my Golden whines alot too, I think its because he gets bored. Have you tried a kong full of peanut butter, or something good that lasts.. it works great for my Zac..
if you don't like your dog maybe you should think about the emotional side of your dogs care.. he can probably sense it and feels bad.. maybe he would be better with someone who wants him and can deal with a needy dog.
if you don't like your dog maybe you should think about the emotional side of your dogs care.. he can probably sense it and feels bad.. maybe he would be better with someone who wants him and can deal with a needy dog.
B
I might as well ad a few doberman stories of my own. I have had 3 dobermans and I find that some are alot smarter than others. It can be frustrating if you get one not as smart. If you get one that isn't the best dog you should accept the situation and just not expect too much from him or her.
I had a dobe when I was in high school. One time I brought a new girlfriend home when my parents were out. The girl was afraid of dogs. I ran up to my bedroom leaving her in the living room. As soon as I got to my room I hearn loud screaming. I ran downstairs and I seen Bo humping her leg and pulling her off the couch. It was funny. She didn't know what to do.
This dog was overly friendly to people too. When we let him outside he would just bark at nothing for no reason. The neighbors would get mad sometimes.
Now another dobe I had was a very smart dog. He seemed human at times. Best dog I ever had and I had many. I had him and a rottweiler and they would wrestle too much sometimes so I would have to separate them. If I put the dobe on the back porch he would whale so loud I had no choice but to let him in. The rottweiler never was a whiner or the german shep I have. But alot of dobes are.
The last doberman I mentioned was very well trained. He walked without a leash. If I had a plate of food on the floor I could leave the room and know for sure he would not touch it. The dogs I have now it would be gone when I get back.
I had a dobe when I was in high school. One time I brought a new girlfriend home when my parents were out. The girl was afraid of dogs. I ran up to my bedroom leaving her in the living room. As soon as I got to my room I hearn loud screaming. I ran downstairs and I seen Bo humping her leg and pulling her off the couch. It was funny. She didn't know what to do.
This dog was overly friendly to people too. When we let him outside he would just bark at nothing for no reason. The neighbors would get mad sometimes.
Now another dobe I had was a very smart dog. He seemed human at times. Best dog I ever had and I had many. I had him and a rottweiler and they would wrestle too much sometimes so I would have to separate them. If I put the dobe on the back porch he would whale so loud I had no choice but to let him in. The rottweiler never was a whiner or the german shep I have. But alot of dobes are.
The last doberman I mentioned was very well trained. He walked without a leash. If I had a plate of food on the floor I could leave the room and know for sure he would not touch it. The dogs I have now it would be gone when I get back.
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D
Wow, I guess most of you totally misunderstood my post. I don't want him to be aggressive and mean!!!!!!! I am very familiar with Dobes -have had them for 20 yrs! I like the fact that they're Velcro dogs. But NOT with people they don't even know!!!!!!!! To the point they're annoying and embarrasing! Like I said I'm home with them all the time, and I NEVER put them in a kennel for any reason other than to sleep at night. (Actually I have a whole bedroom just for them and they LOVE their kennels to nap in and won't sleep anywhere else), just to set the record straight. I don't believe in being gone at work all day and keeping them in prison. I only expect the standard for Doberman temperament, which is ALOOFNESS to a stranger. That means they check them out, then return to their owner, not act all crazy like it's their long lost best friend. I am mostly equal in attention and affection, because I DON'T want him to feel left out, but I happen to prefer my bitch because she has the most personality I've ever seen and she IS protective.
Here's an example. I was taking them for a walk one day and someone had let their large dog run loose in the neighborhood. The dog approached us and got aggressive with Sophie and she fought him off. What did Gerhardt do? Absolutely nothing. Didn't even seem to see what was going on. No, I do not trust him to protect anything or anyone. The incessant whining is driving me insane. Just obedience doesn't change personality traits. Like I said, he is extremely obedient. He is also like this at Petsmart, straining to lick every stranger that walks close by, much less stops to pet him. He does get affection and attention from me, and my husband and he are very close. He is not ignored nor treated badly, but I admit to favoring her. So what? People and animals can have personality clashes. I'm just saying, I bought a Doberman, not a lab! He is a big dissapointment, my others have been true Dobermans.
