Activities For Rottermans

Home
Dog Activities
Activities For Rottermans

1k Views

0 Comments

0 Votes

Prepare for unexpected vet bills

Find pet insurance Find pet insurance

Introduction

Three p’s are needed for owners of the Rotterman. A wonderful dog, this strong canine requires a handler that has patience and persistence and is willing to dish out plenty of praise. Lovable and affectionate, the Rotterman is also impressive and sometimes intimidating. A strong-minded canine, they require over an hour of activity per day to be at their best. They love being with the family - therefore, a busy home suits this pup best. Including them in all you do will allow for socialization which is very important for the Rotterman. Both of the parent breeds, the Rottweiler and the Doberman, are known to show dominant tendencies and can be aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex.

Hill Climb

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Normal

15 min

Items needed

Leash

Waste bags

Activity description

The Rotterman is a very sturdy dog with a dignified stance. They are powerful and will require a pack leader (that’s you) who is willing and able to give direction. Your dog will respect you if you display a leadership status and one of the best ways to build and show mutual respect is through bonding with one another. Vigorous exercise is an excellent bonding tool. A hill climbing session can prove to be just the right fit for the Rotterman. Strength and stamina are required and your robust Rotterman has plenty! Head for the hills on a cool, sunny day and partake in an exercise session that is low in cost but high in payback.

Step

Health check

The Rotterman, in general, is a healthy dog but can be prone to hip dysplasia and joint issues. To be sure that this is not the case with your dog, have the vet take a look at them before you head out for your first hill climb. This type of exercise session involves using many parts of the body including the hips, hocks and shoulders. Ruling out weaknesses in the joints and other areas affected by running up and down steep inclines will lessen the risk of injury.

Step

Benefits

Your Rotterman will benefit due to the strengthening of the hind legs on the way up the hill and the front legs on the way down. Adding this activity to your dog’s weekly exercise regimen will keep the muscle mass strong in the hind legs, which is often where a canine loses it first as they age.

Step

Repeat and vary

Vary the intensity and the way you move up and down the hill. Look for hills that have both a steep and a less steep incline. This is recommended because while a steep hill when walking, running or jogging up is very beneficial, it is easier on your dog to go down a hill on a smaller incline. Don’t expect your Rotterman to do too many repetitions the first few times out. A gradual buildup to the exercise will keep your pal safe from strain or injury, and make it more fun for them, too!

Add your dog's photo

Balance Work

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Hard

10 - 20 min

Items needed

Balance Disc

Wobble Board

Stability Ball

Activity description

Working on balance can be a big part of your Rotterman’s exercise regimen. Rotterman’s, despite their intimidating look, love toys. The balancing equipment often looks like a toy as opposed to a fitness tool which makes this activity appealing to them. Moderate in expense if you have to purchase the equipment, this activity is best done outside on a sunny day, on the grass to lessen the impact in the case of a tumble. Don’t worry though, balance work may be difficult but it does not come with a high risk of injury. Make it fun and give it a try!

Step

Equipment purchase

The equipment needed to work on your Rotterman’s balance are stability balls, discs and wobble boards. Discs come in many different shapes and sizes. The stability factor for your pet will depend on the amount of air you put in the disc. The wobble board can be adjusted so that the level of stability changes from an easy to difficult range. Of course, you will start out adjusting the wobble board or the disc to the easiest setting.

Step

The core

A fun way to enhance the muscles of your pup’s core is to take two balance discs, placing one in front of the other. Place a larger, more inflated disc under the back legs and a smaller less inflated disc under the front legs. The benefits are too numerous to mention - you’ll have to try the fun out for yourself - but they include improvement of core and joint alignment and increase in range of motion.

Step

Other moves

Working with the wobble board or the stability ball can be fun, but don’t forget that your pet will need your help and encouragement. For example, when using the stability ball, place both front paws on the ball and have your Rotterman give you a high five. This presents quite a challenge but allows you to congratulate your dog with a high five for a job well done!

Add your dog's photo

Caveletti Caper

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

15 - 30 min

Items needed

Caveletti poles and cones

Treats

Activity description

The caveletti pole is a piece of equipment that is used for fitness with many different species of pet. A horse will jump over a caveletti course in a competition which they highly enjoy. Using the caveletti when working with your dog can provide hours of fun, too. It is an inexpensive, versatile tool that can be used in a game of limbo, or as a way of teaching your pup to jump over a hurdle. Reasonable in price, the poles are typically used with a set of cones with holes in them, allowing for an easy change of height. With a little research, you can find out where to find them and let the games begin! They are suitable for indoor or outdoor play, making them valuable equipment to own.

Step

Set up

The rule of thumb for set up is to arrange to poles in distance equalling a height no higher than your Rotterman’s knees and no wider than the distance between the knee height and the shoulder blades. This is a low height suitable for going over the poles. In order to have your dog focus on their foot placement, make sure they go over the caveletti at a walk.

Step

Limbo

Limbo is an activity that tests your dog’s ability to crawl, more or less. Set up the caveletti so that the pole is six to twelve inches higher than your dog’s back when they are in a lying down position. When they try to crawl, they will not get frustrated because there is enough room but yet are still confronted by the pole if they try to stand up, coercing them into a crawl. A treat is in store at the finish!

Add your dog's photo

More Fun Ideas...

Walking

The Rotterman is a high energy dog with a high socialization requirement. Register them in obedience classes, do a few levels and then make walking them often a priority so that they can build on their social skills.

Toy Time

Despite their tough exterior and appearance, the Rotterman really is a softie at heart and loves to play with toys. Spoil them and buy them a lot!

Conclusion

The Rotterman will be a pawsome companion as long as you keep them well socialized and comfortable around dogs and people of all ages. Provide leadership and love, two very important aspects of a well rounded Rotterman. They love getting out and about but it must be stressed that the Rotterman be used to interacting with other dogs as they can become aggressive if they are uncomfortable or feel threatened.