Rottweilers For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Having everything in place before you bring your Rottweiler puppy home is important. You need items to keep the dog busy, have toys for training, and provide a place for your puppy to sleep. Make sure you have the following basics on hand when welcoming your Rottweiler home:

• Paneled fence partition or pen to cordon off a living area for the puppy

• Fiberglass kennel crate or metal wire cage

• Feeding bowls and water dishes

• Food prescribed by the breeder

• Brushes, combs, and nail clippers

• Doggy quick bath

• Special dog shampoo

• Collars and leashes

• Toys

• Household odor neutralizer and cleaners

• Chewing deterrents

No matter how careful you are about keeping your Rottweiler safe, accidents can happen. It’s best to be prepared if you have an emergency,so keep the following items stocked in your dog’s first aid kit:

• Activated charcoal tablets

• Adhesive tape (1- and 2-inch widths)

• Antibacterial ointment (for skin and eyes)

• Antihistamine (approved by your vet for allergic reactions)

• Athletic sock (to slip over an injured paw)

• Bandages and dressing pads (gauze rolls, 1- and 2-inch widths)

• Cotton balls

• Diarrhea medicine

• Dosing syringe

• Eyewash

• Emergency phone numbers (taped on the cover of the first aid kit)

• Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution)

• Ipecac syrup (to induce vomiting)

• Nylon stocking (to use as a muzzle)

• Petroleum jelly

• Pliers or tweezers (for removing stings, barbs, and quills)

• Rectal thermometer

• Rubber gloves

• Rubbing alcohol

• Scissors (preferably with rounded tips)

• Tourniquet kit

• Syringe (without needle, for administering oral medications)

• Towel

• Tweezers

If you’re Rottweiler is sick or has been in an accident and you’re not sure how to handle it, don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian. You should call your vet immediately though if your dog has any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in the stool

• Limping, trembling, or shaking

• Abscesses, lumps, or swellings

• Dark or cloudy urine

• Difficulty urinating

• Loss of bowel or bladder control

• Deep red or white gums

• Persistent coughing or sneezing

• Loss or impairment of motor control

• Gasping for breath

• Chronic vomiting

• Chronic diarrhea

• Continued listlessness

• Loss of appetite

• Excessive thirst

• Runny nose

• Discharge from eyes or ears

Prevention is critical to the health of your Rottweiler and your wallet. To avoid unnecessary medical bills and to keep your dog happy and fit, make it a habit to check these things as you groom or snuggle with your dog:

• Skin should be free of eruptions.

• Coat should be thick, lustrous, and clean.

• Ears should be clean, without an offensive odor.

• Teeth should be white without accumulated tartar.

• Eyes should be clear and bright with no discharge or irritation.

• Nails should be short, with no cracks or ragged edges.

• Check the rectal temperature whenever your dog appears out of sorts. (Normal is between 101.5 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit.)