I wrote here for support or suggestions or anyone else experiencing the same thing, and all I get is people writing how awful I am. What if you bought a breed or had always had a loyalty to a breed and you got one that was the polar opposite of what you expect with that breed? You're saying you would't be dissapointed? Even though I don't adore this dog, I am never mean, abusive or treat him badly in any way. They get yearly physicals, teeth cleaning and are rushed to the vet any time I see so much as head shaking for a possible ear infection. I treat my dogs extremely well, they are pampered to the max. I just dont like his personality. I guess I don't have that right.
Thanks for all the support, I really appreciate it.
P.S. I never said anything about him being stupid!!! He is a genius, as are all of them.
Here's an example. I was taking them for a walk one day and someone had let their large dog run loose in the neighborhood. The dog approached us and got aggressive with Sophie and she fought him off. What did Gerhardt do? Absolutely nothing. Didn't even seem to see what was going on. No, I do not trust him to protect anything or anyone. The incessant whining is driving me insane. Just obedience doesn't change personality traits. Like I said, he is extremely obedient. He is also like this at Petsmart, straining to lick every stranger that walks close by, much less stops to pet him. He does get affection and attention from me, and my husband and he are very close. He is not ignored nor treated badly, but I admit to favoring her. So what? People and animals can have personality clashes. I'm just saying, I bought a Doberman, not a lab! He is a big dissapointment, my others have been true Dobermans.
I wrote here for support or suggestions or anyone else experiencing the same thing, and all I get is people writing how awful I am. What if you bought a breed or had always had a loyalty to a breed and you got one that was the polar opposite of what you expect with that breed? You're saying you would't be dissapointed? Even though I don't adore this dog, I am never mean, abusive or treat him badly in any way. They get yearly physicals, teeth cleaning and are rushed to the vet any time I see so much as head shaking for a possible ear infection. I treat my dogs extremely well, they are pampered to the max. I just dont like his personality. I guess I don't have that right.
Thanks for all the support, I really appreciate it.
P.S. I never said anything about him being stupid!!! He is a genius, as are all of them.
D
I only use it when people are over becasue he is so loud we can't talk and that is RARE. Is that justified in your mind or am I an abusive owner?
It would make it worse if it was frequently used of course, and I DO know that. Also, for the person who said they would not use me, I had nothing but happy clients, repeat business and referrals from clients and veteranarians. I was so busy I had people on waiting lists.
You people are so judgmental I cannot believe it. You put words in my mouth, tell me how bad a trainer I am, how horrible I treat my problem dog it's unreal. You didn't read my post carefully, apparently. I shouldn't have written it while I was mad at him, I was partly venting. I am also an animal activist in my area. I am not an ogre, just having major issues with my dog. I must be the devil incarnate!
It would make it worse if it was frequently used of course, and I DO know that. Also, for the person who said they would not use me, I had nothing but happy clients, repeat business and referrals from clients and veteranarians. I was so busy I had people on waiting lists.
You people are so judgmental I cannot believe it. You put words in my mouth, tell me how bad a trainer I am, how horrible I treat my problem dog it's unreal. You didn't read my post carefully, apparently. I shouldn't have written it while I was mad at him, I was partly venting. I am also an animal activist in my area. I am not an ogre, just having major issues with my dog. I must be the devil incarnate!
I do completely understand what you are saying delighted, I truly do. Dobermans are SUPPOSED to be protective, they were bred for the sole purpose of guarding.
As I mentioned sometimes "over friendliness" can be wrongly attributed. He may just be keeping an eye on them, or what I suspect is because Sophie is so protective he leaves the job to her. That's what happens in my household. The older female is much more attentive and wary of strangers so my other younger male just leaves the job to her.
Some dogs as you mentioned just have "different" personalities than the norm. There's nothing you can do about. You can't change his personality without breaking him or making him mean. But as I mentioned in my previous post, by keeping him on a leash and by your side while strangers are over, you are sending him the message that that is where you want him to be. If he whines, firm "Gernhardt, stop it, your fine" and that's it, sometimes "the look" helps.lol
I'm sorry if you've taken some of the posts to be negative but you must understand that with breeds that are socially known to be aggressive it upsets people and they automatically assume that you may be wanting him to be aggressive for all the wrong reasons.
Also as you said yourself you wrote the post when you were angry and frusterated with him so that may also be why some of the ways you worded things could be taken the wrong way.
I understand your situation completely. I don't think now, after you latter posts that you want him to be aggressive just to have a mean dog but expected a type of personality when getting a dobe.
