hi does anyone know of a dog trainer who specialises in training dobermanns or has experience with them? We have tried other dog trainers but they haven't been any help atall, they just seem to tell us what we already know, but can't/wont help any further.

We have started training classes and was told over the phone that they could help, but when we got there she was put with mainly puppies and he teaches the basics, which she does perfectly there. He will go round to everyone, giving advice etc but as soon as he gets to us, he will just walk away and go to the next person. He just doesnt seem to want to know!

My dobe does know the commands, but is very stubborn and if she wants to ignore you, or there is something better to do, then she will do that. Her pulling on the lead is really bad, but haltis, gentle leaders, harnesses, check chains etc do not seem to help. As she is a very strong dog, it is hard to keep her from pulling you over, but we have tried making her walk to heel but she takes no notice atall. This has been going on for a few months now. Her recall is bad, she will not come back when called because she always finds something better to do(chase other dogs, people etc) Because she is a dobe, people are afraid of her and if she wanted to, she could cause a lot of damage. She gets on fine with some dogs, she played with a weste puppy at her training classes last week, but others she takes an instant disliking to and will snap at them straight away if they come anywhere near her. This is quite worrying and now cannot let her off the lead in most places  as there are dogs around.

Basically, she has no respect for us whatsoever and just does what she wants. She will ONLY do as she is told if there is something better in it for her. i would love to have a normal, well behaved dog!

Any ideas?

Emma x

Emma,

I don't necessarily think you need a dog trainer who specialises in Dobermanns - you just need a trainer who won't ignore you and is experienced with a wide range of dogs - which most good, reputable trainers are.  There are several breeds which can be as challenging as this, so you are probably limiting your options if you look for a "Dobermann only" trainer.

If you are happy with the methods being used in the class you're going to (ie treat training, not yanking around by choke chains or forcing into positions etc), then why don't you try to have a word with the trainer?  Or give them a call and explain that you'd like more attention and time?  I don't think there's anything wrong with going back to basics, to be honest - a sit can always be straighter, or quicker, or with more distractions around, and working with your dog improves your relationship with her and makes her more likely to pay attention to you in other situations, so I wouldn't write the class off just for that reason.  I do think it's a bit worrying if your dog is temperamental around puppies and you've been put in a puppy class though - that doesn't seem to have the best interests of the puppies at heart and sounds a bit dangerous to me. 

Whereabouts are you based?  Someone may know of a good trainer near you.

Thanks, I am in Leicestershire

We have tried speaking to the trainer and asking him questions, but if his suggestion doesnt work then he will avoid you or walk off. He even commented on how she walked well on the lead just after she dragged my dad across the room!

When she is there, she will sit, lie down, give her paw etc straight away and seems a lot calmer while shes around so many people. She looks like the perfect dog!
When out on walks and at home, she is completely different and will not listen to us atall.

We have booked a clicker training course that starts next week, and is done with only one other dog there so hopefullly this will help her obedience.

We have tried other professional trainers and have spent a fortune, but they all seem to say the same thing, which is not working on Danni. The class we are going to is the first one we have tried though.

Emma

It seems that you mention her being so wel behaved in class instead of being at home! (Which is an absolute godsend because usually dogs love to show you up in classes :D)

Anyway, have you thought of having a trainer that does home visits so they can get a feel of what she's like at home?

Have you tried a Dobe club?

Hi,

I know going back to basics is probably frustrating for you but it does sound like that is what she needs, especially with regards to lead training.  I use a dogmatic on my Dobe if I know she's going to be in a situation where she'll be very excited and just a normal flat collar and lead the rest of the time - this has taken lots and lots of work though.  Every time she starts to pull I would say no pulling and stop, until she slackened the lead - then lots of praise and walk straight on - and repeat - a LOT! :-)  It can get frustrating but it really does work, now if I can see she's getting towards the end of the lead and I say no pulling she'll let the lead go slack and carry on without me needing to stop (most of the time) still working on it!  You may need to just use the dogmatic or whatever head collar you decide on all the time to start with until the training starts to take effect.  If a headcollar is used in the correct way you will be able to hold her with ease using it - after all they can restrain ton heavy horses :-) ! Maybe you could ask your trainer to show you how to use it just to make sure you are using it correctly.

Another thing you could try is teaching her the watch me command so you can get her to focus on you more easily.  Also if you can get her recall perfect in the training hall environment where there are distractions this will be a good help as I know you've said before that she ignores you when there are distractions about.

I think whatever method you decide to try for the various training issues you will need to be consistent and stick with them and be prepared for it to take time.  You just need to find whatever it is that makes her think you are worth listening to and working for, whether it be liver, mackrel, a charged up ball, a ton of fuss and cuddles - most dogs have something that you can use to your advantage.  You said she'll only do something if there is something in it for her - I think most dogs are like that, it is just less obvious with the dogs that would do almost anything for a pat on the head or to be shown the slightest bit of affection.

Hope this is of some help, all the best,

Karen

Great that you are giving clicker training a try, I really hope that will help.

It sounds like this trainer feels insecure or unconfident or doesn't feel like they can help you, but won't tell you that.  That's not what you need.

It's definitely worth going to classes, even if she seems well behaved there.  This is because at a good training class, they will be teaching YOU how to train the dog, not teaching the dog.  So, then you will go home with the skills you need to be able to train her at home and outside, where you say she's not so well behaved.  When you're at the class, ask them "What should I do if...." (she drags me somewhere, she pulls me to a lamp post, she won't come back), so that even if she is perfectly well behaved at the class, you are getting the information to know how to deal with it when you're out.

I would start working on her training for little sessions each day, just 5 min sessions, around the house and garden.  Use the same techniques you've been shown in the classes.  Once you've got it going well at home, then you can try it out on your walks.

In Leicestershire you are very close to the Learning About Dogs clicker trainers, who run full day stand-alone courses (10am-5).

I would really recommend their "Lifeskills" workshop for your situation and the problems you describe:

http://www.learningaboutdogs.com/acatalog/Lifeskills.html

Hi, I have a two year old male dobermann (actually he is 2 day).  We have had quite alot of issues with him, well the main one though, he is stubborn.  At home he is really good, obedient etc.  In the park he is getting alot better, but if he sees something (specially a squirrel), it is as though he just is totally distracted, I have tried all sorts of treats, I even bake him liver (which he loves) and we use that, but he is just totally distracted and it is like he cannot hear.  I totally lost my confidence when out with him, he was so full on with other dogs, and he makes so much noise, people always thought he was aggressive.  I did have a registered behaviourist out to see him and I have continued following his programme and I must say I have him off lead alot more and I am gaining my confidence with him.  The one thing I do have is that he does not like me out of his sight.  The other day a dog from about 500 yards away came running up towards him, we were playing ball, anyway Mason saw him and no amount of treats or even his favourite ball made him then stop approaching the dog, the one thing I did was go in the opposite direction calling him, he actually then panicked "dog or me", he then came after me.  He has been real hard work but I love him too bits, I think that is my problem I probably have not been firm enough with him.  We had a male dobe before and he was completely different.  I do agree with what you have said about the classes though, I have attended a few different classes and am looking to go back now, one class I attended the lady was okay with the little dogs, but didn't seem too interested in my boy.

Hi dgibbo,

I do know of someone who is amazing with dobermanns, he is a qualified trainer and behaviourist and is one of those people dogs just click with, if you want me to get his details for you pm me, he does live in wales though and i dont think he is cheap but he is from my point of view "the dog whisperer" lol, i know of many dogs he has sorted out especially dobes that have had their owners in tears prior to turning to him.

sandy