxins
If you’re pondering giving your rottweiler medication that was not prescribed for her by his veterinarian, forget it. One little ibuprofen tablet can possibly create stomach ulcers in rottweilers. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your rottweiler. Make sure to contact your dog’s veterinarian when you have cause to think your rottweiler has eaten poison. You should also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hour help.
rottweiler Reproductive Surgery
It is recommended that male rottweilers should be neutered – the extraction of the testes – and females spayed – the extraction of the ovaries and uterus – by 6 months old. You can greatly reduce your female rottweiler’s risk of breast cancer by spaying prior to maturity. Spaying also eradicates the chance of a sick uterus, a very serious problem in more mature females that demands surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering males prevents testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
rottweiler Innoculating
- rottweiler pups should be vaccinated with a combo shot (called the “five-in-1”) at two, 3 and four months old, and then once yearly. This innoculation protects your pup from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The rottweiler must be innoculated for at least the first 4 months of his life.
- If you have the rare rottweiler who has not been innoculated and is older than four or five months, she must have a series of 2 immunizations given two to 3 weeks apart, followed by an annual immunization.
- rottweiler pup innoculation and socialization should go hand in hand. Most vets advise that new owners take their rottweiler pups to socialization classes, beginning at 8 or nine weeks of age. At this point, they should have already received their first immunizations.
Rules vary so much around the country, that it’s best to call your community veterinarian to get rabies innoculation details. For instance, NYC statutes state that pets older than 3 months be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial immunization, he must get another immunization the next year, and then every 3 years after that. There are a variety of immunizations that might right for your rottweiler. Ask your rottweiler’s vet for her recommendation. Please be aware, if your rottweiler happens to get sick because she is not innoculated, the shot must be administered after your dog fully recovers.
Intestinal Worms in rottweilers
rottweilers are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Tiny eggs produced by roundworms are passed in an infected dog’s feces. Even the healthiest of rottweiler puppies carry roundworms or hookworms. The key to treatment is early detection. This will make sure that the medicine is effective against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eliminates roundworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your rottweiler’s doctor can best figure out the culprit—and decide the appropriate medicine.
rottweiler: Miscellaneous Care Tips
Checklist of rottweiler Supplies
- Premium-quality dog food and treats specifically for rottweilers and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb & brush for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Dog box or bed with comforter or towel
- Doggie toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Do not feed your rottweiler the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Coffee, tea, or chocolate
- Raisins and grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, chives & garlic
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured location, keep your rottweiler on a leash at all times. And please, when your rottweiler defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about rottweilers
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