A brilliant way to get the message across that you MUST be the boss ! Not a bully, not aggressive, just firm, fair and consistent. Dobermans are smart enough to know if you're not going to be the boss, they can do it, and they will. Then life can get 'difficult'. Best video that anyone considering a Doberman could ever watch ! Fantastic work again John.
The most important thing to do is play to the breeds willingness to please you. The way I trained my dogs was to make it known that they couldn't do anything they wanted. Then I would keep them on schedule for eating and walking. Play time was a great way for training them as well.
Update on Ace - I have gotten him involved in playing some of the games th-cam.com/users/postUgkx1_veP7CApJK_GWy_TczaMciuG64PqJeU and I can see a difference in his confidence already! My other dog played along and he became intrigued - now its a daily part of our routine - about 3 times a day we do the shell game and the muffin tin game. I am so grateful for coming upon your training techniques!
A dominant dobie not ideal after u establish, the subject still comes up with them at times. Adolescence seems to affect that I have noticed. I also love a hilarious beginning of your video.
This is by far one of the MOST IMPORTANT videos done by our main man here. This is the most likely reason a Doberman gets into a shelter or is abandoned in the first place. If you do not have a personality that can handle a Doberman, do not get one. If you do get one and do not have the personality, learn how to get a backbone. This is not easy but for the sake of the dog and your sanity. He or she will challenge your Alpha status almost daily and you need to consistently show them who is boss, not via angry tantrums, and be willing to face their strong will daily. Even if you do not know all the techniques taught in this video, the right personality will help you find the way. These are the personality traits needed by the dog owner: Self confidence, mid to high self esteem, moderately resolved extended family issues (if you have not resolved family dysfunction, harmful for most dogs) . This is not a breed to get just to help you feel better about yourself unless you already have achieved the adequate personality traits. I normally am not this blunt, but I have seen too many suffering and abandoned Doberman's, or other dogs for that matter, when their only "sin" was what they were bred to do.
Well said BC! Thanks for this comment... I don't mind people being blunt. Sometimes it needs to be said. I'm going to pin your comment simply because a lot of what you said is very important for someone new to the breed to know. I'll also add that for me, a Doberman has a way of making me a better person as well, by demanding the leader comes out of me. Which is a great thing too. In that way, I feel like my dog helps me to grow as much as I help him to grow. Also, I do want to say that mostly this struggle is when the dog is under one year of age. That's when they start really going for that leadership position. But you certainly do need to stay consistent even past that age too of course. I just want others to know that every year of the dog's life won't be as tough as that first year. Things do get a lot smoother!
Sorry but I was just wondering what part of the world you're from ? We were on a waiting list for a dob for more then a year. I checked dog rescue centre's and they said they have only had 1 in 12 years. I am from Perth Australia and here we only have 3 doberman breeder. I now have my second doberman and he is American but my first one was a European and I have found that my American doberman is much more stubborn then my European doberman ever was.
Totally, if you make it so you’re the leader they will be much happier and relaxed. Kennel train and have them sleep there in their first year, not on your bed or couch. Once you have secured them in their position everything is easier. On another note, vitamin C helps with their growing pains.
Nice. Agree 100% Doberman is not easy, especially the male and even more, if it is a European breed. To avoid problems with your first Doberman is to choose a female. They are much more Docile. And (my experience) smarter... 🤷♂️
A "trick" I use is to nearly whisper commands. The way I figure, I cropped her ears for a reason...why not make her use them? Plus, I found that by being consistently quiet, her focus on me remains high no matter the environment.
That's actually a really REALLY great tip. I've done that in the past but it's been awhile. It demands focus and if you get your dog used to it, you're basically getting them used to hyper-focusing on you. Thanks for the reminder Mike!
@Olebaskus to crop a dogs ears means to cut them down to make them shorter/pointier. I've heard of Pit Bull owners cropping their pit bulls ears to make them less of a target/weakpoint in dogfights, or to make them look meaner. I'm sure OP has good intentions getting their Dobermans ears clipped though.
@Olebaskus ah, I see, sorry for misunderstanding. As for "eat the coleslaw", i am also confused but maybe its just one of those wacky comeback-things that people say nowadays. Like "i hope both sides of your pillow are warm", stuff like that. I dont get it either but its not derogatory or anything.
In addition to everything John covered in this video, I'm also a strong proponent of taking Pup-ternity leave when you first bring a Dobie puppy home. I feel like those first 10 days spent bonding with the animal and setting boundaries early pays huge dividends later on.
So glad you enjoyed it Alpha! Come to think of it, I guess I would assume that you of all people would enjoy this topic! That's why I put your name in the title! Haha.
Great reminders! A trainer once gave me analogy that each interaction is like a battle. May slip up once or twice but if you lose enough battles you start losing the war on respect.
I had an alpha dog once. She was an old English sheepdog and looked like a big Teddy bear. If I didn't take charge she became dangerous around strangers so I really struggled with her. She was also a very big dog. A Police dog handler very kindly helped me to take control. It probably saved her life. She was the most loyal dog and would have died protecting me.
Ooh we've been there! Our doberman mix boy is 19 months now. Keep going, it starts to ease off any time now. It's a tough job but they are so worth it 😁
At 9 months,, your almost there,, be stern but affectionate,, I’ve never babied my Spike,, he’s well mannered,, smartest dog ever,, it’s weird how intelligent he is ,, I’ve never laughed so much,, really,,, Semper Fi
Ive been watching all your videos for around 2 months now and I'm finally applying for a doberman from a doberman specific rescue. I cannot stress how helpful you have been doing videos like this with being aware of how dominant the doberman breed can be! from me and all your subs, please never stop doing what you do as you're doing so much for first time doberman owners:)
I’m getting a Doberman soon. They are amazing dogs. So underrated, so miss understood. They are great companions for single men. Just give them the attention time and patience to deal with them. Eventually they’ll get that the Alpha position is yours and yours alone. Patience is key
I'm trying to learn what dog to get. The Doberman seems good since they seem to not shed too much, I'm a bit allergic and I would not want dog hair everywhere. Did you get a dog already? Do you have a ballpark of how much they cost to have monthly?
Hi Arlo!! Doberman’s dominate not only with the athletic abilities, but with their intelligence. They are quick to learn their humans and utilize that knowledge as a home field advantage! Great segment John, Happy Thanksgiving 🤠
Thank you so much for the comment, happy Thanksgiving to you too! Yeah I totally agree, sometimes that intelligence is every bit as hard to contend with as their stubbornness! Haha. So glad you enjoyed it!
