Is the Rottweiler dangerous? Is the Rottweiler docile? Is the Rottweiler brave? These are the main questions that arise about this breed of dog. The reputation of the adult Rottweiler as a good guardian is notorious, as are the stereotypes surrounding its difficult and aggressive temperament. In fact, the robust build and intimidating appearance of this large dog hide a calm, protective and friendly animal.This means that if a Rottweiler is well trained, it can be very docile, affectionate and an excellent companion for the family, including children.

The efforts to raise a Rottweiler puppy can be challenging, especially for first-time guardians. With that in mind, Patas da Casa talked to English trainer Noel O'Mahony, who has been raising puppies in Rio de Janeiro for over 34 years. Check out the tips he gave!

Rottweiler: the animal's personality is linked to the way it is raised

Like almost all guard dogs, the Rottweiler carries the reputation of having an aggressive behavior. This, however, according to trainer Noel, happens more due to the lack of training than to the nature of the animal itself. "The personality of the Rottweiler is connected to the education that is offered to him, especially in the first year of life. If an animal of this breed was raised to be a guardian of the environment, it will be a good one.home, responsive to threats in an aggressive manner, he may maintain this behavior for the rest of his life", explains the professional.

Therefore, it is essential to know how to train a Rottweiler puppy so that he does not show signs of aggression. "If he is used from a young age to relate to other people and pets, he has everything to be a dog like any other: affectionate, faithful and attached to his family", concludes Noel.

How to raise a Rottweiler: what is the role of the guardian in raising a dog of the breed?

Noel points out that the commitment of the guardian of a Rottweiler dog is an indispensable part in building the pet's personality: "Sometimes a person does not intend to have an aggressive dog, but some situations and behaviors, such as stimulating territoriality, can lead to stress and aggression in the pet".

Rottweiler training: what is the importance of training to avoid aggressive behavior?

All we want is for our dogs to be able to get along with people and other pets. The Rottweiler, like most dogs, needs to learn social skills in order to accept outside elements and know how to behave in unfamiliar surroundings. Understanding how to train a Rottweiler is one of the best ways to keep a peaceful dog of the breed at home.

"Dogs of this breed can be aggressive but, as I said earlier, this depends on how they are raised. Like any large dog, it is very important to start training the animal from puppyhood to show how you want him to behave. If there is no correct training, the Rottweiler may want to dominate everyone in the house, "says Noel.

Training: From what age can a Rottweiler start training?

As with humans, dogs also go through stages of development until they become adults. How to train a 5-month-old Rottweiler? Can you train a 6-month-old Rottweiler? Is it possible to educate a female Rottweiler at 1 year old? The best stage of life to train dogs of this breed is one of the biggest doubts of the guardians. According to Noel, the limit for an animal to learn is the beginning of the first year of life."The older the dog, the more difficult it is to eliminate acquired relationship and behavioral vices," says Noel.

"To perform the exercises on the street safely, it is important that the animal is vaccinated and dewormed up to date", recommends the specialist. It is worth remembering that the list of the 10 most intelligent dog breeds contains the Rottweiler, educating a dog of the breed will not be difficult, as long as the correct techniques are applied.

Rottweiler with rabies? Is there any method to recognize when the dog is being aggressive?

To recognize signs of an angry Rottweiler, Noel gives a tip: "A good experiment is to buy a natural bone, offer it to the puppy and take the treat away after a few minutes. If he growls or tries to bite your hand, you'd better call a professional trainer for an assessment, even if the Rottweiler puppy is not yet six months old. There's nothing worse than a dog growling and biting.threaten an attack every time a person comes near his food," says the trainer.

Many guardians of the breed and also of other guard dogs have doubts about how obedient personality Rottweiler works. There is a fear that a trained dog will obey strangers, thus putting the place they should be on guard at risk. The professional clarifies that this does not happen with a well-trained dog: "The trained animal will only obey the family member that heDogs' obedience is linked to a sense of loyalty".

How to train Rottweiler: can training be done on your own?

Training a large dog, especially a guard dog such as a Rottweiler, is a time-consuming task and not one of the easiest. It is recommended to seek the service of an experienced professional.

However, if you choose not to hire a trainer or are looking to reinforce the training of your Rottweiler puppy, Noel gives some training tips: "At about two months of age, the dog can already understand some basic commands. Start with quick training so as not to bore the pet. Choose your own command words and reward the animal as soon as it followsIt is also important to avoid training when your Rottweiler is sleepy. As he gets older, increase the training time".

Adept of training without punishment, Noel says that "each dog has a different learning time, as does each owner. It is not possible to establish a fixed time for this process to develop ". On the trainer's website and social networks, you can see videos with the routine and training tips for tutors.

"My Rottweiler puppy is very angry": how to avoid problems in the future?

The choice of the breeder is a relevant point to ensure that the psychological health of the Rottweiler puppy is good from birth. "It is always interesting to look for a reliable breeder. In a professional and responsible kennel, it is possible to meet the puppy's parents and check the Rottweiler's temperament. This is especially important when you are looking for a guard dog ", he recommendsNoel.

How to train Rottweiler for guarding?

The Rottweiler is a great working dog. Its imposing and focused posture helps a lot in police situations or guarding a property. However, even if you choose the breed to protect your home, training should not be dispensed with. With the right techniques, the dog learns to differentiate dangerous situations and how to act the right way in certain situations. That is, "Rottweileris treacherous" or "Rottweiler dog is dangerous" are not adjectives that define the breed. Very intelligent, the breed can learn to live in harmony with the family and other animals, and know when to protect the house. Even if the breed has an enhanced territorial defense instinct, by teaching the Rottweiler the commands from an early age you will know exactly how to act and even how to identify it.when the dog shows signs of attack or other aggressive behaviors.

How is the coexistence between a Rottweiler and children?

Being one of the most desired dog breeds to have at home, many people wonder how a Rottweiler would live with children. As stated above, loyalty and affection are characteristics of the Rottweiler breed and the "good natured" personality aligned with proper obedience training can make it an excellent companion. But after all, does Rottweiler like children?The answer to this question depends on a few factors. For these dogs to live peacefully with children it is essential that it is trained, but in addition, it is necessary to know more about its lineage. When choosing a Rottweiler breed dog, the temperament of the parents must be considered, especially when the animal will live with the little ones. The child must learn the commandsfor Rottweiler and even then the contact of the two should always be supervised by an adult, as with any other breed of dog.

These same observations apply to the Rottweiler's coexistence with other dogs. A well-balanced, socialized and trained puppy from an early age will have no problems with other animals. However, coexistence between dogs of the same sex tends to be more complicated. Unneutered males may compete for space, toys, food and even bitches. With the female Rottweiler, temperament may be more difficult.However, due to the breed's ability to learn, tolerance can be shaped.

How to train a Rottweiler puppy: preparing the house to receive the animal is also very important

When we are looking for a Rottweiler dog, it is very important to know how to train the puppy. But preparing the house for the puppy is also extremely important. First of all, it is necessary to make sure that there will be an adequate space, with comfort, quality food and many toys. All these cares also contribute to the behavior of tame Rottweiler.

Physical activity and energy expenditure are secrets of caring for a Rottweiler

Being a large dog, the Rottweiler requires a daily energy expenditure. Playing, physical activities and walking the dog every day cannot be left out of the breed's routine. All these activities also contribute to not stressing or making the Rottweiler dog angry.