Rolo the Rowdy Rottweiler

The first time we saw a rabbit, the rabbit got so scared, it bounced open the cage door and started running for the store door, with Rolo hot on its heels before I managed to reel him in. Pandemonium. This visit was much more controlled, but yes, the rabbit was scared.

Previously in my household the couch was strictly for humans. I have slacked over the years, Rolo sleeps on the bed and goes on the couch. But generally, he is invited first. I kinda wish I was stricter with that at the beginning, but now nobody really cares anymore.

1bigmw said:

I kinda wish I was stricter with that at the beginning, but now nobody really cares anymore.

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I have slacked off a lot, too, so don't feel bad. The older I get, the less I care about "stuff". Most of it isn't important any more. The dogs' happiness and comfort mean more to me.

Lola Mom said:

I have slacked off a lot, too, so don't feel bad. The older I get, the less I care about "stuff". Most of it isn't important any more. The dogs' happiness and comfort mean more to me.

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With the other dogs, the kids were smaller, so I was very stict. No dogs up on any furniture, I was scared that the dog would hurt a kid, but now everyone can fend for themselves. I insisted on kids participating in the dog training, and now everyone knows how to handle this beast.

Our Son tried biking with our Rotti many years ago. It started of great until something caught his attention. Then our Son went flying.

#5moose said:

Our Son tried biking with our Rotti many years ago. It started of great until something caught his attention. Then our Son went flying.

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That's what I'm afraid of, hence the proper attachment. It is an outrigger that keeps the dog a safe distance from the bike, so the dog doesn't get run over. It also has a bungee leash that absorbs shock, in case he wants to bolt away from the bike. The dog obviously must be trained to heel first. I have never used one of those attachments yet, never even seen one being used. All I know is from web searches.

A neighbor of mine had one that he used with his golden retriever. It was the same rig you described. It looks quite safe, but you have to be sure to attach the outrigger to the inside (curb side) of the bike, then always ride on that side of the road. That way, if you're hit by a car, the dog can go home and get help 🤪

1bigmw said:

"Today is likely the last time we went skiing". I've said that about 6 times already this season, but the snow keeps holding on, another -18C night ahead of us.

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He is a pretty sad looking dog at the end of our trek, but wait till he discovers cycling and canoeing!

Does anyone here bike with their dog? Any thoughts on the cycling leashes? Looks like the Bike Tow Leash is getting good reviews, but it is very pricy to get one sent up to Canada. Most of the others available here look flimsy.

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I used to bike with my girl. I never used a leash though and I rode on a slow-moving tricycle so it was easy for her to keep up. Your pics are great, btw!

big black dogs said:

You don't need to take a tracking class...it's something you can learn to do together. I had always tracked with all of my Rotties but with Jemma I wanted to lean the formal way that was needed to get her TD. You can do a search on google 'how to teach my dog to track"...or something like that....or go to YouTube...I'm sure there are all sorts of videos on how to teach a dog to track... and to follow the track. It's lots of fun!!

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"Total Rottweiler Magazine" youtube channel has some great tracking videos with a rottweiler named "Cinder".

So handsome and dignified!

Nice contrast in that pic.

He does like the camera!! Great picture!! It's cold enough to snow here this morning....0c Our apple and pear trees are in blossom...I hope this frost does not damage the blossoms.

Do you keep the cinch collar on him all the time ?? We just use ours for walk training. It was 2 degrees her this morning, come on summer weather.

#5moose said:

Do you keep the cinch collar on him all the time ?? We just use ours for walk training. It was 2 degrees her this morning, come on summer weather.

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The prong collar is only for walking, and I use it less and less. Big walks for sure, and when I expect distractions, like going to the pet store.

big black dogs said:

He does like the camera!! Great picture!! It's cold enough to snow here this morning....0c Our apple and pear trees are in blossom...I hope this frost does not damage the blossoms.

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0 C should still be ok, just not below. That's too close for comfort though...

That's very similar to how my prong collar program progressed. By early-middle age, she never needed it anymore. But in those early days, wow!

Capp said:

That's very similar to how my prong collar program progressed. By early-middle age, she never needed it anymore. But in those early days, wow!

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I have gone for a few walks including to the pet store with a regular collar, and it feels like the early days, pre-training. Not quite as bad, but still it looks like he is walking me, not the other way around

On the other hand, I am again pleasantly surprised about the e-collar training. We have a large, unfenced yard. Early on with the e-collar, Rolo decided to chase my wife's car. While I fumbled around for the remote, Rolo was already AHEAD of my wife's car, on the street. And that was out of my sight, 400 feet away. I zapped him, he yelped, and has been very good ever since. Now, I'm able to walk him to the soccer field, where he sees other dogs in the distance, but doesn't go after them. My son and I were even able to kick the soccer ball around while he watched.

Rock climber, too, I see. Any trips to Half Dome in his future? 😉

Lola Mom said:

Rock climber, too, I see. Any trips to Half Dome in his future? 😉

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What is Half Dome?
We were on the border of Quebec and Ontario, place called Mount Cheminis. We climbed better part of that mountain, but it got too steep for the dog, and he didn't show too much of a fear of heights, so we turned around.