My first Doberman

Mjwill · 09-14-2008, 11:53 PM

Are they good dogs? I know.. it all depends on how you raise them. But their general temperament.. is it sweet and nice?
I'm a 23 yr old male, living at home ( for now) It has two adults and two other dogs ( Goldens over the age of 9 each).

I want to try and socialize this pup as much as i can with as many animals and people as i can at a young age. Hopefully this will deter him/her from being afraid of animals and people later on. I 100% want to take the pup obedience classes as well. I work from 3-11 and my family is home when i am not. This dog will get A LOT of love..
Now that you know my background.. Are there any kind of behavior i should look out for when trying to find a pup.. Any kind of male/female i should get.. one better then another? Are there any types of dobies i should stay away from?
Yea I've looked up all of this online already.. but i like to hear it from people who actually have a dobie and who can answer my specific question.. Rather then just read a very bland and outdated FAQ.
Thanks for your time.

P.S one thing i'm VERY nervous about.. Is that yea.. i can be with the dog from 8am-230 pm Everyday.. And then with him the whole day 2 days of the week.. I work 40 hrs on second shift.. BUT i have my parents home when i am not to pick up the slack. Anyways.. im deathly afraid that the pup will " Velcro" To my mom or dad instead of me. .that would break my heart.. i want my dog to be close to my family.. but not loyal to my dad instead of me.. How easy can this happen if they are simply playing with the pup and feeding him when im not there.. I don't want to tell them.. " :Leave the dog alone when im gone!" That's not fair..
I'd love to get some feedback on this topic. ( Of course i'd take the dog out for trail hikes, walks, feed breakfast and lunch, train and go to Obedience classes alone with him..") Ok.. Thanks again.

-A nervous possible dad to be..-

bleh60 · 09-15-2008, 12:36 AM

Hey, I see you found the site. you will get lots of good info here!

**greenkouki** · 09-15-2008, 12:50 AM

Welcome to DT! Get out there and meet some dobes! See what they are all about

Getting involved with a rescue group or going to some dog shows could be a great way to meet the breed. I would also recommend stopping by your local library and see if you can find a good doberman book to flip through. What you see in the media is not what this breed is really about! You will find some great information on this site, as well as an enormous amount of experienced dober folks. I'm glad you are really figuring out if your lifestyle would suit owning this breed too.

**Like A Boxer** · 09-15-2008, 01:37 AM

It's quite healthy for the dog to learn he can be happy without you being there 24/7. I've heard of some people sending their dogs off to other people for days and weeks so the dog's world does not crumble if they have to spend time apart from their doberdads and moms. It's always a good idea to have a puppy crate trained, and even isolated in parts of the house several times a day so the puppy gets used to being on it's own. My boy certainly does not spend 24/7 with my parents or me, he spends a few hours in the morning with my parents while I'm at work, they crate him for an hour or so during that time so he can take mid morning nap, I get home from work, spend a few hours, crate him for an hour, let him out again and then I'm off to work. We cycle. Do not worry too much about his/her affection towards you waning. He'll/She'll still love you all the same.

I'm so happy you're here to read up on information. You will learn a lot from this website, I certainly have. We also have a breeders section, where if you find a breeder you'd like to know more about, people can usually give you personal opinions on what they think. I'm not sure where you live, Canada or USA or elsewhere, but in the US, there's the Doberman Pinscher Club of America with LOADS of articles and information for you -- even a breeder's directory. From there, you can sort by location, call/e-mail the breeder with questions until you decide on a breeder that's right for you! You need to find out a lot of information before you make such a big decision

If you have male dogs already, it is usually a rule of thumb to go with a female. There are exceptions to every rule, but males tend to lean towards male to male aggression (neutered or not). Something not everyone can handle; it can even come down to having a crate & rotate schedule (one dog spends time in the crate, the other is free, then you switch them throughout the day) & the average person is not usually prepared to handle that. So, if the goldens are males, even though they are fixed, since it's your first dobe, it's probably a good idea to get a female.

You should find a breeder who actively shows, (be it conformation, obedience, rally, agility, schutzhund, etc.) health tests (heart, hips, thyroid, vWD), one who cares about their dogs as if they were children, screens for potential homes (if the only question they ask is "How would you like to pay?" Get outta there! LOL) Can't really give specific advice on what dogs you should stay away from -- but I do know people you should stay away from, BYBs (people who breed their pets together, don't show, don't health test), puppy mills, pet stores (their pets usually come from puppy mills), etc.

If you could disclose where you live, state and stuff, it would probably be easier to point you in the right direction for a breeder recommendation too. There's a "Recommended Breeder" thread in the Breeders section if you'd prefer to look for yourself.

Hope this helped a little LOL
JB.

**triciakoontz** · 09-15-2008, 08:52 AM

Welcome to the forum from North Carolina! I think you will find lots of great info by reading through the threads here - most of them are not just FAQ's but have a lot of insight into living with Dobermans.