We got our Doberman at 13 months old. He was living outside in a crate in the mountains and was never allowed in the house , Lucky for us he never pees/poops in the house! He loved his crate, it was his security. We both worked and had to tag team our training efforts. We were able to remove the crate in about a year, after he was professionally trained. One of our biggest issues is he likes to steal things (underwear, paper, anything on the floor). We finally took advice from a trainer and gave him a special large piece of a treat, then worked on drop it. I was eventually able to give him a piece of steak, then take it out of his mouth with no resistance. I take things out of his mouth every day, in hopes that he will cooperate if he has something dangerous one day. He has developed a habit of “helping me” pick things up off the floor. He follows me around looking for things, a scrap of paper, a rubber band or paper clip (he sits in my office while I work). If I don’t immediately notice that he found something, he goes around the house, with the object dangling from his teeth, looking for someone to show it to. If we don’t notice him, he will take it to his “stash”, which is under the dinner table. He always gets a reward (a treat, pat on the head, play time), when he gives us the object, so I think it is his motivation for picking things up in the first place. I am terrified that he will choke on something, so my house is cleaner than ever! Small objects are picked up right away, so he races to “get it first”. The one thing I gave difficulty with is paper. He steals tissue, TP, mail that has just been opened. If I am not watching, they wind up under the table shredded. I finally realize what he has been up to when he comes over to me with a soggy scrap and wants to play keep away. After the drop it or bring it command, he will go to my husband and put it at his feet. Aaarghhh!
Ive had my doberman Louie for a month now. Your channel was definitely a deciding factor in why I chose the breed and definitely the main #1 reason it has been going so well. Your channel is great! Thanks for all the content it has been extremely helpful and fun to watch. Arlos looking great!
Every single thing you have listed is correct. I had a rescue Doberman and I did everything you have said to get him to learn how I needed him to behave. When we first got him he fear bit, food guarded, got on furniture and pulled terribly on the lead. By the time he passed away he was a relaxed and well mannered contented dog. You do tell the truth. Thank you so much. May you please take care and stay safe.
Great video. Loved, loved, loved the intro. I've been a Dobie owner for 15 yrs. Now and my husband has been a Dobie dad 40 plus years. I SO ENJOY being able to Learn New things from you. What I enjoy MOST is I now have My Hubby( that KNOWS EVERYTHING) 😁 watching your videos and Learning NEW things as well. Keep up the Great work and enlightening people on this Most Amazing breed. Give Sir Arlo a treat for me.
I have put my hand my dobes bowl since day one thanks to your advice. She has been amazing about it. Never has been aggressive and immediately sits when my hand goes in the bowl. She’s 18 weeks now and doing great thanks to information I’ve gotten from your videos. Thank you!
This video is by far the best one you have produced. Helpful for all kinds of dogs, including Doberman, and other men too, at times. A great generic leadership lesson. Just to add my experience: A strong dog needs a strong master. If you are weak, or lacks confidence, don't go for any strong dog breed like German shepherd or Doberman.
Beautifully and authentically presented .. getting and maintaining the Alpha position of your pack is critical. The dog will be more confident also. I've had 3 of these gorgeous dogs and everything you taught here resonated with me. Thank you very much~!
You have to be one of the best dog trainers I've ever seen. You get right to the point without all the hyperbole. Thanks a whole bunch. I don't have a Doberman I have an irritating Shiba inu. LoL this is my second one. The first one I did not make the mistakes with that I made with this one. Although I got this from a terrible breeder and there's a little bit of psycho in her. A little Helter skelter. A smile a grin and a growl. There's a man in South Florida that trains expensive and I do mean expensive guard dogs for doctors and wealthy. He comes and picks up the dogs every two months and returns them back trained. Definitely a militant type attitude. But the dogs do exactly what they're supposed to do. He realizes that the domestic training removes the alpha and gives it back to the dog. Which runs side by side with your training it looks like. Thanks for a great program I'm learning a lot about my own dog but watching you train a dog that would be typically alpha and a Doberman. Keep up the great work I'll keep watching your videos.
I grew up with a couple of dobermans. I’ve wanted one for years, but i never had the time an then had a family. My kids are 8 and 12 now, and I’m home four days a week. My partner works from home. We have decided now is a good time to get the dog I’ve always wanted. We pick him up Wednesday. These videos have really helped me prepare. My grandfather says they are the best breed for training once you correct the dominance issue. They calmly watched us swim in the lake, an play in the yard. They literally stared at us for hours. One took baths with me when i was little lol LOVED playing hide an seek! they really are goofy an serious all at the same time.
Your intro had me cracking up. I agree with you. I told my sister to never lose her Alpha status with her Staffies. I lost Alpha status with my Doberman. There were at least 3 things on your list that happened with my dog. I know better so I will do better should I get another Dobie. I really appreciate the effort you put into your videos.
@@johnanthony7988 Im just so tired and aggravated when people get breeds like a Doberman, Presa, or any other dominant breed and treat it like a Golden Doodle and then are surprised when they are scared to death in their own house cause the dog has took the alpha role
This is the single most helpful resource I’ve found for issues with my adopted Yorkie. All of these things I’ve allowed and I would like to have a Doberman in the future so need to learn how to establish and maintain leadership. Thank you for this video!
Oh my lord! Thank you for this video. I do enjoy your other videos too. They are funny and informative. I do have a Doberman that just turned a year old. He does jump on me, ignores me and always reaching for things he shouldn’t then runs away with them. The only times he listens is when he knows I have a treat in my hands . And he knows when he has done something wrong. Is like he enjoys messing around with me. I definitely have an alfa struggle with him. All the time he grabs something he is not supposed to, he will not drop it even when I show him a treat. He has growled at me a couple of times in the year he has been with me and nipped as well. No hard bitten just warning nips. I can not keep a bed for him. Destroys them all. Even a ballistic bed was no match for him. So I watch your videos to get some directions. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
So glad this was helpful! Jump on those things now otherwise the longer you let them go the harder they will be to correct. Just stick with it and things will fall in place!
