[jimmy23aust]

Hi all thanks for viewing my post. I recently purchased a Doberman who is 10 weeks old and had him for one week. Wow what a handful he is! Im seeking some much needed advise as im not sure if these bad habits are because he is a puppy or will they continue through adulthood. Basically he follows me EVERYWHERE, if I feed him and walk away he wont eat his dinner. When it comes to bed time I put him in the laundry and he becomes feral! Barking, growling and crying, scratching at the door. Ive tried telling him off with a firm voice which has absolutely no effect. He gets himself in such a state of panic and anxiety nothing I do can quiet him down. So I have been ignorning him (so i'm not giving into him) and he goes to sleep in about 10 -15 minutes. I know hes only a puppy and only been here a week but when we are seperated in different rooms he goes crazy. Ive tried putting a wire fence in the laundry door so he can see me in the lounge but still he continues to go crazy. When I put him outside before I go to work, same thing, barking and growling, neighbors say he does this for 10 minutes after i'm gone, then is quiet all day. Is this normal behaviour for a Doberman pup? Or does these issues need to be sorted out A.S.A.P. ? Thanks in advance!

 

[PatchworkRobot]

To me it seems that this could be either two things. Either he isn't getting anywhere near enough exercise or he has a small case of separation anxiety. Are you crate training him? I'd do that. Once he's crate trained you can work on fixing separation anxiety. You put him in, leave for 5-10 min and then come back, you do this a few times and then start to increase the length of time that you're away. If is a lack of exercise you need to play with him a ton more. That being said following you everywhere is normal for a doberman, puppy or adult. They are very "velcro" dogs, they will stick to you like glue. Most doberman owners cannot go to the bathroom alone.

Edit: I guess giving him his own room is pretty much similar to crate training so my advice on that can remain the same.

 

[Toby'shuman]

Dobes are not called Velcro Dogs for nothing, they will be with you 24/7 given the opportunity. I cannot go anywhere without my shadow (Dobe shaped of course).
As Patchwork has recommended, short breaks away from you will be easier for him to take which you can slowly increase in length etc as the days, weeks go by. There are no quick fixes with regards seperation anxiety and ignoring him isn't likely to give him confidence that his fears over your disappearing don't have foundation.
You could try giving him something like a Kong stuffed with something tasty, a favourite toy etc when you leave him. Put the radio on or the TV, not quite as good as mum, but it is a human voice.

Good luck.

 

[Jhagman]

You will get used to the Velcro nature of the dobe. The first week with my pup, I let her sleep in bed with me, then I crate trained her, always giving her a favorite toy and treat in the crate.

This breed is uncommonly bonded to humans! You will come to love it!

 

[Australdi]

Welcome from Tassie!

dobies need to be part of the family; it can be like having a toddler with four legs

 

[nightgrace6]

welcome from SA, what did your breeder say? who did you purchase the bundle of joy from? my dobe follows me everywhere, toilet, car EVERYWHERE.. they need to be with you all the time, they are not independent shut outside dogs. Good luck, things should settle down a bit soon.

 

[KCFilley]

Don't forget this is a baby. 10 weeks is a baby baby. He's only been away from his mama and litter mates what, maybe two weeks.

I would personally be very very afraid to leave a 10 week old puppy outside. Not sure what animals you have there but I have large birds, bobcats, coyotes, etc. Course I live in the country, not city. I actually walk outside with my puppies at that age. They are never alone. At 4 months I let Taylor out with the two older dogs but definitely not when she was so small.

Dobermans are not meant to be left outside and to leave a 10 week old outside is scary to me. I'd rather puppy proof the garage (remove all hazardous items) and place a crate inside with the door open so he can come and go into his crate. Or, do this in the kitchen with a hard surface floor. Course I'm an over-the-top worry wort when it comes to a puppy.

You could also place his crate near your bed at night.

I let my puppy sleep in the bed with me. Now you know all my bad awful habits. No wonder my girl is so rotten.

Please post some photos.

KC/Linda

 

[Australdi]

We don't have any large predatory animals (apart from crocs in the far north) in Aust...but it is getting into snake season, which can be a problem even in suburbia. My worry about leaving a pup that young outside would be puppy theives!...I didn't even let my adult dobe outside when I wasn't home (might have been different if I had a lockable gate)....but personally, I consider dobes to be indoors dogs who enjoy going out for runs and play.

 

[Australdi]

Oh I forgot about drop bears!!!!!!!
....but they prefer human brains so probably not an issue.


ETA ...or maybe it could be an issue....
http://kangaroojase.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Survive-A-Drop-Bear-Attack-An-Essential-Guide-On-Australias-Most-Dangerous-Marsupial

 

[triciakoontz]

Welcome to the forum! In addition to the velcro nature of Dobermans you have also got a puppy who displays great determination, another awesome Doberman trait. This persistence can be a pain when they are young and you want some "down time", HOWEVER, the same persistence will be invaluable when you are training your puppy because Dobermans can easily focus upon and stick with a training task.

