I don't presently have a Doberman, but have in the past, as you can see in my avatar. I lost him to cancer a couple years ago.
Normally, the breeder gets the ears done and normally, an experienced breeder knows a vet who specializes in cropping. My breeder asked me if I wanted a show crop, a pet crop or a working crop. (I think it was called) I wanted a show crop. Anyhow, Lyric's ears turned out beautifully.
When he and his littermates were home after the procedure, my breeder told me if anything, they itched a little because the pups would lean into the cotton ball she used to clean them with...rather than moving away, as would be the case with pain. They wrestled and knocked into each other and were not fazed by any crashing into the ears, at least not to any marked extent. Within about 7 - 10 days, the sutures came out and the little bit of scabs came off. (remember, this is cartilage) The cleaning and posting is what is the hassle.....at first until you get pro at it.
Very soon, as long as I used treats and made into a pleasant enough procedure, Lyric would hold nice and still (learned the "hold-it" command, which doubled for other duties. lol) and soon he would sleep through the post-changing procedure...if he were lounging on the couch. (do this after the pup has had some exercise) It was just another bonding experience we had and a start to a very trusting relationship, where he trusted me to do all kinds of things that had to be done to him.
It is very important to keep them clean, change them every 4 days or so and do not leave them to air out for very long in between post changing. In fact, if you need it, I can find a link to a good, informative, instructional site for posting.
The one thing I changed after a very short time was the type of tape I used. That can be painful as it rips out the hair on the outside of the ear. So, I used paper tape and then vet wrap over it. BUT....it is exceedingly important to use caution with vet wrap and stretch the living daylights out of it first before using and be careful not to wrap too tightly....even undoing it half an hour later and re-doing it so it doesn't get too tight and cut off circulation. But it was so nice to hold the thing in without causing him any pain with the tape.
As for tail docking, that's not even an issue. Their nervous systems aren't even finished in that area at the early age that they do it...2 to 3 days old. No pain. Crying yes. But that is probably due to being taken from their mothers, not pain. Some breeders use banding rather than cutting, which I think is every bit as good, if not better. They don't even notice it. And Dobes have thin, whip-like tails without much fat or fur and let me tell you, they wag them furiously. So, prevention of injury this way is infinitely better than the risk of what can be serious injury later and amputation at an older age is vastly more traumatic and frequently problematic with re-opening of the wound, persistent infections etc.
So, there. You have one more opinion from someone experienced with cropping/docking in Dobermans.