New owner hi all :) - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

Fifine · 01-02-2013, 12:09 AM

Hello everybody, I am from Canada (Mascouche - Montreal region) and I am a new doberman owner. She is 7-8 months old she is born in May but unfortunately I don't have the exact fate, I got her on Xmas day

She used to live in a small appartment spending much time in her cage ... After few visit, my 2 kids (8 and 4 years old) and I got in love with her. Her owner asked me many times if I wanted her, cause she would be better with me and she did not have time for her, since I have a house with a big yard and I am a lot at home. After a month of discussion with my husband and a lot of reading, we decided to take her

She is loving and caring and very bright, but I am happy to find this forum here cause I have a lot of questions

-- English is not my 1st language so sorry if I make mistakes !

G.

VZ-Doberman · 01-02-2013, 12:12 AM

Welcome to DT.

hbwright · 01-02-2013, 12:19 AM

Welcome G and family. She looks very comfortable with a child to nap with. Please ask your questions and enjoy your new pup.

Fifine · 01-02-2013, 12:46 AM

Thank you

Actually, my first question is when playing ... The girl who had her before used to play with her in a rough way, using a rope and having her pulling it in a hard way shaking the rope.... making the dog go mad. She told me it was her favorite way to play.

I don't really like this kind of play, as the dog gets so excited and barking and rumbling and gets mad... What do you think ?

Now it looks like she wants to do this with us, with me most of the time cause I am the one taking care of her. Yesterday I got in little panic, I was outside for her walk, she suddendly jumped at my arms grabbing my coat at my wrist so hard and so bad she would not let go, she was shaking my arms twisting left and right so bad

I was ordering her to stop and let go ... she did not want to. My hand hurts so bad I had to grab her and put her down on the ground and hold her saying NO ! NO ! (no hurt no fight I would nerver punch or anything) she let go and my husband heard me and came right next to me asking what is going on ! He took her and brought her inside, she knew she did something bad.

Now, from time to time, she barks at me and she tries to grab my wrist or my arms, I tell her NO and ask to sit down, but my problem is I am now scared of her....

Does she just wants to play ? Or does she wants to be the boss ? Saturday I went to see a trainer with her. They made us walk 30 minutes with the leach turning around and have her sit, stay, and all that stuff. She does that already ; but when it comes to play time, she is really rough and she barks and looking to grab my arms like she used to do with the rope.

I threw away all the rope stuff. Instead, I do a lot of walk (many times a day) and I play ball with her, she does not really understand what to do but I think we are getting there.

Do you have any advise ? what should I do when she barks and jumps at me to grab me ?

Thanks a lot. My main fear I don't want her to do this my kids .... Cause other than this behavior, she is soooo much loving.

G.

Beaumont67 · 01-02-2013, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifine

Thank you

Actually, my first question is when playing ... The girl who had her before used to play with her in a rough way, using a rope and having her pulling it in a hard way shaking the rope.... making the dog go mad. She told me it was her favorite way to play.
- tug-of-war is one of the best games to play with a dober pup / sounds like the previous owner did a bad job & messed it up a bit
- I suggest husband (only - stronger figure probably) reintroduce tug play with boundaries and obviously less rough to lessen her outburst attacks...dog learns to win & have much fun
- I also give out a marrow bone once/week, and it is necessary for the owners to take/return the bone freely
- and they should learn to take the hollowed out bone and tease you with it, they start to interact good and ask for your play attention...quite cute really
- rules & boundaries (your expectations) can materialize quick enough, but IMO not if all the triggers are removed, so use the few bad habits as training opportunities

I don't really like this kind of play, as the dog gets so excited and barking and rumbling and gets mad... What do you think ?
- this type of play is very natural (excited and barking and rumbling) but the mad part needs more work (going to far)

Now it looks like she wants to do this with us, with me most of the time cause I am the one taking care of her. Yesterday I got in little panic, I was outside for her walk, she suddendly jumped at my arms grabbing my coat at my wrist so hard and so bad she would not let go, she was shaking my arms twisting left and right so bad

I was ordering her to stop and let go ... she did not want to. My hand hurts so bad I had to grab her and put her down on the ground and hold her saying NO ! NO ! (no hurt no fight I would nerver punch or anything) she let go and my husband heard me and came right next to me asking what is going on ! He took her and brought her inside, she knew she did something bad.
- good for you, sounds like you handled it perfectly

Now, from time to time, she barks at me and she tries to grab my wrist or my arms, I tell her NO and ask to sit down, but my problem is I am now scared of her....

