How can i get my Doberman to listen? and about feeding him...?

Question

i have an 8 month old doberman that already is close to 90 lbs (yes hes a very big puppy.) we've taken him to obedience class and he can be very good sometimes...but then at times he starts biting...and his bites HURT. when he gets mad he snaps at me, hes hard headed at times when i tell him no, and he knows whats right and whats wrong because when he does somethin bad he runs and hides. in class we used a training collar and that seems to be the only time he listens--when he has the collar and leash on! how can i get him to LISTEN without always putting on his training collar and leash in the house and paying for ANOTHER training class thats money i just cant keep spending. also, can dobermans eat cooked meat?

Answer 1

Are you actually expecting that you will be trained one training class, what around eight weeks? No, you won't. You haven't even learned that you do not attempt to 'train' a dog unless you have the upper hand/ control of the situation. He won't listen to you without his leash and collar because he has been trained to realize that without it, you have no real way of controling the situation. Why would you NOT put his training collar and leash on in the house when you are wanting him to listen to you? He is NOT trained to obey you yet and all you are doing is training him to blow you off. You will likely require quite a number of more training classes to learn to properly train your dog. Are you doing your 'homework' or simply expecting him to obey you with a marginal amount of work? Are you working with him for at least one if not two ten to fifteen minute a day sessions? I think you need to discuss the problem with your trained and realize that dogs, particularly intellegent ones like Dobermans, do not learn without a committement by you and you knowing how to train them properly. The dog should NOT be biting on you. I have dogs that are trained to bite and have NEVER had one of my dogs bite me. Now most likely you are encouraging his inappropriate behavior - likely without even knowing it - but if he is a stable tempered dog and is simply the typical exhuberant adolescent dog, then you really need to be learning more how to train him.

Him 'snapping at' you does tend to concern me but likely that is borne of your allowing him to take control and not you being in control.

I would not recommend feeding him cooked meat - he sounds fat enough already and having extra weight on those growing joints/bones can be problematic and if he isn't 90 pounds at 8 months due to excess weight, then he was likely bred improperly and will be very prone to joint issues anyway. The Doberman, if you have studied up on it at all, is meant to be a "dog of medium size, with a body that is square. Compactly built, muscular and powerful, for great endurance and speed. Elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament. Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient." (from the standard of the breed) An adult male fully mature medium sized with decent bone and elegance will run about 80-95 pounds - so at 8 months, this seems pretty much like it could be a problem. Good luck and keep learning at the obedience classes -- if the instructor isn't helping then maybe locate a better one elsewhere.

Answer 2

Dobermans are among the last to grow up. Seriously - I've loved and been owned by at least 6 dobes - and to a one - they all were big goofs until they were at least 3.

OK now look. Just because you went through a training class doesn't mean he learned everything. You need to work with him every day for at least an hour - every day. 7 days a week.

AS your instructor told you - you must be consistent. When you say "sit" that means to sit. And you don't say "sit-down" or "Sit-sit-sit" or something else - when you mean "sit." either.

You must be firm - but not a bully. That means when he plays too hard you correct him. Firmly but fairly. But don't start playing and let things get out of hand - and then correct him. calm him down BEFORE things go too far.

And you will probably always have to keep him on a leash unless you have a fenced yard.

But Dobermans are such a great breed. I love them.

Answer 3

Sorry, this seems like reality-check time. Find a better obedience class. Yes, it's money, but so is the hospital, and so are lawsuits if he goes after someone in earnest.

There just aren't that many people out there looking to adopt a biting Doberman, so you're it.

Find a class that teaches all of the Novice AKC exercises, which correspond to resources that you use to enforce good manners:
heel, sit, stay, stand, down and come. Don't stop training until you have a reliable off-lead heel.
Dobermans are very active and intelligent, and he needs a job.

And yes, they can eat cooked meat.

Answer 4

Yes, cooked meat is fine as long as No bones. But your Dobe has behavior issues and if he is displaying this behavior at 8 months- You need to consult a dog behaviorist that specializes in your breed. There is nothing more dangerous than an unruly, aggressive or untrained Doberman. Please, address these issues because our breed already had a bad reputation and you don't want to be held liable for a bite to someone else in the future. For some reason, you have not asserted YOUR dominance in the pack and your doberman believes He is the alpha.

Answer 5

You should get your dog more exercise, and get him so tired and worn out, he hasn't got the energy to act up. Talk him some place where he can get out and go for a nice long run, burn off that energy. Walk with him on his lead ( with prong collar ) and make him listen and think and concentrate on what you are doing.

He is 8 months old, he is going to be a little bugger still if you allow him to get away with things, and don't keep him tired. Stay on him, and if you have to use leash and training collar in the house, for now stick with it.
Make sure you are feeding a good food that isn't high in protein. That will also make him hyper.
Dobermans can eat cooked meat, but don't give them pork, bacon, anything really fatty.

Answer 6

First you need to have him examined by your vet. To rule out any physical problems. Then you MUST have him trained properly with a reputable trainer. Consistancy is the key!!! Dobermans are guard dogs!! The are naturally working/ guard types and require constant training. You really should have investigated the breed before buying the pup if you were not able to provide a lifetime of training to him.

Training is essential before he attacks someone and you could land yourself into a load of trouble. You are responcible to provide the training and management needed, so do it immediately. Also, make sure your walking him daily to help him get some of the energy and frustration out from being cooped up all day long.

No matter the breed, ALL dogs require daily walks and socialization.

Dogs eat dogfood! There are great foods available, I don't recommend table foods of any kind. If he wont eat dry kibble, add some canned to the dry and mix it up. Try using your hands to add your "scent" to his food. I will help him to associate something positive, (like feeding) with you, and may help with some of the aggression towards you. Please don't forget his walks and playtimes with you.

Answer 7

try NILIF (nothing in life is free) to establish leadership in a non-confrontational way.
he runs and hides when he's "done something bad" because of your body language, tone of voice, etc. - he does not really know why you are angry.
have his regular collar on whenever you're home so you can easily attach a lead if necessary. if you use NILIF consistently (and this means 100% of the time), you should no longer need his training collar for everyday basic commands.
you can feed him cooked meat on occasion - it shouldn't be his main source of nutrition. and, it would actually be a great training treat.
good luck.

Answer 8

I have this exact same problem with my 15-month old male Weimaraner (the puppy biting part, not the food part). I've been reading everyone's answers for help.

Answer 9

You have got TROUBLE. Your dog is behaving as though he has been ABUSED! Money is not as important as getting this dog into training and his situation corrected or he will have to be put down and it will be your fault...not his! Any animal can eat cooked meat... but it's not necessarily a healthy diet. I give my dog a bite once in awhile as a treat...in her dish...never from the table.

Answer 10

you need to be MEANTALY in charge.
dogs can pick up on negative/weak energy and they will sometimes take advantage of that.
you need to stay positive.
speak to him in a strong/ blunt tone of voice and show him whose boss!