Hi Dobe Lovers

My name is Mark and I live in London.
My family had a pet Doberman back in Australia and I love the breed!
Me and my fiancé have recently moved to London.
My fiancé was recently mugged at knifepoint during her walk home, and this is a horrifying experience and she has PTSD from that.
She is scared to be alone and scared to go out after dark, she's completely changed after the mugging, I haven't seen her smile since!
A psychiatrist recommended us to get a therapy dog, and "light bulb moment", why cant we get a therapeutic family protection dog?
I want her to feel safe ASAP and I am busy with work, so I want to explore the option of getting an older (6-12 months) Doberman that's already had obedience and protection training.

I want to hear the community's thoughts on this, will it be a good idea to get an older dog that's well trained?
Im scared that it wont have the same bond as a puppy grew up with us.

Please share your opinion!
Thank you very much!

I think it's highly unlikely you'd find a dog of that age that would have the level of training you're describing. Even a year old dog is really just in the very early stages of training....I would never consider a year old dog "trained", even obedience trained. You're just starting to "proof" behaviors at that point, and anyone who would sell you a dog of that age and tell you they were trained....I'd call BS.

Do I think there's a reason not to get an older dog? No, but if you're looking for a TRULY trained dog, you're talking a very expensive dog, and you need to consider the liability of owning a "protection" trained dog. Some insurance companies in the United States will not insure you if you own a dog like that. Consider, too, what that's going to mean for ownership as a pet - is it going to be harder to have guests? Will the dog be sharper in temperament? Is that the type of dog you can own and actually meet the dog's needs?

I would strongly suggest your fiance seek therapy. Maybe adding in a dog (of any breed, or a Doberman) would be helpful, but I don't see it as a solution to her issue, and it may place undue pressure on the dog.

Thank you for your advice. Yes I've researched a little more about protection dog.
My fiancé is pretty determined to get a Doberman ever since I told her the idea.
Money is not an issue, but other implications you mentioned are potential problems.
We've decided to put the protection dog idea aside and focus mainly on getting a genuine family pet Doberman. Since ear cropping and tail docking are illegal in UK, I've been researching on kennels in Eastern Europe and there are lots of useful information on this forum.
Do you think is a good idea to purchase a teenage dobie (6 months or older) instead of a puppy?

As a first-time Doberman owner, I'd probably avoid teenage-hood as your "first" experience. It's not the most...pleasant age, of any dog really! If you've had the dog from puppyhood, you can look back fondly on the cute puppy stage. Truly, think about how most of us "enjoy" teenage people...it's a hard time! Teenage dogs test boundaries. They "forget" the things you've (started) teaching them as puppies. Sure, they are probably on their way to being potty trained, or are potty trained, but...there's a good reason a lot of dogs are surrendered to shelters during this stage of life. It's a hard time. If you don't want a young pup, I'd suggest going older than "teenage" and instead look for a young adult, perhaps one the breeder held back for evaluation as a show dog, or something like that. Just my opinion.

I sent you a reply to your message but not sure it’s sending?!
Thanks
Louise x

P.s Axel is a challenging teenager


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A friend sent this to me a week ago - CSJ- they are right there in the UK - one will only set you back 35 K

Yeah...I was hoping Louise would pop in on this thread!

I’m still here lurking LadyDi

Butter wouldn’t melt but he is a right toad some days!
Full teenager mode now at 11 months and 35kgs of stubborn idiocy
Wouldn’t change him for the world though


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Not sure how things work there in London but here in the USA there are many places that will NOT allow Dobes to live. Apartments, rental homes, condos and certain communities are just some where breed restrictions prevent you from having a Doberman. In addition, certain insurance companies refuse to insure you if you have a Dobe.

Axel is looking very handsome these days. His ears look great! Good job.

It would be very difficult to find a reputable person selling a 6-12 month "protection trained" Doberman. First of all real protection training doesn't really start until the dog is 13-15 months old. Prior to that the dog is not mature enough to do it. Any training that people may pass off as "protection training" at that point is play/prey drive work. Good Dobermans that are really capable of true protection work are not easy to get anywhere. In that kind of market the sleazes prevail. Brokering of Doberman's that have been bred for bite work is not really very prevalent... Now in the German Shepherd world in Europe it is a much better possibility.

Hi

That is a solid suggestion, I will look into more mature dogs. I am still undecided whether to get a puppy or a mature dog.
With puppies of course the cuteness but also the frustration and they are time intensive. A mature dobe from a credible source is a very good option, with a mature dog I will know exactly what I am getting interms of personality.
However I was wondering will a mature dog have the same bond with me as a dog I raise myself? This issue always worry me.

Thank you
CSJ

It sounds like you really just want a well bred pet with a solid temperament. IMO a protection trained dog is a lifestlye and a tool, not a pet. If you think a puppy is a lot of work and time intesnive I don't think a protection trained dog is for you. It's not even in the same ballpark. Heck even show bred doberman puppies are a lot of work compared to other breeds and more than most dog owners can handle.

Excellent post Greenie !!! Excellent ! That's what I was thinking when reading above post . All of our Dober Puppies needed lots of attention And would never trade one second of raising one up - That is the first place memorable moments start - from day one .

This is just me thinking out load here - But I have to say - I don't think a Doberman is for you .

I've always had as close a bond with adopted adult dogs as I have had with puppies I've raised.

I would look for an adult dog with good drive just as a companion for your wife. It will help her deal with her trauma. A protection rated dog is not going to be easy to come by regardless of your budget and you will probably have more issues with liability from your neighbors and insurance company.

I had a very sharp Austrian dobe who scared away 3 seeding looking fellas in a bad part of Houston.

My ex and I were traveling and we stopped at a gas station in a bad part of town. When she was coming out of the convenience store she had a bunch of goodies and was oblivious to her surroundings. I watched 3 guys follow her towards the car while I was gassing up... and I’m thinking... I got 14 rounds in my sidearm +1 in the pipe. I’m going to have to reload if I have to shoot these three SOBs.

My 2 year old boy stuck his head out the rear window and growled... it was like watching a cartoon. Those 3 guys made a sharp left turn and walked away from the vehicle quickly.

I told the ex to get in the car and we left...post haste.