PSI3

I am getting an 8 week old Dobermann bitch in a few days any helpfull tips or advice for a first time dog owner.

simon

bob

A few of us are now keeping dogs. Perhaps we should have a dog meet.
My Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Markus

<I>posted on behalf of suzyq, who's decorating at the mo, and can't come to the keyboard. So don't take this as my view/opinion cos it might not be!</I>

Simon,
why did you decide to go for a dobermann as a first dog? they're not the easist of dogs, especially as part of their makeup is weimaraner, and a bit of weim is nearly as bad as a whole one!

most importantly, don't think "aah cute puppy" and spoil it rotten, start as you mean to go on. It would be a very good idea to get a dog crate, sounds cruel, but it's not, it means that she can be left in her own little space when you go out and therefore can't trash the house. also gives her sanctury from you and others, so if she wants to be on her own she can. plus it also helps with toilet training as dogs should not mess in their own bed.

Books, borning as they might be, get a breed specific book, should have loads of info on the breed and what to expect. Would also be a good idea to get Jan Fennel's book "the dog listener" has some invaluable advice in it.

Suzy's golden rule is:
<I>when the dog is lying down, looking all cute and cuddly, resist the temptation to touch her, leave her alone. when you come down in the morning ignore the dog for five mins, when you go out and come back in, regardless of how long you've been out, ignore her for five mins. Sounds cruel, but it will be worth it, the dog will then know who the boss is. It's hard to do it but you've got to try.

one last thing. everyone, and I mean everyone, who comes into your home MUST follow your rules, with no exceptions, because if they don't then forever more will the dog know that with uncle john they can jump and writhe about, and when she's fully grown, uncle john might not appreacite it to much!

whatever you do, don't get her wet and don't feed her after midnight

good luck

[i]Mark's comments</I>
Go suzy! not much advice from me, except good luck, and try suzy's golden rule, it's worked or is working with maggie, our weimaraner puppy, it's very, very, hard to leave her alone, when she is curled up and looks so cute, but you've just gotta do it.

ScoobyDoo555

Sorry guys, not totally convinced.

Yes, you've got to house train the dog and make sure it behaves, but aren't you missing the point of actually owning a dog?

It's an addition to the family. Would you treat your 'human' family the same?

Yes, it's a pet, but it's also a companion, and a loyal one at that.

I've got 2 Cocker Spaniels (pedigrees) and have also had 2 golden labradors. Perhaps there is a different set of rules for the 'more dangerous' dogs, but I don't think so. Even my mate who's got a Staff (called Turbo ) sez it's a family member, just further dwn the 'pecking order'....

Sorry to disagree, but these are my views on dogs/pets in general.....

Just my 2p.

Dan

chelsie_uk

Sorry but the first year is the worse, ripped wall paper,chewed up carpet and wires.
Toilet training do I need to go on.
There are very large cages you can buy to keep dog out of trouble and they get to like them because there like its kennel, invest in one there well worth it.

chel

Tiggs

i've allways had english bull terriers- big cage is good idea, dont talk to them in the morning i've never heard of! dont the dogs just think your moddy buggers

Tiggs

PS- dobermann is an interesting choice-why?

PSI3

Thanks for the replies, some helpfull comments so far.

As to why i decided on a Dobermann, needed to be a short haired dog due to allergies, prefer medium sized dogs, friends have had them and have nothing but good things to say about them and at the end of the day down to my personal choice.

simon

Tom Evans

PCB,

Always wanted a Dobermann myself.

My advice would be to start training it ASAP, as Dobermanns are very strong willed, so it is important to train it from an early age. If you don't then not only will you end up with a disobedient dog, but potentially a dangerous one - remember this is Dobermann, not a Corgi - and that isn't fair on the dog. Training need not be a chore and can bring you and the dog closer.

Make sure your friends also see it ASAP as Dobes are naturally warey of strangers, so it's best to get your friends acquainted with her at the earliest opportunity.

Has it been hip scored? (sp?)

Make sure you get it plenty of toys to keep it occupied. Also, do things with it that will stimulate her mind as Dobermanns are very intelligent dogs and they can become depressed if they're not being active mentally.

You obviously know that all dogs need exercise and the Dobermann is no exception. It will need at least 1 good walk a day (preferably 2). If it is not walked regularly then you could come home to a partially destroyed house - not trying to worry you, just a warning.

You may want to consider buying a crate, for it to sleep in. My gran has one for their new puppy. It may sound cruel having a cage as a dog's bed, but the puppy loves it and it goes in it often without being prompted. I've got 2 books on Dobermanns and both recommend a crate, saying that they feel safe in them.

