B
I want a dobe to be exactly like the last one I had. A good watchdog. Friendly around people if there's no threat. Smart. Afectionate. Able to walk without leash. Able to fetch a ball. When people come over he goes up and says hi and then leaves them alone. Why does it have to be mean because I don't agree with how you think it should be. Some people buy a breed that is a watchdog because they want a watchdog.
You don't have to agree. But the truth is that dobes CAN be friendly and STILL know when to protect you. In all honesty statistics show that just the size of a dog- or even a bark alone is often a deterent. You don't need a mean unfriendly dog.
But we are all entitled to our opinions. And that's just mine.
But personally, I wouldn't want a mean dog or one that barked a everyone all the time- even off my propery. It can be a lawsuit waiting to happen in this sue-happy world nowadays...
I've had some great friendly dogs, that still saved my life, or knew when to turn on the protective instinct.
You may have said this in jest, but actually "dog psychiatry," is a well-respected, and really quite useful field. The only difference is, that we call it "applied animal behaviorism." Far too few people truly know how to "speak dog." They treat their dogs as if they understand human social mores, and really forget that that their dogs are *animals.* People that fail to understand this fundamental difference also fail to communicate effectively with their dogs, and this, more than anything, leads to behavioral problems. Applied animal behaviorists can help people learn to "speak dog." It's a field I'm very interested in, and one I'm very seriously considering as a career goal.
Staying on topic, almost any dog that has a bond with its owner will become defensive of said person *should the need arise.* While most people are absolutely horrid at reading a canine's body language, dogs are quite astute at picking it up. They'll recognize when you're uncomfortable in a situation. You would hardly want a dog that does not understand the difference between a guest and an intruder, as so many have mentioned before. Such an animal is a liability, and a catastrophe just waiting to happen.
My dogs, normally happy-go-lucky, and quite excited to see visitors have changed demeanor on a *dime* when they found a situation odd or creepy. When a particularly aggressive salesmen came to my door, wouldn't take no for an answer, and became unacceptably rude, both my dogs responded by standing in between me and the doorway, and emitting low growls. These same dogs allow children to hug them, cart stuffed toys around my home, play hide and go seek, press tennis balls on anyone who enters the house, and ask every guest within reach for a back scratch.
I'd much rather have this kind of a Shiba than the snappy, unpredictable animals that were prevalent only years ago.
Staying on topic, almost any dog that has a bond with its owner will become defensive of said person *should the need arise.* While most people are absolutely horrid at reading a canine's body language, dogs are quite astute at picking it up. They'll recognize when you're uncomfortable in a situation. You would hardly want a dog that does not understand the difference between a guest and an intruder, as so many have mentioned before. Such an animal is a liability, and a catastrophe just waiting to happen.
My dogs, normally happy-go-lucky, and quite excited to see visitors have changed demeanor on a *dime* when they found a situation odd or creepy. When a particularly aggressive salesmen came to my door, wouldn't take no for an answer, and became unacceptably rude, both my dogs responded by standing in between me and the doorway, and emitting low growls. These same dogs allow children to hug them, cart stuffed toys around my home, play hide and go seek, press tennis balls on anyone who enters the house, and ask every guest within reach for a back scratch.
I'd much rather have this kind of a Shiba than the snappy, unpredictable animals that were prevalent only years ago.
No. I just think you could try and be alot more pleasant. You've been tearing apart everyone's post. Back off a little eh?
Now how are you going to know you should do more if you don't check into it?! So again, YES there is more you can do, by checking into it.
And yes for your info, dog shrinks do exist.
B
Some dobes are not good watchdogs. If a burgler pet the dobe or threw a ball or had food I don't think this doberman would protect the house. He would want attention from the intruder. The dog wasn't aware when the female fought off the other dog. This is not a good watchdog. He might stand by and let a crime happen. I don't think he was letting the female be the protector. I feel he would of done the exact same thing if the female dobe wasn't there.