Great advice, we had a Doberman in the early seventies which was unusual here in the UK. I can sadly say we were very naive and you guessed it the dog ruled the house. Friends and family stopped visiting as she would suddenly turn without warning, never badly injured but would bite. Only one in control was mum as she fed here. Don't get me wrong she was well loved but a complete nightmare ! Heed these lessons !
This video is great 🙂 have kept most all of these callouts in mind from day 1 that I brought mine home! 5months - consistency is definitely key, especially when you’re too tired lol
I love all your Doberman videos! This one about establishing Alpha made me think about why I've never had any challenges from the Dobie pups and older Dobie rescues I've had. Seven Dobies over the years, each of which I thought quite easy. Maybe it's ingrained? But then, for over 40 years of breeding and training horses, where establishing Alpha means surviving, I realized that perhaps this is what each of my Dobies sensed in me. I have loved, trained and honored the unique quirks of each horse, foal or Dobie, but I have always had pretty strict boundaries of what's a minor no-no and what's a major come-to-Jehu crime. Training is a moment by moment transaction, in every daily routine, with horses as well as crafty smart AWESOME dogs like Dobies. It ends up seeming pretty easy to me, especially when you spend so much daily time with either your canine or equine partner. My current Dobie was a badly abused rescue who's been with us for 5 years. Never a dominance or indoor/outdoor problem. None of my Dobies ever challenged me about anything. Our current guy is a lovely affectionate wonder who's earned his AKC CGC obedience cert too.(As have my prior Dobie rescues). I believe Dobies thrive when they have a firm daily guideline so they know exactly how to serve and please and be a partner. They LOVE to please. I won't hesitate to rescue another "problem" Dobie because they can turn out to be incredible wonder-dogs , given a reliable framework to live by. Consistency, fairness and kindness is what gets you partnered up with your Dobie... or horse.
I remember crying for 3 months when my 1st Doberman Mars welcomed my house after losing my real alpha male Dalmatian after 14 years bec she was struggling me as alpha....called Doberman federation at Türkiye and they leaded me a trainer whom was awarded...having Doberman is a challenge after 38 years of having several family members loved.... Doberman’s are crazy I thought ...she is 5 years old now and I adore her as well as she adores me ...don’t have any kids but don’t offer anybody any Doberman 😀 military life needed that’s why u appreciate her being nice 😅...I love her to my life though...live your lives easier ...although Mars has no cut ears and tail and very friendly to ever living being I still appreciate my trainer ...😁
Thank you for your tips, I'm petsitting a Doberman who has anxiety from trauma as a puppy (rescue) in fact the owners don't walk him. I find it so sad! I want to recommend they get a trainer to help with this. I only have a week, I'm working with him with commands, mental work, and listening.
Solid advice for all dogs. I would add that owners should remember that it is a "command" and not a request of the dog. Obeying what you say is not optional for the dog.
My Doberman is great regarding knowing who is alpha in my family, the only thing she has a problem with is aggressiveness towards other dogs. She loves cats, but doesn't like other dogs.
That's good that she understands that part. I would definitely work on exposing her more to other dogs. Specifically I'd start with a dog familiar and trusted to you. Maybe a friend or family member's dog? And MAKE SURE you're relaxed yourself when introducing them. If you are up tight and fearful of what will happen, your dog will read that and be on guard for you.
@@DobermanPlanet yes our neighbor has a male year old boxer, he is a very playful and a happy go lucky guy, I'm not in the least worried about him at all, I put my dogs muzzle on and let them (leashed) get closer and closer twice a week, when I say closer, I'm talking 100 feet, I walk past him, then walk back at ~75 feet, then home, then the second trip is 75 feet, then 50 and home, and the next week start at 100 again, it is working, when the boxer is at our driveway gate, mine barks, but doesn't lunge anymore. I'm working towards getting them In the same yard unleashed (muzzled) someday soon. Your videos do help btw lol, she does do the "wait to enter a door way" thing now, and will stop and walk away from her food if my grand kids stick their hands in, so that's one good thing lol, but she's always been like that. My dog is 7yrs old too btw.
@@Monkey_Snot Hi! If you're still having trouble, watch the It's Me or the Dog episode with Harvey the Doberman. (You can find it here on TH-cam.) It might help. It sounds like you're doing something very similar to Victoria so you're on the right track! Maybe even a trainer/behaviorist will help?
At 12 weeks your dog is definitely in (or starting to enter) the "challenge you" phase. So this is where you are going to have to develop good habits and stick with it. As long as you do, it might still feel like your pup is making a run for the leadership position (they probably are) but you're on the right track and you'll come out the other side.
IGNORING. :') My dog and I have finally gotten past this stage in his life but OH MY GOODNESS when he just turns his head AWAY and ignores me it's like "dog I will flip you do not."
One trick I was taught was to massage your dog before giving them their meal. Do this when they are still a puppy. Sit cross legged on the floor in front of their dog food bowl (with food in it) and put them in your lap. Then massage them head to toe - start at their head, ears, neck, back, belly, and most importantly the legs and paws. Dogs don’t generally like their paws touched so they might try to pull their paws away. If they do, you should calmly persist with the touching and let them see you are not hurting them. This will also build trust with your dog and ensure they are accustomed to being touched anywhere without developing a tendency to snap at people who might touch them somewhere they don’t like to be touched. I don’t know if this has any application wrt dominance but it worked well in terms of developing a pattern and knowing that a massage means food is coming while training them to be calm at feeding time ;-) My Doberman was extremely food driven so I think this habit was essential for her (and us!) but it also taught her to be ok with people touching her anywhere on her body. Great tips in the video - we applied all of these with our Doberman and they are essential imo.
