BOUGHT FIRST DOBIE - female 4 mo old..

994 Views 8 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Treythedobie, Sep 16, 2011

bucksiebaby

Discussion Starter · Sep 16, 2011

Hi everyone! I have always marveled at the doberman...since i was a child my friends father used to train for police work and remember being in awe at thier grace and pristine beauty! HOWEVER over 15 yrs ago my husband wanted a dog, and HIS choice (is and always has been) German Shepherd...the one we purchased was indeed from Germany and cost almost 8 grand.....Since she died several years back I have stepped up to say its my turn to choose and have spent at least year convincing my husband that a dobie would be right for us...well finally it happened!! WE do have a almost 2 yr old grandson, but this girl (jj) has been raised around a daycare...and with our mission being to remain the pack leaders, i will too train my grandson to be...

QUESTION...since we have never had a doberman, and from what I know, sorta fall into a class of their own.....after meeting her today, all my son and I could think about was how is she going to get thru her mourning period....after all the bond she has with her current owner makes anyones head turn..It makes us sad and we don't even have her yet!! I guess the impact just meeting her was HUGE! We already love her....

Can anyone offer any advice to make the transistion smoother? After all shes not a baby puppy, so she's house broken...I hemmed and hawed about a crate thinking it would be better for her to be in one at night, but I don't think I could, but if she were a baby still I wouldn't be in doubt....Should we just love her all we can, and once she settles in begin the rigorous task of establishing pack rules? I want the best for her, and wouldn't forgive myself if we ruined her in anyway..

oh one more thing, I have been driving myself crazy with is would it be better to meet at the dog park to get her or at her house??

Thanks.....
bucksiebaby

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EmilyB

· #2 · Sep 16, 2011

Lots to think about. She will mourn, give her space to be odd at times. In a few weeks, she will know you are going to be there for her.

I would get her into a crate, search that out on here. It can be her safe place and it will help wilth transport and vetting in the future.

Make sure she is not unsupervised ever with a two year old. No dog should be.

Thank you for rescuing.

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dax0402

· #3 · Sep 16, 2011

I and welcome to the forum. Best of luck with your new girl. All our Dobes but one were rehomes and it did not take long for them to bound with us. Just be patient and give her structure and she will do fine.

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Jhagman

· #4 · Sep 16, 2011

You're gonna love the fact that dobes don't shed as much as sheps!

You might want to read up about clicker or positive training, it's a newer form of training.
My dog training experience from years ago was the alpha method, so I'm in the process of learning about it myself.

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OliviaB

· #5 · Sep 16, 2011

In my opinion, the process of establishing the pack rules and her place in your family should begin immediately. Oddly enough, by asserting your position over her she will likely feel more secure knowing that she has a competent new pack leader and she will quickly learn her place. I'm not saying to be harsh in any way...just start with your house rules from day one. You don't want to baby her for awhile and then confuse her when all of a sudden the rules change. With any new dog, I give them space to get to know me at their own pace. I lay out the rules (example: Don't enter a room before me, no furniture unless invited, sit politely while waiting for food, etc) and then offer praise and affection as the dog seeks it. Be confident and friendly and she will adjust

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LindaH

· #6 · Sep 16, 2011

I would suggest you order "The Power of Positive Dog Training" by Pat Miller and use it. Dobermans are sensitive and dont handle physical punishment or harsh methods well. Be too harsh and you can ruin your pup for life and do permanent damage to your bond with her. Just have a whole lot of patience cause dobe puppies will fray your very last nerve then chew it.:laughing:

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Adara

· #7 · Sep 16, 2011

My two cents about the crate, at some point she may need one. If you don't do it ASAP, think about getting her used to one at some point. If she is ever boarded (human or animal ER), she will probably be in a crate. The last thing you need if it's a dog ER is more added stress from not used to being in a crate.

If she is 4 months old, she is pretty much a baby puppy in many aspects. I would not expect her to be housebroken in a new environment. And at that age, I wouldn't take her to the dog park.

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bernardin33

· #8 · Sep 16, 2011

OliviaB said:
In my opinion, the process of establishing the pack rules and her place in your family should begin immediately. Oddly enough, by asserting your position over her she will likely feel more secure knowing that she has a competent new pack leader and she will quickly learn her place. I'm not saying to be harsh in any way...just start with your house rules from day one. You don't want to baby her for awhile and then confuse her when all of a sudden the rules change. With any new dog, I give them space to get to know me at their own pace. I lay out the rules (example: Don't enter a room before me, no furniture unless invited, sit politely while waiting for food, etc) and then offer praise and affection as the dog seeks it. Be confident and friendly and she will adjust

I agree with everything you said. Rules have to be given at day 1. If you go longer, you will have more of an up hill battle. Having a structured life is exactly what dobermans need.

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Treythedobie

· #9 · Sep 16, 2011

I got my boy from a rescue at 4 months. He was house trained and the rescue started crate training. I drove him home from Albequerque - I live in Phoenix and he was in the crate for the whole drive home. He didn't cry at all, since then I knew he liked his crate, so when I leave the house he goes into his crate. Its so much easier than having to worry about what he might get into when I am gone. At night he sleeps in my bed.

I didn't really notice a mourning period but thats probably because he was only in the rescue for a short period of time. Like others have said, use positive training and lots of love, praise, affection and he will bond with you in no time. I would also suggest not leaving him alone with a 2 yr old also, not becasue he may bit or attack the child, but because dobermans are big, strong goofballs and sometimes they play too rough or don't realize how strong they are.

You sound like a great dobie parent, I am sure you will be fine!

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