Seriously, try the leash thing. Give it a couple of weeks. Instead of locking him up, be patient. He has to know what you want from him, and you have to show him in a kind, gentle caring manner. Good luck, post updates please
As I mentioned sometimes "over friendliness" can be wrongly attributed. He may just be keeping an eye on them, or what I suspect is because Sophie is so protective he leaves the job to her. That's what happens in my household. The older female is much more attentive and wary of strangers so my other younger male just leaves the job to her.
Some dogs as you mentioned just have "different" personalities than the norm. There's nothing you can do about. You can't change his personality without breaking him or making him mean. But as I mentioned in my previous post, by keeping him on a leash and by your side while strangers are over, you are sending him the message that that is where you want him to be. If he whines, firm "Gernhardt, stop it, your fine" and that's it, sometimes "the look" helps.lol
I'm sorry if you've taken some of the posts to be negative but you must understand that with breeds that are socially known to be aggressive it upsets people and they automatically assume that you may be wanting him to be aggressive for all the wrong reasons.
Also as you said yourself you wrote the post when you were angry and frusterated with him so that may also be why some of the ways you worded things could be taken the wrong way.
I understand your situation completely. I don't think now, after you latter posts that you want him to be aggressive just to have a mean dog but expected a type of personality when getting a dobe.
Seriously, try the leash thing. Give it a couple of weeks. Instead of locking him up, be patient. He has to know what you want from him, and you have to show him in a kind, gentle caring manner. Good luck, post updates please
If you love a breed, you learn to love the ones you own... regardless of whether or not they "meet your expectations". I watched a young dobe bitch for awhile (some of you may remember Sunny) and she was *terrible* - needy, whiney, didn't know how to live with her drive, etc. - she was nuts, and obnoxious to the extreme. NO ONE seemed to like her. Guess what... I loved her. I still love her. Yes, she got on my nerves every minute of every day, she was nothing like Ronin or Ilsa, wasn't anything like her dam (a bitch I fell in love with at six months of age).. but I adored her. I learned to live with her shortcomings, and there will always be a big Sunny-sized hole in my heart, she was perfect. Annoying, whiney, obnoxious, *stupid*, needy... but still perfect.
I'm wondering what method of training you teach - crates arent' cages, they're dens... safe havens. My dogs (and every properly trained-to-a-crate dog I know) goes into the crate willingly and happily, without being asked. I often find my dogs holed up in their crates, chewing on bones or licking each other's faces through the wire.
The dobe owners on here DO experience the same thing, at least mostly. We're tellingyou that is behavior is normal for a Doberman... and, IMO, extremely normal for a Dobe that isn't getting the emotional support of his owner (equal treatment and vet visits do not equal or makeup for the love and adoration that should be there between dog and owner).
If he's licking people, acting overly puppyish around strangers... this almost sounds like super-submissiveness. Boost his confidence - not obedience (since you say he's well trained), but try agility or something else that will really boost that confidence. We are all giving you advice, but it doesn't seem like it's sinking in.
I'm wondering what method of training you teach - crates arent' cages, they're dens... safe havens. My dogs (and every properly trained-to-a-crate dog I know) goes into the crate willingly and happily, without being asked. I often find my dogs holed up in their crates, chewing on bones or licking each other's faces through the wire.
The dobe owners on here DO experience the same thing, at least mostly. We're tellingyou that is behavior is normal for a Doberman... and, IMO, extremely normal for a Dobe that isn't getting the emotional support of his owner (equal treatment and vet visits do not equal or makeup for the love and adoration that should be there between dog and owner).
If he's licking people, acting overly puppyish around strangers... this almost sounds like super-submissiveness. Boost his confidence - not obedience (since you say he's well trained), but try agility or something else that will really boost that confidence. We are all giving you advice, but it doesn't seem like it's sinking in.
Delighted - it really does sound like boosting his confidence would do wonders for him. I've got Filas, and Shiva, the older of the two (whose father was a show dog imported from Brazil . . . don't EVEN let me get started on how the show lines are ruining these dogs!!!!) had an AWFUL temperament for the longest time! Shiva was meek. She was overly friendly and ingratiating to people she didn't know, she was even afraid of the dark
What Shiva needed was some self confidence. Charley isn't really the best person to deal with a dog like Shiva. He yells. He also gets disgusted with her and tells her he's disappointed in her (the last time he did that she moped for two days until I made him make up with her ) - pretty much the exact opposite of what a dog with delicate feelings like hers needs. So Shiva and I worked on things together, all by ourselves. I took her places with me - alone - without either of the other two dogs. I got her to walk outside with me at night, asking her to come with me to take care of me. She really blossomed when I finally convinced Charley to put her in the TV commercials for the furniture store.