My dad and I loved Doberman Pincher's. We had several at a time a few times because we loved them so much. We bought adults and puppies and we had smaller pens for the puppies, but we had large pens for the adults, like close to a half and acre and around 1 acre size pens. There were some trees around, we had at at least 2 dog houses and 2 "trough's" as my dad liked to call them. He had these long metal feeders with a bar in the middle and was suitable for two animals to eat out of, and we had several bowls sitting around because we gave them wet food and dry food and had a 5 gallon bucket of water in the pen at all times and we cleaned the buckets often, but something my dad always said is to never fool with a dog while the dog is eating because that is the one thing that is theirs and they are protective over their food and we just don't need to mess with that. He didn't even want me to play with the puppies when they were young while they were eating. I understand it, but do not 100% totally agree with it. But he thought that because he is old school more than me. His dad was born in 1891 and his mother was born in 1901 and My dad's older brother was born in 1933 and my dad was born in 1935 and little sister was born in 1942. I agree that we don't just need to mess with the dog all the time while they are eating and pester them, but I also think that we as the owner needs to be able to handle the dog and be able to safely move the dog away for some reason, for example, our pens are at the edge of our woods and people walked through all the time and someone could have through a cigarette down and start a fire (and did one time) and we would need to get the dogs out of the pen and take into the house in the emergency and call 911 after we get the dogs to safety and if they are so protective that they growl and want to bight the owner, it's not a good situation. So this is something that owners of doberman pincher's needs to realize. Doberman's can get aggressive with their owners and has bitten their owners because they are protective over their food and their territory. And we need to take care of them and teach them, but we also need to respect them. And I ALWAYS told my friends to not run up to my doberman's and try to pet them until the doberman gets use to them, and especially the first time the doberman sees a different person. Even if the doberman is mild and like a "baby" we all still have to respect the fact that they are still a doberman and if they feel threatened in any way, they will bite and or growl, and not back down. They want to protect their home and their family, especially children. Growing up, if a man come to my family's house and my I was home alone, and the man would not leave, I would go get in the pen with the most aggressive doberman we had, and the man would leave every single time.
I had issues with my female, but not my male. My vet told me it was as easy as taking her down and holding her there until she submitted and it worked. Because they are a pack dog. I did not harm her and it didn't take long holding her down for her to submit, but I will keep this in mind for future pups. She is the sweetest girl and has no issues at 4 years and she listens well.
I am definitely in a dominance struggle. Thank you so much for making these videos, they help so much. I never knew this. I’m going to try my best to train him better and use your tricks. Keep up the good work :)
The castle form the intro is the Templar Castle from Ponferrada, Leon, Spain. As somebody born in Leon currently living in the US, it was quote a surprise.
My Dobie puppy was one year October 19th and she is European and her ears, face, color, well she looks just like the pup here. And the trainer told us to make her stop as you said. She is trained really well now but she's inexhaustible. That hasn't changed. But she is great.
Love the honesty in his videos. Blunt is very good. We need to be honest about ourselves and get a dog that will suit our personality and lifestyle. That is the recipe for successful owner dog relationship.
I have had the pleasure of having a number a dog breeds in my life over the years. That said, I can't say enough good things about the Doberman breed. Their intelligence and desire to please makes them the best breed in my opinion. You can easily get them to see you as their alpha if you follow the recommendations outlined in this video.
tl;dr 1. walk through doors first 2. "ask" for something at meal times 3. physically stop them while eating (be carefull with your hands the first few times) 4. have dedicated training times daily (even 10 mins is better than none) 5. walk side by side on thee leash (dont let your dog lead) 6. follow through on every one of your commands 7. don't yell / hit yur dog - be calm but firm
A brilliant way to get the message across that you MUST be the boss ! Not a bully, not aggressive, just firm, fair and consistent. Dobermans are smart enough to know if you're not going to be the boss, they can do it, and they will. Then life can get 'difficult'.
Best video that anyone considering a Doberman could ever watch ! Fantastic work again John.
Thank you so much! Well said!!
my dream is to get a doberman with my own house
@@real-vb8ou that's a great dream to have, I really hope you get there !
@@real-vb8ou That's the reason I got my first house when I was in my 20s
The most important thing to do is play to the breeds willingness to please you. The way I trained my dogs was to make it known that they couldn't do anything they wanted. Then I would keep them on schedule for eating and walking. Play time was a great way for training them as well.
Update on Ace - I have gotten him involved in playing some of the games th-cam.com/users/postUgkx1_veP7CApJK_GWy_TczaMciuG64PqJeU and I can see a difference in his confidence already! My other dog played along and he became intrigued - now its a daily part of our routine - about 3 times a day we do the shell game and the muffin tin game. I am so grateful for coming upon your training techniques!
Oh my gosh the start had me DYING LOLOLOL
Haha glad you liked it Derek! You don't juggle for your dogs? Lol.
For real that was so funny just came from premier btw
Ikr
I hit the like buttom as i was watching the beginning. It deserved it. 😄
A dominant dobie not ideal after u establish, the subject still comes up with them at times. Adolescence seems to affect that I have noticed. I also love a hilarious beginning of your video.
This is by far one of the MOST IMPORTANT videos done by our main man here. This is the most likely reason a Doberman gets into a shelter or is abandoned in the first place. If you do not have a personality that can handle a Doberman, do not get one. If you do get one and do not have the personality, learn how to get a backbone. This is not easy but for the sake of the dog and your sanity. He or she will challenge your Alpha status almost daily and you need to consistently show them who is boss, not via angry tantrums, and be willing to face their strong will daily. Even if you do not know all the techniques taught in this video, the right personality will help you find the way. These are the personality traits needed by the dog owner: Self confidence, mid to high self esteem, moderately resolved extended family issues (if you have not resolved family dysfunction, harmful for most dogs) . This is not a breed to get just to help you feel better about yourself unless you already have achieved the adequate personality traits. I normally am not this blunt, but I have seen too many suffering and abandoned Doberman's, or other dogs for that matter, when their only "sin" was what they were bred to do.
Well said BC! Thanks for this comment... I don't mind people being blunt. Sometimes it needs to be said. I'm going to pin your comment simply because a lot of what you said is very important for someone new to the breed to know. I'll also add that for me, a Doberman has a way of making me a better person as well, by demanding the leader comes out of me. Which is a great thing too. In that way, I feel like my dog helps me to grow as much as I help him to grow. Also, I do want to say that mostly this struggle is when the dog is under one year of age. That's when they start really going for that leadership position. But you certainly do need to stay consistent even past that age too of course. I just want others to know that every year of the dog's life won't be as tough as that first year. Things do get a lot smoother!
Sorry but I was just wondering what part of the world you're from ? We were on a waiting list for a dob for more then a year. I checked dog rescue centre's and they said they have only had 1 in 12 years. I am from Perth Australia and here we only have 3 doberman breeder. I now have my second doberman and he is American but my first one was a European and I have found that my American doberman is much more stubborn then my European doberman ever was.
Totally, if you make it so you’re the leader they will be much happier and relaxed. Kennel train and have them sleep there in their first year, not on your bed or couch. Once you have secured them in their position everything is easier.
