My Doberman bitch is 16 weeks old and last few days I am getting these flashes of self doubt whether I didn't bite too big of a bite, I don't know if this is normal or if it means I suck at this dog thing?

Kimmy is beautiful and affectionate and healthy. My first dog, had her from 8 weeks old. About 80% housebroken, I would say. I thought she was pretty reliable already but 2 days ago she landed a huge poo in the living room just 5 minutes after I took her outside to potty, so I guess it will still take more time.

I don't know if I am doing it right with her, I read many books and try to follow their advice, I attend puppy classes with her, I am doing my best to be consistent, but sometimes I admit I get frustrated.

She has started biting and nipping my feet and ankles last few days. Going for walks with her is no longer fun but an exercise in futility. She continuously jumps up at me, grabs my pants, BITES the pants (or the ankles), and when I keep telling her "no", she growls atme!

Not only am I covered in mud prints after each walk, but my pants have holes in them, my ankles are bruised, and I'm sick of repeating no over and over and over. Will this dog ever learn???

When we are at home, the nipping and biting goes on! I can't tell you how many clothes have gaping holes in them from her teeth. Several pairs of my son's PJs are practically shredded, and he's starting to avoid Kimmy, too, because now when she jumps up at him, she is as tall as he is and heavy enough to knock him down!

She has chewy bones and plenty of toys to chew that I offer her, but she will always drop them and head straight for a human limb!

You will probably tell me that this is normal puppy behaviour and to be patient. Trust me, I am trying to be. But my son and I are covered with scratches and bruises and his teacher started commenting on it, as if she thought he was an abused child! Do we have a dog or a crocodile?

Then my husband comes home in the evenings and just gets pissed off when he sees what new scratches we have, what else she made holes in, and the dirt she tracks in from outside. It was a joint decision to get a dog, he wanted it maybe even more than I, but after the initial excitement wore off, he shifted all the work on me, he doesn't lift finger to help with the dog when he's at home, and I feel overwhelmed by the responsibility, not to mention that he insists on the house being spotless and I bust my arse cleaning and mopping all the time :(

Katie

Hi Katie

First I'd say don't give up.  A lot of what you are feeling is normal for new puppy owners.  Compare it to the new baby thing and post-natal depression - that's what I think it is!!!  All the excitement builds up about getting a puppy, then you get one, and wham it's hard work!

When you take her outside to toilet, give her a treat.  When she goes inside, just ignore it and clean it up.

The nipping behaviour is normal for puppies - both your clothes and your hands.  You need to read this link:

http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

That should help you with all the biting and mouthing, scratches and so on.  Basically, say OW loudly, and withdraw yourself from her.  Leave her alone for a few minutes.  She will learn that when she bites too hard, play ends. 

The other thing to say about this is - hang on in there - puppy teeth are sharp and soon she will have her adult teeth.  She won't hurt you nearly as much with those because they're not as sharp.  It will help if she can play other pups her age, because they will let her know in doggy language that she hurt them.  (Not aggressively - they will just yelp and then hide away, and she won't like that because she will want to keep playing.) 

From what you say, you are saying "No" far too often.  As you can see, when you do this you just get ignored, so stop saying it.  YOu need to provide other things you want the dog to do, not just stop her from doing something.  If she jumps up at you when you are walking, turn your back on her and ignore her.  She wants you to respond and give her attention.  So just don't do that.  The growl could be that she wants to play with you, and when you say "No", she thinks you are still playing with her, so she does a play growl at you.  She doesn't yet understand that you don't want her to do this.  In fact, she thinks you are joining in when you say No.  So ignore her, say nothing, don't even look at her - turn away. 

You don't teach a dog something by repeating it over and over again.  If you are repeating something and the dog's not doing it, you are just teaching her to ignore a command. 

If she jumps up at people in the house, again, tell them to turn away and face a wall.  To give her no attention or eye contact and to say nothing to her.  They must wait until she is calm and has all 4 feet on the ground, then turn around and praise her or play with her.  She jumps up again-they do the same again.  It can be a bit tedious at first but you must persevere with it.

I would urge you to take her to a training class - preferably a positive reinforcement or clicker training class.  Where do you live?  Maybe someone on here knows one near you or can post some links.

I had this feeling like I am broken record and that Kimmy basically stopped reacting to the "no" because I say it so often. Thank you for the advice, it makes total sense. I have another puppy class on Saturday, so I will speak with the trainer, maybe I need a few private lessons.