Now Miss Shiva the Diva has something that she can do better than anyone else. She is becoming more and more self-confident. She's right out the door at night if she hears something. If she's in the car and someone walks by, she lets them know in no uncertain terms that they are too close to the car. She's finally turning into the Fila I knew was in there all along. She will never be a "hard" Fila, but she shows great heart and loyalty and courage - and her courage is real because sometimes she does things even though she is afraid, but that is true bravery.
Maybe this will help a little with your perspective on your guy. Getting him certified as a therapy dog might do wonders for him, and it sounds like it might be right up his alley.
What Shiva needed was some self confidence. Charley isn't really the best person to deal with a dog like Shiva. He yells. He also gets disgusted with her and tells her he's disappointed in her (the last time he did that she moped for two days until I made him make up with her
) - pretty much the exact opposite of what a dog with delicate feelings like hers needs. So Shiva and I worked on things together, all by ourselves. I took her places with me - alone - without either of the other two dogs. I got her to walk outside with me at night, asking her to come with me to take care of me. She really blossomed when I finally convinced Charley to put her in the TV commercials for the furniture store. Now Miss Shiva the Diva has something that she can do better than anyone else. She is becoming more and more self-confident. She's right out the door at night if she hears something. If she's in the car and someone walks by, she lets them know in no uncertain terms that they are too close to the car. She's finally turning into the Fila I knew was in there all along. She will never be a "hard" Fila, but she shows great heart and loyalty and courage - and her courage is real because sometimes she does things even though she is afraid, but that is true bravery.
Maybe this will help a little with your perspective on your guy. Getting him certified as a therapy dog might do wonders for him, and it sounds like it might be right up his alley.
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B
I never said you said stupid. Matter of fact I said it can be frustrating if you get one not as smart. And if you said another dog came and your female fought him off and your male didn't know what was going on. He might not be as smart in certain ways. I know what it's like to have a frustrating dog. But you get what you get when you buy a dog. I would make the best of it. I never said how awful you are. I see your point. I had a dobe like that once and have seen other people with dobermans like that. Yes it's dissapointing. I hope my next dobe isn't like that.
A lot of Dobes are whiney, a lot of Dobes are clingy (even with visitors). Winston (my boy) is somewhat whiney, but only when he's excited or anxious. He adores people, but he's also a great guard dog. He'll sit by visitors, wanting to be loved and petted but he watches them at all times. On evening walks, he's not as social. He's on guard all the time, but is still friendly unless he sees somebody as a threat. Which, in my opinion, is exactly how a Doberman should be. Friendly, but still retaining the natural protecting instinct. Your boy does sound overly friendly, yes. He may not be what you expected, and he may not be exactly how a Dobe should be. But, all dogs are different and I think you should accept him for who he is. Be happy you have a friendly Doberman, it's great for the public to see how friendly this breed can be. You have your female and if you need protection, she's there. Now, I must say this. I bet if some creep walked into your house, your dog probably would not be the same overly friendly boy he is usually...he would hopefully recognize them as a threat to his family. I have a dog that isn't a great example of her breed too, in both temperment and appearance. I still love her though.
Honestly, Delighted, I think you need to take a step back and IGNORE the fact that he doesn't "act like a Doberman" and figure out whether or not you can love him for him and not the standard he is being compared to. Honestly, I don't understand why you would want a Doberman that dislikes strangers right from the get-go. Dobermans aren't Filas, the ones I know are very eager to make new friends but it doesn't mean they stop protecting.
I have the opposite problem that you do; my dog isn't friendly enough. I have a Papillon. Papillons are supposed to be friendly, happy, bombproof little cuddly lap dogs. They make great agility dogs and have decent drive and focus. This is what I liked about Papillons and is the reason I got one.
Well.. My dog is absolute demon spawn - he is sadistic, aggressive/unfriendly to most strangers, hyperactive beyond belief and more aloof than most sighthounds. He doesn't like training, he doesn't like socializing, he doesn't like cuddling or sleeping with me. He hates grooming, he doesn't even like most training despite my constant efforts to make it fun for him. He does like biting people, peeing on things, shrieking like a banshee and shredding every kleenex in the house. He yaps. He whines. He will run and hide in the most obscure places to avoid being given attention. He steals things and throws extremely noisy hissy-fits if someone interrupts his mischief-making.
