A friend of my husband’s offered us a Doberman puppy. We talked about it without really making a decision, but my husband just stopped by work to introduce me to the puppy before he took her to the house. Supposedly this is on a trial basis, but realistically, I know how the old trial basis ploy works.
I am tentatively pleased. Anyone out there want to tell me about their Dobies?
Lucky you! I have had two. My first was a rescue and the smartest dog I’ve ever owned. Very loyal, protective when the situation demanded it but a calm people dog at all other times.
My second was the second smartest dog I’ve ever owned. I got her as a puppy and she learned every trick I could think of like a wonder dog. She also was an incredible hunter and loved to swim. She was around for the birth of both children and bore their ministrations like a saint.
They are terrific dogs and I don’t think you will be sorry. Oh, yeah, pictures please!!
I just hope this one doesn’t grow up to eat the cats. I’m going home for lunch now, so I’ll get another chance to play with her. And of course, pictures if we keep her!
When my family added a Golden Retriever puppy to a house with a cat, the cat taught the puppy who was boss before the puppy grew big. I know Goldens are not Dobies, but cats can take care of themselves.
Well, he’s a house elf formerly in the service of the Malfoy family. When Harry Potter tricks Lucious Malfoy into presenting Dobby with a sock, he…
What’s that?
Oh.
Nevermind…
(And you did just get a dog.)
Word. Same at our house. 3 cats, one puppy - yeah. Dog loves the cats now - even grooms their ears. The cats enjoy this immensely.
I’ve had dobermans for the last 20 years. My first dobe was Kate, a pointer/Dobe cross. She was sweet and loving. My sister said she could hear when I turned my car onto our street after work. She’d spend all day on my bed waiting for me. I’d be 4 blocks away and she’d jump down and get so excited she couldn’t stand still. her world started when I got home. Funny thing is, she wasn’t the dog I first picked out at the Humane Society. My first choice was a golden retreiver puppy, but the vet check showed he had parvo, and he didn’t make it. She was my second choice and loved me for another 11 years. They found her nearly starved to death (35 lbs) and had her 3 months before I adopted her. Simon I got from the pound. They were going to put him down after two days for the owner to claim him, because “nobody would want that skinny dog”. I had him for 8 years, and he wasn’t a young dog when I adopted him. I presently have two dobies, Grace is about 11. She was dumped near my farm two years ago and I took her in. A week later, my old dobe Simon died. His heart just gave out at age 14. She’s Grace because she was a gift from God when I was about to be dobie-less. My other dobie is Jake. I got Jake from someone wanted to get rid of him because they were moving and only wanted to take one dog. He’d never been in the house before I got him, never really socialized with people, and was confined to a yard about 300 sq ft. Now he lives in the house and hunts possums on the farm.
Here are pics of the current dogs.
Besides my five dogs, I also have 4 cats. They all get along just fine.
StG
So, I went home for a little while at lunch. The puppy is a nine-week-old girl, and I got worn out just watching her go! She’s checking out everything she’s able to reach, in a non-stop circuit. I just realized that I’ve never been around an actual puppy of any breed for more than a few minutes.
The cats are in the bedroom, plotting the order and manner of all our deaths.
StGermain, I like your habit of naming animals by people names. I figure I’ll get a baby name book and find out which girls’ names mean “Killer”.
I have a client named Jeff Dobies.
Does he bite? 
That’s it! You shall name her “Jeff.”
If you’re not an experienced dog person, I strongly recommend Thou Shalt Surf the Web for Information. My predilection is strongly for positive-only training, I try to avoid having to say NO as much as I can and I stay away from striking/shaming.
We had very satisfactory results housetraining a completely unsocialized 7-month old puppy who knew nothing about house bathroom habits using an all-positive program. Kept her on linoleum at first; whenever she went, I’d dip paper towels into it, and take her and the towels outside, and put them down in the grass, and praise her when she sniffed. No punishment, no nose-rubbing. She slept in a crate, which was only a safe place, never a place of punishment/incarceration. She picked it up really fast and has heroically endured long waits for us to take her outside.