Cures for "persistence overload" are below. Right now your puppy is a "sponge" just dying to soak up new things so start training several times/day for a few minutes each time. In 3 weeks or less you will have a wonderfully behaved puppy!! Google "kikopup" + "dog training" and you will see excellent demonstrations of positive reinforcement dog training.

1) Plan for your puppy to get plenty of free play time outside chasing balls, throw toys, frisbee; play tag and other silly games with your puppy. Allow him to snoot around for extended periods of time.

2) Crate training - it is IMPERATIVE that you do this!

3) Teach your puppy how to independently play with toys both in and out of the crate.

4) Teach "Go to your mat" as soon as possible and use it all the time for brief periods of quiet time - have frozen kongs and bones for pup to chew while on his mat (videos for teaching this are on youtube). Make the sessions very short and rewarding (with the chew items) at first, then gradually increase the time.

5) Have FUN with your training! This will build a great relationship between you. Laugh and play with him a lot. You don't have to provide long hours of intense focus, instead, provide lots of short burst of focused attention from you, then ignore him for a short time while he is in his crate or on his mat with a chew toy. This will help him to learn to be independent. Good luck!

 

[jimmy23aust]

Thanks so much for the prompt replies, it's just such a good feeling knowing I'm not alone here! He doesn't have crate but laundry is pretty much the same thing. I understand he will always be a 'velcro' dog, it just would be nice to goto the toilet without him scratching at the door barking because he can't see me! I try exercise him everyday after work but he still yet to have his second vaccination, the breeder said he's not allowed to leave my backyard. He is due to have it in 3 weeks, I can't wait! Will give the 'leaving him for 5-10mins' training a go and gradually increase time. I could leave him the best meal or the best toy but when he's in that frantic state, he couldn't care less! Thanks again for your help and advise! Will post some photos of him soon!

 

[jimmy23aust]

Couple of pics the night he came home! Another question: Should I be training him now not to jump up? He jumps up on me all the time, especially first thing in the morning and when I get home from work. I'm trying to say 'down' and say good boy when he doesn't just but doesn't seem to be having any effect! Some people have said its a puppy thing and they will always jump, better off waiting till he is a bit older. Thanks

 

[Darkevs]

Hello and Welcome to Doberman Talk!

good luck with your pup.

you will get more replies and help with your puppy questions in either the training or puppy sections.

Good luck with your pup.

Hugz to Tyson!

 

[nightgrace6]

gorgeous boy, I notice he is docked, could you PM me your breeders name? I think I know who it may be.

 

[KCFilley]

He is adorable. Beautiful boy. What a sweet face. Please post pictures often.

 

[Whiskey]

If he has such severe separation anxiety you may still want to consider crating when you can't keep an eye on him for a couple reasons. Dogs have been known to chew/dig through drywall when left to their own devices and you WILL be shocked at the things your dog will find to eat when left alone. I know my laundry room would be heaven for a puppy looking to get into mischief. An obstruction surgery can cost over $5,000 and dobes are known for eating things like socks and having to have surgery.

Plus a crate can become their safe place: think of it as a den not a crate.

In regards to the jumping, make sure you are not rewarding it. I had Whiskey broken of it in 3 weeks by ignoring him totally if he was jumping up. Turn around and walk away. NEVER reward the behavior with a response. Even a NO is a reward because some attention is better then none. Start now and it will be much easier to break him of that habit. I never touch my pup unless he has all 4 feet firmly planted on the ground

With all that said, welcome to DT and congrats on your new bundle of joy!

 

[Patches Mom]

Cute boy might want to consider telling him off and save down for lay down so he will not get confused in the future when you teach down. Welcome from Oklahoma I'm owned by buddy the Doberman & Patches the Dachshund.

 

[jimmy23aust]

Thanks for the replys, I have decided a crate might just be the best option in this situation. Have always thought its not nice for the dog but at the end of the day, I have to do whats best for him! Although when I close the laundry door and go to bed, his barking time is gradually getting less and less. (For 6 minutes tonight) Couple of quick questions about the crate training...Do I put the crate in the laundry still or out in the living room? Ideally dont want him sleeping the night in the living room as when hes older dont want him barking at people walking past my house. Does the crate have to have a lid on it, or can it be open? Also is it hard getting them in there, should I firstly sit next to him till he gets used to it, then gradually walk away for longer peroids? Thanks for your help in advance, thought raising a puppy would be easy...I am struggling, just want him to be the perfect adult dog so willing to correct anything now! Thanks!!

 

[Darkevs]

dobes like to be near you, so a crate in the living area would be best until you can trust him loose in the house.

do a few searches on DT for crate training puppies!

 

[adiposestem]

For me, he is still adopting the environment..I'm not sure about it..