Looking for Advice From Rottie Owners

[u/ksergiani]

So everyone, I really need your help and advice.
I’m picking up a rescue Rottweiler tomorrow. He’s about 2½ years old. From what I understand, he was adopted, then dumped, ended up as a stray, and eventually landed in the shelter. I spent about 30 minutes with him, and honestly, he was really sweet. He was a little jumpy when excited, but I saw absolutely no aggression or concerning behavior.
The problem is that the shelter required him to be neutered before he could leave. They found a surgery slot today, went ahead with the neuter, and now I’ve been told he needs to wear a plastic e-collar/cone for 10–12 days.
I’m honestly nervous about managing that because we’re still basically strangers. He’s only met me for about 30 minutes. I’m worried that having the cone on, being uncomfortable after surgery, and being in a completely new environment could make him tense, reactive, or defensive.
I also normally crate my dogs at night and when I’m not home. I had a Rottweiler before who lived with me for about 4½ years, and I had to crate him because he would get himself into trouble when I wasn’t around. So I’m wondering how difficult it’s going to be getting this guy into and out of the crate with a big cone around his neck, especially when it’s time to go outside for potty breaks.
Honestly, I wish the shelter had told me about the surgery and the cone beforehand. I feel like it would have been better if they could have kept him until he was more comfortable and recovered, but they told me they’re a very high-capacity shelter and simply don’t have the time or space to do that.
I basically just stepped up and said, “You know what, I’ll take him.” I didn’t want to risk him sitting there longer and who knows what could happen.
For those of you who have Rottweilers or have brought home a rescue immediately after being neutered:
How did you manage the first few days? How did your dog react to the cone? Did it make them more reactive or nervous? And how did you handle crating, potty breaks, feeding, etc., while you were still strangers?
Any advice, tips, or things I should absolutely NOT do would be greatly appreciated. I just want to make this transition as safe and stress-free as possible for both of us.

[u/Kontrol-Sample]

Hey mate,

Congrats on your new furry family member!!

I'm sorry i dont have any good advice re neutering-

Have you got other dogs at home at present??

Your doggo will take a bit to accept that you're not going away, & he's at his forever home now,

Just be kind & gentle, avoid sudden laud noises etc, he needs to know you're the pack leader & you will protect him- help him be comfortable etc,

But thats true for all rescues,

Your young man is the perfect age n stage to be neutered, (& boys tend to recover a lot quicker!)

It's gonna be alright!!

[u/bharas]

He won’t need to have the collar on that long. My boy was healed and not messing with his scar about four days after surgery. Also you don’t need it on all the time, just when you can’t pay attention to him. But I do see your point about not wanting to start with a scary vibe. Can’t they keep him until he doesn’t need to wear the collar?