What is the best advice for training a doberman?

Question

We have a female who is 4 months old. She is very alert and does let us know if ANYTHING is moving. She is already housebroken and knows how to "sit". So I know she is smart but I would just like to get some advice from someone who perhaps has skills in training a Dobie for personal protection. I dont want an agressive dog but I do want a dog who is going to not allow someone into our home. My children and I are alone at night alot due to hubbys work hours.

Answer 1

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Phone: [phone] Fax:
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Answer 2

Training a dog in personal protection is a serious project and one that should be done by someone who knows what they are doing. Unfortunately, most trainers today have no idea what training is or if they do, they will train personal protection dog using sport dog training methods and techniques. The two do not mix. Find someone qualified in both sport dog and personal training and look at some of the dogs he has trained. Protection training does not make a dog dangerous, it makes it dependable. A "natural" protection dog will never be dependable or reliable in time of an emergency. If what you really need is a protection dog, you NEED to KNOW that your dog will engage a human, regardless of what, when, where or why. Having said all that, your dog may not have what it takes to do real protection work. Have her tested first and then we can talk. Good luck.

Answer 3

Training a dog for protection is a skilled business for just the reason you state. They're not all that smart.
It's like giving a kid a weapon.
The good news is that your Dobie will take her cues from your reaction and will probably become agressive if she sees that you're disturbed without training.
She already sounds a warning, which is guarding behavior.

Answer 4

Your pup should first go through basic obedience training before even considering the next step -- personal protection training. Unless your dog returns with the "Come" command 99.999% of the time, you're undertaking the thought of protection FAR too early in the game.

Having done protection training on several of my Dobes, I can assure you that they WOULD stand firm if someone was to enter my home uninvited. Two words beings them into "watch" mode. One word brings them up to the next level.

That having been said, all but my most recent pup have been through formal protection training. I did this training primarly to ensure the natural traits a Doberman has are used properly -- starting with proper use of voice versus going straight to bite.

Proper training is done by a professional. Group classes given by SPCA and Humane Society folk generally are obedience focused.

Protection training has the following value:

* A well trained canine shows a willingness to defend his home and family with an authority that discourages violation of your privacy or safety.

* Your dog is now an alarm system that travels with you, is not easily inactivated, and interprets what it detects with a brain programmed by nature to read body language.

* A well trained canine is a protective barrier that is difficult to breach. They become a defense system that comes to your aid when needed or summoned. It cannot be pulled from you to be used against you or your loved ones. And -- unlike a bullet or chemical spray, once launched, this weapon can be recalled if the threat no longer exists.

* Most importantly, a PROPERLY trained dog is merely a faithful, loving, gentle and well behaved member of your household who provides you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that he is on duty while you and your family go about your daily routine.

My Dobes are loyal and completely obedient companions who are primarily my lovable pets who snooze peacefully at my feet, but given a single command, become a totally protective man-stopper who are more than willing to put themselves between their loved ones and a threat. I assure you, any potential attacker would think twice before taking on one of my Dobes when I flip their switch.

BUT -- do not undertake this training unless you are fully dedicated to following up and ensuring YOU can manage what your dog knows. And KNOW -- REALLY KNOW -- your dog before you venture into this commitment.