Katie

Katie, just make sure that the trainer you go to uses positive reinforcement only (treats, toys etc) and no punishment.  You shouldn't be told to shout at the dog, to scare the dog, to scruff or give lead corrections or to say "no" to the dog. 

You can screw a dog up for life by using harsh methods at an early age, they are so impressionable right now. 

If you live in the UK, please see: www.apdt.co.uk  for a list of positive reinforcement trainers all over the UK.

If you live in the US, please see: www.apdt.com  for the same list of trainers over there.

Hi Katie

I think we all feel like that at some time or another.  Every new puppy is its own little person and they tend to be stroppy toddlers and then even stroppier teenagers.  With some puppies I find they go completely over the top and get so tired they nip and bite and run round like loons and quite often it is because they are over tired.  I expect you are by now as well.

You don't mention a crate for your puppy and I am wondering if you feel they are cruel as so many new owners do.  I have to admit I thought so too until I realised my puppies and indeed my grown up dogs like to get into their crates for a bit of peace and quiet.  Give your dog and yourselves a bit of a break from this mad behaviour.  I would go for crate training to give your dog its own space and to preserve yours.  You will find she will actively seek out the comfort of her crate when she needs to nap and at 16 weeks that should still be very frequent.

I had a boy dog that would do exactly what you are saying in your post but I found when his grown up teeth came through the majority of the nipping stopped.  He is still very excitable and runs at us jumping up at me when we are out walking but his teeth never connect.  I find if I turn my back on him and ignore him he might plant two paws in my back but for the most part he will just run away and play again.  The trick is not to rise to her taunting.  Turn your back on her when she is being a pain and ignore her completely.  If she gets no attention she will eventually give up, but being a puppy may try again later. 

Keep up with the training class, it is early days yet and you may be pleasantly surprised when everything clicks.

Hi Katie
I just wanted to say that my dobe was exactly the same, and we were covered in scratches and bite marks all the time. I was definitely beginning to think I had a crocodile instead of a dog! He is now 21 weeks, and the biting stopped a few weeks ago- almost overnight. He will still nip occasionally if he's excited, but you only have to say 'gently' to him and he stops biting and starts licking!
So hang in there, it will get better.
Rach

Thank you, Rach! This makes me feel much better! :)

Katie

When we rehomed Tyler a year ago after a week i had, had enough and wanted him to go, my husband and i were both thinking the same thing but luckily neither of us voiced are thoughts, other wise he wouldn't be here today. For a week we hardly spoke or had any time together sounds crazy but it's true. Slowly as Tyler began to settle down and got used to the routine things got easier and easier until he was a joy to be around. I do feel sorry for you as your husband doesn't sound very supportive and i'm not sure how i would have coped had it all been left to me. Could you try talking to him and telling him how this is making you feel and that if he helped just a little it would be a huge help to you, he may even start to enjoy it.

Hi Echo,

yes, we crate trained her right from the start, she isn't terribly fond of the crate, but will go inside and after a couple of minutes of "protest", she will settle down and nap. I only use the crate for when I am gone shopping etc, or when I need a time - out (usually when she gets so rambunctious and full of beans I can't deal).

She used to sleep in the crate during the night as well, but now that she can hold it overnight, she just lies on her dog bed beside our bed and sleeps there without a peep until morning (thank goodness for that).

Katie

when my girls were this age and became overexcited and began nipping etc: I was given advice which I have often passed onto newdog owners .It was given to me years ago by a breeder trainer with many years experience ....it worked amazingly quickly seems to have a calming soothing effect.

Quite simply to put her on her side gently and lie over her kindly no pressure and gently whisper nice things in the ear and stroke gently they will struggle a little to get up but  after a few mins you feel them relax.....you then get up and walk away they will get up usually have a shake you then ignore for a few mins go to them and pet .

You do feel rather silly lying on the floor over your dog but it is well worth the effort.

Roni

Yep, been there :D with a dobe too!!!  I did very badly at raising my boy, and I've only just really got the hang of it - and he's almost 3!!  Mind you, I did manage to pick one of the most independant, bullheaded dogs I've ever met - and a male, to boot - so not the best dog for a first timer :)

Keep at it, any pup is a lot of work but you'll get there - I have basically a zero patience level, and I've managed to raise two dogs (I also have a rott X) from puppyhood through to (almost!) maturity with only 2 1/2 months between them - if I can get through it, you can :D

And the biting - my rott X still bites, badly, so I'm no expert; but I did stop her biting my ankles as a pup, and she was bad at it too.  Nothing special - I just stopped when she did it, no interaction though, and when she stopped I kept moving - the game for her was biting moving things, so as soon as I stopped the game finished.  For hands and the like, read the link onetwothree posted, it's an excellent article.  Incidentally, do you have a crate or pen?  It might be handy for time-outs so you have somewhere to put her that she can't do any damage to anything, and also for when you need some time to do something else that prevents you watching her like a hawk.

