TwoDobieGirls

Obedience Training

• Did you take formal obedience classes or train yourself. How many classes did you take? Do you still continue to train when not in class?
Both. My 2 1/2 year old, Storm, was my very first dog. I'd wanted her my whole lofe, but she was my first, and I learned a lot! It helps that I've been into horses my entire life - there is a lot about training any type of animal that carries over to another kind. I belong to an obedience club and also train at another kennel periodically. The obedience club we belong to has formal obedience classes for the public, and then goes into show ready, open, utility, agility and tracking for members. The intermediate and advanced classes that are open to the public often include Rally as a way to get more people involved in taking their dogs' training further.

• How important/beneficial is obedience training to you for this breed?
Extremely important. You all should see how they railroad my husband, because I am the one who does all the training. It's funny how they take advantage of him. When it comes down to it, they listen to him, but you can practically see them snickering!
• Where do you train outside of classes? (backyard, walks, public places)
Backyard, farmers markets, pet stores, playgrounds.
• How much time do you spend in a training session? Do you find it easy to train a male or a female? Do you think a doberman is easy to train compared to other breeds?
However long it takes to end positively on what I want to work on. You have to go into training sessions with a plan, and know when to stop! A bored, over-drilled Dobe is no fun. I don't have any experience with males - both of my girls are females. As far as other breeds? I think Dobes are so much smarter, but you have to train differently. You can't drill them like you can Goldens, for example. Storm and Ava both would get so bored, and I learned to recognize when I needed to stop. In classes, just because everyone else is drilling a "front" 100 times, doesn't mean you have to! Do it three times corretly and break it off, play, relax and give them a belly rub. I think Dobes are so smart that they are insulted when you drill them.
• What type of rewards do you use, if any? (food, toy, praise) Do you use any special training aids? (leashes, clickers, etc) What methods of training do you use? I use their prong collars on an as-needed "reminder" basis. Other wise they both go in flat leather collars and leads. Being Therapy Dogs, they have to be reliable on a flat collar at all times. They are mostly rewarded with food, although Ava appreciates a toy at the end, and with Storm I need to jump around and get her excited because she's so serious!
• What have the rewards/accomplishments been since you started training your doberman?
The amazing amount of knowledge they accumulate. They know so many words and phrases, and so many gestures and expressions that half the time I don't need to say a word. Storm passed the CGC and TDI testing at 8 months of age - it was only afterwards when the club figured out that a dog had to be 1 year old to be TDI certified! Anyhow, she and Ava both have their CGC and TDI certifications and are active Therapy Dogs. We are going to our first show the first weekend of February, and also have another the second weekend, so by then end of those two shows I hope to be able to say that Storm has her CD and Ava has her RN. Storm has begun some training for tracking and Ava has begun agility, and I'm sure they will both at least try a little of it all!