Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 1 month ago I adopted a beautiful dobie. 6 months old female, tail was docked, dew claws removed. Previous owner kept it in concrete kennel. Now dog is 70% inside with plenty of fenced room to roam. Dog is very smart, playful and very loving. I have two sons 8 and 10 and 1 6-7 yr old female Dalmation(also an adoption, sweet dog but really wants nothing to do with puppy.) Well, I have have noticed 2 acts of aggressiveness towards my youngest son. I kinda ignored it, figured it was my son's fault. Well, I just witnessed a 3rd act. Very aggressive and nipped him pretty good on the face. The only thing I can think is that the dog just woke up about a min earlier and one son was petting his head and the youngest was petting his hind leg. What's going on here???? Do I have to train her to be nice to the family???? Please help!! I love this dog but love my son waaaaay more!!!

I'm glad you are looking for help with this - unchecked, you could be looking at big trouble. It is not uncommon for a dog ...especially a puppy ....to try and be dominant over the youngest members of the human family. Your puppy has not been properly socialized and is now searching for her place in the pack - she probably figures that she does not have to be the bottom rung. I went through this with my now almost 3 year old bitch when she was a growing puppy - she has been with us since she was 8 weeks old - and my then 4 year old daughter. My bitch never had a problem with my other daughter who was only 6 at the time. Until we got through this issue, I never let the puppy out of my sight - if I saw any aggressiveness towards my daughter, I did a scruff shake and a big growly NO!! I also had my then 4 year old start giving treats and the food bowl to establish her place in the pack ... above the dog.

As we train our dogs, we must also train our children to be smart about dog behavior. I can recommend a couple of good books about behavior - my favorite is " The Other End of the leash" by Patricia McConnell PHD, Another good one is "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson. You should be able to find these on Amazon.com

My best piece of advice for long term success would be to ask your vet for a reference to a good Behaviorist. Professional help would be your best bet because the best I can do is to offer what worked for me and some good books. I hope you work it out. At only 6 months, you should be able to with some work.

>>About 1 month ago I adopted a beautiful dobie. 6 months old female, tail was docked, dew claws removed. Previous owner kept it in concrete kennel. Now dog is 70% inside with plenty of fenced room to roam. Dog is very smart, playful and very loving. I have two sons 8 and 10 and 1 6-7 yr old female Dalmation(also an adoption, sweet dog but really wants nothing to do with puppy.) Well, I have have noticed 2 acts of aggressiveness towards my youngest son. I kinda ignored it, figured it was my son's fault. Well, I just witnessed a 3rd act. Very aggressive and nipped him pretty good on the face. The only thing I can think is that the dog just woke up about a min earlier and one son was petting his head and the youngest was petting his hind leg. What's going on here???? Do I have to train her to be nice to the family???? Please help!! I love this dog but love my son waaaaay more!!!

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The two female Dobes may start fighting as the younger one further matures, and that may be playing a role in her behavior toward the child. Whether it is or not, you need a behavior specialist immediately. She may have given the last warning she will give before a serious bite to your child.

What a dog can do to a child's face, you don't want to see, and it could leave lifelong scars. Ask your veterinarian to help you find a veterinary behavior specialist in your area. And discuss this situation with your veterinarian and your son's pediatrician. Young boys are the number one group bitten and killed by dogs.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

This note in particular I have a question about. I was bitten in the face as a child by a dog (and have permanent scars on my face.. and probably as well on my spirit, because I was terrified of dogs for many years after that. Being bitten in the face was much worse than any other place I have been bitten because it is much more frightening. I work in a wildlife rescue center and get bit on occasion and it doesn't bother me.) I have always adored dobes and after getting over my outright fear of dogs, I have considered for some time, purchasing a dobe because they seem like a wonderful all around good dog. Not to mention being strikingly beautiful and most seem to be very good natured. I have heard of some people who have problems with agression in them, and so obviously after my accident this gives me some pause (as would any dog, seeing as, after all I was not bitten by a dobe). My main concern is that I plan on having children eventually, and that by the time I have children, any dog I own will be full grown. I'm not sure what to do, because I know that if you raise a puppy with children or cats or something other than a canine that they will do better with it. But I guess my question is, is it ok to raise children with a full grown dog in the house? I know it seems like a stupid question, but if I own an animal I want to be able to keep it forever, and I don't want to aquire an animal that I would be scared to do so with. Thank you.

>>This note in particular I have a question about. I was bitten in the face as a child by a dog (and have permanent scars on my face.. and probably as well on my spirit, because I was terrified of dogs for many years after that. Being bitten in the face was much worse than any other place I have been bitten because it is much more frightening. I work in a wildlife rescue center and get bit on occasion and it doesn't bother me.) I have always adored dobes and after getting over my outright fear of dogs, I have considered for some time, purchasing a dobe because they seem like a wonderful all around good dog. Not to mention being strikingly beautiful and most seem to be very good natured. I have heard of some people who have problems with agression in them, and so obviously after my accident this gives me some pause (as would any dog, seeing as, after all I was not bitten by a dobe). My main concern is that I plan on having children eventually, and that by the time I have children, any dog I own will be full grown. I'm not sure what to do, because I know that if you raise a puppy with children or cats or something other than a canine that they will do better with it. But I guess my question is, is it ok to raise children with a full grown dog in the house? I know it seems like a stupid question, but if I own an animal I want to be able to keep it forever, and I don't want to aquire an animal that I would be scared to do so with. Thank you.

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The answer to this is very complicated. You can get some ideas from the articles at the link below my signature titled "Children Need to Learn about Dogs" and "Choosing a Dog for Children." There are also several good books out on the subject.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Keep them away when the dog is sleeping. While that is probally not the only thing to worry about I hear about dogs getting rehomed or put down for biting when being woken up all the time. I know I've heard it about a couple dobes and it may have even been on here.
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Thank you all so much for your input!

Something I have found very effective is the act of pinning. This form of discipline is used within the dog pack and is something they understand. It will usually work for many undesireable behaviors.

As soon as the undesireable behavior (such as biting) is committed, say a firm "NO" and at the same time lay the dog on it's side with one hand on the upper rib area (toward the shoulder) and the other hand on the neck at the base of the head, not strong pressure, just enough to prevent the dog from getting up, hold this position until the rear leg rises, which signals submission. Then let the dog up. He/she will get the message. I had a dobe pup once who became way too aggressive in play and I only had to pin her twice and she stopped the aggression. The closer the pinning action is to the time the wrong is committed, the better the results. Sometimes the dog will urinate as a sign of submission as she/he is raising the rear leg. This is normal. But remember, the goal is not to hurt your dog or slam him/her down, but quickness is the key.

It's always good to get the advice of a professional, so by all means, do that as well.

I have had four purebred dobes and one dobe mix over the past 21 years, with two of them being my current babies. I also raised a child during these years and have found with proper training and role setting, the doberman is a wonderful family member. Good luck!

Thanks, I have done similiar. I had my youngest straddle her with the dog on her back. I have heard this is a very submissive position. Of course, this was all closely supervised. Also the youngest is now the primary food and treat giver.
Gerard