On another note, vitamin C helps with their growing pains.
Nice.
Agree 100%
Doberman is not easy, especially the male and even more, if it is a European breed.
To avoid problems with your first Doberman is to choose a female. They are much more Docile. And (my experience) smarter... 🤷♂️
Sorry was I late for ELA? (the paragraphs on here lol)
A "trick" I use is to nearly whisper commands. The way I figure, I cropped her ears for a reason...why not make her use them? Plus, I found that by being consistently quiet, her focus on me remains high no matter the environment.
That's actually a really REALLY great tip. I've done that in the past but it's been awhile. It demands focus and if you get your dog used to it, you're basically getting them used to hyper-focusing on you. Thanks for the reminder Mike!
Also sign language works too
@Olebaskus to crop a dogs ears means to cut them down to make them shorter/pointier. I've heard of Pit Bull owners cropping their pit bulls ears to make them less of a target/weakpoint in dogfights, or to make them look meaner. I'm sure OP has good intentions getting their Dobermans ears clipped though.
@Olebaskus ah, I see, sorry for misunderstanding. As for "eat the coleslaw", i am also confused but maybe its just one of those wacky comeback-things that people say nowadays. Like "i hope both sides of your pillow are warm", stuff like that. I dont get it either but its not derogatory or anything.
@@DudeDudeman777 dude, the pillow thing is just brutal! It's too much! Hope you don't mind, I'm gonna use it.
I have marked every corner of the house, so now he knows ^^
Your dog is so cute!!
What do you mean marked?
Setzt du dann in eure Wohnung so große Haufen wie Jeff draußen? ;) ...
Als ob. 😂😂
Hahaha
In addition to everything John covered in this video, I'm also a strong proponent of taking Pup-ternity leave when you first bring a Dobie puppy home. I feel like those first 10 days spent bonding with the animal and setting boundaries early pays huge dividends later on.
That’s a great idea for all breeds. Thank you
Good point.
Our second puppy started acting out. We've gotten a better handle on this behavior. 😅
100%. I have a presa and your comment is spot on for really ANY breed! Great advice!
Very important, because if you don't show them who's boss it can be a disaster. Love the video.
So glad you enjoyed it Alpha! Come to think of it, I guess I would assume that you of all people would enjoy this topic! That's why I put your name in the title! Haha.
@@DobermanPlanet Thanks
Great reminders! A trainer once gave me analogy that each interaction is like a battle. May slip up once or twice but if you lose enough battles you start losing the war on respect.
That's a good analogy!
Same with everyone really. Just define who you are and keep yourself to it.
I had an alpha dog once. She was an old English sheepdog and looked like a big Teddy bear. If I didn't take charge she became dangerous around strangers so I really struggled with her. She was also a very big dog. A Police dog handler very kindly helped me to take control. It probably saved her life. She was the most loyal dog and would have died protecting me.
John: Sir ARlingTon..
Alro: Hmm..here comes the peasant that I see each morning 😂😂
Haha more true than you know!
Your videos are saving me. Thank you so much. I just got a 9 month old dobie girl and I'm trying to make my husband not regret it!
Ooh we've been there! Our doberman mix boy is 19 months now. Keep going, it starts to ease off any time now. It's a tough job but they are so worth it 😁
At 9 months,, your almost there,, be stern but affectionate,, I’ve never babied my Spike,, he’s well mannered,, smartest dog ever,, it’s weird how intelligent he is ,, I’ve never laughed so much,, really,,, Semper Fi
@@cooldaddy232 you do notice that you are almost a year late so the dog is wayyy past 9 months and the owner probably already found a way to do it
Ive been watching all your videos for around 2 months now and I'm finally applying for a doberman from a doberman specific rescue. I cannot stress how helpful you have been doing videos like this with being aware of how dominant the doberman breed can be! from me and all your subs, please never stop doing what you do as you're doing so much for first time doberman owners:)
That juggling was on point though
Sam! THANK YOU! I needed at least one comment on my juggling. Lol. It was you! Thank you!
Same principles apply when raising children!
100%
Sadly you aren't allowed to put children in crates!
Hector's Kmetija theres “cribs”
@@aaronm8143 Are cribs not for babies, surely a 2 - 17 year old would just jump out?
Hector's Kmetija I’m sure you could just put bars around their beds lol
I’m getting a Doberman soon. They are amazing dogs. So underrated, so miss understood. They are great companions for single men. Just give them the attention time and patience to deal with them. Eventually they’ll get that the Alpha position is yours and yours alone. Patience is key
I'm trying to learn what dog to get. The Doberman seems good since they seem to not shed too much, I'm a bit allergic and I would not want dog hair everywhere. Did you get a dog already? Do you have a ballpark of how much they cost to have monthly?
Hi Arlo!!
Doberman’s dominate not only with the athletic abilities, but with their intelligence. They are quick to learn their humans and utilize that knowledge as a home field advantage!
Great segment John, Happy Thanksgiving 🤠
Thank you so much for the comment, happy Thanksgiving to you too! Yeah I totally agree, sometimes that intelligence is every bit as hard to contend with as their stubbornness! Haha. So glad you enjoyed it!
It doesn't help that so many people are dumber than the dog.
Your real dog was probably wondering 'What the hell is going on?' when you filmed this. LOL!
The dog actually said that.
That intro was hilarious 😂
Doberman in the beginning is like
" WTF,why are you acting weird 🤔"
I've been a Doberman owner for awhile. And you have some very good points. Thanks for you're channel
We got our Doberman at 13 months old. He was living outside in a crate in the mountains and was never allowed in the house , Lucky for us he never pees/poops in the house! He loved his crate, it was his security.
We both worked and had to tag team our training efforts. We were able to remove the crate in about a year, after he was professionally trained. One of our biggest issues is he likes to steal things (underwear, paper, anything on the floor).
We finally took advice from a trainer and gave him a special large piece of a treat, then worked on drop it. I was eventually able to give him a piece of steak, then take it out of his mouth with no resistance. I take things out of his mouth every day, in hopes that he will cooperate if he has something dangerous one day.
He has developed a habit of “helping me” pick things up off the floor. He follows me around looking for things, a scrap of paper, a rubber band or paper clip (he sits in my office while I work).
