New to this forum

howsefrau32 · 07-14-2008, 10:17 PM

I am thrilled to be a new doberman mom. I lost my 13 year old english springer spaniel on April 3rd. We thought we would wait for a year or two before getting another dog, and my husband had a doberman when he was grownig up, and we thought maybe we would look into that, in a year or so. We wanted to find a good breeder. Well, we ended up in Pet Smart one day, and I lady that I know who does rescue ended up with 5 doberman puppies turned over by a puppy mill or BYB, not sure of whole story, but she said it was a sad one. Was, and still am nervous about adopting a dobe without knowing what I was getting, but we fell in love with Greta on the spot and since I am an approved foster for springer rescue and knew the people, we got to bring her home right then. She was 11 weeks old when we brought her home, she is now 15 weeks old. She was being treated for kennel cough, colitis, worms, she was in bad shape, though on the road to repair already by the people who took her and her siblings in. She is growing fast, she was 22 pounds when we got her, is now 32 pounds, nice glossy coat, no more worms, colitis, she is beautiful to us. We were going through a rough puppy biting stage for a good week, but she is getting much better thanks to some great advice form doberman owners and from me reading around places like this website. We have her in puppy classes at Pet Smart right now, and we are taking her over to my brother in laws house on the weekends to be around 4 other dogs and lots of people, trying to get her well socialized. Plan to do the dog park after she finishes all her shots. She is going through a rough time at the moment, had a big scare at the vet last Friday and seems really, really scared all of a sudden, so I am in search of the best advice on how to get her over this really skittish period. We plan to get her the best possible training we can. So far my kids have taught her sit, shake, lay down, she is learning so quick, I am amazed by how smart this breed is. I know no shock to all of you dobe owners, I had heard how smart they were, but am just amazed to see it with my own eyes. She is our only dog now, we have a 4 year old cat who she would love to play with but the kitty won't cooperate, so we may be looking into getting her a playmate. We nearly adopted Greta's sister but I wasn't brave enough for that, I wimped. She really would love a friend though. Can't wait to check these boards out and learn as much as I can about my new baby. My family is just in love with this little girl.

**sebsyd** · 07-14-2008, 10:30 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum! How lucky for Greta that you adopted her and are giving her such a wonderful home and family. She sure is cute! Best of lluck with her.

workingk9s · 07-14-2008, 10:38 PM

Hello and welcome from AZ. I love that last pic!

faber · 07-14-2008, 10:58 PM

she is cute!

**lolonurse** · 07-14-2008, 11:34 PM

Hi Frau - She's a sweetie, and very lucky to have adopted you! You will continue to be astounded at how smart Dobes are. It's like having another kid! When we got our girl, she was skittish, and the dog park was not really good for her, but our boy just loved it. My pups got giardhia from the muddy water at the dog park, so keep an eye out for the runs! It's very treatable, and there's a vaccine against it.

**2gooddobes** · 07-15-2008, 08:20 AM

Congrats on your new addition she's keeper. Thanks for choosing to rescue.

dobes4us · 07-15-2008, 11:04 AM

Hello and welcome from Ohio. She looks wonderful!

**dax0402** · 07-15-2008, 02:56 PM

Hi and welcome from PA. Really cute little girl. Lois

**ellenm** · 07-15-2008, 03:57 PM

She is adorable! You have done a great job bringing her health up to snuff.

Just be careful with her around too many strange dogs until all her shots are done. Play dates with a few select friends may be best for while longer.

Read on DT archives about dog parks....most Dobes are not dog park dogs as they grow older, and they bear the brunt of all blame for any incident even if not their fault! Some people on here still do dog parks but the majority of us do not. Too risky with other ill-trained dogs running loose.

Puppies go through fear periods so just don't overreact if she is fearful, ignore it...don't say "poor baby, you are okay, etc" as that just feeds into the fear. Dobes are VERY smart, as you've already seen. I think the DPCA has some good puppy raising articles about Dobermans if you look on their website. The DT archives probably has a lot of info also.

Have fun and thanks for posting pictures!

**Meant to start by saying welcome to DT!

**voodoolizard** · 07-15-2008, 05:34 PM

Hi and welcome from the UK !!