TRAINING AND OBEDIENCE
The Doberman takes to training even as a puppy. This highly intelligent breed actually seems to be capable of sensing and feeling what his master is thinking and what he wants the Doberman to do.The Doberman is as close to being human as any breed of canine. They have the desire to please and comply with the requests of their master.
Because of these wonderful traits and their intelligence, they are very easily trained and quickly retain the lessons easily. They can be test at times, but with patience and guidance, they are remarkable in their ability to learn and anticipate any situation. Basic Obedience training is imperative for the Doberman.
The Doberman will love and respect his family as the authority in his life but this authority must start at a young age to guide and gently mold the young Doberman into a welcome member of the family and into the greater realm of the community.Dobermans are unsurpassed in their ability to learn, respond, protect and be a loving, fun companion but they must be trained to produce the ultimate pet and companion.
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.
Here are some fabulous sites for information on training. Please spend some time to understand the Doberman and why training is a requirement for a happy, responsive and in control companion.
Clicker training articles
Competition obedience training articles
Understanding canine drives
BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS
Because many people don't research and study the Doberman breed and the characteristics of his temperament, problems with behavior can occur.
Be aware that THE DOBERMAN IS NOT FOR EVERY PERSON OR FAMILY. This is just the reality of the breed. It is a demanding breed and requires constant attention and guidance from the family. With the mobile society we live in, where often two people are working and out of the home for long periods of time everyday, the possibility that the Doberman will not be nurtured properly is a distinct possibility.
The first year is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to the proper development of correct behavior patterns and the establishment of the ORDER that must be present in the family, which is the people call all the shots and the Doberman must comply and follow their lead. The family CANNOT be held hostage by an improperly raised and trained Doberman who thinks he is the ALPHA and is running the show. Poor behavior, lack of discipline and even dangerous displays of aggression toward family members and other acceptable people is the consequence of mismanagement of the Doberman in some manner.
Of course, there are exceptions, where the Doberman has a physical cause for behavior problems. But typically BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS follow improper training attempts or inappropriate or too severe discipline or lack of bonding to the family because the Doberman is locked away and has not integrated itself within the family and also the total lack of available time to spend with this Doberman that demands quality efforts to train.
BEFORE you purchase a Doberman do your HOMEWORK. Study the breed read everything available on Dobermans. Study and read about training methods and how Dobermans are different than the greater majority of breeds. Go to AKC Dog Shows and spend some time around Dobermans to observe and see how they act and react. Observe Obedience classes and how they're taught.
Get all the details worked out on how you are going to handle a Doberman puppy coming into your home, including the proper usage of a portable crate to use in the training process. Do all of this BEFORE you go look for a puppy.
Doberman puppies are high energy, bundles of SHARP TOENAILS AND NEEDLE TEETH!! Young children can be absolutely terrified by nipping puppies and the puppy can be absolutely terrified by running, screaming children that cause their mom's and dad's to harshly discipline the puppy for normal puppy behavior. This sets the scene for a very bad experience for both child as well as the young Doberman puppy (or any breed of puppy) and is frequently the start of major BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS that will follow.
The puppy gets locked up more because the kids are afraid and pretty soon the puppy is in the basement or garage or even worse, outside and the puppy grows up with no family socialization, no house time, fear of children and possibly adults. MAJOR PROBLEMS start and are magnified once the puppy becomes an adult and the critical imprinting period of puppyhood is passed.
Many older puppies (6 months to 12 months) and young adolescent adults end up in Shelters, Humane Societies and Rescues across the Country because people cannot handle their Doberman or their Doberman is aggressive becasue they are using the wrong training methods and they are afraid of their Doberman. Any number of scenario's can cause behavior problems in the Doberman.
Make sure you seek the advice and counsel of a Professional Behaviorist, a Professional Trainer who has experience with Dobermans, and seek advice from experienced breeders who can point you in the right direction for help.
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