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He's 3 months old and from a pedigree stock; has training in basic commands, may need more socialising as he's a little shy to begin with but starting to warm up. I'm taking him home on Friday. He already has a name but I want to change it to my own preference. It's kind of a windfall, the woman I got it from, she's still mourning the loss of her Dobie of 13 yrs and her friend gave her this pup to see if it would with her grief but it does not. She decided to better find a new home... spoke with a few people who came to look at it... didn't get a good vibes from them, but after she spoke with me and I visited her and the dog... we both knew (she, me, the dog lol!) that it's a done deal. I can tell he'll be a great pet, good runner, already tall for 3 months... i've rec'd his papers, etc... from a good lineage. So my patience and wait for the right dog, so far, has paid off.
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Yay! *insert IRIE smilie here*
Pictures please -
congratulations SandiF
If you don't fight for what you deserve, you deserve what you get.
We are > Fossil Fuels --- Bill McKibben 350.orgComment
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aww sweet. other people's doggies are cool. Picture soon please.Comment
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I plan to take some pics of him tomorrow... And his name is Triton, named after the Greek demigod of the big seas.
Even though the AKC paper say he'll be 4 mths Nov 1, the vet said he is more likely to be 4 mths at the end of the November month... he said that by just looking at his teeth and this vet is one of the best, if not the best in my area.
I took him for a 4 mile run today. He wore me out. He's a good runner and has a whole lot of energy. He's listens to my commands "Sit" "Go" "No" and I hand signal to him to enter his crate, which he does but soon after he starts to whine but I ignore him and shortly after, he gets quiet and settles down.
I'm so used to my previous dog, the cool, mild, mellow, easy going and dearly beloved Blackdog. I know this dog will not be like Black, so there's going to be some "human training" to get used to the demeanor and personality of a new dog.Comment
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I AM SOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I also can't wait for pictures! Helga was 3 months old when I brought her home. It is a perfect age to be able to start learning. Have fun, enjoy...name him what you want and always remember they are very sensitive and all they want to do is please you, in an over achiever kind of way, as in over the top trying. It will be a while till you have a solid running buddy but when he grows up he will be perfect! Happy happy!!! Being owned by a Doberkid is the best. Happy Happy joy joy!!!Comment
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PS, on the crate whining (which he will do, as he wants always to be as close to you as possible because Dobies are extremely "needy"), Cover the crate with a dark colored blanket or such, always making sure there are air holes of course, so just cover the front half or so, but he door so he can't see you. If he makes a ruckus you can give a loud enough tap to get his attention on the side/top of the crate and tell him "No Triton!", like you mean it, but not over the top to scare him. The trick is to be consistent. Don't just let him cry thinking he will stop, because it don't work, and don't reward him for it either . A nice basted bone from the pet store, or some cooked pet bones, or a bully stick and some toys are good so he will have something to do, and feed him in the crate as well and he will learn to like it in there... He probably needs to go out every 3-4 hours at night still, for a couple more weeks. Generally, if he goes to sleep and wakes up and stirs, he has to go out.
Happy baby raising. I would do it again if I had room for another one..Comment
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Hey Sandi, how is it going? I am anxiously awaiting a picture or two and looking forward to hearing how you and Triton are doing! I so wanted one of Helga's sisters from this year's litter but I just don't have room. It was so fun to raise her from a baby..Comment
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I took some pics with the camera and haven't had time to put on computer for web viewing.
Honestly, he is a handful. I'm getting used to his routine (sleep, eating, potty) and he loves my routine (running) and it has become more than an adventure (running) for him. He has an habit of jumping on us after he has not seen us for hours. I'm raising my knee and push him off with a firm "no" but the more I do it, the more it fuels him to keep jumping. He sees it as a game.
