Is There A Good Resource For Training Dobermans?

[LogoLept]

Hello MBDers.

I hope you are enjoying your Sundays thus far.

I was wondering if any of you could suggest a good resource for training dogs, specifically Dobermans.

We plan on getting some new doggos to protect our home and for us to love and enjoy.
According to the little research I've done they appear to be a very intelligent and healthy breed of dog, and I quite like their looks.
Like I said they are also for our protection. We don't live in an overtly safe neighbourhood,
and I've been feeling very unsafe and paranoid at night ever since our last dog passed from auto immune disease.

The "poisoned meat" situation always comes to mind, because I've always heard of intruders poisoning dogs with meat to get into yards,
but what also comes to mind is the Doberman scene from the 1979 James Bond film: Moonraker.
(The Dobies are both thrown a piece of meat, but refrain from eating it until instructed to.)

I would like to get our new dogs on that level.
I have looked at dog training courses on Udemy, but I am hesitant, and I would like some other feedback.

Any suggestions would be appreciated very much.

Thank you and warm regards.

 

[Ejeckt]

Do not use dogs for protection. Especially since you live in a bad neighborhood. Please don't get a "power" breed as this will just make it more likely the animal will get hurt.

At the very best your dog will bark and alert you to danger but it's not up to the dog to do anything. Get a firearm and sign up with a security company for an alarm. Reward your dogs with affection and a treat if they bark when they hear suspicious noise. Keep your dogs inside at night (and while you're away from home) as a deterrent and early warning system. Criminals don't care one bit about your "dangerous guard dogs" running around your yard. If your house gets targeted those animals will die a painful death by poisoning. Poison is cheap and easy to get and the police don't do anything. Don't kid yourself into thinking you can successfully train your dog into ignoring the poisoned meat.

The "power" breeds that you think will protect you will just make the dogs more likely to get hurt. Besides dog poisoning, dog theft is a massive issue. Just in July there was a doberman in Moreletapark (PTA) that was being stolen from it's yard (criminals stick their hands through the palisade and raise the dog over). A passing driver noticed the dog was distressed as it was being pulled harshly, so she stopped to help which caused a commotion the thief let go of the scared dog and ran for it. These "power" breeds are used in dog-fighting rings and even if the dog has no chance of winning the owner can make a few bucks for putting on a show.

Dog's don't work how you saw in that James Bond movie. If you must, contact a reputable dog trainer, doberman breeder (not a gumtree backyard breeder) or vet in your area and I guarantee they'll also advise you to drop the idea.

 

[Steamy Tom]

don't do it... dogs offer protection if kept indoors as a deterrent and notification system. Outside, particularly visible from the street they get stolen or poisoned.

you also mention doggos meaning probably 2, the worst thing you can do is buy 2 strong breed dogs at the same age and even worse if they are siblings and triple worse if they are both males. NO responsible breeder will sell you 2 dogs at the same time.

power breeds are not easy dogs to train or keep, they require lots of works and by their nature they are stubborn and hard to train, they are genetically prey driven and generally dog unfriendly unless socialised from a very early age (even then genetics can come into play and they can turn). If you have young kids it is a serious concern if the dogs aren't monitored and have good temperament.

To get a dog not to eat meat on the ground takes hours a day of training at various levels, particularly if they are prey driven strong breeds. My power breed dog did 2+ years of constant training with a trainer and privately with me and i promise you he will eat a dead bird or whatever he finds on the floor, he is driven by food.

Honestly get yourself a jack russel, keep him indoors at night and out of sight in the back during the day and see how you cope with him and take him to a proper trainer and see how it goes, if you handle him for 2 years then get yourself a bigger dog (female) and go through training again.

 

[Hamster]

I wouldn't keep them outside in this day and age. 20 odd years ago - sure, another country - sure. Here they'll get killed or stolen.

If you get a Jack Russell as was suggested, know what you are in for. Great dogs but they need lots of attention and lots of space. I grew up with them, love them but realistically it'll never work. There's a reason you find so many at animal shelters.

---- regardless ----

Why not take your dobes to puppy class and professional training?

Great dogs as far as I'm aware, btw. Never met an owner that wasn't completely in love with them. One guy even got a tattoo in memory of his that passed away and got himself another.

DON'T clip the ears

 

[Steamy Tom]

I wouldn't keep them outside in this day and age. 20 odd years ago - sure, another country - sure. Here they'll get killed or stolen.

If you get a Jack Russell as was suggested, know what you are in for. Great dogs but they need lots of attention and lots of space. I grew up with them, love them but realistically it'll never work. There's a reason you find so many at animal shelters.

---- regardless ----

Why not take your dobes to puppy class and professional training?

Great dogs as far as I'm aware, btw. Never met an owner that wasn't completely in love with them. One guy even got a tattoo in memory of his that passed away and got himself another.

DON'T clip the ears

The only reason i suggest the jacky was because they are a small terrier, so he can know what he is in store for. They are also small nightmares but slightly more manageable.

And yeah cropping or docking is not only illegal but cruel, please don't do it. Dobermans look way cooler with the long upright ears anyway.

 

[LogoLept]

Thank you so much for the feedback.

@Ejeckt I see what you are saying. Apologies. We don't mean to use the dogs as a defence, but indeed only as a deterrent and an early warning.
(We have a tightly knit and responsive neighbourhood & security group in case something starts going down.)

We've always had Bull Terriers. We've had burglar activity everywhere around us, but never have they intruded at our place in the last 2 decades *touch wood*.
My family strongly believes it is because of the dogs we kept. We are also quite aware of the dog theft & fighting reports.

We are more motivated to get these dogs simply because we love dogs and they are beautiful dogs, and its reassuring to know that they will be looking out for us and alerting us while we sleep.
I see now how my query can be misinterpreted. (This is my second post on mybroadband.)
I know the movie Dobermans are a bit unrealistic, but I'm not familiar with dog training, and I was curious. Thanks for clearing that up.
Will definitely consider professional training.

I've read a statistic on our security group that small dogs residing indoors are the number one deterrent for intruders not to break in,
but we will very likely get Dobermans, and we will definitely look after them dearly. (We're not fans of small dogs. It's not an ego thing.)
That being said:
How healthy are Dobermans in the long run?
(The Bull Terriers we've kept were always prone to skin conditions.)

I'll definitely share with my family what you've posted.
Thank you once again.