Some dogs just don't have it in them. You can't assume a dog will always protect just because it's a doberman. Matter of fact I had a doberman and one day I was out in the snow and I came in with cold hands and was wrestling with my wife putting my hands on her back and she was screaming because they were cold. This frustrated the dog for some reason and he got mad and started biting my wifes ancle. The dog helped me and I was the one holding her down. You might say But I'm not a stranger. My point is some dogs you can't count on them protecting you because of their breed. You can't say even the friendliest dog will protect you because it's not true.
I've seen dobermans at both ends of the spectrum. Some are the best watch dogs a person could want and others are worthless.
Some dogs just don't have it in them. You can't assume a dog will always protect just because it's a doberman. Matter of fact I had a doberman and one day I was out in the snow and I came in with cold hands and was wrestling with my wife putting my hands on her back and she was screaming because they were cold. This frustrated the dog for some reason and he got mad and started biting my wifes ancle. The dog helped me and I was the one holding her down. You might say But I'm not a stranger. My point is some dogs you can't count on them protecting you because of their breed. You can't say even the friendliest dog will protect you because it's not true.
I've seen dobermans at both ends of the spectrum. Some are the best watch dogs a person could want and others are worthless.
B
I could be more pleasant yes. But so could everyone else too. This person wanted help and understanding about a frustrating dog and everyone acted like she was a horrible dog owner that shouldn't have dogs. People said it was her who had the problem and not the dog. Well I agree with her. I've seen and had dogs like this and hope not to get one again. I think now that she has the dog she should make the best of it and not expect too much from it. But if the right person came along and really really wanted the dog. I could see giving it away. I wouldn't give it away but that's me.
Borgorn, you can't count on ANY dog to protect you "for sure". Unless a dog has undergone personal protection training I would not feel completely confident that my dog would handle threats. However, friendly dogs will protect as well. Dogs have excellent intuition and I have never had a dog that would NOT behave defensively in a strange situation. Even our huge lazy Labrador stepped up and protected the house from a very pushy salesman who wouldn't leave our porch. This was a dog who didn't know a stranger, who had previously greeted this man with a wagging tail and accepted a treat from him. However, because he was so closely bonded and tuned in to my mother, he realized that she was no longer comfortable around this man and his calm and friendly demeanor did a complete 180.
I'm not saying that this dobe would be defensive in a variety of situations, and I agree that it will not be as quick to react as the OP's aggressive bitch. I'm just saying that I believe most dogs can recognize a threat and will react defensively to it. However, a lot has to do with the relationship a dog has with his owner. A dog will not protect someone that he doesn't trust. A dog won't protect someone that dislikes him. Most dogs can see right through the forced "affection". A close bond requires effort from both the dog and the human. If delighted really cannot make him/herself like and respect this dog, the relationship will go nowhere.
I'm not saying that this dobe would be defensive in a variety of situations, and I agree that it will not be as quick to react as the OP's aggressive bitch. I'm just saying that I believe most dogs can recognize a threat and will react defensively to it. However, a lot has to do with the relationship a dog has with his owner. A dog will not protect someone that he doesn't trust. A dog won't protect someone that dislikes him. Most dogs can see right through the forced "affection". A close bond requires effort from both the dog and the human. If delighted really cannot make him/herself like and respect this dog, the relationship will go nowhere.
B
No you can't count on any dog to protect you. The point we were argueing about was if the person that Posted this topic is wrong or a bad owner to feel how she does about her dog.
You say "however friendly dogs will protect as well." You should say "some" friendly dogs. Because some will not. Some won't be smart enough to know what's going on. Others will.
As for your dogs. Your lucky then. You have not gotten a dog that's unprotective or unaware. If you would have you would understand.
Some dogs have excellent intuition and some have almost none. And if you get a dog with very little. It is a let down. It can be a good friendly dog. But it won't have the good points of an intuitive dog. You still should love them the same.
You say "however friendly dogs will protect as well." You should say "some" friendly dogs. Because some will not. Some won't be smart enough to know what's going on. Others will.
As for your dogs. Your lucky then. You have not gotten a dog that's unprotective or unaware. If you would have you would understand.
Some dogs have excellent intuition and some have almost none. And if you get a dog with very little. It is a let down. It can be a good friendly dog. But it won't have the good points of an intuitive dog. You still should love them the same.