The Ultimate Guide To Potty Training A Rottweiler Puppy

Potty training a Rottweiler puppy should be easy, right?

After all, this is a breed that’s known for its intelligence and its trainability. If they can be trained to herd livestock and pull carts to market (ok, most Rotties have never seen a cart, let alone pulled one, but memories run long). Training them where and where not to go potty should be a walk in the park, right?

Right… except when it isn’t.

If you’re struggling to house train your pup, don’t despair. And don’t think you’re the only one, either. Regardless of which breed we’re talking about, potty training can be frustrating.

The first few weeks and even months of owning a new pup can be messy, smelly, and very, very tiring.

There’s the endless sleepless nights, the messes, and the constant feelings of failure. That’s not your fault. It’s not your dog’s fault. It’s just part and parcel of the experience.

Ultimately, potty training doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process… a long, sometimes daunting, process.

Does it need to be? Not always.

While there’s no getting around the fact that accidents are gonna happen and setbacks are gonna test you, there’s a few ways you can make the process go with a bang, rather than a whimper.

I’ll go into more detail on the easy training methods you can use shortly, but in the meantime, I’ve got a recommendation. Watch this Potty Training Made Easy Course from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Training.

Is it going to make the sun come out tomorrow?

…Unlikely.

Is it going to add an extra zero to your paycheck?

…Doubtful.

Is it going to turn your potty training journey into a much easier ride?

…Absolutely.

In the course, you’ll learn exactly what to do, what not to do, and get an insight look at what a successful potty training regime looks like from start to finish.

Whether you’re just starting out or already halfway through the process, it’s going to bring the finishing line much closer than it is now.

Here’s the video to check it out…

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Potty Training a Rottweiler vs other Breeds

There’s no getting around the fact that Rottweilers have a certain reputation. They’re big, they’re bold, and in some people’s eyes, that makes them bad.

Obviously, there’s a world of difference between what people think and what’s actually the case.

Rottweilers might be intimating to look at, but underneath the bulk lies a sensitive, funny soul that loves nothing more than to please.

Sure, they’ll need a bit of guidance to turn them into the loyal, loving guardians they’re capable of being. But provided you’re willing to dedicate plenty of time to their training and socialization, you’ll be rewarded with a dog you can be proud of.

As to how easy it is to actually train a Rottie, whether to pee outside or do anything else, it’s a mixed bag.

On the plus side, Rotties are…

Highly Intelligent

They might be best known for their muscles, but Rotties are as brainy as they are brawny.

Obviously, a lot depends on the individual dog, with some being better suited to clown college than Harvard. But by and large, Rotties are clever… teach them a new trick or skill, and it won’t take them long to have it down.

Hard Workers

Some dogs like to spend their days catching 40 winks on the sofa. Others like to work for their lunch. The Rottweiler falls into the second category.

Working is in their blood: combine that with their high intelligence, and you’re looking at a dog that doesn’t just respond to training. But positively loves it.

People Pleasers

If there’s one thing a Rottie likes even more than a full dinner bowl, it’s praise. This is a dog that loves to please. If they know that something makes you happy, they’ll be naturally inclined to keep doing it.

How does that help with potty training? Simple – shower your pup with positive praise every time they do their business outside. And they’ll soon start seeing the advantage of peeing in the yard rather than in your bed.

On the downside, Rotties are…

Stubborn

Intelligent they may be, but Rotties also have a stubborn streak a mile wide. If they get bored with your training methods or can’t see the value of what you’re trying to teach them, they’ll lose interest.

To keep them interested, training sessions should be kept short, sweet, and packed with positive reinforcement.

Strong-Willed

Rotties aren’t the type of dog that will naturally concede to anyone with fewer legs and a bigger vocabulary than them. If you want them to respect your authority, you’ll need to make yourself the leader.

Obviously, that doesn’t mean shouting, yelling, or using any extreme affirmation. It simply means staying calm, in control, and being consistent with commands.

When to Start Potty Training a Rottweiler?

Before going any further, let’s get one thing straight. It’s never too late to start potty training a dog. If you’ve rescued or adopted a senior who’s still struggling with bathroom etiquette, don’t panic.

The older a dog gets, the trickier it can be to get them out of old habits and into new ones. But don’t mistake ‘challenging’ for ‘impossible.’ Providing you’re consistent, patient, and up for the challenge, it’s more than possible to teach an old dog some new tricks.

All that being said, there’s no getting around the fact that teaching a puppy is an easier task than teaching a senior.

The younger a dog is, the more open they are to new ideas. A puppy doesn’t have the same ingrained habits as an older dog. They haven’t become stuck in their way. Basically, they’re little sponges, ready to absorb each and every new thing that comes their way.

Tap into that sponge-like mentality at the right time, and you’ll find potty training a much easier experience than it might be otherwise.

Just don’t make the mistake of thinking that if young is good, younger is better. There’s a limit to how low you can go when it comes to the best age to potty train a pup.

A puppy that’s only just left its mother simply won’t have the bladder control it needs to start potty training. Water flows through them like… well, water. Expecting them to ‘hold it’ for even a minute or so is asking the impossible.

So, when exactly is the golden age for potty training?

