View Full Version : Doberman & Kids
zaidoo
10-06-2006, 05:06 PM
My friend who is buying a doberman puppy (born on 25th June) wants to know if the puppy male doberman will be suitable for a 2 year old boy and a 4 year old girl in the house. What other useful tips can you give for the puppy? his grooming; exercise and fooding. Thanks!
Has he ever had a dobe or more challenging breed before? If not then no a male dobe is probally nto a good first go.
My boys great with kids but he does forget how big be is and has knocked them down.
cindr
10-06-2006, 06:23 PM
If it were I and I was a novice in the area, I would take the time to go to differant breeders, trainers that own a Dob. Why, well not everyone should own a Dob. Check out Temperments, sit and just talk to the breeder if they are a qualified breeder they would never lead your friend astray. Now if it were a back yard breeder then he/she could care less. They just want your money.
Yes they are a very impressive breed, they hold all aspects beauty and dominance. So if I were the breeder, I would take them time to give you a few tips as to male or female. To be honest with you I personally suggest a female over and above a male Dob for a family. Females tend to take on the nuturing aspect of the game. Where as a male is alouf and all about himself.
Now this is not each and every male Dob. Although generally the male Dob attempts to dominate the situation no matter what.
zaidoo
10-06-2006, 07:07 PM
If it were I and I was a novice in the area, I would take the time to go to differant breeders, trainers that own a Dob. Why, well not everyone should own a Dob. Check out Temperments, sit and just talk to the breeder if they are a qualified breeder they would never lead your friend astray. Now if it were a back yard breeder then he/she could care less. They just want your money.
Yes they are a very impressive breed, they hold all aspects beauty and dominance. So if I were the breeder, I would take them time to give you a few tips as to male or female. To be honest with you I personally suggest a female over and above a male Dob for a family. Females tend to take on the nuturing aspect of the game. Where as a male is alouf and all about himself.
Now this is not each and every male Dob. Although generally the male Dob attempts to dominate the situation no matter what.
No he never had a Dobe before but he's buying a dobby from a guy who's been breeding dobberman for the last 18 years. He's not a backyard breeder. That guy puts a lot in his dobers and trains them too till he sells. These dobes are pedigreed and so my friend is concerned if the 3 1/2 month old dobe puppy would be safe and good with his kids.
jess2416
10-06-2006, 07:12 PM
you know what... nvr mind..
cindr
10-06-2006, 07:36 PM
No he never had a Dobe before but he's buying a dobby from a guy who's been breeding dobberman for the last 18 years. He's not a backyard breeder. That guy puts a lot in his dobers and trains them too till he sells. These dobes are pedigreed and so my friend is concerned if the 3 1/2 month old dobe puppy would be safe and good with his kids.
Sure a 31/2 month old Dob is okay with a child. Although as a Dob owner and breeder myself. I would personaly lead the novice Dob purchaser to the direction of a female.
vanillasugar
10-06-2006, 07:41 PM
My question would be more along the lines of "are the children going to be good for the dog?"
A young puppy is still impressionable. So long as the children are taught to respect the dog and treat it properly, it should be just fine.
cindr
10-06-2006, 07:53 PM
My question would be more along the lines of "are the children going to be good for the dog?"
A young puppy is still impressionable. So long as the children are taught to respect the dog and treat it properly, it should be just fine.
Quite TRUE
bubbatd
10-06-2006, 08:41 PM
The parents will really have to keep their eyes on the kids !! AND REALLY work with the pup !! No rough housing ... no tug of wars .... no games that involve growling ( except with other pups ). And check food aggression from day one. There are many breeds I would have loved .... but knowing we wanted a family , I stayed with Goldens , which I knew.
Toller_08
10-06-2006, 08:51 PM
Dobermans in the right hands make wonderful family pets, and great companions for a child. I have a feeling your friend doesn't have a clue what he's getting in to. I have a Doberman and know plenty others as my friend has been breeding them for years. They are wonderful dogs, but not for somebody who hasn't spent a whole lot of time with challenging breeds. A Doberman nrequires somebody who has dealt with dogs before and knows how to keep up with an energetic, athletic, protective, etc. breed such as the Doberman. If your friend truly is getting his dog from an excellent breeder he wouldn't be having to ask anyone but his breeder whether the breed in general gets along well with children. If the breeder is any good, he will tell him how much and how often he should be feeding his dog and he should already know what sort of grooming is involved in this breed. I have my doubts that your friend has actually found a great breeder, as (especially in this breed) they are few and far between. Of course, this is all just my opinion.
zaidoo
10-06-2006, 09:42 PM
Dobermans in the right hands make wonderful family pets, and great companions for a child. I have a feeling your friend doesn't have a clue what he's getting in to. I have a Doberman and know plenty others as my friend has been breeding them for years. They are wonderful dogs, but not for somebody who hasn't spent a whole lot of time with challenging breeds. A Doberman nrequires somebody who has dealt with dogs before and knows how to keep up with an energetic, athletic, protective, etc. breed such as the Doberman. If your friend truly is getting his dog from an excellent breeder he wouldn't be having to ask anyone but his breeder whether the breed in general gets along well with children. If the breeder is any good, he will tell him how much and how often he should be feeding his dog and he should already know what sort of grooming is involved in this breed. I have my doubts that your friend has actually found a great breeder, as (especially in this breed) they are few and far between. Of course, this is all just my opinion.
