Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Understand how training works
• Tips
• Warnings

Rottweilers are loyal dogs by nature who love to please their owners. This loyalty, in combination with their intelligence, makes them very trainable. A well-trained dog is a happy dog, as it will then know exactly where it belongs in the human family. Investing a little time every day to train your rottweiler puppy will help him adjust well to the family and ensure that he will be a great dog for years to come.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Understand how training works

1. Start early and keep it short. Puppies can learn simple commands from 7 or 8 weeks old. The key to training is to keep each session fun and short. A minute or two for each month of the puppy's age, up to 6 weeks old, is a good guideline. Trying more than that won't help you or your dog, because his attention span isn't long enough for that.
2. Reward your pet. Reward-based training is one of the most positive and effective ways to train your rottweiler puppy. Positive encouragement, such as a small biscuit or elaborate verbal reward, should be given when your puppy takes the command. Have a bag of small, tasty cookies ready, such as small cubes of cheese or very small pieces of cooked chicken, to be able to immediately reward your puppy for every step he takes towards learning a new command.
   • Once the puppy follows your command consistently, you can only give the cookies occasionally and eventually stop feeding them at all, but replace them with consistent prices.
   • If you don't reward right away, your pup will be confused as to what you expect from him.
3. Learn the correct commands. The commands you use should be short, one or a maximum of two words. Speak kindly. Always reward your puppy for every step in the right direction, never yell at or hit your puppy. The puppy is obedient because he wants to please you, so remind him that you are happy with his obedience.
4. Be consistent. Each of these principles can be used for any of the commands you use in your training. The key to the reward system is to reward immediately, be consistent and use simple commands. The best time to do a training session is when your puppy is relaxed and alert. Never exercise when your puppy is sleepy, excited, or unwell. You want his attention to be fully focused on the training session and on you.
5. Exercise the right amount of time. When you start training your dog, train the commands for 10-15 minutes at a time. Divide this time period among different commands you are learning. Try 5-15 reps of one command, then move on to 5-15 reps of another command. When the time is up, you should reward and praise your pet. You can do this up to 3 times a day with different commands.
   • Also, start teaching your puppy to stick around with each command. For example, when you first teach him to sit, try to let him sit for 3 seconds before rewarding him. As he learns, you can build up the time until he can sit still for 30 seconds or more.
   EXPERT TIP

   Learn not to bite. The first training session should teach the puppy not to bite. You should have plenty of toys for your rottweiler puppy on hand at all times. Puppies go through a teeth phase and will bite your fingers or hand while playing. If he does, say "don't bite." Pretend the puppy hurt you by squeaking and then get up and walk away. This sends the message to the dog that biting will stop playing. Do not tap the puppy on its nose as this will turn it on and make it more likely to bite.

