If your Rottweiler is lazy you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.
This post will show you a number of possible reasons why it is lazy and what you can do to get it to be more energetic.
So, why is my Rottweiler lazy? Possible reasons are that it is ill or injured, there is an issue with its diet, being too hot, not getting enough exercise, depression, getting older or it might naturally be lazy.
There are a number of reasons why your Rottweiler might be lazy and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the exact reason and there are some things you can do about it.
Possible reasons why your Rottweiler is lazy
Below, I will show you a number of reasons why your Rottweiler might have been being lazy and what would make them more likely to be the main reason.
Nature
Big dogs like Rottweilers will often sleep for around 12-14 hours per day, puppies and older Rottweilers will sleep for even longer. If you’re concerned because your Rottweiler has been sleeping a lot, it would be more likely to be normal behavior. However, if it has started sleeping a lot more suddenly, it would be important to take it to a vet.
It could also be the case that your Rottweiler is naturally calm. This would be more likely if it has always behaved that way, the vet has not found any issues and it has not started being lazy suddenly. In this case, it would help to consider that a lazy dog is generally better than a hyperactive dog that is difficult to manage and destructive.
Age
The cause could be that it is because your Rottweiler has been getting older. As dogs get older, they require more energy to move around so they will naturally need to sleep more in order to recover. If your Rottweiler has gradually become lazier as it has gotten older then it would make it more likely to be age-related.
Boredom
The issue could be that it has not been getting enough exercise. Rottweilers are meant to get a lot of exercise on a daily basis. Generally, it is recommended for them to get around an hour of exercise per day when they are healthy adults. If yours is not getting that much and it is healthy, it would help to make sure that it does get more exercise.
Diet
The issue could be that there is a problem with its diet. It could be that it has been eating too much, not enough or that it has been eating things that it should not be. An issue with its diet would be more likely to be the cause if it has changed its behavior since there was a change in its diet or if it becomes lazy when it eats certain foods.
It would help to make sure that no one else has been feeding it and that it is getting the right diet.
Illness or injury
The issue could be that it has become ill or injured. This would be more likely if your Rottweiler has started being lazy suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of being ill or injured such as being fatigued when awake, vomiting or limping. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Medication
If it has become lazy since starting medication, it could be due to the medication. This would be more likely if fatigue is listed as a side effect. In this case, it would help to consult with a vet.
Depression
The cause could be that something has caused it to become depressed. This would be more likely if it started being lazy after an event occurred that might have caused it to become depressed such as an owner or another pet dying.
In this case, it might begin to improve over the course of a few weeks. Otherwise, it would help to consult with a vet.
It’s too hot
The issue could be that the hot weather is making it feel tired. This would be more likely if it starts being lazy when it is hot outside. If it is hot, where you are, it would help to exercise it in the morning or evening, to give it access to shaded areas, water and to avoid letting it be out in the sun for too long so that it does not get heatstroke.
How to get your Rottweiler to be more active
Below are some options you have when getting your Rottweiler to be less lazy.
Make sure that it is getting a good diet
As mentioned above, it could be the case that there is an issue with its diet. It would help to make sure that no one else has been feeding it and to consult on its diet with your vet when you see them next.
Get help from a vet
If it seems like illness or injury could be the cause, it has started doing it suddenly or excessively, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so you should be able to rule out medical causes and to get expert advice tailored towards your particular Rottweiler.
Make sure to give it exercise daily
As mentioned above, it is important to make sure that your Rottweiler is able to get exercise daily. Generally, it is recommended for them to get around an hour of exercise per day.
Give it some toys to play with
It might also help to give it things to be stimulated by. Things that you could give it would include puzzle games or toys.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider about your Rottweiler being lazy.
If it started to become lazy suddenly
If your Rottweiler was not always lazy, it would help to consider what else happened at around the same time that it started being lazy.
If it did start being lazy suddenly it would be more likely to be due to things such as a change in its diet, becoming ill or medication. In this case, it would help to take it to a vet.
What time it becomes lazy
It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that it tends to be lazier since it might be the case that the timing has something to do with it.
For example, if it becomes lazier at midday when the weather is hotter, it could be due to the hot weather.
Lazy is better than destructive
It would also help to keep in mind that having a lazy Rottweiler would not be such a bad thing if it is doing it naturally. Many owners of hyperactive dogs would love it if their dogs were to be calm like yours is.