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<p><b>Introduction 1</b></p> <p>So Who Am I? 2</p> <p>How This Book is Organized 2</p> <p>Part I: Getting to Know Rottweilers 2</p> <p>Part II: Searching for Your Soul Mate 2</p> <p>Part III: Living with a Rottweiler 3</p> <p>Part IV: Keeping Your Rottweiler Healthy 3</p> <p>Part V: The Part of Tens 4</p> <p>Icons Used in This Book 4</p> <p><b>Part I: Getting to Know Rottweilers 5</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 1: So What Exactly is a Rottweiler? 7</b></p> <p>Understanding What Sets the Rottweiler Apart 7</p> <p>Looking at the Purpose of Breed Standards 9</p> <p>The German standard 10</p> <p>The AKC standard 12</p> <p>Knowing Whether Your Rottweiler Has to Fit the Standard 14</p> <p>Taking a Quick Tour of Rottweiler History 14</p> <p>The Rottweiler’s German roots 15</p> <p>The changing role of the Rottweiler 16</p> <p>The transplanting of Rottweilers to the United States 17</p> <p>The Rottweiler’s role in modern day 18</p> <p><b>Chapter 2: Is a Rottweiler Right for You? 19</b></p> <p>Being Honest with Yourself about What You Have to Give 21</p> <p>Knowing the kind of time and energy dog ownership requires 21</p> <p>Understanding that Rottweilers aren’t perfect 22</p> <p>Knowing Whether You Have What It Takes to Own a Rottweiler 23</p> <p>Seeing how ready you are to own a Rottie 23</p> <p>Looking at the specifics of what dog ownership requires 24</p> <p>Weighing Your Decision Carefully 27</p> <p><b>Part II: Searching for Your Soul Mate 29</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 3: Knowing What You Want in a Rottweiler 31</b></p> <p>Remembering That Each Dog is Unique 31</p> <p>Deciding Between a Male and a Female Rottie 33</p> <p>Considering the Age of Your Dog When You Bring Him Home 34</p> <p>Birth to 7 weeks 35</p> <p>Seven to eight weeks 35</p> <p>8 weeks to 6 months 36</p> <p>6 to 12 months 36</p> <p>The adult Rottweiler 36</p> <p><b>Chapter 4: Finding and Choosing Your New Friend 37</b></p> <p>Knowing the Difference between Responsible Breeders and Backyard Breeders 38</p> <p>Working with a Responsible Breeder 40</p> <p>Understanding which health tests and guarantees the breeder provides 41</p> <p>Asking the breeder which puppy he would choose for you 42</p> <p>Considering the Rescue Option 43</p> <p>American Rottweiler Club rescue 44</p> <p>Independent rescue groups 44</p> <p>Humane societies and animal shelters 44</p> <p>Choosing a Puppy 45</p> <p>Pay attention to the puppy’s health 45</p> <p>Don’t overlook the puppy’s personality 50</p> <p>Observe the puppy’s behavior 51</p> <p>Knowing Which Important Papers You Need When You Walk out the Door 52</p> <p>Health record 53</p> <p>Pedigree 54</p> <p>Registration application 54</p> <p>Sales contract 55</p> <p><b>Part III: Living with a Rottweiler 57</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 5: Preparing for Your Puppy 59</b></p> <p>Making Your Shopping List 60</p> <p>Finding the Right Leashes and Collars for Your Rottweiler 61</p> <p>Getting the Right Equipment to Confine Your Dog When Necessary 62</p> <p>Crates and cages 62</p> <p>Outdoor runs 64</p> <p>Stocking up on Puppy-Proofing Supplies 64</p> <p>Supplying Your Pup with All the Toys His Heart Desires 65</p> <p>Chew toys 66</p> <p>Play toys 66</p> <p>Toys to avoid 67</p> <p>Finding the Right Grooming Tools 67</p> <p><b>Chapter 6: Welcome Home!  