Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys,
I have a 14 month old Dobe ( max ) and he is the softest dog in britain or so i thought, we were walking max through our country park the other day and he was being his usual self, going up to other dogs, smelling, running with them just the same as he does daily. Max then noticed a couple with a rotty, so he decided to go over for a nosy, the rotty was a young male also, after standing nose to nose for a while max just went mad, growling, showing his teeth and then he just laid into the rotty which tried to get away but max chased and tried to bite the rotty, the rotty just curled up and we felt really bad, luckily no harm was done apart from max getting the reputation for being aggresive. Why did he do this when he will normally run from any dog that tells him off, even small dogs.

You were at a dog park? There was a reason. He was probally stressed from the other dogs and obviously didn't like this particular one. You should have had him on a leash so you could control him. Not to say that he is a bad dog or anything but you need to keep him on a leash from now on. No need to make people scared of them.

My dobe is the sweetest dog ever but there are some dogs that he just can't stand and there are some dogs that just can't stand him. Thats just how it is. I wouldn't trust any type of dog around every dog all the time. there are always things that can go wrong.
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Thanks, i understand about not all dogs getting along but it was really out of character, we dont have to have him on a leash over here in the appropriate places and he does need to run to get the required exercise for such a dog, do you have to have dogs on the leash at all times in the states or are there places you can let them run.

At parks we have to have them on leashes and many communities too but I live in the middle of nowhere so my byron is generally allowed to run. Never with another dog he doesn't know around though. I generally go outside first and make sure I dont see another one roaming around. Maybe try the park when it isn't busy.

Here is a pic of my lazy boy!

byron pics

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Hey there

If he snapped at the rottie but didn't bite, even though he could, I think he didn't really want to bite at all. He was just trying to intimidate the other dog for some reason. Not to say he would never bite, you can never know, but snapping in the air is a totally different thing. Most of these situations get sorted out among the dogs, no intervention necessary. Of course, you don't have to let things build up and normally you'll be able to call order by voice.

I saw a dog biting another one, and believe me, he did not snap in the air, he grabbed the other dog by the neck and it took 2 minutes and 2 persons to get them apart. This was a dangerous situation, yes, but a small row from time to time can happen and won't harm anyone.

What you should *not* do, is avoid contact with other dogs. You should enocurage him to go to other dogs and build confidence and social behavior, or else he may become dog-aggressive, out of fear. Give him the chance to get in contact with other dogs, praise him if he behaves, stop any "disagreement" so he sees, if he gets vocal the fun is over.

My dobie is a softie too and still will go bonkers if another dog tries to "dominate" him. Which means he'll start to snap in the air barking like mad and chasing the other dog. He *never* hurt another dog in any way, but i'ts just his way of saying "you are going too far my friend!"

I hope this helps. Did you visit an obedience course with your dobie? This would surely help.

Regards

Adriana

Your Male Doberman is starting to act like a "male" Doberman. Mature male Dobermans (especially un-neutered males) are notoriously male-on-male aggresive. Your Doberman may not be able to continue to run loose at the local park, or you may need to take him for his runs when there are not other dogs around. This is not something to take lightly as a full grown male Doberman can do some serious damage to a another dog - or conversely can pick on a dog that will do damage to him. We as Doberman owners we have to be very cognizent of the bad reputation our breed has and do whatever it takes to make sure we don't perpetuate the "myth". Unfortunately, the male-on-male aggression is no myth!

I agree with mjansel, at 14 months he is starting to feel like a 'man' and now is the time to make sure you know how to encourage acceptable behavior and discourage inappropriate, see a trainer if you are at all unsure.

Its great that you are allowed your dog off lead in places, here in oz its leads leads leads! although most people are comfortable with them off lead at the beach. p.s. he looks lovely.