a broken home dobe!!!!!

[WEP]

Hello everyone,
my name is Andrew. My girlfriend and I have just rescued a 6 month old Red Dobe from an abusive family. when we got her she was scared but not mean at all. they didn't even have a name for her. We named her Kaya.. and she's is an absolute sweetheart.

she is very responsive to commands like "SIT" as long as she is inside but, once we go outside it's all out the window.

here's my concern.

I've read alot about Dobe's on the web but it's all been from the day there born type info.
because she had no name, no training, and has been abused. I'm not really sure what the best way is to get her to respond to her new name/commands.
she has a lot of bad habit due to her situation.

Also, what is the best way to reprimand her with authority without being physical.
thank you for your time.
please ask any questions you need to to help

regards
Andrew

[Dobs4ever]

Andrew - Bless your heart - what a wonderful thing you have done and what love and devotion you will find. First forget everything that has happened to her - it is past. Have confidence - she will pick that up from you. When you talk to her use her name and she will catch on. When you call her call Kaya - come!! This will help reinforce her name. I use hot dogs or string chesse primarily for training if I have a dog that is food motivated. Start building FUN things with her to accelerate the bond. Play ball, tuggy toy, hide and seek - You hide she seeks. Then as you are playing ask her to sit or down or whatever you ar working on. As soon as she sits say yes and reward with a treat. Go back to playing then repeat with a down mix them up so she does not get too wise to what you are going to ask for. I work like this on sit, down, stand .

If she does not do what you ask just say no, turn you back 5 seconds or so and start again. For right now that is all the correction I would do. Give yourself time to get to know her and for her to get settled in.

We are all excited for you and are here to help anyway we can.

[tidibole]

Abused in what manner? It is not uncommon for unsocilaized 6 month old puppies to be "scared". This may help to determine your plan of action as well as appropriate advice.

[Sue J]

Andrew: Welcome to DH. What a great thing you have done for Kaya. Ditto Tidibole, how was she abused? It is likely Kaya has been punished instead of corrected. They are two different things. What "bad habits" does she exhibit? It might help everyone to know more of what you are dealing with.

Have patience, our 6 mo. old does really well inside too on commands, outside was a different story as well and she has never been touched in a hurtful way. She's doing so much better though as we work outside. Dobs4ever gave you some great fun advice for her to start learning. You'll be surprised how fast Kaya catches on.

[Dobs4ever]

When working with a young dog or a new dog with no training and if you are a beginner trainer it is best to work them one place with no distractions until they are solid on the command before moving them outside with distractions. This gives both you and the dog the best chance to have a positive experience.

Thank goodnes dogs are able to move forward while we poor mortals want to focus on the past and dwell on the negative. It is one of our most useless endeavors. Then we tend to let the dog get by with a lot of things because we "feel" sorry for them and this enables their neurosis to develop.

Focus on the joy that today it is you and Kaya and you have a new wonderful life ahead of you. Move forward on that premisis and things will work out. If you have specific problems please let us know and we will help. There is a great group here that love Dobermans and are willing to assist and stand ready to help.

A lot of times just a new positive environment with postive training will help aleviate problems on its own.

[tidibole]

Andrew: Welcome to DH. What a great thing you have done for Kaya. Ditto Tidibole, how was she abused? It is likely Kaya has been punished instead of corrected. They are two different things. What "bad habits" does she exhibit? It might help everyone to know more of what you are dealing with.

Have patience, our 6 mo. old does really well inside too on commands, outside was a different story as well and she has never been touched in a hurtful way. She's doing so much better though as we work outside. Dobs4ever gave you some great fun advice for her to start learning. You'll be surprised how fast Kaya catches on.
Having worked with rescue dogs for many years, it is always a positive thing when you know somethng of the animal's history If not you are essentially attemting brail (sp?) ....I fostered a young Beagle many years ago that came from a reported MILL. He was absolutely petrified of everything especially men. His previous owner was a very boisterous loud MAN whom apparently ruled with an iron fist.... Since I do not have men in my home it was a difficult endeavor and took about 4 months to even get him to come to me. But treats and trust eventually won him over. Unfortunately there is NO SET instruction booklet that comes with abused or neglected animals and most is dealt with common sense and indivduality. He has since been placed in a wonderful quiet home and last I heard he was the joy of their life..both a man and a woman...so bottom line patience, knowledge and committemnt, whoops, lets not forget TREATS are imperative to the rehabiltation of any animal, regardless of breed or size...