Ep 20. Colin Spence’s Guide to Rottweilers: temperament, trust-based training & real-life care

A grounded, myth-busting deep dive into the Rottweiler including temperament, training, enrichment, and everyday life with these loyal, big-hearted dogs.

Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily! 🎉

In this episode of The Yappy Hour (powered by Yappily), trainer and behaviourist Colin Spence joins Nathan to unpack the truth about Rottweilers. From their loyal, people-oriented nature to trust-based training, enrichment that actually helps, and how media myths have shaped public perception.

Whether you live with a Rottie, are Rottie-curious, or support guardians professionally, you’ll leave with practical, kind, evidence-informed guidance.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Rottweilers really tick: temperament, loyalty, and emotional needs
✅ Trust-first training: why confidence building beats “drills” for puppies
✅ Reading canine body language in large guardian breeds (and avoiding misreads)
✅ Enrichment that works: freedom, scenting & tug vs. over-structured puzzles
✅ Managing arousal & frustration — and why pain should always be on the radar
✅ Breeder research 101: choosing responsibly and avoiding common pitfalls
✅ How to challenge media myths and advocate for fair breed narratives

Key Takeaways:

  • Rottweilers are soft, people-oriented and deeply loyal and not “born aggressive.”
  • Trust and relationship come before “training”; confidence building is your foundation.
  • Freedom and scenting (in safe spaces) beat novelty toys for meaningful enrichment.
  • Watch for over-arousal and rule out pain; adrenaline can mask discomfort.
  • The “aloof Rottie” is often a relationship or environment issue, not “stubbornness.”
  • Do your breeder homework; a well-bred Rottweiler has a distinctive type and steady character.
  • Shift the narrative: education + empathy outperforms fear-based headlines.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! Let’s celebrate the joy and challenges of dog parenting together, because we’re all here for the dogs. 🐾

Connect with Colin

Colin’s website

Colin’s Facebook

Connect with Nathan and Yappily

Connect with Nathan

Nathan Dunleavy website

Yappily Facebook

Yappily Instagram

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