- I will never let a pup bite me on arms/legs/feet ever...I train soft bite with my hands (as targets, my early work) only

Does she just wants to play ? Or does she wants to be the boss ?
- maybe a little of both...and she can learn that play time does not equate to higher ranking in family pack

Saturday I went to see a trainer with her. They made us walk 30 minutes with the leach turning around and have her sit, stay, and all that stuff. She does that already ; but when it comes to play time, she is really rough and she barks and looking to grab my arms like she used to do with the rope.
- good for you seeing a trainer / obedience will be real good for your girl
- more reading, on a similar topic: 4 month old puppy freaked out

I threw away all the rope stuff. Instead, I do a lot of walk (many times a day) and I play ball with her, she does not really understand what to do but I think we are getting there.
- I am just the opposite, I do a lot of tug (toy or bone) & fetch ball work...all inside play, this time of year
Some YouTube videos:
Michael Ellis: Tugging with puppies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17Oljw_vKew
Michael Ellis Talks on Playing Tug with Young Puppies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCZLudNFHbo
Q&A with Michael Ellis on Playing Tug http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph8hVERpdfE

Do you have any advise ? what should I do when she barks and jumps at me to grab me ?
- barking is more OK, jumping and specifically teeth grabing is a big no-no

Thanks a lot. My main fear I don't want her to do this my kids .... Cause other than this behavior, she is soooo much loving.
- you guys really sound like great dober newbee's / seeing help from a trainer / on this DT site with a wealth of breed experience / and your not passive, to let your girl Fifine grow her few bad habits...but deal with them ASAP...and remember, don't be scared...they will sense the owners weekness
- Fifine is family loveable, many times...great news, she should be a quick learner, as she is bonding nicely

G.

^^^^ First of all welcome & your English is actually quite good.
- heck, I was only schooled in one language and correct grammer never was my strongest suit...he-he
- also, we drove to outside Montreal for our 2nd puppy 12 years ago, and our son likes to ski there one weekend per year

KissNme · 01-02-2013, 06:35 AM

Welcome to DT from Kansas in USA. Beaumont has some good advise.

Amelia_ · 01-02-2013, 06:49 AM

Welcome to the forum

sweet looking girl!

**dax0402** · 01-02-2013, 08:38 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum. Best of luck with your beautiful girl.

Fifine · 01-02-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaumont67

^^^^ First of all welcome & your English is actually quite good.
- heck, I was only schooled in one language and correct grammer never was my strongest suit...he-he
- also, we drove to outside Montreal for our 2nd puppy 12 years ago, and our son likes to ski there one weekend per year

Thank you

I actually subscribed her to a 16 lessons training every saturday morning. This coming saturday they are closed, so next session is the 12th.

You are maybe right with the pulling games. Actually, before what happened, I was showing her to stop and sit when I let go the rope (tug), but I don't do the shaking I want her to do it. It was begning to be much fun as she understood that when I let go, she had to stop and calm down for me to continue. But when she jumped on me, after I did not want to do this again.
And yes I give her big bones, but when I try to take it back she does not really want it. The thing is the other owner used to give her bones when she was leaving her alone, she told me to do this if I did not want her to bark all day (?) so when she eats her bone, she is going in a quiet place and she looks like she does not want to be distrubed.

Also what about the cage ? We don't have any. We actually left the house 3 times in total. My husband does not want a cage as Fifine in intend to guard the house in the future. So 1st time out, big mess, poop in the house, kitchen stuff all over the floor. 2nd time, she found left overs, she destroyed the curtons, poop in the house. 3rd time longest time out, NOTHING destroyed, no poop in the house, everything was perfect ! I still think she needs a cage ... But I am not sure if it is right ? Does it also take part in the training ?

-- Where does your son go skiing ?

Thanks a lot !

dobedream · 01-02-2013, 10:02 AM

Welcome from a fellow Canadian!
My kids are right around the same age as yours. My Dobe was a year old when we got her, and she needed to learn how to play appropriately too.
Training is the BEST idea! I personally don't think she is being dominating, just trying to play and getting overexcited.
DO get a crate. We didn't have one at first, but it is the dog that needs it. When the house gets a little chaotic, she needs a place to go and be safe.
My kids know that when she is in her crate, she is invisible to them, and is not to be followed, touched, spoken to or even looked at. Dogs deserve a safe place to chill out.
Good luck, and read everything on this forum, the people here will be the biggest help!

AlyssaN · 01-02-2013, 11:45 AM

Welcome from Manitoba!

Many dogs are crate trained as puppies, and earn free range as they get older.

Remember, that those things that your puppy gets into, such as the curtains, leftover containers, etc. are choking hazards or could create a blockage if eaten. A $100 crate is a heck of a lot cheaper than a $1500 surgery for a small blackage.

