Universal Behaviors

Marvelgirldobe · 08-13-2008, 09:50 AM

Someone posted on the "How Protective is Your Doberman" poll a message that read: "At home inside Kuhn is pretty relaxed ... but outside he will always do at least two to three peremiter checks and a few warning barks when in the backyard."

I laughed out loud. My girl does precisely the same thing. I mean, I know exactly what this delightful person is describing. Precisely!

So it made me think: Dragon hunting notwithstanding ;-), what are some universal Doberman behaviors? I'll start something I have experienced regularly, and perhaps others can say if they too are familiar with this behavior and perhaps offer some observations of their own?

Here's mine: When out at the park she'll stand between my legs. Or my wife's legs. Or a person she likes legs. She simply enjoys standing between someone's legs. And not to seek protection. It's not like she gets spooked and runs for safety. She just likes it.

Is this common? Does yours do this? What other potentially "universal" behaviors does your Dobe engage in?

**Colorado Dobes** · 08-13-2008, 10:02 AM

Well there was a thread a while back called "Lap Dogs" where everyone posted pictures of their dobes sitting their butts down in their owner's laps. My girl does that anytime I am on the floor. And if I am laying on my stomach, she'll come sit on my back.

Sucking is definitely a lot of dobes do. My dog used to suck on her old fleece-top doggie bed (now that she has new beds without fleece-tops, she doesn't do it).

Then there is the hand scoop, where they put their head under your hand or arm and push it hard, while silently screaming, "PET ME!!!"

Gosh, I know there are a ton of them, but I am having trouble remembering now!

Marvelgirldobe · 08-13-2008, 10:08 AM

What about placing their chin in the palm of your hand, as if their frail little neck isn't strong enough to hold that big heavy head?

**Colorado Dobes** · 08-13-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvelgirldobe

What about placing their chin in the palm of your hand, as if their frail little neck isn't strong enough to hold that big heavy head?

Sadie does that - ha ha. If my hand is hanging off of the couch or bed, she comes up and rests her chin on it.

I don't think it's a doberman thing, but mine have to sniff out the entire back yard before they'll go to the bathroom. They must find that PERFECT spot. It's so frustrating when it's cold.

Marvelgirldobe · 08-13-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Dobes

... mine have to sniff out the entire back yard before they'll go to the bathroom. They must find that PERFECT spot. It's so frustrating when it's cold.

Good thing you live in Colorado where it never gets cold! ;-)

**Burns** · 08-13-2008, 11:02 AM

Yep, Red likes to stand between your legs too.

He also sits his butt in your lap, and does the head under the hand thing to pet him.

No sucking though - he's never done that. But he does lick a lot.

And whining - he's such a whiner!

hbwright · 08-13-2008, 11:26 AM

None of my others have done it but only one of the things I loved about Cleo and wondered if others do is she would sit in front of the door, seemingly in protection mode and start falling asleep sitting up. She would sometimes catch herself and startle and look around real quick either making sure she didn't miss an intruder or making sure nobody witnessed her lapse in consciousness, or sometimes she would just plain fall out completely with a big thud to the floor before awakening in a huge embarrassed state.

Jordan, everytime we come in the door and let him out of his crate he HAS to get something in his mouth as quickly as possible, bone, pillow, blanket, doesn't matter. Something just has to get in his mouth within 5 seconds of being out of his crate. He'll run around looking for it before he even comes to us for lovin.

**reisende** · 08-13-2008, 11:27 AM

haha I like to stand over my dobe but he doesn't like doing that. but he loves pushing my hands and elbows for pats! that is such a cute trait.

he's chewbecca in the crate when I tell him to kennel up, but he wants to be near me and my guy.. he'd whine, and make the funniest sounds.

when I'm working in the kitchen (preparing meat etc), he'd nudge me on my hips/waist as if to say 'gimme some of that!'.

I love him to bits

Marvelgirldobe · 08-13-2008, 11:35 AM

Many people have talked about the whining sounds their Dobe makes. I've long said that had we known Marvel before naming her, we'd have dubbed her "Siren" because the noises she makes sound more like the glass-shatering sounds one would imagine coming from the "bird-woman" from mythology!

**Tess-a-boo** · 08-13-2008, 11:53 AM

Haha - I love Tess's vocalizations! When we were first crate-training her, she would make this howl that literally sounded like she was saying "he-lllllllllooooo-oooo..." (in three syllables) I was half expecting it to be followed by "is anybody out there?" It was at the same time the funniest and the saddest thing I've ever heard.

She'll also do the between the legs thing to just about anyone, but she'll stand facing the opposite direction as the person.

She's good for the hip-nudge at the counter too.

Also - one of the things we've noticed is that when we come home from work and let her out, she'll do an entire perimeter check inside the house. It's like she has to make sure it's all still there before she goes outside to pee.