71</b></p> <p>Being Prepared for Reality 71</p> <p>Bringing Your Pup Home Safely 73</p> <p>Surviving the Difficult First Week 73</p> <p>Dealing with Inevitable Baby Behavior 75</p> <p>Dealing with a lonely pup 76</p> <p>Addressing house-training problems early 77</p> <p>Redirecting your puppy’s chewing 77</p> <p>Surviving your pup’s bursts of energy 78</p> <p>Managing play biting and growling 79</p> <p>Knowing What to Expect from Your Adolescent or Adult Rottweiler 79</p> <p>Recognizing the Instincts of the Breed 80</p> <p>Guarding 80</p> <p>Dominance 81</p> <p>Dealing with Stress in Your Rottweiler 82</p> <p>Being sure you don’t pressure your dog too much 82</p> <p>Understanding separation anxiety 83</p> <p>Housebreaking Your Rottweiler 84</p> <p><b>Chapter 7: Understanding How to Communicate with Your Rottweiler  87</b></p> <p>Understanding Why Your Rottweiler Does What He Does 88</p> <p>Instinctual creatures 88</p> <p>Thinking creatures 89</p> <p>Figuring Out How Behavior Gets Reinforced 90</p> <p>Knowing How to Respond to Your Rottie When He Misbehaves 91</p> <p>Socializing Your Rottweiler for His Own Happiness 92</p> <p>Getting children to help in the socialization process 93</p> <p>Continuing socialization in your pup’s new home 94</p> <p>Listening When Your Rottie Speaks 96</p> <p>Active versus passive behavior 96</p> <p>The hidden meaning behind a dog’s behavior 96</p> <p>What your body language says to your dog 97</p> <p><b>Chapter 8: Training Your Rottweiler 99</b></p> <p>Assuming Your Role as Leader of the Pack 99</p> <p>Knowing What to Expect of Your Rottie 100</p> <p>Starting with the Basics 101</p> <p>Name recognition and “no” 101</p> <p>Using a collar and leash 102</p> <p>Teaching Your Rottweiler the Most Important Commands 103</p> <p>“Come” 103</p> <p>“Sit” 104</p> <p>“Stay” 105</p> <p>“Down” 105</p> <p>“Heel” 106</p> <p>Attending Training Classes with Your Rottweiler 109</p> <p>Finding a Good Dog Trainer 109</p> <p>Dealing with Emotional Conflicts 111</p> <p><b>Chapter 9: Having Fun with Your Rottweiler 113</b></p> <p>Playing Games with Your Rottie 114</p> <p>Following the bouncing ball 115</p> <p>Playing a rousing game of fetch 116</p> <p>Getting a game of hide-and-seek going 116</p> <p>Taking Advantage of Dog-Friendly Parks 117</p> <p>Enjoying the Water with Your Dog 118</p> <p>Hitting the Trails with Your Rottie 120</p> <p>Helping Your Rottie Do What He Was Bred to Do 120</p> <p>Herding tests and trials 121</p> <p>Schutzhund 123</p> <p>Guard work 125</p> <p>Carting 126</p> <p>Search and rescue work 126</p> <p>Keeping in Mind Some Other Fun Things to Do with Your Rottweiler 127</p> <p>There’s no business like show business 127</p> <p>Competitive sports for Rottweilers 133</p> <p>Canine Good Citizen 135</p> <p>Helping Your Dog Help Others 135</p> <p><b>Part IV: Keeping Your Rottweiler Healthy 137</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 10: Getting to Know Your Rottweiler Inside and Out  139</b></p> <p>Exploring the Anatomy of the Rottweiler 140</p> <p>Identifying Inherited Health Problems and Diseases 142</p> <p>Hip dysplasia 142</p> <p>Osteochondritis dissecans 143</p> <p>Eye problems 144</p> <p>Demodectic mange 145</p> <p>Checking Your Dog’s Health Regularly 145</p> <p>Deciding Whether to Breed Your Rottweiler 146</p> <p>Spaying or Neutering Your Dog 148</p> <p>Looking for the Best Veterinarian on Your Dog’s Behalf 149</p> <p><b>Chapter 11: Feeding and Exercising Your Rottweiler 151</b></p> <p>Answering Your Questions about Your Rottie’s Nutrition 151</p> <p>Which food should I feed? 151</p> <p>How much is enough? 