Good luck, personally I'd take a day off here and there and do no cleaning at all - if your OH likes it so clean, he'll have to to do it himself, and might just realise what hard work it is!

Don't give up hope.

My rottie pup still likes to grab hold of my clothes and pull me when I am walking away. I was told that its a sign that they want to play, but I always have treats close by and that seems to calm her. She is my first pup and I was overwhelmed on how hard this was. At 9 months she is just starting to calm down

We still have the odd accident in the house, not often, but it can happen. We send her out before cleaning it up though.

I don't know much about dobes, but I hear that they are lovely dogs.

Katie, first of all I wish you good luck and all the best with your new puppy. I myself would actually never recommend a Doberman for a first time owner (it is always mentioned as a breed for people with lots of experience), but I guess the dog is there and I think educating yourself about dog training is very important. I see you're already doing that :) .... well done!
Dogs are like little children and each and every dog is an individual living beeing with individual habits. My Ory was a "terrible" puppy. There were times when I would just sit down and cry. She was biting, being agressive and next moment she was the sweetest puppy every. She was driving me crazy but after she was a year old, it all stopped. So don't worry, they all grow up eventually!
My Billy on the other hand is a perfect puppy..... never had an accident inside. Since day one (thanks to my very good and responsible breeder) he only did his business out in the garden. Never biting, never destroyed one single thing.

Once again, all the best and lots fun with your puppy!

Hi Katie I have just read your post and I had to smile to myself. My cairn is 18mths old now but your post bought back so many memories that seem so far away now. Granted we probably weren't bruised and scratched as bad as you as Toby is a lot smaller than a  but I do remember being exhausted and wondering why he didn't seem to sleep like other pups! I even said to my daughter "he has got to go!" I feel terrible for saying it now cos he is the most gorgeous loveable dog you could meet. I seemed to spend a lot of time shouting NO but it only made things worse. I found dealing with behaviour calmly was better. Be consistent and make sure your yes is yes and your no is no. Toby had a thing about sleeves and would hold on to them whatever you were wearing. It was very annoying and shouting made him think it was a great game because he got a reaction. I began ignoring him. Walking away from him and not giving him any attention until he was calm and then making a fuss of him but calmly or it wouls just start him off all over again. It all seems like hard work but it will pay off if you persevere they do eventually grow up and calm down it just feels like forever at the time. I hope it helps to know you are not alone and that others have come through it so you will too. Good Luck
Jane

Hi Jane :)
I am glad to hear there is hope for me and my puppy. I was honestly starting to think that maybe I justdidn't have what it takes to raise a rambunctious pup all by myself.
So, when she grabs my trousers, for example, should I just turn around and walk away, even with her still "attached" to me with her teeth?
Katie

Don't walk away dragging her, shell love it.  Turn your back and ignore every little trick she tries.

Not easy, my boy would get just enough skin between his teeth to pinch hard but not to make me bleed.  You could always spray your clothes with something he wont like the taste of.  I have heard bitter apple spray is good but personally I put tabasco sauce on my old clothes, which I wear when walking the dogs as pups or around the house.  They really hate the taste and they can smell it from a foot away.

I've watched my boy dealing with the new TT pup, who is very boisterous, he simply buries his nose in his paws, tucks up every bit of him he can into a dog bed and ignores her 'till she gives up.  It is very funny to see, if she persists he sits in her tiny crate and she cant get in with him in there (yes I have the pics to prove it) LOL

Hi Katie,
I have read this thread with interest as the owner of a 10 month old male Dobermann. Yep, they definitely are hard work and some more than others. Our boy is a right handful at times (I put it down to his european blood... lol) But he can also melt your heart when you least expect it. Everyone has told me it will get better as he matures. Most pups are hard work but a big headstrong dobe can be more than a little exasperating. Hang on in there and I'm sure all will be well.
I was told by the breeder that a young dobermann is like a 5 yr old child (and we all know how demanding they can be) Good luck. Dogs with abit of attitude are more interesting anyway... well thats what I tell myself!

