Sadly we recently lost our Dobie. She was much loved but a bit naughty. She wouldn't walk on a lead and she was a nightmare in the car.
We tried barriers of various kinds which were no challenge to her at all. She usually managed to remove them in seconds. We eventually tried a cage but she hated it and hollered all the way to the destination. Soon we will be getting another Dobie and I would like to start off on the right foot. Does anyone know of a good traininer/class for my Dobie. My first Dobie went to puppy training classes but did not graduate. She was then bigger than all the other puppies. Her leaping around and enthusiasm upset owners of small breeds(understandably) so we retired.

Be careful when you choose your next puppy class as too much uncontrolled socialisation can cause/increase hyper behaviour. I would also suggest getting Gwen Bailey's The Perfect Puppy before you buy your new pup as it is full of good advice and is very readable.

Use your cage from day one so the pup is used to it, the cage should be the den and never ever used as a punishment

If you want people to suggest classes you will need to tell them where you live.
Anne

Hi I have a 16mth Dobe ,and I use a crate for him and its been a god send :)
As for the puppy classes I fell into the same trap as you -where he was the biggest pup and so seemed like the rowdiest -I agree with Anne about the uncontrolled socialisation ( I also did too much of that ) and have had a hard time teaching him that the sight of another dog does not mean playtime !!

Check out the local classes and make sure they have a good mix of dogs -Its no use you being in a class with a load of yorkies ( no offence to yorkies :D )
If you let us know whereabouts you are someone may be able to recommend somewhere for you
HTH
Liz :)

Thanks for the advice. I will certainly buy the book and take heed of the advice. I am determined to 'do it properly' this time. Is the 'cage' idea new? I have been recommended this by my vet. I live in the Bedford area (I forgot to mention it before) I would be very keen to hear of any peoples experiences of dog trining classes in my area. Also i may consider Obedience or Ringcraft. Any comments?

Hi

Training a Dobe puppy to be a "good citizen" takes a lot of time, effort and committment (and most of us who have them need committing!).

If your new pup is rowdy, and I will be surprised if she isn't, then you should persist and not give up on classes if she is a bit "over-enthusiastic".

There were a few threads set up for owners of new puppies - these are some of them and they link to the others
[link http://www.champdogs.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?tid=13668&hilite=advice%20for#91463] Advice to New Puppy Owners [/link] - includes various subjects that may be useful
Chewing
Mouthing & Biting .

A good place to ask about local classes should be your local pet shop - they will get to hear who is considered good and who is considered barely adequate

HTH
Christine

hi christine
i have sent you emails before and hope you can help this time my 18month dobe has always been good with other dogs he plays all the time with 2 golden labs but on sunday he ran to another lab that was not to friendly and it attacked him. i took him to the park today and let him off to play and he started to get nasty with the other dogs when they tried to play with him please could you help :(

Hi Sammie

I think it was you who asked both privately and on the board about feeding your 18 month skinny rescue Dobe - I replied to that on the board.

With regard to helping with specific dog to dog aggression, I cannot see what is going on in this particular case so I would suggest you find someone (ask your vet or pet shop?) who can go out with you and see exactly what is happening and can watch your, and the other, dog's body language

Christine

Thanks Christine, I sent you an email at work today regarding genealogy. I agree with you, my previous Dobie was very rowdy. I should have persevered. She wasn't a complete nuisance, in fact she was a lovely and loving dog. I realise now that many of the problems I had were of my own doing. (Sitting on the sofa, demanding attention etc) I am determined to go about it the correct way when i get my next pup.

Hi,

I have received and replied to your message - I think we can always learn from one dog what we intend to do, or not do, :) with our next.

Christine