152</p> <p>How much protein and fat does my dog need? 153</p> <p>Will that inexpensive grocery-store brand be good enough? 153</p> <p>Adapting Your Dog’s Diet as His Needs Change 154</p> <p>Feeding puppies 155</p> <p>Maintaining your dog’s current weight 156</p> <p>Feeding an aging Rottweiler 156</p> <p>Meeting Your Rottweiler’s Special Nutritional Needs 157</p> <p>Chicken soup for the ailing pooch 157</p> <p>What to do for the tubby Rottweiler 157</p> <p>Getting Your Rottweiler the Exercise He Needs 158</p> <p>Puppy exercise 159</p> <p>Adolescents and healthy adults 159</p> <p>65 and counting: Exercise for seniors 160</p> <p><b>Chapter 12: Preventing Health Problems 161</b></p> <p>Vaccinating Your Dog Against Deadly Diseases 161</p> <p>Canine parvovirus 162</p> <p>Canine virus distemper 162</p> <p>Hardpad 163</p> <p>Infectious canine hepatitis 163</p> <p>Leptospirosis 163</p> <p>Rabies 163</p> <p>Bordatella 164</p> <p>The Great Vaccination Debate 164</p> <p>Paying Attention to Parasites 165</p> <p>Fleas 166</p> <p>Lice 167</p> <p>Ticks 167</p> <p>Mange 168</p> <p>Tapeworms 169</p> <p>Heartworms 169</p> <p>Whipworms and hookworms 169</p> <p>Roundworms 170</p> <p>Grooming Your Rottweiler for Health and Beauty 170</p> <p>Brushing 170</p> <p>Ears 171</p> <p>Teeth 171</p> <p>Eyes 172</p> <p>Feet and nails 172</p> <p>Anal glands 174</p> <p><b>Chapter 13: Being Prepared for Emergencies 177</b></p> <p>Setting Up Your Own First Aid Kit 177</p> <p>Figuring Out When to Call the Vet 178</p> <p>Knowing What to Do When You Need to Do It 180</p> <p>Muzzling an injured dog 180</p> <p>Moving an injured dog 181</p> <p>Treating burns 181</p> <p>Responding to shock 182</p> <p>Attending to bites and bleeding wounds 182</p> <p>Responding to poisoning 183</p> <p>Handling broken bones 184</p> <p>Removing foreign objects and responding to the choking dog 184</p> <p>Responding quickly to bloat 185</p> <p>Dealing with heatstroke 185</p> <p>Responding to hypothermia 185</p> <p>Attending to stings and bites 185</p> <p>Removing porcupine quills 186</p> <p>Responding to the dog who has come across a skunk 186</p> <p>Giving Your Rottie the Medicine He Needs 187</p> <p>Medications and ointments 187</p> <p>Pills 187</p> <p>Liquid medicines 188</p> <p><b>Chapter 14: Knowing What to Do When Your Dog Gets Sick 189</b></p> <p>Living with Chronic Conditions 189</p> <p>Hip dysplasia 190</p> <p>Bone disorders 190</p> <p>Eye problems 190</p> <p>Skin disorders 191</p> <p>Bloat 193</p> <p>Considering Alternative Therapies for Your Ailing Rottie 194</p> <p>Herbal therapy 194</p> <p>Homeopathy 195</p> <p>Bodywork therapies 196</p> <p><b>Part V: The Part of Tens 199</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 15: Ten Reasons to Own a Rottweiler 201</b></p> <p>You Know What You’re Getting 201</p> <p>You Can Find Out Anything You Want to Know about the Breed 202</p> <p>Rottweilers Have Good Temperaments 202</p> <p>Rottweilers Are Highly Trainable 202</p> <p>Rottweilers Are Easy to Care For 203</p> <p>Rottweilers Are Protective 203</p> <p>Rottweilers Do Good Work 203</p> <p>Rottweilers Know How to Have Fun 204</p> <p>Responsible Breeders Are Everywhere 204</p> <p>Rottweilers Give a Lifetime of Friendship 