In addition, I think puppy classes are great. It's a great way to bond and learn with each other.

Fifine · 01-02-2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlyssaN

Welcome from Manitoba!

Many dogs are crate trained as puppies, and earn free range as they get older.

Remember, that those things that your puppy gets into, such as the curtains, leftover containers, etc. are choking hazards or could create a blockage if eaten. A $100 crate is a heck of a lot cheaper than a $1500 surgery for a small blackage.

In addition, I think puppy classes are great. It's a great way to bond and learn with each other.

Hi thanks for the advice ! It is true, it's not for 100$ that I would risk something bad to happen ... ! she already has her room, small bedroom with her stuff blanket and toys in it. I don't know of this is going to be enough.

I have another appoitment this afternoon with another trainer for a free evaluation ; I will see what he will tell me and what I need to do. I will continue my saturday classes but I prefer to get a second thaught on this.

AlyssaN · 01-02-2013, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifine

Hi thanks for the advice ! It is true, it's not for 100$ that I would risk something bad to happen ... ! she already has her room, small bedroom with her stuff blanket and toys in it. I don't know of this is going to be enough.

I have another appoitment this afternoon with another trainer for a free evaluation ; I will see what he will tell me and what I need to do. I will continue my saturday classes but I prefer to get a second thaught on this.

A stuffed blanket could also lead to blockage in a dog, so that also isn't very safe. You may be thinking that she doesn't chew on stuff - but remember, it only takes one moment of boredom.

Beaumont67 · 01-02-2013, 04:11 PM

Fifine - Thank you

I actually subscribed her to a 16 lessons training every saturday morning. This coming saturday they are closed, so next session is the 12th.
- simply awesome, OB training will work wonders with your girl Fifine
(need whole family involved...not just one person & the rest very inconsistent...does not help)

You are maybe right with the pulling games. Actually, before what happened, I was showing her to stop and sit when I let go the rope (tug), but I don't do the shaking I want her to do it. It was begning to be much fun as she understood that when I let go, she had to stop and calm down for me to continue.
- I know I am right (lol...trust me)
- and my apparent boldness comes from training other people pets (over a decade) and having a personal dobe that everyone wanted

But when she jumped on me, after I did not want to do this again.
- then STOP the jumping, TUG can still continue...it is a Key Success Factor (KSF) training aid (done correctly)

And yes I give her big bones, but when I try to take it back she does not really want it. The thing is the other owner used to give her bones when she was leaving her alone, she told me to do this if I did not want her to bark all day (?) so when she eats her bone, she is going in a quiet place and she looks like she does not want to be distrubed.
- screw Fifine's dober attitude of NOT wanting to be interupted (NOT her choice)
- pussy footing around an adolecent dobe will hide behavior issues to materialize later & may cause "beaking of the skin"...explore & correct bad stuff now
- WE BUY THE BONES (period) and I can give & take, as I please...Mom or our Son is the same...hold and rotate, play and touch bone @ will

Remember the old saying - "let sleeping dogs lie"...LOL
Total BullSh*t:
- my dobes go to sleep with a belly rub and can be awaken by my touch...I practice this and NOT building an uncontrollable little monster
- even if my dobe has a night time dream, I awake it up ASAP with my loving touch...to destress the dog

Also what about the cage ? We don't have any. We actually left the house 3 times in total. My husband does not want a cage as Fifine in intend to guard the house in the future. So 1st time out, big mess, poop in the house, kitchen stuff all over the floor. 2nd time, she found left overs, she destroyed the curtons, poop in the house. 3rd time longest time out, NOTHING destroyed, no poop in the house, everything was perfect ! I still think she needs a cage ... But I am not sure if it is right ? Does it also take part in the training ?
- how long did you leave each time ??
- I could never crate train my first 2 dobes...their life was too nice without & spoiled rotten / and last one suffer from real SA confined
(yesterdays quote below - from another post)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaumont67

My first 2 FM dobe pups were crated when I went to work, but they whinned far too much.
- the second girl unfortunately has SA in the crate / hated it like getting her toe nails trimmed
Now I am retired:
Got a new puppy 1.5 months ago, so without ever using a crate...I have been supervising the little spitfire, literally 100% of the time...getting better weekly. She is even taken to the masters bed, so we always know her whereabouts.
On a rare occassion when we need a break, like during super time, she is tied to the corner of the computer workstation leg, on a 5 ft lead with a soft blanket to rest on...and usually released after 10 minutes.

-- Where does your son go skiing ?

- I will find out & post...thks.

Thanks a lot !

Fifine · 01-02-2013, 05:10 PM

Thanks a lot Beaumont67