Thread: Dogs!

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

Ive had Dobermans for 67 years, and every girl Ive lost is packaged and going in the box with me. We'll be together for ever.

I got a rescue Doberman when I lived in England.

I was a beautiful dog but unfortunately we had to let him go, we found a pub landlord that could give him a good home and also deter the people that wanted to climb his wall and nick the empty beer bottles to take for a refund.

We couldn't keep him because apart from eating 5 pounds of raw potatoes and making himself sick everywhere on day 1.

Day 2 at about 3 in the morning I was woken up by my ex wife screaming for help from the bathroom. The dog was sitting outside the door and growled at her when she tried to come out, it did not like her at all, smart dog actually, just wish I had figured it out as quickly as he did.

He also growled at anyone that came around so my friends stopped visiting.

Lovely looking dog but really not suitable for a home, I didn't know it's history because it was an adult rescue.

I used to walk it on my skateboard, it could sure get some speed up but would change direction if it saw a cat so I spent a surprising amount of time on my face.

Dobermans are a very loyal dog but they need a strong alpha. If they don't have one then they freak out and decide they have to take charge. My big red boy Taz bit me twice the first day I had him. A couple of days without food and a session of having to obey commands to get a nibble cured that and from then on he pledged his fealty and was my best friend and protector.
They are also very smart and a great judge of character. I learned quickly that if Taz didn't like someone there was a good reason.

Originally Posted by STF

I got a rescue Doberman when I lived in England.

I was a beautiful dog but unfortunately we had to let him go, we found a pub landlord that could give him a good home and also deter the people that wanted to climb his wall and nick the empty beer bottles to take for a refund.

We couldn't keep him because apart from eating 5 pounds of raw potatoes and making himself sick everywhere on day 1.

Day 2 at about 3 in the morning I was woken up by my ex wife screaming for help from the bathroom. The dog was sitting outside the door and growled at her when she tried to come out, it did not like her at all, smart dog actually, just wish I had figured it out as quickly as he did.

He also growled at anyone that came around so my friends stopped visiting.

Lovely looking dog but really not suitable for a home, I didn't know it's history because it was an adult rescue.

I used to walk it on my skateboard, it could sure get some speed up but would change direction if it saw a cat so I spent a surprising amount of time on my face.

I have to tell you, it's not the dogs fault, it's yours. Dobermans are a strong willed dog and must be trained to a high standard. Not one of my dogs has ever even growled at someone without my permission. A lifetime ago I was a peace officer, and before that a dog trainer, and all my girls were trained to act off of my cues, and boy can they read them. If you ever want to try it again, get an experienced trainer who knows the breed. As the other guy said, if you're not the boss, they will be. Just as an aside, both my children used to eat out of there bowls with them, no problems.

Probably the most admirable trait of a doberman (and there are many) is that they just live to please their master. But, as said they have to believe you are master and for that to happen, first, you have to believe it. They will do anything for you if they respect you. That is hard if you get them as adults. My roommate got 2 from the woman he worked for. He got the black one and I got the red one. She brought them over from Germany (she was from there and barely spoke English. I had to teach Taz commands in English because he only knew German and I don't think he knew many commands anyway) and they couldn't manage them. They were puppies when they got them and were just about a year old when she gave them to us. Their whole lives had been virtually unmanaged. It was a challenge but I swear I think they were relieved to have a master.

Their eagerness to please makes them a joy though because they can learn so much and you can count on them to do what you train them to do. I love my Rhodesian Ridgebacks but they are very independent thinkers. Dobermans will obey without question or thought. Max, especially when he was.young needed a really firm hand because I would tell him something and you could see him considering it like he wasn't sure if he wanted to. That can be dangerous though because they are an extremely powerful dog. I thought dobermans were powerful, and they are but Max is at another level.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

I have to tell you, it's not the dogs fault, it's yours. Dobermans are a strong willed dog and must be trained to a high standard. Not one of my dogs has ever even growled at someone without my permission. A lifetime ago I was a peace officer, and before that a dog trainer, and all my girls were trained to act off of my cues, and boy can they read them. If you ever want to try it again, get an experienced trainer who knows the breed. As the other guy said, if you're not the boss, they will be. Just as an aside, both my children used to eat out of there bowls with them, no problems.

I would agree that Doberermans need to be well trained but I don't accept that i was at fault on that occasion.

I got the dog as an adult rescue and had no idea of it's history or temperament, it was up for adoption for a reason after all.

I had no time to train or get it trained because it was in my life for less than 3 weeks, my wife was terrified of it and my friends would come over.

I am not scared of dogs and wasn't frightened of that one but every one else I knew was.

If I was able to keep it I'm sure it would have eventually settled down and been well trained but I couldn't have a dog that frightened my wife so like I said, it was only with us for 3 weeks or so.

Originally Posted by STF

I would agree that Doberermans need to be well trained but I don't accept that i was at fault on that occasion.

I got the dog as an adult rescue and had no idea of it's history or temperament, it was up for adoption for a reason after all.

I had no time to train or get it trained because it was in my life for less than 3 weeks, my wife was terrified of it and my friends would come over.

I am not scared of dogs and wasn't frightened of that one but every one else I knew was.

If I was able to keep it I'm sure it would have eventually settled down and been well trained but I couldn't have a dog that frightened my wife so like I said, it was only with us for 3 weeks or so.

I knew you were going to take it personally, it was your fault because you didn't do your homework. First you needed at least a month or two to gain his trust, and than to understand what no means, it's not easy and takes work. It's a little easier now that they have the shock collers,but you have to be taught how to use them. There's very little reason to shock them more than once or twice, after that it becomes easier. You'll either believe me or not, but I have saved several from death row, it's work, but worth it.

She loves riding in the Grand Prix.

Originally Posted by STF

I would agree that Doberermans need to be well trained but I don't accept that i was at fault on that occasion.

I got the dog as an adult rescue and had no idea of it's history or temperament, it was up for adoption for a reason after all.

I had no time to train or get it trained because it was in my life for less than 3 weeks, my wife was terrified of it and my friends would come over.

I am not scared of dogs and wasn't frightened of that one but every one else I knew was.

If I was able to keep it I'm sure it would have eventually settled down and been well trained but I couldn't have a dog that frightened my wife so like I said, it was only with us for 3 weeks or so.

I'm gonna have to give you partial credit as to if it was you or not. I read your response again and had to admit, you said the ONE thing that changed my mind, your wife was scared that you didn't train him. I was at a farm for old dobermans and this monstrous old dog came over and washed my face, and was begging for me to take him home, that's when my wife said the EXACT same thing, "you didn't train him
For the exact same words to come out, that's the truth. My wife had a healthy relationship with my first dog that came with me when we got married. As far as the dog was concerned, I belonged to her,and and my wife was under her protection, but the dog was in charge when I wasn't home. I'll cut you some slack, but you really should have known what you were getting into....

They's buddies