Advice for a new rottie foster Mom

Hello! So glad I found this page!

Was hoping maybe I could get an opinion. just became foster Mom to a seven year old female rottie. Will start socialization next week.

I understand if rotties aren’t properly socialized when pups, that there difficult to socialize as adults. is this true? If so any advice on where to start?

And are muzzles acceptable when first around kids and other pets?

Thank you!

Hi, welcome!
Good questions, and I’ll try to answer them all and then I know other Rottie lovers will join in 🙂

ANY dog of any breed can have trouble learning to be calm, friendly and at ease in social situations if they haven’t been socialized properly when younger. Rottweilers are no different in this respect.

The trick to it is to start slow, and take it at the dog’s pace. Obviously you want her to become increasingly confident so it’s necessary to move forward but take baby steps outside of her comfort zone and never push her into a situation where she is clearly scared or anxious. That can lead to reactive defensive behavior, and is counter-productive.

Some obedience schools have special classes for socialization, and it would be worth checking for this in your area.

MOST Rottweilers, if well bred and not mistreated, will be accepting of strangers, even if they don’t fawn all over them. How they behave around other dogs is less predictable but in general they’re not dog-aggressive. Some Rotties have a high prey drive which makes them likely to chase smaller dogs, cats, rabbits and so on. You will find out about this dog’s personality as you go along. Be observant and vigilant, but not anxious.

As for a muzzle – this is something I’d discuss with the organization you are fostering for. I would doubt it’s necessary, and it could frighten or upset your foster dog. Which will again be counter-productive.

Wherever she is now should have some idea of her personality/temperament and so on, they will be able to give you more accurate info. on this question.

If you are in doubt about her behavior around children especially, then it’s always better to be safe than sorry, but so much depends on the individual dog that I can’t really give you a whole lot of help in this area.

I wish you and your foster Rottie a lot of luck and I hope that she settles in well. Rottweilers are awesome dogs and they’re huge ‘lovers’.

Most dogs, even those who have been treated horribly, are incredibly forgiving, trusting and loving. It makes me happy to know that another Rottie is getting a second chance at a happy life and I’m rooting for you both ~ Sue

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Apr 06, 2014

3 points NEW
by: Anonymous

I have 3 rotties and have no problems with people at all, but smaller other dog is more older (3y) female and young (10m) male want to chase them. Also cats are in the list. Other minor annoyance is that they all hate barking dogs. Partly my fault cuz not enough dog friends around. They go from lying around to 100% “show off” in that moment other dog start to bark. When in leash its not a problem cuz they calm down also as fast.

So my 3 point advice: 1) exercise 2) lot of people contacts 3) lot of alkind of animal contacts


Apr 03, 2014

Collar for walking rottie NEW
by: Martha

Hi, I’ve had my rottie since puppyhood, but she’s a big girl now…one thing I have found helpful is usint a Gentle Leader or Halti instead of a prong collar – rotts are very strong and hard to control on a leash with a regular collar. Prong collars are a bit brutal. I have introduced adult dogs to these collars, they resist like crazy at first, trying to paw it off, but pretty quickly they get excited to see it since they learn it means “bye bye”! My rott and pit put their faces right into it now. You do have to be gentle when using these collars so you don’t hurt the dog by pulling their head in one direction, but you hardly need any force. Good luck with your foster!


Apr 02, 2014

thank you! NEW
by: Amanda, rottie foster Mom

Thanks so much for posting my questions, thank you for your answers and I’m looking forward to more info as well. I’ve fostered dogs for ten years ( I foster hard to place and black dogs) but this is my first rottie, and yup, she’s a lover and a cuddler. Gotta make sure she’s not going to become a “failed foster” lol! She deserves the very best.


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About The Rotty lover 2159 Articles
My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone