New owner

[Hickory67]

Greetings all,

My name is Shane - everyone calls me Hickory though. I'm a new dobe owner - just got my pup last week. I've always been a GS owner and my wife raises collies, so we've had a variety of breeds. I decided to get a dobe to have a new experience. I also wanted a loyal, protective, and imposing breed since our kids spend a lot of time here by themselves (they're old enough to take care of themselves, but the neighborhood isn't as good as it was in the past).

I've been studying the breed intently, but I look forward to the candid opinions you get in a forum.

Happy Independence Day to all.

Hickory

[Aesa]

welcome Shane and congrats on the new pup.

[MountainPonies]

Welcome Hickory! glad you have joined the world of being owned by a doberman!

[BreesMom]

Welcome Hickory and congrats on your new dobe!!!

[raja]

Welcome to the hub! My last dog was also a German Shepard. You will find that they are similiar in many ways. The biggest difference is that the Dobie LOVES open displays of affection. The more hugs and snuggles the better! My shepard always wanted to be by me but was not so fond of being hugged, etc. The Dobie is ALL for it! :)

[moomoo]

Greetings all,

My name is Shane - everyone calls me Hickory though. I'm a new dobe owner - just got my pup last week. I've always been a GS owner and my wife raises collies, so we've had a variety of breeds. I decided to get a dobe to have a new experience. I also wanted a loyal, protective, and imposing breed since our kids spend a lot of time here by themselves (they're old enough to take care of themselves, but the neighborhood isn't as good as it was in the past).

I've been studying the breed intently, but I look forward to the candid opinions you get in a forum.

Happy Independence Day to all.

Hickory

awesome. welcome. i just joined here last week myself and got my dobi today. she is 6 weeks.

[RKCM]

Welcome to the forum.

Dobermans seem to me as a little more sensative and more willing to be near you than a GS, but I'm sure it depends on the dogs. Not as much hair for sure. LOL

[nupe]

welcome hickory from Buddy and me in nyc...youwill love this breed...loving, loyal but does its orginal intent when called upon...TO PROTECT!!1

[Hickory67]

Thanks, all, for the warm welcome. Gideon is getting along fine and is bonding with all members of the family. I'm having a bit of a challenge getting solid socialization with the other dogs, mainly because he's too "bitey" for them at this stage. I'm hoping he calms down a bit - I'm guessing it's mainly teething - so the others will tolerate him a little better. The only other inside dog we have is a Chihuahua, and Gideon towers over him already so the play is a little rough at the moment. Once I get him used to a leash, I plan to walk him with other pack members so they can show him the ropes.

My decision to get a dobie was underscored the other day - my daughter's bike got stolen out of the driveway in broad daylight while we were all home. A definite sign of decline in the neighborhood. If they'll come that far (we live at the end of a cul-de-sac) when we're here, a B&E or home invasion isn't far down the road. Not paranoid, just cautious.

Thanks again, everyone - I'm enjoying the discussions thus far.

[Aesa]

Thanks, all, for the warm welcome. Gideon is getting along fine and is bonding with all members of the family. I'm having a bit of a challenge getting solid socialization with the other dogs, mainly because he's too "bitey" for them at this stage. I'm hoping he calms down a bit - I'm guessing it's mainly teething - so the others will tolerate him a little better. The only other inside dog we have is a Chihuahua, and Gideon towers over him already so the play is a little rough at the moment. Once I get him used to a leash, I plan to walk him with other pack members so they can show him the ropes.

My decision to get a dobie was underscored the other day - my daughter's bike got stolen out of the driveway in broad daylight while we were all home. A definite sign of decline in the neighborhood. If they'll come that far (we live at the end of a cul-de-sac) when we're here, a B&E or home invasion isn't far down the road. Not paranoid, just cautious.
Thanks again, everyone - I'm enjoying the discussions thus far.


I don't know if that helps to keep someone away. I had two nice Sega palms in nice pots on my front patio and they got stolen. I had at this time a GSD and one Doberman, but what want the dogs do when they are in the house :) And i live in a cul-de sac too. Just saying :)

[RKCM]

We live in the country where our neighbors have all had equipment stolen etc. We have never been robbed, knock on wood and it has a lot to do with that doberman presence.

One of our neighbors that has a large two story home has two of our dogs that live totally downstairs. It is fun to pass by to see them through the window. They have huge class windows all the way around downstairs that the dogs enjoy and they haven't been robbed either.

A doberman will or should naturally protect you and your family but they have to live with you not in some kennel out back or in a yard. They long to be next to you where they can do their job. We don't leave ours out when we aren't home and there would be no doubt that something inside the house was in wait if the robbery arrived. They alert when someone is on the property including the back guest home which is a little over an acre away from our home.

Dagger goes with me anytime I go out of town in the van. He takes on another personality and makes it where I can leave my purse or anything in the car because you will not enter without me. His handler said that he was protective and added to his muscular body, makes ya think twice. And if nothing else, they bark and they don't bark on stupid stuff like some dogs. Dobermans r a wonderful breed!

[Hickory67]

Gideon is definitely an inside dog - that's my main concern with regard to protection anyway. If they take something from outside that's one thing - if they venture in the house that's another thing altogether.

He spent the day poolside with us - found him a nice shady spot and relaxed while the kids played. Even had our chihuahua out there with him - he's fitting right in.

[Aesa]

Gideon is definitely an inside dog - that's my main concern with regard to protection anyway. If they take something from outside that's one thing - if they venture in the house that's another thing altogether.

He spent the day poolside with us - found him a nice shady spot and relaxed while the kids played. Even had our chihuahua out there with him - he's fitting right in.

My dogs arent no outside dogs either, they are were i'm. If i'm in the house they are in here with me, if i go outside they following me out there. They are part of my family and i wouldn't put someone of my human family outside for long at 115 degrees :p

[Aesa]

People do though Aesa but I hear you and agree. Inside dogs can protect the outside too because they have to go outside sometime. Thieves aren't that dumb or shouldn't be.

I think what happens here, when they stole the palms they knew we weren't at home and that the dogs were inside and couldnt do nothing.i'm sure they were watching the neighborhood for awhile before they got those Palms "sigh"

[Aesa]

They will keep the smarter criminal away. Lol

LOL i sure hope so and the not so smart ones oh well not my problem LMAO ;)

[RKCM]

LOL i sure hope so and the not so smart ones oh well not my problem LMAO ;)

For us we want our dogs to bark and stand their ground. Since criminals carry weapons, we think that the natural instinct is enough to defer a criminal. We do our part to protect our dogs and we think they do their jobs to protect us. It is a personal choice to train in bite work and actually, many people just shouldn't because either they lack the knowledge to handle the dog responsibly or the dog lacks the temperament. Either way it's a choice for each person and not necessary to defer the bad guys. If a criminal is so determined to take my things, I'd rather give it up and keep my dog safe.

Dagger only had beginning Sch and that dog doesn't play. He was like that before training and remains stead fast in protecting us but uses his head and sense danger. He knows the difference and many dobermans will too. And of course, others will not. Just depends on the dog and you.

That's just our view, not that it's wrong to train them at all. It is our choice to train them in other venues.

[Hickory67]

Currently, I'm not planning to train Gideon in bite work. We did Schutzhund when we had GSDs years ago and enjoyed it - but I was only a helper and really don't know how to properly train bitework, etc. I'll leave that to the pros - unfortunately, the pros don't live close to me.

My main focus will be to ensure he has obedience training (pros are closer for that) and is adequately socialized with people and other animals. I've also got to train my kids on how to handle him - a dobie is a handful.

So, it's the deterrent factor I'm looking for in addition to a good, loyal pet. I know he'll protect if the time ever comes.

[SASK9]

You will quickly realize the horrors of Doberman Puppyhood! But it's an absolutely rewarding experience in the end!!

[RKCM]

It can be that for sure. Love the Seniors myself.