I'm reading and doing all that the books say to stop this "jumping on people" behavior but none working. I literally feel as if my runs are hijacked by him lol! We start out walking at a brisk pace for 1/4 mile, then it develops into a quick trot at 1/2 mile, then it is a full blown out run. I've been timing my runs with him and my pace has gotten faster in the past week. Overall, he and I are averaging 9 miles per day -- that is, 2 miles in the a.m.; 5 miles in the early evening; 2 miles before I call it a night and he goes into his crate and calls it a day. He is a good strong runner and he has so much energy, it is amazing. He is growing at a very fast rate, eat healthy and I've noticed that he is no longer gobbling up his food. He goes to his crate at night time. The deck is huge and sheltered and he enjoys being out there, keeping an eye on things. lol!
Whatever you can share is appreciated, Nanook!Comment
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Sandy, if there is a dog training session designed specifically for "kindergarten" age dogs if you can possibly manage to go, it would be majorly to your benefit. My guess is Fall session classes are now full and underway and the next sessions will start after the holidays, probably the 2nd week of January or so. BUT...you might want to check as classes may now just be getting underway. Sessions usually last around 10 weeks, one night a week for one hour each night. Usually Kindergarten class is designated for ages 12 weeks to 4 -5 months or so, so by January you will likely go into Beginners Obedience, which is usually restricted to 6 months of old or older. For Triton's age determination, go by what is on his registration papers.. There is no greater way to learn your way around your dog, to learn how to work on the jumping problem and the socializing opportunity for both you and Triton will be invaluable. Now that you own one of the most powerful and intelligent of all dog breeds, I would say you NEED to do this, since you are in such uncharted personal territory. I don't take this advice lightly, even though I have been training dogs for decades, I felt it necessary to bring Helga to class and it wasn't one minute wasted. It can be fun, as well as something you can look forward to doing with Triton that is "special, for you two alone". Doberman's need this kind of thing maybe more than any other breed, because they are very emotionally needy, they are very smart, and they need the challenge to learn new things all the time and are more intelligent than you or I will ever be able to understand which is why I have been joined at the hip by them for almost 40 years now.
One thing you don't want to do is have your running sessions your only personal time. The more you teach, the more fun you and Triton will have because I swear, it will start to seem to seem like Triton can read your mind but mostly he will read your body language more than anything, so the more you show him the better. HE WANTS MORE THAN ANYTHING TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT HIM TO DO Dobermans are in the overachiever category personality wise a (Working Group so they are bred to work) and over the top want to know what you want them to do RIGHT NOW and they want to do it TEN TIMES to make sure it is good enough. Praise. Your big key is praise, and for now when you need to put Triton into a state of mind where he isn't going to jump on you, then pull gently on his collar upward (gently), while you put pressure on his rear to have him go into the SIT position, while saying one word SIT. Or, Triton SIT, like you mean it, because you are not asking a question! PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE!! The sit may only last a second but it is a SIT! Give him a treat. I will come back tomorrow with some links on that, and I will look for some videos for you too...
If when you teach him the word SIT you also use a hand signal, soon you will not have to say a word, he will know his sign language. The same goes with STAY. Once you get Trtion to SIT for a treat, then start putting your hand up and saying STAY, while holding the treat. When Triton moves, you say "NO, STAY, whole holding your hand up like in stop, after putting his butt back into a SIT position. If he stays for 2 seconds, you tell him "GOOD BOY STAY! Like you mean it, because that is what he is looking for is praise. Tone of voice is also important. Any command should not sound like a question and any praise should not sound like a command. The more enthusiastic you are with your praise the better it will br for both Triton and you, and soon you never have to say a word once they learn the two commands together). Sit & stay will be two of your most important commands especially for the jumping and you won't have to say a word..
Treat training is great if Triton is food driven you just offer him a treat every single time he does something you ask, beware, he will start doing them when you aren't asking hoping for the treat because as I have been saying, over the top smart guy is in your house now! Do not reward for spontaneous actions without being asked as it will inspire all kinds of funny thinking and and scheming by Triton because their brains are 100% of the time ON.