Although it varies by individual (some breeds are simply smaller or less mature than other dogs, but don’t worry – they all get there in the end), the best age to start is between 12 and 16 weeks. By that age, they’ll have enough bladder control to hold it for long enough to start making headway.

As a rule of thumb, use the equation…

Puppy’s age in months +1 = Maximum number of hours of bladder control

…to work out just how long to go between trips to the yard.

Just remember that most pups don’t develop full control over their bladder and bowels until they’re at least five or six months old. Some can take even longer.

If you want to get to the end of the process as soon as you can while minimizing any accidents along the way, take a few minutes to watch this Potty Training Made Easy Course. If you want the inside scoop on what works and what doesn’t, this is where you’ll get it.

How to Potty Train a Rottweiler Puppy

The first step in potty training your Rottweiler puppy? Watch this Potty Training Made Easy course. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but some things bear repeating.

If you want to start off on the right foot, taking a few minutes to watch the course really will make all the difference.

Once that’s done, complement what you’ve learned with some of the following strategies.

Give Them A Designated Space

When you’re ready to start potty training, pick a spot outside that you’re happy for your pup to use as a bathroom. It doesn’t have to be a huge space: ultimately, this is where they’ll be doing their business, nothing else.

As Rottweilers can get easily distracted, try to pick as quiet and secluded a spot as possible. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, be consistent in taking your pup there whenever they need to go potty. Use plenty of praise and rewards to encourage positive associations.

The sooner they start to associate that particular spot with going to the bathroom, the sooner they’ll stop going indoors.

Create a Routine

At some point or another, anything that goes into your pup’s body is going to have to come out.

If you want to be in the right place when it does, create a schedule around mealtimes. If you let your pup free feed or give them all-day access to snacks, their bathroom needs are going to be harder to predict than if you stick to a defined feeding schedule.

Other than after meals, pups will also need to take a bathroom break first thing after waking, after they’ve been playing, after a long drink, and before bed.

If you can build a structure around their regular activities and then time their yard visits accordingly, you’ll minimize the risk of any little accidents.

Watch Them Like a Hawk

Building a routine into your day can help cut back on accidents dramatically, but let’s face it, pup’s bodies don’t always work like clockwork.

During the early days of potty training, never let your pup run around the house unsupervised. If you want to stop an accident before it happens, you’re going to need to be on hand to spot the signs.

Some people like to keep their pups attached to them with a soft leash. Others prefer to simply keep them in the same room as them at all times. Whatever your preference, keep your eyes peeled for…

Restlessness
Pacing
Circling
Sniffing the floor
Heading to a spot they’ve peed in before

As soon as you spot the signs, either use a happy, upbeat voice to encourage them outside or, if matters are already underway, simply scoop them up so they can finish up outside.

If you don’t get to them in time, simply clean up the mess and move on.

Scolding your pup, shouting at them, ‘rubbing their nose’ in the mess, or using any other form of punishment doesn’t cut the mustard. Especially when you’re dealing with a dog like the Rottweiler.

Praise, then Praise Some More

Rottweilers might be big and burly, but they’re soft at heart. If there’s one thing they love more than pretty much anything else, it’s pleasing you. So let them know when they do.

Get into the habit of carrying around a pocketful of your pup’s favorite treats. Whenever they go to potty outside, start dishing them out like a Pez dispenser.

The more praise and rewards you lavish on your pup when they do the right thing, the sooner they’ll start doing it all the time.

Think about Crate Training

Rottweilers, like most dogs, hate soiling where they sleep. If there’s a way to avoid it, they will… even if that means applying a little extra bladder control.

If you want to tap into the opportunity that presents, it’s worth considering crate training.

Obviously, crates aren’t for every dog and every dog owner. Some people hate the thought of shutting their dogs away, and a few dogs will never learn to see their crate as a source of security, rather than anxiety.

But providing you…

Introduce it gently
Use treats and praise to create positive associations
Make it cozy with blankets
Keep it away from direct heat or draughts
Don’t use it for longer than your pup’s bladder can handle
Add toys to prevent boredom

…You’re likely to find the crate a very useful potty training tool.

Keep On Track

There’s no doubt that potty training can get exhausting. There’s also no doubt that sometimes, we get so caught up in the detail we lose sight of the bigger picture.

If you start to feel overwhelmed or are worried things aren’t progressing as they should, take some time out to revisit the basics. Rewatch the Potty Training Made Easy Course as a little reminder.

Ultimately, we all make mistakes from time to time. And that’s fine. A few little mistakes now aren’t going to matter in the long run… providing we know what they are and how to fix them.

If you’re not sure of either one, watch the course. It’ll let you know where you might be going wrong and how to get back on the right path.

Final Thoughts

Welcoming a new pup into your home is an incredibly special time. But nothing can be rainbows and lollipops all the time.

For all the joy, there’s also a heck of a lot of hard work. Potty training can be messier, smellier, and more tiring than anything you imagined. But stick with it. For all the challenges, there’s an equal number of rewards.

Sure, it may be daunting at times. There’ll be days you feel you’re taking two steps back for every step forward.

The good news? Those days don’t last forever. Providing you stay patient, consistent, and positive, all your hard work will eventually pay off.

Once it does, those sleepless nights and last-minute dashes to the yard will seem like they never happened.