I came very, very close to rehoming my rotten little dog on several occasions. But, in the end, what worked was just taking away the standard of the "typical Papillon" that I was holding him up to. He will never be a normal Papillon, he will never be the sweet little lap dog that I wanted. However, he's one heck of a neat little dog despite the fact that he's a demon in a Pap suit. He has one heck of a sense of humor, he is an agility marvel even though he has canine ADHD and will never be very good in competition. Even though he wasn't what I had originally hoped for, I love him and I am so glad I have him.
Perhaps you need to accept that your boy might not act the way all your other Dobies have acted. I think you'd both be happier if you could love your dog for what he is, instead of disliking him for what he isn't.
I still stand by my feeling that a seemingly friendly Doberman would step up and protect their owner if necessary. I would take advantage of his outgoing personality and spend more time socializing him and brushing up on his manners (which need some help if he is straining at the leash all the time and pestering complete strangers). Renee's suggestion of getting into therapy work is a great idea. Just do what he will be good at. Dobermans seem so much happier when they have a job to do.
Edit: As a side note... Even the friendliest dogs will protect if necessary. When my parents go out of town, my lovely, friendly Border Collie changes his demeanor completely. The alphas have left the house and I am left without protection, and I think he realizes that and assumes the role of guardian. When my parents are gone, he does not allow strangers to touch him. He doesn't allow strangers to touch me. He won't allow them in the house or even near the house without my consent. Yet, when my parents are home, he is a complete dork and will love on anybody. He knows that if I need protecting, they will do it. I know it's a bit of a long shot but perhaps your boy is extra goofy around strangers because he realizes your bitch will protect you?
I have the opposite problem that you do; my dog isn't friendly enough. I have a Papillon. Papillons are supposed to be friendly, happy, bombproof little cuddly lap dogs. They make great agility dogs and have decent drive and focus. This is what I liked about Papillons and is the reason I got one.
Well.. My dog is absolute demon spawn - he is sadistic, aggressive/unfriendly to most strangers, hyperactive beyond belief and more aloof than most sighthounds. He doesn't like training, he doesn't like socializing, he doesn't like cuddling or sleeping with me. He hates grooming, he doesn't even like most training despite my constant efforts to make it fun for him. He does like biting people, peeing on things, shrieking like a banshee and shredding every kleenex in the house. He yaps. He whines. He will run and hide in the most obscure places to avoid being given attention. He steals things and throws extremely noisy hissy-fits if someone interrupts his mischief-making.
I came very, very close to rehoming my rotten little dog on several occasions. But, in the end, what worked was just taking away the standard of the "typical Papillon" that I was holding him up to. He will never be a normal Papillon, he will never be the sweet little lap dog that I wanted. However, he's one heck of a neat little dog despite the fact that he's a demon in a Pap suit. He has one heck of a sense of humor, he is an agility marvel even though he has canine ADHD and will never be very good in competition. Even though he wasn't what I had originally hoped for, I love him and I am so glad I have him.
Perhaps you need to accept that your boy might not act the way all your other Dobies have acted. I think you'd both be happier if you could love your dog for what he is, instead of disliking him for what he isn't.
I still stand by my feeling that a seemingly friendly Doberman would step up and protect their owner if necessary. I would take advantage of his outgoing personality and spend more time socializing him and brushing up on his manners (which need some help if he is straining at the leash all the time and pestering complete strangers). Renee's suggestion of getting into therapy work is a great idea. Just do what he will be good at. Dobermans seem so much happier when they have a job to do.
Edit: As a side note... Even the friendliest dogs will protect if necessary. When my parents go out of town, my lovely, friendly Border Collie changes his demeanor completely. The alphas have left the house and I am left without protection, and I think he realizes that and assumes the role of guardian. When my parents are gone, he does not allow strangers to touch him. He doesn't allow strangers to touch me. He won't allow them in the house or even near the house without my consent. Yet, when my parents are home, he is a complete dork and will love on anybody. He knows that if I need protecting, they will do it. I know it's a bit of a long shot but perhaps your boy is extra goofy around strangers because he realizes your bitch will protect you?