i have been a bit quiet the past week

First of all, very cute puppy! I'm sure she'll serve (and be served by) your family well.

koyote said:
I think I'd like a follow command associated with each kid.
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Do you want the dog to track each child on command? It's a lot of fun but the kids must be willing to be involved. This can be taught as a tracking game. We started with the dog in a sit next to me and one of the kids across the room with a treat. I'd give the command as the dog's name and the kid's name, "Fido, Johnny" for example. The dog would run to the kid who was told to make a big deal to attract the dog. The dog would run to the kid and receive the treat and lots of praise. We then increased the distance within sight of the child. Soon the kid was asked to go into a different room as the dog watched. When the dog got the hang of that, he'd watch the kid disappear from his line of sight but start to hide. Eventually the dog got the hang of finding the kid on command. Next we added another kid's name and went through a similar process, although the dog learned much quicker, already being familiar with the process. We also had to work on my wife giving the command so the dog would respond the same way for both of us. The kids had a blast training with the dog too.

As far as other things to train for, you could teach her to carry a dog pack once she is about a year old. You could put a pack on her sooner to acclimate her to it, but I wouldn't add any weight until she is closer to her full size.

You could also teach her to pull a cart or wagon when she gets a bit older. All my dogs have been taught to pull because I enjoy dog sledding. But I've found them useful around the neighborhood or in the local woods pulling the kids in our Radio Flyer wagon, especially given the kids are small, have little endurance, and demand I carry them when they get tired.

Whatever you do, enjoy your new companion!
 
great sugestions from HDW and Lead Dog, I'll be using that.

For pack training, we're going to get her used to a halter, then empty packs after she's bigger (probably 6 or 7 months) and light weights (treats and a ball or rope tug toy) for park walks and such later on. Heavier weights after she's grown.

I'm interesting in the "harness" training. I'd discussed wagon pulling with jess last spring when we first started really looking. I've never done it, but the training part won't be terribly hard. Especially since the idea is adult led wagon pullling, not full on sledding. I'm curious about harness gear, of course. And training tips. It's a great idea.
 
I love my 9yr. old Rott. He is the best dog I've ever had. It's all in the way you raise them. Me and my family have givin' nothing but love and time to him. He is truely our faithfull friend. Congrats and enjoy many years with your rottie! Matt
 
She's really pretty, Christof. Congratulations on getting an awesome pup.

The best dog I ever had was half Rottie and half Ridgeback.

James
 
wagon pulling sounds like a cool idea. i would try it with my 3 dogs, but, then again, 2 of them are chihuahuas, so the boxer/pit mix would probably end up doing all of the work. :D
also, i sent you an e-mail :D
 
I wouldn't worry about a halter as the first step in pack training. Once she is obedience trained, she can start carrying an empty pack. Just don't start adding weight until she is at least a year old. I like to keep some empty milk gallons around. Since you want the weight in each side to be even, you can add water as you want to add weight as she builds up strength.

As for pulling a wagon, once she knows her obedience and is at least a year old, she can begin carting. You will effectively ask her to heel with weight behind her.

As for equipment, I bought most of mine from Black Ice (http://www.blackicedogsledding.com/). In addition to my sledding gear, we have a Radio Flyer wagon with wagon shafts and a carting harness.

As with any advanced training, the dog needs a solid foundation in obedience. Once she has that, pack and carting training will be a piece of cake. There is also the assumption, of course, that she is a healthy dog.
 
right now, with being 10 weeks and still a bit wobbly and just into a new home all we've been working is the potty training and soft mouth. she has lots of chew toys and is doing pretty well about backing off on chewing us when we give her a whine to say it's too hard.

I'll start working basic sit and come in a day or two.
 
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