Hi Katie  '' Was I ever plagued ?? '' ....there's the understatment :D ....My Dobe is 4 now and can still drive me round the twist when he feels like it :rolleyes:
they are the most stubborn,pigheaded,brazen creatures on this planet I swear ( apart from 15 year old boys that is :rolleyes: )
At 16 weeks you've really got your work cut out as they are testing the boundries ..and your patience lol
Just stay firm and fair and  you will get there ...the baby wipes are a boon !!  great for a quick wipe down and muddy paws

Good Luck with your girl -she is a beauty ;)

Stubborn and pigheaded? Hmm, that sounds like my husband, ha ha ;)

Looks like I am in for a ride with our Dobe girl then ;)

Katie

Hi Milomum,
we got a female Dobe because they are supposed to be  milder and less dominant than males. Kimmy is a feisty little thing and really beautiful, but as a first timer, it's not easy for me.
My husband convinced me to not to worry about me not having any experience with dogs before we bought her, because he grew up with Dobermans at home, so he was sure he could help me.
Umm, he works 12 hours a day, so he's not around much, and when he comes home in the evenings, he is tired and wants to have his "peace".
He was even more shocked by how much work Kimmy is than me, actually! He said "My parents had the responsibility and we, kids, just had fun with the dog." No wonder he used to think having a Doberman is easy
Katie

I did it (stop and ignore) today during our walk, and she did stop hanging on to my trousers and pulling after a while, and then as soon as I took another step, she started again, so I stopped again, etc. I was wondering whether we will make it to the park at all, ha ha ;) She did encrease the intervals between grabbing me, so I guess I was really boring! :)
In the end we had a lovely walk!
Katie

Lol! When Toby hung on to us we turned our head away and gave no eye contact and ignored him and when he let go moved away. Sometimes we picked him up because he would immediately let go of our clothing and I would put him in another room. (we had a stair gate and he was confined to the kitchen but he could still see us) I think the important thing is "no reaction" as even a negative reaction is still a reaction and the pup will still think it is fun. When Toby was little one of my daughters hated it when he tugged at her sleeve and she would be flapping and screaming trying to get him to let go. He loved it and as soon as she came downstairs in the morning he would pounce on her even though she was not trying to play with him. (It was quite funny actually and she was teased unmercifully for over reacting). My other daughter was constantly shouting NO at the top of her voice and again he would carry on because he was getting a reaction. The less reaction the less appealing it will for the pup. Try encourage your pup to do something you are happy with and make a fuss so he realises what he can and cant do. It takes time but they do learn eventually.
Jane

I'd stay still until she gets bored.  I did it with Opi, and I did it recently with a Schipperke - the little guy isn't keen on strangers, and as I was trying to leave the boat he lives on with his brother and my best mate, he clamped onto my trainer as I climbed the ladder to the wheelhouse - so I stopped dead still.  He let go very soon when he realised it wasn't going to work, that I wasn't going to leave, and although he kept barking at me, he hasn't tried it since - only barked at me.  And that stopped when I threw cheese at hiom for being quiet!

It's not quite the same situation, but the principle's the same - when pup realises youa ren't going to keep the game going by walking on, she'll get bored and give up.  By all means reward her when she lets go - a treat, or a different game - but never when she's still attached!

Bizarrely, hearing about your little hellion is making me want another one :D

Here is my blog with photos of my Dobe girl, if anyone's interested:

http://katiegerryben.blogspot.com/

Isn't she big? It really sounds as if you are doing your best, she is a lucky dog.

Hi,

I'm going through the same things with my Dobe angel(Rowan 7 months) She has recently decided she no longer needs to return to the car after our walks and no longer needs me or her dads permission or support for anything, as she's in charge and all grown up. In fact she's so independant, that she's considering renting her own flat!

Can't wait.

Ha, loved the comment about her renting her own flat.... Katie, your dobe is gorgeous by the way! Loved the photos... As for my boy, I keep being told by others that he will mature with age(Yes, but WHEN?????)LOL. I presume your girl IS european bloodlines with you living in Luxemborg, am I right?

Hi Milomum,
yes, Kimmy is from a breeder in Germany, as there aren't any reputable Doberman breeders here in Luxembourg (we're a tiny country, so no wonder).

