Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I cannot believe how much dobermans have changed, I remember when dobe's were the toughest dog around. I bought a great dobe that I thought was going to be a good guard/protection dog, he is 5 months old and over 50 lbs. I take him to the dog park everyday because I noticed he was always barking and trying to attack other dogs when we walk, I didnt want him to view them as a threat since a dog cannot break into my house and steal my T.V. WELL since we have been going their he(the big mean dog that acts tough and tries to beat up other dogs that he cannot reach and acts likes he wants to attack people while on a leash or in the safety of his back yard) runs from other dogs and people, Today he was attacked three times by a dog that was smaller than he is and he defended himself by lying on his back and whinning while he was being bitten. I was so proud of my tough guy for not crapping and peeing on himself, I havent had a dobe in over 20 years and I may never get another one if this is the kind of crap that is being bred these days. I guess I know why the GSD is the dog of choice for police work, who wants to send a dog in to stop a criminal only to find a trained dobe balled up in the fetal position scared of his shadow. I really love this breed, but if this is what is left after the massive overbreeding of the 70's and 80's I might just start buying Rott's.

Maybe you should go to a trainer and get a security system instead of a dog. Did you go to a good breeder? If you didn't research them your just helping the bad breeders. Were his parents like that? Get in contact with the breeder and see what they say about how his parents acted or if they can recommend a trainer. He shouldn't just be trying to eat people or dogs when you walk him.When your at the dog park he may just be playing too. My dobe plays the same way with my corgi and gets beat up on by her but he is just playing. If he is only five months old he may completely change when he matures. My dobe didn't get protective of the house untill he was almost three. He doesn't act like hes gonna kill anyone but he will go to the door/window and let them know hes in there. His presence is enough.
There are plenty of badly bred GSDs too. I've seen many more problems in them than dobes in fact. I hope you and your breeder can figure something out.

I did get to meet the parents of him and I was able to sit with all the puppies for about 2 hours and just interact with them. The one I chose accually chose me, I was just sitting there and he came up to me and starting licking my face and nibbling on my chin. His Parents were very very well behaved with no sign of submission, but plenty of " Im watching you" vibe they were giving me, they watched me every second I was there. I want to start training and was encouraged by my vet to take him to the dog park. I posted this subject on another forum and they said it was stupid to take a puppy to a dog park, what do any of you think about this? I still want to take him he seems to love it there.

My dogs love other dogs but we don't have a dog park here. If there was one without a ton of little dogs running around I would consider it though. A lot of people are against them because you never know what could happen. Some people are sue happy and especially having a dobe if anything happens you are automatically blamed. I have enough land that my dogs can run around fine so its not a huge issue. If hes around the wrong dogs I guess it could affect him negatively but I dont know. If you feel safe with the people and dogs around and keep a good eye on everything then I guess it should be your decision. I just dont like hearing about people taking dogs that they know will bite to a place like that. They shouldn't be allowed in.

I think maybe you got a Doberman for the wrong reasons. Please try to remember that even though you pup already weighs 50lbs, he is still just a baby!!! Of course he is going to be scared of adult aggressive dogs. Rolling over is what puppies do. Go find a good trainer and take him to a puppy class then to basic obedience.

Sounds to me like he needs more socialisation. If you are taking him places where other dogs are likely to attack him, find somewhere different to walk him - either he will get worse and be terrified of them, or he will turn round one day and fight back - and being a dobe, I'm afraid he is the one that is blamed, regardless fo whether he started it or not. It may well end up with the other dog's owner requesting yours be put to sleep.

As for the guarding instinct - you don't want a dog that is constantly on guard out on walks, this suggests poor socialisation also. My dobe - a neutered male, 19 months - is a total sap out on walks. Like yours, if he is set upon by another dog - fortunately it's only happened three times, and nothing really bad - he cowers and whines, he won't defend himself. But, if anyone dares walk in front of our house, he barks at them as if they were going to kill us! So I don't doubt his guarding instinct, despite his softy nature outside the house.

Remember that while there is a degree of hereditary influence on temperament, for the msot part the dog is what you make it. Take him someplace nice to walk, and get to know some other dog owners with nice dogs - that way your boy can get to play and learn that other people and dogs are not a threat to him.
Oh, and the old dobes - the "toughest dogs around" - it is a _good_ thign they are gone. they were renowned for a sharp temperament, and it is that which lands them the dodgy rep they still have, even though they are some of the nicest dogs to have around. It's the same for rotties, by the way - a reputable breeder breeds for pleasant, soft dogs, not mean bite factories. They will also land you in trouble if you try to raise one like that. And the GSDs - almost all the regular GSDs these days, in my experience, have severe temperament problems - they are sharp and unpredictable, not a desirable trait at all.

First your dobe is a baby. To young to showing "mean" tendencies
Second, once a PUPPY gets attackd by other dogs they are going to have fear issues with dogs.
Third aggressive dogs are why breed bans have started cropping up.
Sounds like you got a very good dobe. A nice solid temperment
Dobes are a little smarter than you are giving them credit for.
Dobes know when it is time to be protective and when its not.
You have a baby, thankfully its NOT aggressive.
If your dog was attacking other dogs then they'd quit letting dobes in dog parks like alot have with the pit bulls.
Let your puppy grow up before you expect "work" out of him