If I don’t immediately notice that he found something, he goes around the house, with the object dangling from his teeth, looking for someone to show it to. If we don’t notice him, he will take it to his “stash”, which is under the dinner table. He always gets a reward (a treat, pat on the head, play time), when he gives us the object, so I think it is his motivation for picking things up in the first place.
I am terrified that he will choke on something, so my house is cleaner than ever! Small objects are picked up right away, so he races to “get it first”.
The one thing I gave difficulty with is paper. He steals tissue, TP, mail that has just been opened. If I am not watching, they wind up under the table shredded. I finally realize what he has been up to when he comes over to me with a soggy scrap and wants to play keep away. After the drop it or bring it command, he will go to my husband and put it at his feet. Aaarghhh!
Ive had my doberman Louie for a month now. Your channel was definitely a deciding factor in why I chose the breed and definitely the main #1 reason it has been going so well. Your channel is great! Thanks for all the content it has been extremely helpful and fun to watch. Arlos looking great!
Every single thing you have listed is correct. I had a rescue Doberman and I did everything you have said to get him to learn how I needed him to behave. When we first got him he fear bit, food guarded, got on furniture and pulled terribly on the lead. By the time he passed away he was a relaxed and well mannered contented dog. You do tell the truth. Thank you so much. May you please take care and stay safe.
As a GSD owner I think your channel is the most enjoyable and educational one for me, many thanks!
Great video. Loved, loved, loved the intro. I've been a Dobie owner for 15 yrs. Now and my husband has been a Dobie dad 40 plus years. I SO ENJOY being able to Learn New things from you. What I enjoy MOST is I now have My Hubby( that KNOWS EVERYTHING) 😁 watching your videos and Learning NEW things as well. Keep up the Great work and enlightening people on this Most Amazing breed. Give Sir Arlo a treat for me.
My ladies name is Princess Athena. She is such a diva. I’m lucky because she’s very independent for being a Doberman.
I have put my hand my dobes bowl since day one thanks to your advice. She has been amazing about it. Never has been aggressive and immediately sits when my hand goes in the bowl. She’s 18 weeks now and doing great thanks to information I’ve gotten from your videos. Thank you!
What about now? Does she sees you as alpha now?
The intro had me dead on the floor 😂😂
John have you ever thought about doberman planet merch? I would love a sweater with ur logo
Thanks for the idea Chris! Kinda cool you'd be up for sporting one! :-D
@@DobermanPlanet it would be awesome to show that we are part of a doberman community. And to represent the man who taught us best 😁
Great idea
I don't have a Doberman but I'd definitely get some merch.
This video is by far the best one you have produced. Helpful for all kinds of dogs, including Doberman, and other men too, at times. A great generic leadership lesson.
Just to add my experience: A strong dog needs a strong master. If you are weak, or lacks confidence, don't go for any strong dog breed like German shepherd or Doberman.
🙏😍 just adopted a Doberman😍That’s why I’m here.
Dobermans are such beautiful dogs. They make a great family pet and absolutely love children.
Beautifully and authentically presented .. getting and maintaining the Alpha position of your pack is critical. The dog will be more confident also. I've had 3 of these gorgeous dogs and everything you taught here resonated with me. Thank you very much~!
You have to be one of the best dog trainers I've ever seen. You get right to the point without all the hyperbole. Thanks a whole bunch. I don't have a Doberman I have an irritating Shiba inu. LoL this is my second one. The first one I did not make the mistakes with that I made with this one. Although I got this from a terrible breeder and there's a little bit of psycho in her. A little Helter skelter. A smile a grin and a growl.
There's a man in South Florida that trains expensive and I do mean expensive guard dogs for doctors and wealthy. He comes and picks up the dogs every two months and returns them back trained. Definitely a militant type attitude. But the dogs do exactly what they're supposed to do. He realizes that the domestic training removes the alpha and gives it back to the dog. Which runs side by side with your training it looks like. Thanks for a great program I'm learning a lot about my own dog but watching you train a dog that would be typically alpha and a Doberman. Keep up the great work I'll keep watching your videos.
I grew up with a couple of dobermans. I’ve wanted one for years, but i never had the time an then had a family. My kids are 8 and 12 now, and I’m home four days a week. My partner works from home. We have decided now is a good time to get the dog I’ve always wanted. We pick him up Wednesday. These videos have really helped me prepare. My grandfather says they are the best breed for training once you correct the dominance issue. They calmly watched us swim in the lake, an play in the yard. They literally stared at us for hours. One took baths with me when i was little lol LOVED playing hide an seek! they really are goofy an serious all at the same time.
Dominance , training , tricks and exercises is the key to a happy dogo and a lot of cuddles
The intro skit was toooooooo cuuuuuuuuuute lol I loved it! I couldn't stop giggling!
We have had 6 Dobermans through our lives .( Gretchen, Lady, Duke, Sassy, Diamond, and Starr ❤️ Love them so much ♥️
The beginning was Hilarious!!! We just got a Doberman Puppy. Super excited to work with him. He’s been a blast so far!
Your intro had me cracking up. I agree with you. I told my sister to never lose her Alpha status with her Staffies. I lost Alpha status with my Doberman. There were at least 3 things on your list that happened with my dog. I know better so I will do better should I get another Dobie. I really appreciate the effort you put into your videos.
People must realize that you can’t be a pushover and own a dominant breed. You have to be assertive (not abusive) great vid
True!
@@johnanthony7988 Im just so tired and aggravated when people get breeds like a Doberman, Presa, or any other dominant breed and treat it like a Golden Doodle and then are surprised when they are scared to death in their own house cause the dog has took the alpha role
Once again extensive explanation I love it this is what more people need . I dub thee the Doberman whisperer
THE INTRO IS A WHOLE MOVIE! 🍿 😩🤣 At this point get that Doberman a movie deal! 🍿💕💯 EXCELLENT editing!
This is the single most helpful resource I’ve found for issues with my adopted Yorkie. All of these things I’ve allowed and I would like to have a Doberman in the future so need to learn how to establish and maintain leadership.
Thank you for this video!
You're doing a great job with these videos. Keep up the good work and advice.
