Although your Rottie is by no means the grooming maintenance of a Standard Poodle, he still requires a little care on your behalf.
Grooming requires a few must-dos such as brushing, bathing, nail clipping, ear cleaning and teeth brushing. This should start early as a puppy even if he does not require it, just so he gets use to it.
Brushing
Rottweilers have a short coat, but you'll still want to brush him weekly. Your dog will probably shed twice a year (depending on climatic conditions) and during these times you will want to brush him more often.
You can use a brush like the FURmanator, or the Bamboo brush. Your dog will likely love either one. Both are suited well to the Rottweilers short and dense coat.
Bathing
Your Rottie should only be bathed a couple times a year or as he gets dirty. You can keep him clean more often by using a wet rag with a small amount of vinegar to water solution.
Early introduction of the garden hose can be a good idea, unless you plan on bathing him in your tub and decorating your bathroom walls.
Warm water is definitely more calming than cold water from a hose. You can introduce him to a slowly to a bath by pouring warm water from a bucket to wet him down. When shampooing, gently work in according to the instructions and leave it in for several minutes to work. If he's getting the hose and is not comfortable with it you may need help.
Nail Clipping
You should regularly play with your Rotties feet so he gets used to it. This will make clipping much easier.
Some groomers prefer grinding instead of clippers for personal preference others will use both. Grinding may alarm your puppy so turn your nail grinder on first and then slowly enter the room. Always be confident, your puppy will sense if your nervous and it will only make the job harder.
It is always a good idea to get help from one other person before starting. Always do the back feet first, Rotties are more sensitive to their front feet.
While your puppy is standing, your back should be towards his head. Use your left hand and bend his foot at the ankle so the pad is facing up (the joint should be cradled in your left palm). Carefully push his nails forward and look for the grooved area of the nail. The grooved area is the only portion of the nail that should be trimmed. It's always safer to cut the absolutely minimum amount of the nail, you can always come back later after you gain more experience and trust with your puppy. If you're not sure, get help the first time. Your breeder or vet can make recommendations. You can always have a groomer do it for you, this will usually not cost more than $20.
Ear Cleaning
Talk to your groomer or vet for the correct cleaner to use. You only need to use enough to fill his ear canal. After squirting the solution into his ears (per the directions), you will need to gently massage his ears for a few minutes (he'll shake his head, but he's alright). Always use cotton balls (not swabs) after massaging his ears to dry them. Praise him, for being good, nobody likes stuff squirted in their ears.
Teeth Brushing
Cleaning your dog's teeth is absolutely essential in mainting strong gums and teeth as he enters his senior years.
The task is easier if you start early in his life. There are several different products available. You'll probably find the finger brush to be the easiest. You can get flavored toothpaste for your puppy to make it more enjoyable for him. Massaging his gums is important during the brushing process.
You should brush your puppy's teeth every day, but at a minimum at least make sure you get to it once a week. Dogs are like humans, if you want them to enjoy their senior years; you have to take care of them in their junior years.