December, 1998

• Do not allow a child, however small, to tease a dog either physically or verbally. The child who shrieks and leaps incessantly beside a nervous puppy may drive him to snap out of fear as quickly as the child who grabs it's tail or sits on it. If a child is persistent, remove the child.
• Do not let a small child pick up or carry a puppy. Puppies, like babies are afraid of falling. They will often squirm and fight to free themselves. lf successful, they may break a leg. If panicked they may even bite. Remember, in this case, it is not the puppies fault, but yours for allowing the situation to progress to the point where the puppy can no longer cope with it. Encourage the child to get down to the puppy's level. They can play all they like without either one getting hurt and the puppy is free to move away when he has had enough. A child may not realize the fact that he has inadvertently cornered the pup and set in motion a series of instinctive behavior mechanisms.
• Do not expect the pup to absorb endless punishment in the form of constant noise or teasing. He will learn to defend himself unless he has some place to go such as a crate, bed, corner, etc. when he does not want to be disturbed. Make certain that everyone understands that he is to be left alone when he is in ‘his spot'. He will come back out when he is ready to.
• Do not leave your dog unattended in the yard with small children, no matter how trustworthy you may think your dog is. Although Rottweilers enjoy children more than many other breeds, they are not a miracle dog and must be treated the same as any other large dog when around children. A dog may not mean to hurt a child, yet it usually seems to turn out the other way.
• Enlist the help of your child in the training of the dog. It will increase his sense of self-importance, his concern and knowledge of animal behavior.
• Do insist that neighborhood children who come to play abide by the same rules that you expect of your own. If they do not comply, either put the dog away or send the child home nicely, but firmly.
  

• Having your yard fenced is the ideal situation for your animal to be in when outside.Within these confines, he can be safe from: teasing by other children, dognappers, stray dogs and/or mishaps on the road. Many new subdivisions only allow decorative fencing which will not keep your dog in the yard. If you live in this type of situation, you must take steps to ensure that your animal is safe and not allowed to roam free. Dogs which are tied become defensive, bored and irritably aggressive. A fence is convenient, durable and safe.
• Do give your pet simple obedience training so that he will be spared random scolding and confusion.
• Don't expect the dog to be patient with your child unless you have taught him to be. He will learn not to defend himself, if he realizes that you consistently rescue him before he gets hurt. Conversely you must teach the small child to be patient with the dog. Help the child learnto cope with the situation, reinforce his confidence with small things that he can handle and be there to handle a situation that proves to be out of control.
• Do teach the dog to sit before he is given food or a treat, and to wait for an okay to take it. The Rottweiler pup will grow quicker than your toddler. If the sit stay becomes automatic, you will find him sitting before a baby with food, hoping but never touching.
• Do not expose an innocent passerby to your dog's protective tendencies. Do not leave your Rottweiler and your small child outside a store and expect them to take care of each other. Some well intentioned stranger may be bitten. Even though your dog may do exactly what you wish him to do under different circumstances, he will be the one put down while you face an expensive lawsuit. Never assume that the public understands dog behavior. The fool who puts his hands inside your car or the boy who pokes at the dog through the fence, obviously do not know, but you may end up paying the doctor bills.