Joined
·
105 Posts
Alright, I've been debating on whether or not I wanted to post this but I want opinions of actual Doberman owners-get ready for a novel. I am having lots of trouble. Domino is almost 10 months old and still intact (absolutley no plans on breeding of course-just letting him fill out) He in no way shape or form has ever shown teeth or growled at my family-he's very loving and loyal, it's just other people is the problem. He wont let anyone in the house without nipping/biting them. He barks uncontrolably and if they move he goes with them, and his biggest problem is men. I had a Halloween party outside a few weeks ago and one of the guys came in to use the bathroom (I was with him) and Domino went crazy barking, pulled on his shirt and nipped his hand. Once the guy sat down Domino warmed up and actually licked him and leaned, once he was up again everything was forgotten. Now heres where I'm at a loss. I have taken him everywhere with me since I got him, we've been in 4 classes and are currently in 2 a week right now. I thought I was on it with the socialization with the classes and the park and petsmart trips, playing in the bark yard with kids....I seeked private training to have him evaluated and she made a good point I never ever thought about. 98% of people in his classes were all women, all the trainers have been women, and he has grown up with my mom and me, as well as my brother. But my brother doesnt feed him or really do anything with him. But he loves my brother doesnt bark at him or anything. So really he's only been around about 2 or 3 males in the house while he's grown up-could that be the culprit? If we're at the park and there are guys there he is fine. But he just has gotten so aggressive lately that he wont even let girls in the house, he even nipped/bit the trainer on Saturday. (she wanted him off leash to see exactly how he acts when unexpected people come over, low and behold he bit and cornered her). Another problem she said is our terrier's behavior has rubbed off on him because we got him at 6 months old and he never really had any socialization. When he barks and gets anxiety Domino starts acting up too. Regardless of that even when it's just me and Domino, I cant even walk out of the house without him being on high alert he barks at everyone and everything. Even on walks if someone walks out of their own house he barks and growls. Last week at puppy agility, the class after us started walking in and a man came into the ring to get chairs and walked by Domino and said hi and he started barking as well. When he does this I remove him from the situation and have him focus on me, I do that too when he is outside going potty. But the trainer even said on Thanksgiving (everyone comes here-they dont want to though because my grandpa has told them how "mean" my dog is) he has to go in my room in his crate the whole time-I am dreading it. I am at a loss I have spent 1000's of hours on training him and going to classes going to parks having men give him treats, and he still acts like this. The trainer also said that between 9-11 months they are stupid and act like 13 yr old boys- but I didnt think the Doberteens were supposed to be this extreme. I've read everywhere on here that Dobes are supposed to tell whats a threat and are absolutely not supposed to act like this. I know fixing isn't the "magic fix", he doesnt hump or lift his leg yet, but with work, age and snipping will this get better? I cant have anyone over and he is part of the family so I just cant put him away everytime someone comes over. Theres only a handful of my friends that come over a lot that he loves-thats it. He also has known them since day one. She has given me great tips like removing him and then bringing him back until he stops the growling and barking-which worked but it took about an hour to get both dogs comfortable with strangers moving around the house. I cant do that forever-I wanted him to be the friendliest dog and my biggest goal was to have him be a therapy dog and get his CGC. She thinks he is too intense to do therapy-but will try CGC (she teaches them and classes dont start till January) That just breaks my heart, I want to be able to walk into a school or a hospital and have him be silent but she says it might never happen. It's like he has a switch, sometimes when we are out he'll play bow and be so excited when people come up to him, then others times hes not so friendly. She also said he is missed his bite inhibition b/c hes still snappy when we give him treats so we are re working that. I am struggling so bad with this I thought I was doing everything I could to avoid behavior like this it seems like no one will ever be able to enther my house. Any experience with this, any positive thoughts? I know its long as hell but I try to give as many details so its easy to understand.