Katie

Isn't she lovely! Much enjoyed your blog too - especially the "advice to laydees" about flatulence. :D

Aww, thank you :)
Katie

I had to laugh at the classic husband behaviour too, katie! In my case we have a complete reversal and I wasn't quite sure how to take a recent comment from someone about how they weren't at all surprised I'd got a Jack Russell but they'd never pictured my OH with one. ;)

My aunt used to breed dobes and I have never seen one with a tail. They can be very fiesty so the best thing is to take her to a good trainer.

Oo oo oo she's got a tail!!  I am so jealous now :D

Hi Katie

Its a huge responsibility so its perfectly normal to feel that way. I remember putting on my make up one morning for work and popping Sox in his bed. He began crying and so did I!! At that point I just thought 'I cant do this anymore'. When I look back I realise of course, its just what pups do and you learn to manage it. (I have to point out that he was and still is cared for during the day so I wasnt abandoning him or anything). As I was going out the door, a lady with 2 staffs (my breed) was going past and asked if I was ok. I said very tearfully 'can I ask you some questions about your dogs?' She must have thought I was crackers(probably right)! She told me she had gone through the same as me and gave me some advice and thankfully I have never looked back.

Now, in a funny way, I wish I could do it all again, knowing what I know now. When she calms down you will be sitting there saying 'do you remember when she used to do ....' and laughing about it.

Sounds like your doing a great job. Keep doing what your doing, she will love and appreciate her special mum for it!
Good Luck.

Awww, thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it :)

Katie

I think even owners that have had many dogs often feel the same with a new puppy/dog. If it gets too much with whatever they are doing just walk away and don't speak to them until they have calmed right down. Good Luck. I am sure you will get it right in the end. Some dogs just take a little longer to understand what is wanted.
Even those of us that have had the same breed for it seems forever, :-) find one or maybe two or more that are different in their make up.

I agree two dogs are rarely the same, they all have their own little ways! However after having a reasonably 'easy' male dobermann in the past, my latest as come as abit of a shock! Different lines though so I guess it would have been too much to expect - I think I was very lucky last time. I would say I have had to put 10 times more work into my current dobe than the last.Some of his ways though are 100% typical dobermann - and I guess thats why we love 'em and keep going back for more, hey??? I am considering castration at the moment for mine - mainly because I have shown him and no longer think it is the path I will go down (prefer maybe to concentrate on some agility), he has shown quite a dominant side (though not in an aggressive way) and can be very rough with my daughter. I just feel it will help, though of course its not a cure all as has been said many times before. He's a very full-on, rough 'n 'tumble kinda dog and I dont want to lose his character... just maybe hone it slightly. He's also VERY interested in bitches to the point where  he wont concentrate at his training classes. Its all been quite a learning curve and I guess its the same for alot of new owners out there?

I know how you feel - some days I think wow I have got the hang of this and other days I wonder why on earth we got a puppy. We live very close to a beach and it seemed the ideal place to walk Harley - how wrong can you get! He acts like a lunatic most times - pulls like a steam train and eats everything in sight - pebbles, rubbish, seaweed etc.  I am really worried that he will get a discarded fish hook caught in his mouth .The twenty minute walk he is allowed at his age takes me an hour to accomplish. We take a step and then have to stop as he starts to pull (advice I saw on another post) but rather than get bored with no forward movement he eats whatever is to hand. You just start getting him to walk nicely and he sees a dog or person ( loves both) and its back to the steam train impression. We get weird looks from other dog walkers who, having walked to the next county and back, return to see us 10 feet further along the path than when they passed us an hour ago.
And then you get a day like today when we went to the woods and the perfect puppy walked beautifully on his lead and behaved so well that I had the confidence to let him off for 5 minutes and he came each time I called him. Not holding my breath for tomorrow but it was so good to have a great walk for once.
A word of advice - wear different coloured coats on walks so you can appear to be a different person each time and hopefully no-one will recognise you as the person they saw in that exact same place yesterday!

Ha ha, what a hilarious tip, thank you :)

Katie

I am still plagued with self doubt at times and I'm on my 3rd dog, though the first two are only 3 1/2. If either of our first 2 dogs' breeders had rung to ask how we were doing after a week, I would have begged them to take the dogs back. (We rang to say we'd arrived safely home on the first evening, not to imply the breeders weren't interested!) The first year I was constantly on the phone 'he's coughing a bit', 'he's walking funny', 'why's he looking oddly at me?','why doesn't he want his dinner' and so on and so on. You'll get there, don't worry! :-)

Thank you Lucy :)
Katie