Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

My doberman lives outside most of the day and comes inside in the evenings (approx 6pm). So far its been fine however winter is approaching and its going to be getting cold. I only have him inside in 1 room and cant leave him there all day while i am at work. He will get bored out of his mind. As i have a big yard i will leave him out. I have heard they are cold sensitive. Does anyone have any experience on what temperature is too cold for dobermans?? How long can they last in the cold?? Will a coat and hat help a great deal??

Thanks.

>>Hi,
>>
>>My doberman lives outside most of the day and comes inside in the evenings (approx 6pm). So far its been fine however winter is approaching and its going to be getting cold. I only have him inside in 1 room and cant leave him there all day while i am at work. He will get bored out of his mind. As i have a big yard i will leave him out. I have heard they are cold sensitive. Does anyone have any experience on what temperature is too cold for dobermans?? How long can they last in the cold?? Will a coat and hat help a great deal??
>>
>>Thanks.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Dogs sleep something like 14 hours a day. Leaving him inside with some toys is safer for him, and avoids the coldness problem. It might keep you out of court, too. There are so many things that happen to dogs left outside alone.
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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

Well i can only have him in 1 room and i am afraid to tell you he cries and scratches the doors to come out of that room when i leave him there for a long time. I have tried it before and he would rather be outside where he is free to run about and observe what is going on. He loves comming in but only for short periods and to sleep, not all day in 1 room. I have got a kennel outside which i will put a heater into during the day.

One thing you should all think about - Dobermans originated in Germany. It gets so cold in Germany. Are you all telling me Dobermans were not allowed outdoors at all during winter there. Then how on earth did they get their exercise?????

I live in the UK. It never gets as cold. The coldest it gets where i live is 0 Celcius = 32 farenheight. Thats only for a few days in December. I am just asking for everyones advice not for people to have a go at me. I love my Dobe just as much as any of you. I cant bring him all over my house as he smells a lot and besides my house is very small anyway. The garden is fairly large and fenced off.

And for those people who are telling me he needs company during the day, well i cant take him to work with me so i am sorry and there is nothing i can do about that. I even try to come and see him during my lunch hours when i get time!

Please don't leave him outside by himself all day. Dobermans are very sensitive dogs. You need to slowly train him and get him into the habit of getting the roam of the house. Just make sure he has LOTS of toys and treats to keep him occupied. You'll have to literally baby proof the house too.

They cannot be left outside all day while you're at work. Or locked in one room alone.

I have thought about all the comments and will put a doggy flap on my back door so he can come in and out as he pleases. I will let him roam around downstairs but not in the kitchen and not in my bedroom. What you guys think?

I walk him for half hour in the morning and spend half hour relaxing with him. Leave for work at 9 and come back at 6. Walk him again for 20 mins and 10 mins jogging. I then spend the evening with him from 7 till 11. I cant do much more than that but i think he is happy with that. What you guys recon of that??

Do you guys eat with them or give them food after you have eaten? And a lot of people are telling me dobermans turn on their owners. Mine seems like he would never do that but he is only 7 months. Has anyone experienced this? Also what age do they stop growing? Thanks.

Posted by: sunnyjim
I have thought about all the comments and will put a doggy flap on my back door so he can come in and out as he pleases. I will let him roam around downstairs but not in the kitchen and not in my bedroom. What you guys think?
Sounds like a great idea.

Posted by: sunnyjim
I walk him for half hour in the morning and spend half hour relaxing with him. Leave for work at 9 and come back at 6. Walk him again for 20 mins and 10 mins jogging. I then spend the evening with him from 7 till 11. I cant do much more than that but i think he is happy with that. What you guys recon of that??
Sounds like he gets alot of attention. Great stuff!

Posted by: sunnyjim
Do you guys eat with them or give them food after you have eaten?
Either is fine I think. Unless you have an issue with dominance, then I'd do it after so he knows who's the boss.

Posted by: sunnyjim
And a lot of people are telling me dobermans turn on their owners.
I'm so disgusted with all these stupid MYTHS about dobermans. Please see this link:

www.thedoberman.com/myths.shtml

Posted by: sunnyjim
Mine seems like he would never do that but he is only 7 months. Has anyone experienced this? Also what age do they stop growing? Thanks.
See above link. Seems like you're a good owner and he'll have no reason to ever turn on you. Ever. And I think they stop growing after about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 years.

Oh, and another suggestion if you aren't already, get him on a RAW diet. Google it. It's the absolute best you can get him on. My guy and his entire pedigree are champs and that's all they've every had.