A girl I walk with is having trouble with her Dobe rescue, she rescue her, a mature spayed bitch, approx 6 months a go, I believe from a rescue centre, she got on great with her young male, a XB, and was very clingy to her, which she likes as the male is not at all.  She has lately started to be very "dominant" with her male dog, and also with her boyfriends entire bitch that she looks after during the day, she will grab them by the neck to the point that they cannot breathe, she is obviosly pulled off the other dog.  I have not spoken to her, and I am no expert though I could give her a few ideas, but I understand Dobermans are very sensitive and not particularly like other dogs to train.  Does anyone know of anyone she could call (she is not very well off so could not really afford a behaviourist) who could give her some sensible advice, she is at the point of thinking of returning her to where she got her, perhaps she would be better getting in touch with Dobe rescue??  I don't see her every day, but I know roughly what time she walks so could probably catch her to give her a number

Many thanks

Hayley

I have a Doberman and if he were doing that, I'd be telling him to knock it off! Pulling him off and showing that he is NOT to do that. Period. Simple as that. And then after stopping him, if he'd be acting fine, I'd be dumping the praise. Your friend doesn't have to stand for that. She needs to assert HER authority. Nevermind what the dogs have going between them.

Yes, they are very sensative, but that doesn't mean that you don't be a strong leader. It means that you aren't heavy handed or excessively loud. But you need to be very firm and consistant. You need to be their unquestionable leader and heap lots of affection on them. You need to have a good, happy relationship. And part of their happiness comes from having a secure feeling of having a good guide or leader.

And they are different to train. They need lots of positive reinforcement. But they do better with a combination. They do need to know "their place." Definitely.

Carrie

Hi Hayley

All Dobermanns are different and your friend's bitch has probably decided that she is in a permant home now and is therefore making her presence felt.  Which rescue did she get her from - if it was one of the Dobermann Rescue groups, some of them are very experienced in handling Dobes and instead of thinking about handing her back I would advise that she contact them, say what is happening and ask for their help.

I think the differences with sensitivity come in obedience training rather than discipline - some are very sensitive and others are about as sensitive as a brick (I have my pup in mind here).