New Doberman Pup

TommyT

4 weeks ago we bought a Doberman pup, he is now 14 weeks old and one thing is beginning to worry me. When he meets or even hears another dog barking he runs away. I would go as far as to say he is quite timid where other dogs are concerned. He is the total opposite where people are concerned, he loves the attention he gets from passers by or visitors to the house. Is this something he will grow out of, I know 14 weeks is quite young.
He is a house dog, but I would like him to be able to interact with other dogs and not shake with fear.

peasant

Find yourself a neighbour or friend with a proven friendly adult dog and then find yourself a nice secure area (fenced in garden etc) where you can let the two of them off the lead and have some fun.

Repeat as often as possible and with different dogs.

TommyT

I was thinking of doing something like that, but I was also hoping that he would grow out of this. He is quite a big dog, certainly bigger than I would have thought a dog that age would be, but yesterday we were walking on the beach and he was approached by a very friendly Springer Spaniel, it took me 10 minutes to catch him.
I was also told by a friend that because we are keeping him in the house, this may also affect him as he isnt used to the sound of other dogs. Cant see that being the case as he spends a fair bit of time in the garden. He is a great dog in every other way, but I would like to rectify this.

Whispered

I agree with peasant. He needs to be socialised, if he's not, he probably wont grow out of it. Maybe obedience classes would be good, as he will be with other dogs but encouragd to focus on you?

Vinnie K

helena.ryan wrote: »

I agree with peasant. He needs to be socialised, if he's not, he probably wont grow out of it. Maybe obedience classes would be good, as he will be with other dogs but encouragd to focus on you?

The other lads said it all rally, socialising at a young age really is very important.

peasant

TommyT wrote: »

I would like to rectify this.

and so you should !

What is fear and shyness now could turn into aggression at a later stage ...something you don't want in a dog as big and strong as a Dobi.

Either find some freindly neighbourhood dogs or go to puppy classes ...but do it quickly, there is only a small window of opportunity for "easy and natural" socialising. Leave it for too long and it will be a long, drawn out (and frustrating) process.

jameshayes

I agree with all the comments above. Espically peasants comment about it turning to aggression later on. Try keeping him on the lead and walking him close to other dogs in the park, but stay close to him and keep talking to him. You can also get him to sit and get down on your hunkers and wait for the other dog to pass you. This will teach him that it is ok for other dogs to walk close to him and you.

At 14 weeks a dobie can be a handfull, just make sure you lead train as soon as possible properly because he'll be walking you otherwise!

TommyT

He is walking on the lead with no problems and I have got down and gave him reassurance when we have met other dogs, but he is still very afraid. I am going to try him later with my neighbours dog. Its quite old and very friendly and hopefully he will get along ok with it.
Thanks for all the replies.

lightening

More and more socialisation! That's all he needs. If you are around Raheny I can arrange to meet, my dog is friendly and well socialised.

peasant

just to make that clear:

Don't just drag the two dogs past each other on their leads, because once people are involved on the other end of the lead, the rules change and dogs act differently.

Give them a chance to interact (play) with each other freely, give them some time doing so and don't be overly "mothering" while they're at it.

as an aside:

Giving "reassurance" to your dog when it is afraid is a two edged sword. While you mean well, you are probably reassuring its fear and not the dog.

When dealing with a fearful dog, the key is to act as nonchalantly as possible yourself. You are its leader and its reference point. If you act as if everything is normal and the way it's supposed to be, he will take that as his cue not to be afraid.

If, on the other hand, you make a fuss, you will only confirm his suspiscion that something strange is afoot and that he'd better be worried

TommyT

Who ever said this was easy?

jameshayes

the things we do eh!

TommyT

Had him out in the garden this evening with the next door neighbours dog. He was a bit cautious at first, but he was much better after 10 minutes. We didnt make a fuss or show any concern and after 20 minutes he had his tail up and was chasing the other dog around. He has still a bit to go, but it was an encouraging start.
Thanks for all the advice.

Whispered

Well done! Let us know what happens next!:D

peasant

Great to see it worked!

Now, rinse and repeat

TommyT

Will be repeated tomorrow night, weather permitting. The neighbours dog is pretty old, but hes a gentle soul and is very un-threatening. Just what we need at the minute.

AckwelFoley

Hmm, those Fianna Fail puppies can be a little shy because the whole country seems to hate them

Hes only a puppy, ive one too and shes the same.. she needs to interact with other dogs if possible, i am doing thaat with my one and shes getting better

Alfasudcrazy

I got my two dobies (brother & sister) as 12 week old pups. Both were very shy of other dogs for a few weeks and would start whimpering and trying to run away if another dog even barked at them.

Both dogs have very different personalities - the male dobe was always more friendly and outgoing and the female a reserved 'don't suffer fools gladly' type.

I always allowed them to go and chat?? with other dogs when they were young but always had them on their leads so they I suppose felt that as a bit of extra security.

Now they are quite comfortable with other dogs and often are just completely indifferent to them which is great from a control point of view. So they do grow out of it.

I think generally though that owning a dobie by himself is not a good idea - you should really get another dog so that it can have a constant buddy. Dobies get bored by themselves and no matter how much human attention they get its just not enough for them in my opinion and they are alwways hyper and over excited when they meet other dogs as a result.

TommyT

We have talked about getting another dog, but would like to leave it for a while. I want a Golden Retriever, the Boss wanted a Dobi or an English Bull Terrier. He has a little bit of company in the form of a cat, but I expect he will tire of the cat as he gets older.
The cat was more than a little put out by the dogs arrival, but she came round slowly.