my daughter has a 14 month old child, and just adopted a 2 yr old female rottie without any hesitation.

I am very concerned, about bringing any new dog into a home where there is a toddler.

What precautions should she take, to make my grandson safe, and to ease the new female rottie into a new environment, the right way?

Hi
As a mom myself I can totally understand your concerns, because bringing in any breed of dog to your family if you don’t know their history, especially if they’re an adult, is always going to be an unknown quantity.

However, if your daughter approaches this in the right way and always supervises any interaction between the new dog and her son, chances are good that they will become a happy little family given some time.

Obviously Rottweilers are large dogs, although this 14 month old girl is still a pup, she is a large pup! Rottie pups usually very affectionate and loving, but can be clumsy in the way that they express this. It’s all too easy for a small child, or a very slender or frail adult, to get knocked over by the force of a Rottie’s loving greeting. Your daughter will need to guard against this.

Also, at 14 months this pup should have been exposed to lots of different people, pets and places – including cats, children, cars and so on. Depending on what her background is, this may not have happened and socialization will be very important. If she’s not been raised around children up to this point I’d recommend being very vigilant in watching her attitude and reactions. Small children move quickly and erratically and have high-pitched voices. In any dog this can trigger their ‘prey drive’ and it can also make a dog who’s not familiar with this feel anxious or startled. Make sure that dog and toddler get to know each other slowly and always with supervision.

The first week or so with a new puppy is often quite subdued as the pup is anxious and may withdraw somewhat. Once they feel more confident in their new surroundings their personalities become more clear. This is even more pronounced with older pups and adults, and it can also take more time for them to settle in and adapt to their new situation.

I’d recommend taking everything very slowly and not overwhelming the new dog with too many people or experiences at first. Take it slowly and give her time to accept each new thing/person so that she doesn’t get over-anxious.

In my personal opinion it would also be a good idea to enroll this Rottie pup in a basic obedience class and have your daughter take her regularly. It will help them to bond, give the puppy regular socialization in a controlled environment, and also give your daughter some ‘hands-on’ professional help with any questions or problems that might arise.

Dogs and children generally make a wonderful combination, and Rottweilers are great family pets when bred and raised properly. It would be irresponsible not to proceed slowly and carefully in this situation because there’s always going to be an element of the unknown when adopting a new pup/dog. But with love, patience and guidance this pup should be able to fit into the family and find her place just fine.

This website has tons of tips, information and advice that will help you all understand this new family member and raise her in a way that will allow her to become the very best that she can be.

I wish you all the very best of luck and hope that your story has a happy ending.

Comments for my daughter has a 14 month old child, and just adopted a 2 yr old female rottie without any hesitation.

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Jan 26, 2012

Rottie and young children-Dangerous? NEW
by: Christopher Bayhi

Never trust ANY DOG around a child this young. Early socialization is key, and if this dog lacks it, you may have to overcome a hurdle or two. However, let???s assume the dog was socialized properly. When you make the introduction make sure the dog is on a leash with a handler that can control the dog. The humans in the room can not be upset or uptight when the introduction is made as the dog will pick up on this and think something is wrong.

Make sure to wash the child???s hands and face before and after contact. Before, because the Rottie might smell something on the child???s hands/face that it might think smells like a tasty snack. This may cause the dog to ???mouth??? but not actually bite the child. Scary for the child and adults! After, because you can???t be too safe about germs, etc. with a 14 month old child.

If the dog knows basic commands such as sit, include the child in giving commands to the dog. Allow the child to give the dog a treat with adult help. Also, allow the child, with the help of an adult to give a head pat, stroking, or belly rub. Always supervise the dog/child interaction. Correct the dog for bad behavior (aggression, growling, snarling, etc.), but the child must also be taught that she can not pull the ears, pat the dog???s head to hard, stick fingers up the dog???s nose, etc. This positive contact will in time develop a bond between the child and the dog. The dog will become the child???s protector, as she will with the rest of the family.

If the dog shows ANY signs of aggression, do not comfort the dog by telling it ???Aww baby, everything is ok??? and baby talk stuff like that. This just reinforces the dog???s aggression or discomfort with the child. Instead, simply tell the dog ???NO??? and remove the dog from the area. When the dog interacts nicely with the child, praise the dog with loving words, and a treat if you like.

Before you know it, your 14 month old granddaughter and the Rottie will be inseparable.


Jan 26, 2012

re: NEW
by: Anonymous

I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old children, as well as 1 year old female rottie and and a male 4 year old rottie. My kids love the dogs and vice versa. If she knows what she is doing, relax little. I NEVER leave my kids alone with my dogs, even though I trust them, you jsut never know. Rottweilers will naturally protect something smaller then them. Hvae faith in your daughter and the dog!


Jan 26, 2012

thank you! NEW
by: tracy

Thank you for all your suggestions! It puts my mind at ease!


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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