Oh my lord! Thank you for this video. I do enjoy your other videos too. They are funny and informative. I do have a Doberman that just turned a year old. He does jump on me, ignores me and always reaching for things he shouldn’t then runs away with them. The only times he listens is when he knows I have a treat in my hands . And he knows when he has done something wrong. Is like he enjoys messing around with me. I definitely have an alfa struggle with him. All the time he grabs something he is not supposed to, he will not drop it even when I show him a treat. He has growled at me a couple of times in the year he has been with me and nipped as well. No hard bitten just warning nips. I can not keep a bed for him. Destroys them all. Even a ballistic bed was no match for him. So I watch your videos to get some directions. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
So glad this was helpful! Jump on those things now otherwise the longer you let them go the harder they will be to correct. Just stick with it and things will fall in place!
Great advice, we had a Doberman in the early seventies which was unusual here in the UK. I can sadly say we were very naive and you guessed it the dog ruled the house.
Friends and family stopped visiting as she would suddenly turn without warning, never badly injured but would bite.
Only one in control was mum as she fed here.
Don't get me wrong she was well loved but a complete nightmare !
Heed these lessons !
This video is great 🙂 have kept most all of these callouts in mind from day 1 that I brought mine home! 5months - consistency is definitely key, especially when you’re too tired lol
I love all your Doberman videos! This one about establishing Alpha made me think about why I've never had any challenges from the Dobie pups and older Dobie rescues I've had. Seven Dobies over the years, each of which I thought quite easy. Maybe it's ingrained? But then, for over 40 years of breeding and training horses, where establishing Alpha means surviving, I realized that perhaps this is what each of my Dobies sensed in me. I have loved, trained and honored the unique quirks of each horse, foal or Dobie, but I have always had pretty strict boundaries of what's a minor no-no and what's a major come-to-Jehu crime. Training is a moment by moment transaction, in every daily routine, with horses as well as crafty smart AWESOME dogs like Dobies. It ends up seeming pretty easy to me, especially when you spend so much daily time with either your canine or equine partner. My current Dobie was a badly abused rescue who's been with us for 5 years. Never a dominance or indoor/outdoor problem. None of my Dobies ever challenged me about anything. Our current guy is a lovely affectionate wonder who's earned his AKC CGC obedience cert too.(As have my prior Dobie rescues). I believe Dobies thrive when they have a firm daily guideline so they know exactly how to serve and please and be a partner. They LOVE to please. I won't hesitate to rescue another "problem" Dobie because they can turn out to be incredible wonder-dogs , given a reliable framework to live by. Consistency, fairness and kindness is what gets you partnered up with your Dobie... or horse.
When he hd the sign pointing at the dominance issues even though he's talking about Dobermans my Rottie falls right in the same category
We've got a doberman rottie mix, so we know exactly what you're talking about! 😁
We are taking all your advise for our Doberman pincher puppy
I remember crying for 3 months when my 1st Doberman Mars welcomed my house after losing my real alpha male Dalmatian after 14 years bec she was struggling me as alpha....called Doberman federation at Türkiye and they leaded me a trainer whom was awarded...having Doberman is a challenge after 38 years of having several family members loved.... Doberman’s are crazy I thought ...she is 5 years old now and I adore her as well as she adores me ...don’t have any kids but don’t offer anybody any Doberman 😀 military life needed that’s why u appreciate her being nice 😅...I love her to my life though...live your lives easier ...although Mars has no cut ears and tail and very friendly to ever living being I still appreciate my trainer ...😁
Thank you for your tips, I'm petsitting a Doberman who has anxiety from trauma as a puppy (rescue) in fact the owners don't walk him. I find it so sad! I want to recommend they get a trainer to help with this. I only have a week, I'm working with him with commands, mental work, and listening.
Love the video. Dobies are so intelligent they are always ready to take on the leadership role. Great tips.
Another fantastic episode!
Amazing video Mr. John!
This is excellent how you show preventative tips. It really keeps things positive.
This whole video is just an excuse to show he can juggle...love it.
This guy is actually so cool
Solid advice for all dogs. I would add that owners should remember that it is a "command" and not a request of the dog. Obeying what you say is not optional for the dog.
My Doberman is great regarding knowing who is alpha in my family, the only thing she has a problem with is aggressiveness towards other dogs. She loves cats, but doesn't like other dogs.
That's good that she understands that part. I would definitely work on exposing her more to other dogs. Specifically I'd start with a dog familiar and trusted to you. Maybe a friend or family member's dog? And MAKE SURE you're relaxed yourself when introducing them. If you are up tight and fearful of what will happen, your dog will read that and be on guard for you.
@@DobermanPlanet yes our neighbor has a male year old boxer, he is a very playful and a happy go lucky guy, I'm not in the least worried about him at all, I put my dogs muzzle on and let them (leashed) get closer and closer twice a week, when I say closer, I'm talking 100 feet, I walk past him, then walk back at ~75 feet, then home, then the second trip is 75 feet, then 50 and home, and the next week start at 100 again, it is working, when the boxer is at our driveway gate, mine barks, but doesn't lunge anymore. I'm working towards getting them In the same yard unleashed (muzzled) someday soon. Your videos do help btw lol, she does do the "wait to enter a door way" thing now, and will stop and walk away from her food if my grand kids stick their hands in, so that's one good thing lol, but she's always been like that. My dog is 7yrs old too btw.
@@Monkey_Snot Hi! If you're still having trouble, watch the It's Me or the Dog episode with Harvey the Doberman. (You can find it here on TH-cam.) It might help. It sounds like you're doing something very similar to Victoria so you're on the right track! Maybe even a trainer/behaviorist will help?
Amazing tips. I do these instinctively. Good to hear it being reinforced from and expert.
You should definitely create an online courses to teach doberman owners. I wouldn't mind paying for it if im getting a doberman puppy!
Ohh my godd! You read my mind 😃 I really need to my Doberman to think that but I don't know if a 12 week old Doberman will think that
At 12 weeks your dog is definitely in (or starting to enter) the "challenge you" phase. So this is where you are going to have to develop good habits and stick with it. As long as you do, it might still feel like your pup is making a run for the leadership position (they probably are) but you're on the right track and you'll come out the other side.
@@DobermanPlanet Ohh ohhkay. Thank you 😊
Woooow i recently got a Doberman and I’ve been watching you’re videos and they’ve been so much help thank you!!!! Also your Doberman got so big!
Great great video.... loved your humour at the beggining. But boy .... you raise and mention some excellent points.
The doby is really confused when your juggling
IGNORING. :') My dog and I have finally gotten past this stage in his life but OH MY GOODNESS when he just turns his head AWAY and ignores me it's like "dog I will flip you do not."
