Doberman Care and Training

Feeding

Dogs are carnivores and require high quality meal in their diet. Premium foods that contain  large amounts of good meats is necessary for good health.Excellent quality dog food for the Dobermans life time is critical.Many Doberman breeders recommend a lower protein puppy food (less than 28%) for the first months of puppyhood. They also discontinue feeding puppy food at an early age, 4 months.This practice is thought to help reduce the incidence of Panosteitis (wandering lameness) and reduce the rapid growth produced by a higher ratio of protein found in most puppy foods. Many also recommend raising the food dish off the floor to lessen neck strain while feeding. Here at Aruff Our pups are fed a custom made puppy food. We will send home a sample bag with your new puppy. You can use it to switch to a food of your choice such as Purina One and IAMS and Pedigree. Feeding routines are flexible, just like our schedules. Most people feed their dogs once or twice a day, depending on their schedules.WATER is essential at all times.    

Ear Cropping

This is such a critical area of care for a Doberman owner that our first advice is to make sure you understand ear cropping should *ONLY* be done by those that are very experienced in this procedure. This is why we have it done here at Aruff before they go to thier new homes.

Length of Ears

Military/Pet Crop:

This ear is shorter in length and has a wider base (bell). Does not (usually) take very long to stand. It looks more Pitbullish and is not seen on many Dobes today.

Medium Crop:

A longer ear with a little less bell. This is what we do here4 at Aruff unless otherwise requested.

Show Crop:

This crop is longer and a little narrower than the other two crops.

 

Ear Taping

Aftercare of the Doberman ear i fnot already done by the breeder, should only be done under the guidance of an experienced Doberman vet/breeder/handler. It requires time and commitment on the part of the owner. Most agree that the ears should be taped for a week, then untapped long enough to allow the ears to breathe and dry out, then taped back up again. The longer the ears are left untapped, the longer it will take for them to stand on their own. By the time the pups permanent teeth come in (around 6 months), or before, they should be able to stand upright with no artificial support.

Important things to remember when taping the ear:

• Check for odors (should not have a foul smell)
• Don't allow the ear become wet. If this should happen, rewrap with dry tape.
• DO NOT take the ears down and let the ears "hang" for any length of time.
• When the ears fall post them right back up.

Quality Veterinary Care. 

SPAYING AND NEUTERING IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Intact dogs of ANY BREED are susceptible to many diseases, conditions and especially CANCERS of all kinds involving the reproductive system. PROSTATE disease is extremely common in male Dobermans and the remedy is neutering anyway, so it will save your beloved pet many painful episodes with his health. Mammary Cancer is very common in females, but even more so in females that are not spayed.   So for your Doberman's good health SPAY AND NEUTER. It will NOT make them fat and lazy that's a MYTH!!! 

Vaccinations, boosters, deworming, heartworm testing and preventative, flea & tick medications, health testing such as Thyroid, vWD and heart checks all are helpful in keeping your Doberman healthy and free from disease.

Toys

The Doberman is likely to be able to destroy most toys suitable for other breeds. One safe bet is a Kong toy which is fairly indestructible. Dobes also have a love of tennis balls but these should only be provided with supervision. There are known cases of Dobermans choking on tennis balls. Beware of products stating they can be "ingested" safely. This DOES NOT mean they can be digested successfully. A good example is Greenies. They can frequently cause an impaction and are not reccomended.

Training

Dobermans NEED socialization, socialization, socialization. A Puppy Kindergarten Class or Puppy Daycare are very suitable places for you and your Doberman to start. Kind discipline, training and Obedience make for a wonderful and happy pet. Your Doberman is a very intelligent working dog and will love learning. The Doberman needs training to know what he can and can't do in the home, around people and outside interacting with the world.  They are intelligent and are easily trained and a joy to live with when properly taught but they can be pushy, destructive and a real renegade if not managed and trained. They are truly like a child in the respect that  it is up to you, the owner, to see to it that they are not allowed to become unruly. They can be a problem if not trained, as can ANY highly intelligent breed. Finding something you can do together that you both enjoy is beneficial to your relationship. With such events you both enjoy each others company, your dog gets the excerise and mental stimulation he needs and you have  avery well mannered and responsive pet. Ther are many things you can do with your dog a few are AKC Canine Good Citizen, Obedience, Rally, Agility, Therapy and more. There are even local clubs you can join to have fun with others. It can be very fun and rewarding to you and your dog. 

Housing

A Dobe is not a dog that does well outside. They are a people dog and do well in the same environment that you prefer. If you are too hot, so is your Dobe. If you are too cold, or don't like standing in the sun, you can bet your Dobe is uncomfortable too. He needs to live with his family INSIDE the home, interacting and living next to and with all the family members. He is NOT AN OUTSIDE DOG. He needs a warm, safe, dry, comfortable place to live, including an extra large dog crate for training, housebreaking and when left alone. Blankets or other soft suitable material for the dog to lay on is necessary to prevent pressure sores and elbow and joint swelling.

A fenced yard is a big plus but a Doberman can do well in a small yard or even in an apartment as long as the owner realizes that the Doberman demands exercise and must be willing to provide daily walks and or runs.