Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My little Dobie girl is now 19wks old and for the last couple of weeks she has been doing something that has me really concerned!!!

Intermittently she will "bob" her head up and down. Kinda like a quick nod. I asked a vet about it and he told me that it is nothing to worry about the some Dobies "just do that". Has anyone here ever heard of such a thing? I don't want to be worried over nothing but... In all of the reading and research that I have done on the breed before I decided to get her I have not come across this.
Any input you guys could give me would be GREAT!!

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I don't have any thoughts on this. Just wanted to say what a beautiful dog you have. I love the picture of her in the flowers!!
-----
Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

Thank you for the kind words about my baby.

You did not give much information about the "nodding", but if she is doing a rapid (but not "violent" head bobbing then I would not worry too much. Your vet would be correct in saying that this is somewhat commen in Dobermans. The next time she does it try giving her some treats that she really likes - this should bring her out of it. The term used among Doberman breeders is "head tremors". If you do a google or yahoo search you will find some information on it. My bitch occasionally has head tremors - it usually happens when she is tired, and I will notice it first because although she seems perfectly aware of her surroundings, her head will be slightly shaking. If I give her a treat and get her attention,she will stop. Some breeders have said that some of their dogs will do it also, but that many of them seem to grow out of it. Hope this helps!

This tremor is actually called "Benign Dobermann Head Tremor" and does not have any ill effects. Boxers are also prone to it. Usually, the dog can be distracted out of the tremor, and it should not have a negative effect on them. It is not a precursor to something worse, which is very reassuring! Don't worry about your little girl. Do a web search, and you will feel better. Love the pic of her in the flowers, she is a beautiful girl.

Lisa.

Thank you guys for your input. I feel much better now that I know what it is called and could look it up.
And I have noticed that she is more prone to do this after she has been playing. Like one of the sites I found said I have high hopes that she will grow out of it. Her "tremors" are very quick. They only last less than a second each time. but she may have several within a 5 min. time frame.

Again thank you guys, I am sooooo glad that I found this forum, You have all been very nice and helpful.

Stephanie