Waiting on pics!Last edited by Nanook; 11-04-2012, 09:24 AM.Comment
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OK, I have some links and stuff for you to start with. This page will be a good start on getting familiar with "positive reinforcement" and "shaping" dog training. It is the method I used on Helga and was absolutely, without a doubt the most fun I have ever had in dog class. One thing I didn't specify last night, is never repeat yourself when you teach or give commands. Triton SIT! Should only have to be said once. If he doesn't perform after once, then it is on you to physically put him into a SIT, not tell him twice. The once only part of dog training is KEY.
OK, here is one page to get you started.. (I don't know how the link thing works with this new set up here so I am just copy/pasting addresses for now.
This is a wonderful video which shows a pretty neat trick, and you will notice the treat offering which is what I was talking about, as well as pay attention to the trainers voice and watch her hands as she works with this 6 month old:
From what I have seen, Victoria Stilwell does a fantastic job of teaching and you could probably gain tons of knowledge by studying her methods:
Here, Victoria explains the SIT, which is what Triton needs to begin to learn not to jump. Victoria does an excellent job of training this pup to SIT, without having to pull on the collar and put his behind on the floor, either way is great, as long as he learns to do it first time he is asked.
You can probably learn a whole lot by reading and watching Victoria's video's but I still can't give enough props to actual class because there your Triton would learn to pay close attention to You in a setting that is distracting because of all the other dogs and their people. A well socialized Doberman is a beautiful thing, and remember, the tiring Triton out by running is good only to an extent he gets exercise, but just tiring him out is not your goal, teaching him to be a good canine citizen is very important so he will be under your control at all times and only focus on YOU, which will take a long time of you being consistent/leader. The smartness of the Dobies is a blessing and that blessing can go horribly wrong if not structured because their huge brains are always thinking, and they can get into a whole lot of mischief if left to their own devices.
Most of all HAVE FUN with it!
PS...here is a page on Amazon with the training treats that work so well because they are tiny. Helga loved them but for some reason they upset her tummy so I would cook her a small roast beef and cut tiny pieces and store them in baggies in the freezer. I don't know why the treats upset her tummy, I never heard of another dog having that problem but that is just one more thing to make sure you know about Dobermans is this" because of their huge deep chests, they are prone to Bloating, which is almost always fatal, so careful what and how much you feed him at one time. I serve helga her food twice a day not all the way soaked or anything, but I cover her food with warm water, which will likely prevent her from sucking in air as she eats. Also, food changes should only be done over a period of time, with the new food introduced in small amounts gradually adding more over the period of a week or so. They have very sensitive tummies.
Dog training treat link: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_4527hhwiv1_eComment
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Yoooo hooo Sandi!! How is it going? I have been looking to see if you have posted, hope all is well.Comment
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pictures
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Hi Steph. Yes, all is going well and I've been meaning to put my thoughts together for a response to you.
I've been feeling very worn out since the past 3 weeks... Alot of it have to do with I'm not "mommy material" and I'm a very solitary person who likes to move at free will. I understand how my previous pooch fitted into my lifestyle because he was a solitary dog who did not require the pampering, petting and constant attention, which the young Doberman does. Blackdog was pretty much "take me for a walk, give me food, rub my head whenever I need it, and I'll make a good four legged friend." Blackdog and I understood each other
Triton "Africa" (I gave him this nickname) is a hands on dog and I mean literally hands on! He is getting better with listening to my commands and much better at walking on a short relaxed leash. He does something that we both hate... jumping on us. It is a little out of control and frustrating. Today was first day of obedience class at Petsmart and he showed the instructor the areas he is good in... walking steadily at my side. Being relaxed and friendly around other dogs and basic command (sit and eye contact) but the jumping... it will take a while to correct.
I'm getting more workout than I need... Let's see... I walk him at 6am, if I'm working from home, I'll take him for a walk around noon or 1pm, then power walk around 5 to 7pm, walking around 11pm to midnight. I sleep little at nights, so i'm up at some hour between 2am to 4am walking him. I enjoy the walks but I'm already anxious for the puppy years to go by rapidly, sans grey hair. He is growing at a fast rate and gained 20 lbs in 1 week. He will be a big boy. I'm enjoying the little pooch but he is a handful!
I'll keep reminding myself to take the pics off my husband's phone!Comment
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