How to Train a Rottweiler for Protection

Hello, First, if pup is four weeks old right now, I would adjust your expectations until pup is around eight weeks old. Four weeks old is the age where puppies are normally still with their mothers and only beginning the weaning process, so for those who adopt puppies so young for a variety of reasons, the first few weeks are really going to be geared toward making sure pup is eating and drinking well enough multiple times a day, per your vet's recommended feeding schedule. I would also set up an exercise pen with a designated potty area, like paper or pads on one end and a sleeping area on the opposite end to contain the pup to just that area of the house when you aren't directly playing with them, and to help them learn the beginning stages of potty training - like peeing in one area and not another, but don't expect actual potty training to begin until around eight weeks since a puppy younger than that won't have the ability to hold their bladder well enough. Once pup is around eight weeks, or if pup is already past that age right now, Check out the article linked below. Starting today, use the "Bite Inhibition" method. This method can also be used on puppies younger than eight weeks but don't expect no biting from puppies that young - it can help them to learn to bite more gently, which is also extremely important developmentally. With that eight week puppy, at the same time you are using the Bite Inhibition method, begin teaching "Leave It" from the "Leave It" method. As soon as pup is good at the Leave It game, start telling pup to "Leave It" when she attempts to bite or is tempted to bite. Reward pup if she makes a good choice. If she disobeys your leave it command, use the Out command from the article I have linked below also as a gentle consequence for not obeying. The order or all of this is very important - the bite inhibition method can be used at first while pup is learning leave it still or is too young for leave it, but leave it will teach pup to stop the biting entirely with time. The Out command teaches pup that you mean what you say without being overly harsh - but because you have taught pup to leave it first, pup clearly understands why you are doing what you are doing. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - sections on how to teach out and how to use out to deal with pushiness, especially. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Another important part of this is puppy learning bite inhibition. Puppies have to learn while young how to control the pressure of their mouths - this is typically done through play with other puppies. See if there is a puppy class in your area that comes well recommended and has time for moderated off-leash puppy play once pup is old enough to start. If you can't join a class, look for a free puppy play group, or recruit some friends with puppies to come over if you can and create your own group. You are looking for puppies under 6 months of age - since young puppies play differently than adult dogs. Moderate the puppies' play and whenever one pup seems overwhelmed or they are all getting too excited, interrupt their play, let everyone calm down, then let the most timid pup go first to see if they still want to play - if they do, then you can let the other puppies go too when they are waiting for permission. Finding a good puppy class - no class will be ideal but here's what to shoot for: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/puppy-classes-when-to-start/ When pup gets especially wound up, she probably needs a nap too. At this age puppies will sometimes get really hyper when they are overtired or haven't had any mental stimulation through something like training. When you spot that and think pup could be tired, place pup in their crate or an exercise pen with a food stuffed Kong for a bit to help her calm down and rest. Finally, check out the PDF e-book downloads found on this website, written by one of the founders of the association of professional dog trainers, and a pioneer in starting puppy kindergarten classes in the USA. Click on the pictures of the puppies to download the PDF books: https://www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads/ Know that mouthiness at this age is completely normal. It's not fun but it is normal for it to take some time for a puppy to learn self-control well enough to stop. Try not to get discouraged if you don't see instant progress, any progress and moving in the right direction in this area is good, so keep working at it. For the potty training, check out the Crate Training method from the article linked below, once she reaches eight weeks old. Start with the exercise pen and papers or disposable real grass pads until old enough to use the crate to train; go ahead and start getting her used to a crate by having one available to her and sprinkling kibble or tiny treats or fun toys in there, so she will investigate right now. You can also combine the Crate Training method with the Tethering method if you want pup to be with you more, once pup is doing well with crate training and potty training. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside To address destructive chewing using Bitter Apple spray, crate training and an exercise pen before then to limit freedom to times when you can supervise, providing safe chew toys stuffed with something safe and yummy - like kongs to teach her to prefer her own items to chew, and teaching leave it, with you supervising her enough to calmly enforce it and help her learn, can all help with chewing. Keep expectations low until at least eight weeks of age though; the exercise pen and toys will be your main helps at first. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Aug. 2, 2023

Hello Ashkan, You can either hire a professional protection trainer to train pup formally, or you can work on teaching pup to bark when someone comes onto the property and generally be more alert of surroundings, on your own. For any bite work, you will need to hire professional help though. To teach pup to bark and be more alert, first, teach pup the Speak command. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-to-speak Once pup knows the speak command, recruit friends pup doesn't know to step onto the property while pup watches from a window or fence. Command speak and reward with a treat when they do. Practice with telling pup to speak each time the person is on the property, until pup barks on their own when the person enters without saying speak. At that point, have the person step onto the property, wait seven seconds to see if pup will bark on their own, reward if they do, and command speak if they don't - then reward but give a smaller reward when you tell pup opposed to when pup does it on their own. Practice until pup will bark each time someone enters the property. Practice with different people you can recruit, that pup doesn't know so that pup will learn to do this with anyone who enters the property and not just that one person. Draw pup's attention to people outside or people on your property, and reward pup when you see them watching someone in general - so that pup will begin watching people and staying more alert as a habit. Pup doesn't have to bark to reward this one - just reward when pup is watching someone and you notice that. I also recommend teaching the Quiet command, so that you can tell pup when to stop barking after they alert. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Dec. 30, 2021