Dog house? - Page 2

**avalonandon** · 09-12-2008, 06:33 PM

Be nice people!!!! Do you by chance recall when you had things to learn about the breed? I know I do and I would be pretty offended by now with some of these comments.

Lexxsmom · 09-12-2008, 06:45 PM

I agree with avalon,

first off, welcome to DT!

Second, as other have stated, dobermans do not do well being left outside. While California ( super jealous by the way!) is warm, it still gets windy, and most of all RAINY!

Dobermans should be kept inside and they thrive on the attention of their owners. IF you've had her for three weeks and she hasn't peed or pooed in the house, i'd say that she's probably house broken.

How about investing in some baby gates and keeping her in a one room with an easy to clean floor like a kitchen, giving her a soft place to sleep, fresh water and some toys that are safe to leave with her ( like a kong).

See how she does in that room and then move forward from there.

Goodluck with your new addition to your family. Stick around, take the time to learn and you'll learn that you have the best dog you'll ever have.

**dobermansrule** · 09-12-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avalonandon

Be nice people!!!! Do you by chance recall when you had things to learn about the breed? I know I do and I would be pretty offended by now with some of these comments.

True. The OP wasn't asking about the breed, they were asking for suggestions on how to get their doberman to like its outside doghouse where it spends the day.

I should have nicely said, don't leave your doberman outside in a doghouse. They do not make good outside yard dogs. There are physical reasons (their coat, intolerance to extreme weather) and psychological reasons (dobermans need to be close to their people, house, activities - they need to be included). Plus the practical reason - theft, escape, becoming bored and a nuisance to neighbors (giving dobermans a bad name).

**MIA** · 09-12-2008, 07:42 PM

pixiestixx welcome to DT. As many have stated leaving a dobe outside isn't really good for the breed for many reasons, coat, personality etc. In saying that the breed was bred to be a personal protection dog, not guard dog so dobes LOVE to be with their humans who they are supposed to be protecting. Also someone mentioned liability, I believe CA is a one bite state so you don't want to risk your girl being in that situation either.

Having done rescue for many years I can tell you, your dog will be happier and better adjusted being with you or in your home even while you are gone, they thrive on being with their humans. They need lots of exercise, mental stimulation and contact. They are not the type of dog who necessarily just want to hang out. While it's sweet you got her a dog house for while she's out, she will most likely just pine to be in the house with you or wait for you there. You really do not want to end up with a frustrated dog as that opens a whole new can of worms, trust me there! Being outside alone without stimulation may result in a destructive dog or even fence jumper, my least favorite part about dobermans is how smart they are and how they will find something fun to do! LOL SO in saying that please look into bringing her in and making her part of your pack as you will all be much happier. If you haven't started training or doing some fun stuff with her I strongly suggest it. At her age she should have a nice walk in the am before you leave for work and when you get home, she will need a good rip too!

I don't miss the younger years personally but they are fun and they keep you on your toes! The folks here are great and know a lot about the breed, we are here to help!!!

pixiestixx · 09-13-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIA

pixiestixx welcome to DT. As many have stated leaving a dobe outside isn't really good for the breed for many reasons, coat, personality etc. In saying that the breed was bred to be a personal protection dog, not guard dog so dobes LOVE to be with their humans who they are supposed to be protecting. Also someone mentioned liability, I believe CA is a one bite state so you don't want to risk your girl being in that situation either.

Having done rescue for many years I can tell you, your dog will be happier and better adjusted being with you or in your home even while you are gone, they thrive on being with their humans. They need lots of exercise, mental stimulation and contact. They are not the type of dog who necessarily just want to hang out. While it's sweet you got her a dog house for while she's out, she will most likely just pine to be in the house with you or wait for you there. You really do not want to end up with a frustrated dog as that opens a whole new can of worms, trust me there! Being outside alone without stimulation may result in a destructive dog or even fence jumper, my least favorite part about dobermans is how smart they are and how they will find something fun to do! LOL SO in saying that please look into bringing her in and making her part of your pack as you will all be much happier. If you haven't started training or doing some fun stuff with her I strongly suggest it. At her age she should have a nice walk in the am before you leave for work and when you get home, she will need a good rip too!

I don't miss the younger years personally but they are fun and they keep you on your toes! The folks here are great and know a lot about the breed, we are here to help!!!

Thank you very much for the warm wellcome!!! and I was just asking a question . I do know that dobis are attention whores, i had a great dane that I had to put to sleep and she was very much part of the pack , she was a great indoor dog. As for my new dobie i have rescued her from the shelter so im not to sure on how she will do in the house when we are gone, but she does stay in the house I dont just throw her in the back yard for gods sake! So i will defentily try the baby gates in the kitchen!!

pixiestixx · 09-13-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avalonandon

Be nice people!!!! Do you by chance recall when you had things to learn about the breed? I know I do and I would be pretty offended by now with some of these comments.

Thanks Avalonandon!

pixiestixx · 09-13-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexxsmom

I agree with avalon,

first off, welcome to DT!

Second, as other have stated, dobermans do not do well being left outside. While California ( super jealous by the way!) is warm, it still gets windy, and most of all RAINY!

Dobermans should be kept inside and they thrive on the attention of their owners. IF you've had her for three weeks and she hasn't peed or pooed in the house, i'd say that she's probably house broken.

How about investing in some baby gates and keeping her in a one room with an easy to clean floor like a kitchen, giving her a soft place to sleep, fresh water and some toys that are safe to leave with her ( like a kong).

See how she does in that room and then move forward from there.

Goodluck with your new addition to your family. Stick around, take the time to learn and you'll learn that you have the best dog you'll ever have.

thank you very much that was very good advise, I do have a good size kitchen that i could use the baby gate idea..thanks!

**melbrod** · 09-13-2008, 12:26 AM

One small warning--when mine was a pup (and into everything), the first time we tried the kitchen idea, he actually started chewing on the exposed corner of one of the cabinets. A little bitter apple (gunk you can smear on a surface which apparently tastes nasty) on the edges stopped that problem--luckily we caught him before he destroyed the cabinet. Especially because we lived in an apartment at that time!! Do consider anything yours could get her teeth around as you doggy-proof the area.

mybluecypress · 09-13-2008, 12:29 AM

There are times when Cypress stays in the backyard and we leave the shed(which is dry,insulated and has plenty of space to sprawl out) open for her to go in and out of.. She never goes in though unless she follows us in there.. She doesnt stay out longer than maybe 2hrs or so, but she really enjoys it.. We have a fairly large back yd for her to run in and she gits all silly and goofy when we go out! Lol. I do think dobermans are better inside dogs because they are love junkies, but they are also dogs which means they'll be ok outside for a little bit.. I just wouldnt recommend it for an extended length of time..
Just pay attn to your dog and she'll letcha know whats up.. Its weird but its almost like ESP or somn, ya'll will begin to know exactly what eachother is thinkin at times! I think its because they have such a strong bond to their humans...
Maybe you could try relocating the dog house (close to the house, out in the yd, facing the house, on the porch, etc), and see if maybe its just that kinda preference.. But like i said, look to her for the answer, she'll letcha know..

oh btw, congrats on your new addition and welcome to DT!!!!! Cant wait to hear more about her! Keep us posted!!!

**bec&dan** · 09-13-2008, 04:34 AM

Hope the baby gates in the kitchen work for you Pixie, think she'll prefer it alot more than being outside! You'll have to let us know how it goes. Good luck!