She’s now crated only when we’re away (to keep her and the other dog on good terms) and sleeps in a doggie bed beside our bed at night.
Look for “Nothing in life is free” and “two week shutdown” (for dogs adapting to new situations) and crate training.
I also recommend the family humans all be on the same page regarding training goals, use of signals, and ideas about feeding. Human consistency makes for “smarter” dogs (because you’re not confusing them).
A good pack leader provides for the pack; exercise, stimulation, exercise, socialization, training, and exercise are as important as food.
Leaving out abuse, IMHO the majority of behavioral problems well-meaning humans encounter from puppies are caused by lack of exercise.
Sailboat
Do you know the background for this dog? Does it come from a responsible breeder? Are the parents health certified? Have their hips and elbows been checked? Not to be a scaremongerer or anything, but it would probably be important for you to know the history of this dog fully so you know if you need to prepare for any veterinary eventualities.
I want a Dobie! They are my favorite dog. Well raised ones are protective, loyal, smart, affectionate, clean, very little hair shed… all the things a dog can be. They are impressive looking, too, and someone with ill will on their mind towards you will think again when they see your big ‘attack’ dog.
This is very valuable advice that I can start using right now. I do plan to do some research also, and my husband has had dogs, so he hopefully knows some good stuff. But, Sailboat…what do you think about exercise?
**
auRa**- I’m sure there are satisfactory answers to all those questions. I just don’t know them yet. We do have to get her fixed, see about shots, etc. Her ears are intact but unfortunately her tail’s been cropped already.
My Natasha wasn’t cropped. Her ears were very fine IMO. Lovely soft black wings on the side of her head.
I also recommend a crate. They don’t see it as a jail, but rather a den, and that way you’ll know your pup is safe when you aren’t there.
Other than health issues, Dobies are also targeted & banned in a lot of towns AND by insurance companies.
I’d recommend joining some Dobie mailing lists. There are plenty out there to choose from. If you want some specifics, feel free to PM me and I’ll share the ones I’m on. They have been a huge help in my researches and cover everything from health to training to showing to legal issues.
They are SMART so make sure that you stay one step ahead of her. And socialize, socialize, socialize!
I am jealous. I hope we get to see photos soon.
I’ve never had a Dobie but I’ve known several and they’re great dogs. Real sweethearts if they’ve been raised properly.
I’d recommend you stick with your plan of no ear-crops. Most people won’t recognize a Dob without cropped ears, which cuts down on the “OMG A VICIOUS DOG” freakouts.
Definitely check on the breeder, the parents, and the line’s medical history, as auRa said. First, read up on Dobermans. Get a checkover from your veterinarian and ask about breed problems. Dobies are prone to a whole slew of congenital defects, some of which are very expensive and some of which can’t be fixed.
Backyard breeders tend to be really bad about ignoring physical and temperamental problems, breeding dogs that shouldn’t be bred for no other reason than “they’re AKC registered!” or “Oops!”, and causing no end of misery for dogs and owners. A good breeder should be willing to do something like certify no hip dysplasia in the line and offer a money-back guarantee for congenital problems that show up in the first year.
Crate training is really good. Gives them a den, which makes them happy and secure.
It’s a dog, not a person. Treating her like a dog will make her much happier than treating her like a person. Read up on different training methods and pick one that seems to suit your dog. (Different methods work better with different dogs.)
Exercise and socialization! Can’t be repeated often enough.
Good luck with your new puppy (you’re right about the trial basis, you know). Have fun!
Well, after the first night with the puppy, I can see this is going to be a lot of hard work. She needs constant babysitting at this age.
I’m bucking to name her “Sunny Baudelaire” after a character in the Lemony Snicket books. The puppy and the character are both baby girls who like to bite things and make chocolate pudding.
I have never had a Dobie, but my husband had a red one that he still talks about. He absolutely loved that dog! He says she was smart, and very sweet.
As for positive training, I recommend It’s Me or the Dog by Victoria Stilwell. She also has a show of the same name on Animal Planet.
And, congratulations! You are now the owner of a dog!
