Hello Everyone,
Long post - introduction and a few questions.
I have been looking through the forums for a couple of months now trying to absorb some of the information. Quite a bit here!
My wife and I got our first Dobermans together over 12 years ago now. Molly and O.D.(Other Dog - only in name :2smilethey were sisters. We lost O.D. 2 years ago at 10 1/2 yrs. March this year we lost Molly almost 12 1/2. Both were huge losses to us (50+ yr. old crying for doggies – for me they were more akin to children). After Molly the house was very empty.
We had been looking at Dobermans and thought when the time was right, we would get one from a rescue. Surprisingly quick we brought one home 6 days ago. Her name is Mila and is approximately 5 years old and a blue. You can see her story and some photos here: https://www.doberman-rescue.com/dogs/profile.php?id=382 . We had a great experience and the owner was very supportive and understanding. Mila is great, very loving and getting more confident around us each day.
We know she can jump/climb a fence so as the Rescue owner suggested, I have walked the fence-line with her on leash quite a bit trying to establish the boundary. I believe I also read here a similar suggestion. However, the back fence is only 5 foot so I will be adding another 2 feet this weekend. When we let her off leash, she hasn’t tried but she does eye the fence and looks up a lot. She gets quite excited about the woods behind us and is on alert. Squirrels, bug noises, etc…
Reading all the posts about the potential relationship between DCM and ingredients of dog food seems a bit overwhelming. For now, will stick with the food that Mila was on at the Rescue - Solid Gold Mmillennia. Owner has not had any problems with the feed and DCM.
I do see a number of people on the forum using Proplan Sensitive Skin - Salmon. Will that cause more odorous gas? At times the lamb did keep giving with our previous dogs but worried fish may be more.
Mila is also on melatonin and omega 3 to support her being a blue. From what I see the care, feed, and the supplements her coat is very nice. I definitely want to try and maintain this and do what is needed.
One last question - While it is early days, Mila does get me up quite a bit in the night. I ignore her as long as I can but then she gets insistent. I take her out and she does go pee....then looks for the rabbit that ran in front of her the 2nd night. Appears she pee's but not a lot each time. Any thoughts? Could be just a ploy to get out and pretend to squat to satisfy me she isn’t out there just for the rabbit.
>
Next step is to find a good obedience instructor in our area. She doesn't know commands very well - although we found she will sit without asking when we brought out the cheese for omelets.
As I am about to post this, I see another with similar question about blues and food - hopefully not too redundant and in the correct forum.
Thank you,
Long post - introduction and a few questions.
I have been looking through the forums for a couple of months now trying to absorb some of the information. Quite a bit here!
My wife and I got our first Dobermans together over 12 years ago now. Molly and O.D.(Other Dog - only in name :2smilethey were sisters. We lost O.D. 2 years ago at 10 1/2 yrs. March this year we lost Molly almost 12 1/2. Both were huge losses to us (50+ yr. old crying for doggies – for me they were more akin to children). After Molly the house was very empty.
We had been looking at Dobermans and thought when the time was right, we would get one from a rescue. Surprisingly quick we brought one home 6 days ago. Her name is Mila and is approximately 5 years old and a blue. You can see her story and some photos here: https://www.doberman-rescue.com/dogs/profile.php?id=382 . We had a great experience and the owner was very supportive and understanding. Mila is great, very loving and getting more confident around us each day.
We know she can jump/climb a fence so as the Rescue owner suggested, I have walked the fence-line with her on leash quite a bit trying to establish the boundary. I believe I also read here a similar suggestion. However, the back fence is only 5 foot so I will be adding another 2 feet this weekend. When we let her off leash, she hasn’t tried but she does eye the fence and looks up a lot. She gets quite excited about the woods behind us and is on alert. Squirrels, bug noises, etc…
Reading all the posts about the potential relationship between DCM and ingredients of dog food seems a bit overwhelming. For now, will stick with the food that Mila was on at the Rescue - Solid Gold Mmillennia. Owner has not had any problems with the feed and DCM.
I do see a number of people on the forum using Proplan Sensitive Skin - Salmon. Will that cause more odorous gas? At times the lamb did keep giving with our previous dogs but worried fish may be more.
Mila is also on melatonin and omega 3 to support her being a blue. From what I see the care, feed, and the supplements her coat is very nice. I definitely want to try and maintain this and do what is needed.
One last question - While it is early days, Mila does get me up quite a bit in the night. I ignore her as long as I can but then she gets insistent. I take her out and she does go pee....then looks for the rabbit that ran in front of her the 2nd night. Appears she pee's but not a lot each time. Any thoughts? Could be just a ploy to get out and pretend to squat to satisfy me she isn’t out there just for the rabbit.
>
Next step is to find a good obedience instructor in our area. She doesn't know commands very well - although we found she will sit without asking when we brought out the cheese for omelets.
As I am about to post this, I see another with similar question about blues and food - hopefully not too redundant and in the correct forum.
Thank you,