Anyway, I'll stop going on. Hope this helps and enjoy your new dog.

Cheers,
Tom

harj

Dobies "The most inteligent dogs in the world"

How I miss mine

Since son was born the dog had to go as he was the best guard dog and well behaved animal ive ever seen!

Just remember with a Dobie its imperative to get them trained professionally or they will walk all over you! planning on getting another one in a year or 2

blubell

1) buy a 'crate' as has already been suggested

2)find a good vet

3) take out insurance to cover both health care and any damage your dog may do to others (my lab had a habit of taking peoples legs from under them as a pup!)

4) sign up for a 'puppy playgroup' to socilise with other dogs and expose it to loads of different things as early as possible, even if this had to be done by carrying it until it has completed its jabs. It needs to experience as much as possible as early as possible in terms of children, loud noises, traffic, other animals, people in uniform. Not lease because whilst it is small you can physically stop it!

5)the comments about leaving it alone for 5 mins depend on how dominant it is, all this is doing is reinforcing it as being at the bottom of the pack.

But most of all ENJOY!

Big_Snapper

Hi PCB,
We have a 6 month old bitch, What a great choice of dog for you.
Firstly dog cages, they are not cruel, a good idea is to cover part of it with a blanket, a bit more like a den for them, she will probably object for a couple of weeks but after that you will be amazed, they love them. It`s their place so respect that, but make sure you can still go in it, they must know who is pack leader. Dobs are very strong willed so you must be firm with them, but of course be kind, you will get out what you put in( could this mean food ?!)They do not like the cold, seem to get cold very quickly. Give them the best food you can afford. We use a dry food Oscars is very good but not cheap.Do not give them human food and please make sure they are not able to pinch food from your plate, otherwise they will always scavenge. Ours does its a real pain, we have young kids you see, young kids easy target yum yum whats for tea? my favourite spag bol !! another reason to get a cage ! Always feed them after you have eaten pack leader eats first. Socialise them with everything you can, kids, cats, dogs, engines, lorries, at an early age they should meet everything that they will in their life.
They do not like being approached, that is in their breed they will stand back and look then decide what to do. Sorry if this is a bit dis-jointed. If i can help anymore leave another messsage. perhaps we could talk on the phone.
Enjoy her, if you treat her right you will have a dog that would gaurd you and family kids etc with never ending loyalty, they can be so gentle, but i know if anyone came to my house to, how shall i say take a fancy to the Sti, Well hospital it would be for them,
even at 6 months.
Keith & Caroline.

RonaldoH

Markus, your dog has a mullet!

babber

I had two staffys for 12 years, and a few have mentioned you need to follow a few steps that will ensure the dog has a good start in life.

1) A cage, sounds cruel but certainly isn't. When the dogs were puppies they ate the settee and carpet, video cabinet, and so on and so on. The interior of my Mark two RS2000 and anything else they fancied. A cage will ensure that they can't do this when your not there. Believe me, when you come home and they've wrecked the house it's too late and you'll be gutted....

2) Training, from day one. Don't think ohh she's a puppy and we can't train her until she older. You must start the second you get her home for the first time.

3) Start as you mean to go on. If you don't want the dog to sleep on the bed when she's fully grown, don't let her when she's a puppy.

4) Let her see and play with other dogs from a young age, and don't tolerate aggresion towards other dogs. Staffys bitches are terrible with other dogs until you train them. They are fine then. I have two cats, and the dogs were scared of them....It's lovely to see the cats and dogs cuddled up on the settee together. Staffys don't like cats, that's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard!!!

5) Watch them around children, children are quite nasty towards puppies, small dogs and might hurt her (the dog).

If you ensure that the above things are observed, you will have a loyal, well trained dog that will be a reflection on the owners. If you don't then the next few years will be a nightmare.

Hope this helps, Cheers Phill C

Markus

Ronnie!
oi, that's fighting talk mate

andym172

My best bit of advice would be to start asking around (friends who have dogs) which vets they take their dog to.

We have a golden retriever who has a chronic ear problem, made worse by the fact that he continually swims in the river (swims as far as 100 metres out, and also likes to pick up rocks from the river bed and swim to shore with them).

Over the past 4 years we've spent about £1,000 at the local vets trying to sort the dogs ear out.
3 months ago we decided to take him to another vets to see if they could sort him out. They suggested that they perform surgery on the the dog and that has sorted him out! This cost £110, but it's not really about the money. For the first time in 3-4 years the dog isn't being irritated by his ear. If the first lot of vets would have taken the time to look at the dog properly this could have been sorted out much sooner!

andym172

Oh yeah, and dogs are good if you think there is somebody outside messing with your car (especially dobermanns I would imagine!)