Doberman Training

Doberman Obedience training is another fundamental part of raising a happy and well mannered Dobe. Once they have learned to follow a certain command, it would be easier for dog owners to control their pets and maintain order in the household. It is not necessary to enroll your Dobes in a training camp. Naturally Dobermans posses an uncanny intelligence that make them trainable. Here are some rules when you start Doberman training at home:

1. Choose the best time and place.

Since it’s better to start your Doberman Pinscher Obedience training while the dog is still a pup, choose a place and time when there is minimal distraction. Young puppies are curious and easily distracted. Find a place and time convenient for you as long as the surrounding offers little distraction.

2. Start with basic Commands.

You can start teaching your Dobes with basic and useful commands. Examples of basic commands are: Come, Sit, Lie Down, Stay, and Fetch. When these commands are mastered, it is easier to teach them advance commands like tricks and more complex words such as ‘up’, ‘spin’, and ‘bed’.


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3. Reinforce the positive behavior.

Giving reinforcements like praises, food treats or patting would let the dog know that what he has done is right. When you offer reinforcement you have to be consistent and make sure they are given after the dog has obeyed the command. Do not give positive reinforcement when the dog’s performance is lacking. This would result to sloppy obedience.

4. Never Punish for mistakes.

Negative behavior should be trained out as early as possible. One way to correct a wrong action is giving a firm “NO”. Studies have shown that Doberman don’t react positively to physical punishment.  This would lead to mistrust and feeling of insecurity.

5. Be consistent.

Consistency in giving commands and reinforcement is the foundation of Doberman Obedience training. When you use the word “sit” for sitting, avoid using other terms like “sit down” or “down” when you talk to your dog. Using different words will lead to confusion. In addition, orient your household about the words that you have used as commands. Also, teach them how to correct your puppy’s undesirable behaviors.

6. Done on a Daily Basis.

Doberman training should be done on a daily basis for about 5 to 10 minutes.  Make sure that your dog isn’t bored all throughout. You can play with your Dobes while you’re teaching. Doberman are highly energetic breeds, they get easily bored and bored Doberman can be unhappy and destructive.

Obedience lesson isn’t limited on teaching the basic commands. When your Dobe shows unruly behavior, you have to curb them out. That’s the real obedience training. Like, if you see him chewing your shoes, give your pup a firm ‘NO’ and offer his toy. This way they will know what’s unacceptable.  Include your family in the training, this will ensure consistency and uniformity. You should always be in control.
Untrained puppy will to a destructive and unmanageable Doberman.

There will be times when the dog needs to be put on crates for convenience purposes. Like an overnight stay in vets, during long journey or when you have a house party. Instead of alarming your Dobermans during these events, it is best to start them into Doberman crate training before the need arise. It is best to start the Doberman training while your dog is a young pup. These guidelines will help dog owners achieve a successful Doberman Pinscher Crate training:

1. Never  use it as a form of punishment.

Crate training should provide the Doberman puppy a safe haven. Kennel resembles a pen and Doberman puppies by nature are kept secured in small dens while the adults leave to hunt. If you use the crate as a form of punishment, this will form mistrust on the owner and view the crate as alarming and a dreadful place.

2. Consider the Size of the Crate.

Doberman grows fast. Make sure that your crate can house the puppy until it reaches its adult size. Or you could put the puppy in a smaller crate and purchase a bigger when the puppy has outgrown its crate. It is important that the crate allows the dog to stand, turn and lie down. You can also provide a blanket and toy to chew to provide more comfort for your Doberman pets.


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3. Use simple commands like “In your house” when training.

Puppies don’t automatically comprehend the “in your house” command so you can start your training by putting the puppy inside the crate by hand. Sooner, they will begin to associate the command with the crate and enter it.

4. Barking is expected.

Barking protest is expected especially in the first few days of the training. This is normal and the puppy will cool down once it’s exhausted. But never remove the puppy while on protest. No matter how disheartening the puppy’s cry is, you should be firm while on training. If the barking continues relentlessly, distract the puppy by startling him. You can throw an empty can to divert its attention. Make sure to offer a toy while inside the crate to lessen the puppy’s boredom. Sometimes, they bark not because of protest, but because of the feeling of isolation. It is better to provide soft music while they’re on the crate and put them in the family room.

5. Safety and Hygiene.

Don’t forget to remove your Dobe’s collar when you put your pets inside the crate. They might lead to accidental entanglement and will strangle the puppy. Also make sure that the kennel is sturdy to hold the Doberman, especially when it has grown its full size.  Feeding the Dobermans while in crates is discouraged. But if you plan to do so, make sure to clean the crate. Food is a good medium for bacterial growth, it might cause skin diseases to the Dobe.

When done correctly, Doberman crate training would benefit not just the dog but the owners as well. Later, the dog will find the crate as a home.

Doberman Training is best started while the dog is still a puppy. The best age for training Doberman Puppies is about when its 7 weeks old. By then, the puppy is already weaned and it’s independent from its mother. The most basic concepts the owners need to train the puppies are Authority, socialization and habits. Imposing these critical concepts would make Doberman training easier in the long run.

Authority. Training a Doberman puppy starts by establishing who’s in authority, if it’s clear to the puppies, discipline would be much easier. While they are in their nest, mother Dobermans impose authority by snarling or growling. The young pups see this as a sort of discipline and they behave. For dog owners, “NO” would suffice followed by a positive reinforcement after the desired behavior is achieved. Avoid using physical punishments as a form of discipline. Authority could also be imposed by cuddling and stroking the puppy and giving them their needs. This would gain the puppy’s trust and respect. It is best to impose authority based on trust and respect than pain-inflicting type of punishment.


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Socialization. Dobermans, though aggressive in behavior, can be sociable. Puppies are like sponge, they absorb everything in their environment. You can start exposing them to strangers and other dogs at a very young age. If you put them in the same situation all the time, they would get familiar with it. This is how you train them to be friendly to other people and animals. However, make sure to keep a safe environment when you expose your young puppy to children. Keep the puppy well secured and there’s an adult watching them. Never allow any child or stranger to strike the puppy, this would leave a great impact on the puppy and would develop a mistrust on people.

Forming Habits. Puppyhood is the most critical period for dogs. Provide a daily routine that is convenient for both the dog and the owner. You can start the puppy’s day by walking him out or feeding him. Be consistent and spontaneous, once the puppy has established the routine the dog will carry it out throughout his Dog life. If the Doberman pup has shown a dislikable habit, provide discipline. For example, if the puppy is walking ahead of you, just lightly tug them back at your side. It is also important to give positive rewards such as praise and stroking once they’ve followed an order. Positive reinforcement motivates the pup to keep on pleasing you. Another example is biting and chewing. It’s normal for Dobe pups to bite. It’s their means of exercising their jaw muscles. Discipline them by saying “No” and provide them appropriate toys to redirect their biting and chewing.

Training a Doberman puppy is easier when you have these three concepts established in your puppies. Always keep in mind that the things your puppy is doing now, are the things that they would probably do when they’re full grown dogs. Hence, correct all the unwanted behavior your dog shows while he’s still a puppy.