Haha yeah that's a frustrating move for sure!
We are going through this phase right now !! Like she’s standing next to me I’m giving commands she walks away 🤦🏾♀️
One trick I was taught was to massage your dog before giving them their meal. Do this when they are still a puppy. Sit cross legged on the floor in front of their dog food bowl (with food in it) and put them in your lap. Then massage them head to toe - start at their head, ears, neck, back, belly, and most importantly the legs and paws. Dogs don’t generally like their paws touched so they might try to pull their paws away. If they do, you should calmly persist with the touching and let them see you are not hurting them. This will also build trust with your dog and ensure they are accustomed to being touched anywhere without developing a tendency to snap at people who might touch them somewhere they don’t like to be touched. I don’t know if this has any application wrt dominance but it worked well in terms of developing a pattern and knowing that a massage means food is coming while training them to be calm at feeding time ;-) My Doberman was extremely food driven so I think this habit was essential for her (and us!) but it also taught her to be ok with people touching her anywhere on her body. Great tips in the video - we applied all of these with our Doberman and they are essential imo.
My dad and I loved Doberman Pincher's. We had several at a time a few times because we loved them so much. We bought adults and puppies and we had smaller pens for the puppies, but we had large pens for the adults, like close to a half and acre and around 1 acre size pens. There were some trees around, we had at at least 2 dog houses and 2 "trough's" as my dad liked to call them. He had these long metal feeders with a bar in the middle and was suitable for two animals to eat out of, and we had several bowls sitting around because we gave them wet food and dry food and had a 5 gallon bucket of water in the pen at all times and we cleaned the buckets often, but something my dad always said is to never fool with a dog while the dog is eating because that is the one thing that is theirs and they are protective over their food and we just don't need to mess with that. He didn't even want me to play with the puppies when they were young while they were eating. I understand it, but do not 100% totally agree with it. But he thought that because he is old school more than me. His dad was born in 1891 and his mother was born in 1901 and My dad's older brother was born in 1933 and my dad was born in 1935 and little sister was born in 1942. I agree that we don't just need to mess with the dog all the time while they are eating and pester them, but I also think that we as the owner needs to be able to handle the dog and be able to safely move the dog away for some reason, for example, our pens are at the edge of our woods and people walked through all the time and someone could have through a cigarette down and start a fire (and did one time) and we would need to get the dogs out of the pen and take into the house in the emergency and call 911 after we get the dogs to safety and if they are so protective that they growl and want to bight the owner, it's not a good situation. So this is something that owners of doberman pincher's needs to realize. Doberman's can get aggressive with their owners and has bitten their owners because they are protective over their food and their territory. And we need to take care of them and teach them, but we also need to respect them. And I ALWAYS told my friends to not run up to my doberman's and try to pet them until the doberman gets use to them, and especially the first time the doberman sees a different person. Even if the doberman is mild and like a "baby" we all still have to respect the fact that they are still a doberman and if they feel threatened in any way, they will bite and or growl, and not back down. They want to protect their home and their family, especially children. Growing up, if a man come to my family's house and my I was home alone, and the man would not leave, I would go get in the pen with the most aggressive doberman we had, and the man would leave every single time.
All your video are awesome thank you for sharing what you know. Congrats on your new baby.
These videos are so useful! Thank you so much!
I had issues with my female, but not my male. My vet told me it was as easy as taking her down and holding her there until she submitted and it worked. Because they are a pack dog. I did not harm her and it didn't take long holding her down for her to submit, but I will keep this in mind for future pups. She is the sweetest girl and has no issues at 4 years and she listens well.
I am definitely in a dominance struggle. Thank you so much for making these videos, they help so much. I never knew this. I’m going to try my best to train him better and use your tricks. Keep up the good work :)
Has it worked out for you?
The castle form the intro is the Templar Castle from Ponferrada, Leon, Spain. As somebody born in Leon currently living in the US, it was quote a surprise.
Wow...i really appreciate how u just creatively justified ur title.....really entertaining and funny.....
thank you so much for this video. I just got a doberman. I learn so much from you.
Just found your page and can't wait to implement with my GSD. Thanks for the great tips.
I loved the intro, it made me lough a lot...! Just want to thank you for the AWESOME videos that you provide.
My Dobie puppy was one year October 19th and she is European and her ears, face, color, well she looks just like the pup here. And the trainer told us to make her stop as you said. She is trained really well now but she's inexhaustible. That hasn't changed. But she is great.
Thank you 😊 💓 ☺ 💗 💛 for teaching me Doberman stuff
That intro was gold
Love watching you and your Doberman in your videos. Great job!
Absolutely wonderful video. And it is such a pleasure seeing your dog so nicely brought up and heeding the commands. Thank you!
Great cold opening, I was thoroughly entertained.
Love the honesty in his videos. Blunt is very good. We need to be honest about ourselves and get a dog that will suit our personality and lifestyle. That is the recipe for successful owner dog relationship.
John, Great tips and great intro! Keep the entertainment up for us and Arlo.
Thanks so much Nate! Very much appreciate the support!
Rock solid consistency is the best advice I always give. Set the rule and stick to it.
I have had the pleasure of having a number a dog breeds in my life over the years. That said, I can't say enough good things about the Doberman breed. Their intelligence and desire to please makes them the best breed in my opinion. You can easily get them to see you as their alpha if you follow the recommendations outlined in this video.
I'm so glad you are having a good experience. Thanks so much for this comment!
That doggo looks like he owns the whole world
I’m getting a 10 week old Doby pup on Friday.......your videos have been very helpful. Looking forward to the new addition to our family!
im getting my boy in a couple hours! cant sleep but ive been soaking up as much info for at least a year. best of luck!
So good to have practical advice! Please make a video on how to correct a doberman!
tl;dr
1. walk through doors first
2. "ask" for something at meal times
3. physically stop them while eating (be carefull with your hands the first few times)
4. have dedicated training times daily (even 10 mins is better than none)
5. walk side by side on thee leash (dont let your dog lead)
6. follow through on every one of your commands
7. don't yell / hit yur dog - be calm but firm
I am impressed with your presentations. These things have helped me. Thank you
A great video. So often people don't get this concept.
Skit at the beginning was spot on 🤣🤣
😂😂😂 @ the end “please dont kill me”
Amazingly entertaining, nice, professional videos!
Amazing video can’t wait to get my baby Doberman thanks alot