Choosing a Safe Area
When getting a new dog or puppy, many people establish a place for their new pet to stay in. This area is dog-proofed and usually has linoleum instead of carpet. That way, if the new dog or puppy has an accident or proves to be destructive, the damage is limited to one or two rooms.
Possible safe areas might include the kitchen, a recreation room or den, or some other place where you can quickly clean up messes. Choose a place that you can watch while you're doing things in the house. That way, if there's a problem, you can catch it quickly.
An alternative to baby gates (in case your home has an open floorplan) is to purchase exercise pens (x-pens) and create a small safe area for your dog to be in. Be forewarned that it is possible for a dog or puppy to climb out of an exercise pen. Also remember that no dog should be left in an exercise pen or your safe place unattended for very long. Exercise pens usually work if the puppy is small enough or if your rottweiler has been taught to respect barriers. The problem is that puppies quickly outgrow exercise pens and can become quite adept at climbing over them.
You can establish a “safe place” by cordoning off rooms with baby gates. Do your best to purchase sturdy gates that are tall enough to keep your rottie from jumping over or barreling through them. (Though keep in mind that a fully grown rottie can push through nearly any gate, and many puppies can climb).