204</p> <p><b>Chapter 16: Ten Reasons Not to Own a Rottweiler 205</b></p> <p>The Neighbor Down the Street is Selling Rottweilers for Next to Nothing 205</p> <p>You Think Having a Dog to Pet Every Once in a While Would Be Fun 206</p> <p>You Want to Feel Needed 206</p> <p>You’re Not Prepared to Be the Leader of the Pack 207</p> <p>You Lack Physical Strength 207</p> <p>You Tend to Procrastinate 207</p> <p>Your Living Space is Restricted 208</p> <p>You’re Not Sure How You’re Going to Pay Your Next Credit Card Bill 208</p> <p>Patience is Not Your Virtue 209</p> <p>You’re a Loner 209</p> <p><b>Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Training Your Rottweiler 211</b></p> <p>Remember That Training is Something Your Rottie Needs 211</p> <p>Teach Your Rottie Your Rules 211</p> <p>Give Positive Reinforcement 212</p> <p>Be Consistent 212</p> <p>Start Training Right Away 212</p> <p>“No!” Means “No!” 213</p> <p>Keep Your Lessons Short and Sweet 213</p> <p>Curb Certain Instinctive Behaviors 213</p> <p>Be in the Right Frame of Mind for Training 214</p> <p>Do the Minimum in Basic Training 214</p> <p><b>Chapter 18: Ten Tips for Traveling with (Or without) Your Dog 215</b></p> <p>Get the Right Car for Your Rottweiler 216</p> <p>Think about the Weather Before You Leave 217</p> <p>Buckle Up for Safety 217</p> <p>Remember Your Rottweiler’s ID and Medication 218</p> <p>Bring Along Your Travel Necessities 219</p> <p>Plan a Vacation for the Whole Family to Enjoy 220</p> <p>Find Dog-Friendly Lodgings 220</p> <p>Fly Well with Your Rottweiler 221</p> <p>Find a Good Kennel If Your Pal Can’t Go 223</p> <p>Consider Getting a Pet Sitter 225</p> <p><b>Appendix A: Glossary  227</b></p> <p><b>Appendix B: Resources  231</b></p> <p>Books 231</p> <p>Magazines 232</p> <p>Videos 232</p> <p>CD-ROMs 232</p> <p>Web Sites 232</p> <p>Organizations 233</p> <p>Index 235</p>

<p><b>Richard G. Beauchamp,</b> a respected breeder and prominent dog show judge, has been involved in every facet of purebred dogs for most of his life. He is a longtime Rottweiler enthusiast.</p>

<p><b>Find out about your Rottweiler’s special needs</b></p><p><b>Get the lowdown on keeping your Rottweiler healthy and content</b></p><p>Known for its strength and protectiveness, the Rottweiler is a good-natured, playful family pet. This fun and friendly book provides insights into this big dog’s temperament, sensible advice on taking care of and training your Rottweiler, tips on participating in a variety of dog competitions, and much more.</p><p><b>THE DUMMIES WAY</b></p> <p><b><i> Explanations in plain English</i></b></p><p><b><i> “Get in, get out” information</i></b></p><p><b><i> Icons and other navigational aids</i></b></p><p><b><i> Online cheat sheet</i></b></p><p><b><i> Top ten lists</i></b></p><p><b><i> A dash of humor and fun</i></b></p><p><b> Discover how to:</b></p> <p><b><i>Choose the right Rottweiler for you</i></b></p><p><b><i>Socialize your new puppy</i></b></p><p><b><i>Educate yourself and your dog</i></b></p><p><b><i>Maintain good health, proper exercise, and diet</i></b></p><p><b><i>Handle behavioral problems</i></b></p><p><b>Get Smart!</b></p> <p><b>@www.dummies.com</b><p><li><b><i>Find listings of all our books</i></b></li></p><p><li><b><i>Choose from many different categories </i></b></li></p><p><li><b><i>Sign up for eTips at etips.dummies.com </i></b></li></p>

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