Your questions about bonding are very interesting. I can see how I would worry about the same thing in your situation. If one or both of your parents really loves your puppy and is solidly involved, highly interactive, plays a lot, spends lots of snuggling time, etc. with the pup, your concern may be very valid. I think that a Doberman will definitely choose one of the adults to bond most strongly with but will also think of the whole family as its special people. You will have to really spend LOTS of quality time with him/her. If you sleep with the puppy, play a lot, train obedience behaviors, etc. then YOU can be the one who ends up as #1!

Mjwill · 09-15-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juliabustard

It's quite healthy for the dog to learn he can be happy without you being there 24/7. I've heard of some people sending their dogs off to other people for days and weeks so the dog's world does not crumble if they have to spend time apart from their doberdads and moms. It's always a good idea to have a puppy crate trained, and even isolated in parts of the house several times a day so the puppy gets used to being on it's own. My boy certainly does not spend 24/7 with my parents or me, he spends a few hours in the morning with my parents while I'm at work, they crate him for an hour or so during that time so he can take mid morning nap, I get home from work, spend a few hours, crate him for an hour, let him out again and then I'm off to work. We cycle. Do not worry too much about his/her affection towards you waning. He'll/She'll still love you all the same.

I'm so happy you're here to read up on information. You will learn a lot from this website, I certainly have. We also have a breeders section, where if you find a breeder you'd like to know more about, people can usually give you personal opinions on what they think. I'm not sure where you live, Canada or USA or elsewhere, but in the US, there's the Doberman Pinscher Club of America with LOADS of articles and information for you -- even a breeder's directory. From there, you can sort by location, call/e-mail the breeder with questions until you decide on a breeder that's right for you! You need to find out a lot of information before you make such a big decision

If you have male dogs already, it is usually a rule of thumb to go with a female. There are exceptions to every rule, but males tend to lean towards male to male aggression (neutered or not). Something not everyone can handle; it can even come down to having a crate & rotate schedule (one dog spends time in the crate, the other is free, then you switch them throughout the day) & the average person is not usually prepared to handle that. So, if the goldens are males, even though they are fixed, since it's your first dobe, it's probably a good idea to get a female.

You should find a breeder who actively shows, (be it conformation, obedience, rally, agility, schutzhund, etc.) health tests (heart, hips, thyroid, vWD), one who cares about their dogs as if they were children, screens for potential homes (if the only question they ask is "How would you like to pay?" Get outta there! LOL) Can't really give specific advice on what dogs you should stay away from -- but I do know people you should stay away from, BYBs (people who breed their pets together, don't show, don't health test), puppy mills, pet stores (their pets usually come from puppy mills), etc.

If you could disclose where you live, state and stuff, it would probably be easier to point you in the right direction for a breeder recommendation too. There's a "Recommended Breeder" thread in the Breeders section if you'd prefer to look for yourself.

Hope this helped a little LOL
JB.

First off let me respond by saying " Wow" Thanks for all the encouragement and great amounts of support you guys are giving me.. This really is a big step in my life and it's hard to make sure im making the right choice.. a Doby... or Maybe a big fat lazy English bulldog that I'd just eat chips and watch tv with? haha.
Anyways.. I live in Tolland,CT.. It's a Town that in North of Hartford. I found out that someone who is a member of the " Doberman Pinchers club of America" I believe that's what it is called.. lives in my very town!

clipclop · 09-15-2008, 10:24 AM

Good for you for coming on board and asking a lot of questions ... sounds like u will be a good ober dad

hrd2gt · 09-15-2008, 05:49 PM

I got Karma and she is my first dobie. I had other dogs before, german sheps and italians (still have them) and i am totally impressed with this breed. She is so awesome and fun. Absolutely love this breed. I can only describe them as scooby doo personality. (i do know a lot of dobies too) and super bright, picks up things fast. She totally is my sunshine

Get a dobie! have some fun... who wants a lazy fat dog.

Mjwill · 09-16-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrd2gt

I got Karma and she is my first dobie. I had other dogs before, german sheps and italians (still have them) and i am totally impressed with this breed. She is so awesome and fun. Absolutely love this breed. I can only describe them as scooby doo personality. (i do know a lot of dobies too) and super bright, picks up things fast. She totally is my sunshine

Get a dobie! have some fun... who wants a lazy fat dog.

haha true..But is there really a big difference between a male dog and a female one?

bleh60 · 09-16-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mjwill

But is there really a big difference between a male dog and a female one?

Since its been discussed many times I thought I would save you the trouble of starting a new thread, here are some that have already been asked and answered:

first time doberman recommed male or female?

Male v. Female

Male or female? for pet..

Also I suggest checking out the education section, its got tons of good info!

DT Educational Archive - Doberman Talk Forums