6. Command “don't chew”. Chewing is a natural behavior for a puppy, but it can be destructive in a household. Distracting your pup's attention from the object he shouldn't chew on to an object he's allowed to chew on works well. For example, if you see your puppy chewing a book, take the book away, put it somewhere out of reach, and give him a toy to chew. As you take the book away say “don't chew”. Your puppy will eventually understand what he can and cannot chew on.
7. Tell him to be "quiet." You may want your puppy to bark when visitors or uninvited guests enter your home, but your puppy should learn the “quiet” command for times when the barking is annoying. Have your bag of treats handy at all times, and when your puppy starts barking, say "hush." When your puppy becomes quiet, immediately give him a treat so that he associates the word "quiet" with stopping barking.
   • This may take a while, but eventually he will understand that you expect him to go quiet when you say "quiet". Consistency and patience are key to getting things to work out well for both of you.
8. Teach him "no" or "stop". It is important for your dog to learn the meaning of “no” and “stop”. You can choose which word to use, but your use of it must be consistent. Rottweiler puppies are very playful and love to chew on things. If your puppy bites you gently or picks up things with his mouth that he shouldn't touch, it is very important that he learns “no” or “stop”.
   • When teaching your pup this, you should always be strict and consistent. Once you have given the command, immediately take your dog away from whatever he is doing and say "stop" again. Walk away from your puppy, but keep your eyes on him. If he goes back, repeat the process. This can be frustrating, but you must do it, otherwise your pup will grow up not knowing what is right and wrong.
9. Command “sit”. After teaching "no" or "stop," you can teach your rottweiler to sit up. Sitting makes grooming, feeding, playing and relaxing much easier. It's also one of the easiest things to learn. Take a biscuit in your hand and show your puppy. Have your puppy stand in front of you and then say “sit” firmly. Hold the cookie level with your puppy's nose and then slowly bring it back over his head. When he follows the cookie with his nose to try to grab it, his butt will automatically drop to the floor. Then immediately say “sit” to mark the behavior he just engaged in, and then give him the reward. Getting your puppy to sit before placing the biscuit in front of him to eat is good practice. This teaches him table manners.
   • While he is sitting, it is good to praise a lot, say "good dog" or "smart puppy" while repeating the word "sit" a few times. Repeat the process by walking away from your puppy, then turning and looking at him, get your full attention, then let him sit. Then praise him as before.
   • Work on the sit command for 5 to 7 days until he sits down immediately and consistently without getting the reward.
10. Command “low”. Once he has learned to sit, you can teach him the low command. Have your dog sit while you take a biscuit in your hand. Make sure he knows you have a cookie in your hand and put your hand up to his nose. As you move your hand to the floor say “low” or “lie down”. The puppy will follow your hand to the floor by lying down. As soon as he lies down, give him the cookie and praise him. He may only try halfway at first, but he'll get it eventually.
    • Practice this new command for up to a week, until he gets it all the way.
    • The low command can be useful if your pup likes to jump. Jumping into people can be a problem with puppies as they try to get attention. If your puppy is a jumper, keep him on a leash so you can correct him with “low” when he starts jumping. Then give him the command “sit” and reward him with a treat when he responds immediately. He will soon realize that jumping is not acceptable.
11. Learn to “stay”. Rottweilers will always want to be with you. Your dog will always want to be next to you, near you, or on top of you, but eventually he will be in the way. Teaching your rottweiler to stay will keep him from getting in your way or other people or dogs. Command your dog to sit first as it is easier to stay from a sitting position. Once he's seated, praise him and place your hand in front of his head, fully opened like a stop sign. Then say sternly “stay” and slowly walk backwards.
    • He will likely run to you, but then tell him to sit down again. Place your hand in front of his head again and say "stay" again, then walk backward repeating "stay" over and over. If he runs to you, he has to do it again. Once he stays, don't let him come to you. Instead, you go up to him and give him the reward.
    • Repeat this process as you walk farther away than you did last time until your puppy remains consistent.
12. Command "come". A very important command to learn in “come”. If your puppy is constantly running towards or in danger when he is away from you, you can quickly call him back to you if he correctly understands the command “come”. Squat down when your puppy is away from you, clap your legs and say "come" in a friendly voice.Your puppy will most likely run to play with you. Reward him with a cookie and a little game.
    • Work with this command at different times for several weeks. If your puppy is far from you, clap your legs and say "come" in a cheerful and attractive voice. When he comes, praise him and repeat the word "come" a few times. Then throw away a cookie or toy and see how he will run after it. Once he achieves the reward, repeat the command. He may not understand at first, you will have to repeat it.
    • If necessary, it is good to have a cookie or toy that your pup likes or likes better than what you threw in front of him. Wave it and say "come" when he looks up. When he comes, praise him and repeat. A little work and effort on your part will help your puppy learn this important command.
13. Command “paw”. Teaching your dog the “paw” command is also an easy and useful command. If you plan to trim or file your rottweiler's nails, this is necessary. Have your puppy sit and then say “paw” as you reach down and take his paw in your hand, then praise and reward him. Repeat this process 4 times and then ask your puppy to take his paw without the paw. If he does it himself, praise him and give him a reward.
    • "Paw" is as easy as "sit", it shouldn't take long to learn.

Tips

• Always keep a bag of cookies in your pocket or within reach during the first 3 to 4 months of teaching your puppy basic commands.
• For the first 10 weeks of your pup's life, work out for just a few minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day. Young dogs have a short attention span, you should keep the sessions short to avoid frustrating your puppy.
• Once your rottweiler puppy has had all of his vaccinations, it is a good idea to find out if puppy obedience training is available in the area. This training can enhance your training and allow your puppy to socialize with other puppies.
• Always reward your puppy after a training session.

Warnings

• Scream never to your dog. If you've been exercising and he doesn't quite get it, then not impatient and don't scold him. He is still learning. Get rid of him if you get frustrated and try again later.
• Hit your puppy never. Hitting a puppy will cause him to become afraid of you and eventually become resentful, damaging the bond with your dog. If you find yourself getting angry, walk away from the situation.