No he has really found a great breeder who isn't here to make money. He went and saw about a dozen doberman and came home heart broken cause he didn't like the way they were kept. He was then told by his friend Kaz who for one has devoted life for dogs and has kept almost every breed possible that a certian breeder just breeds doberman for the last 18 years and has quality trained puppies raised by himself.
When my friend visited he came to know that the doberman was extremely healthy and trained and happy. The breeder spend a whole **** lot on the dog just unlike other breeders. So what u say now? The above information is correct and my friend is willing to take him for 2 miles walk and training every day so the concern remains for children. I assume a puppy of this calibre should become an awesome companion with children.
zaidoo
10-06-2006, 09:45 PM
Further more the breeder will do the remaining work as taking him for a final check to the vet; ears done and registration stuff before handling the puppy.
doberkim
10-07-2006, 04:15 PM
so what does it matter what we think if you actually dont want to hear any differing opinions? why do we even bother wasting our breath?
nothing you have said makes me think this is a responsible breeder - i cannot think of someone that would place a male dobe pup in a novice home that has two kids under the age of 4.
dr2little
10-07-2006, 04:25 PM
so what does it matter what we think if you actually dont want to hear any differing opinions? why do we even bother wasting our breath?
nothing you have said makes me think this is a responsible breeder - i cannot think of someone that would place a male dobe pup in a novice home that has two kids under the age of 4.
This is so true.
I can't imagine what this breeder could possibly be thinking sending a male dobie pup home with to an inexperienced home with small children.:confused: While it CAN work, the risk of problems for this pup and family are too many to justify placing his pup in this home.
I just spent two hours helping a novice family with a tiny 10 week old Havanese puppy that they're "having problems" with...and their kids are 10, 9, and 7. Just because he has his heart set on a dobie doesn't mean it's the right "first" dog for his family.
bubbatd
10-07-2006, 05:40 PM
Echo..echo..echo Dr2 !!!
zaidoo
10-08-2006, 12:12 PM
Doberman puppy is coming home on 11th October. All the tips and suggestions required! How to make him the best doberman ever? Thanks
bubbatd
10-08-2006, 01:15 PM
Give her the book " How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With ".
my suggestion since YOU are getting a GSD puppy in a week as well, is to join up and find a really good obedience class for BOTH yourselves and your puppies.
diane
doberkim
10-08-2006, 10:34 PM
why do you even ask for advice if you never like anything anyone has to tell you?
my advice? tell your friend to adopt an adult doberman that has been tested around kids and needs a home - NOT a male puppy.
Amalthea
10-09-2006, 01:08 PM
Since you are already getting the puppy, my best advice is to SOCIALIZE like crazy, with both adults, children and other dogs... and I think this can make a big difference in the temperament of dogs who are often feared by the public for their reputations -- Dobermans, pit bulls, rottweilers, wolfdogs, etc. Let many people play with, pet, cuddle, and love the puppy. Let the puppy play with other well-trained dogs who are tolerant of puppies, this may help him learn to not be aggressive toward other dogs, and he might even imitate and learn from the behavior of the older dog. NEVER keep him on a chain or leave him alone for long periods of time. Ideally someone should be at home to watch him practically all the time. I know this is not always possible, but being lonely and bored leads to all sorts of problems, especially for a large breed dog. Also have him fixed as soon as possible. Obedience classes will help A LOT if you can afford them!
Boemy
10-09-2006, 01:44 PM
I think that's a very poor choice for a novice dog owner, especially one with such young children. Dobermans are great dogs . . . IF the owner knows what he's doing.
If he's deadset on getting the dog, I recommend tons of socialization and obedience classes.
I also cannot think of a responsible breeder that would be willing to place a male pup in a novice home with young children.
Socialization is a must, as is a very firmly structured environment for the pup to live in. I personally wouldn't ever leave the dog in the room with a 2 year old unless there was someone diligently watching their interaction and preparing to interfere if the kid's actions got out of hand. It isn't that Dobermans in particular are not trustworthy with kids, it's that dogs are dogs and kids are kids. While some dogs are mellow enough to tolerate rough handling from kids, some of the more high-energy, high-strung breeds may get too excited or irritated.
An acquaintance of mine has Dobes and young kids, but she is also a highly experienced trainer. Both her dogs and her kids are extraordinarily well behaved.
A large, strong male dog, a couple of young kids that don't know any better and an owner who has no IDEA how to handle his dog is a disaster waiting to happen. All I can recommend is LOTS of daily socialization, obedience classes from a young age, and extreme caution when the dog and kids are together.
Cole's Mom
10-10-2006, 05:07 PM
I also cannot think of a responsible breeder that would be willing to place a male pup in a novice home with young children.
Socialization is a must, as is a very firmly structured environment for the pup to live in. I personally wouldn't ever leave the dog in the room with a 2 year old unless there was someone diligently watching their interaction and preparing to interfere if the kid's actions got out of hand. It isn't that Dobermans in particular are not trustworthy with kids, it's that dogs are dogs and kids are kids. While some dogs are mellow enough to tolerate rough handling from kids, some of the more high-energy, high-strung breeds may get too excited or irritated.
An acquaintance of mine has Dobes and young kids, but she is also a highly experienced trainer. Both her dogs and her kids are extraordinarily well behaved.
A large, strong male dog, a couple of young kids that don't know any better and an owner who has no IDEA how to handle his dog is a disaster waiting to happen. All I can recommend is LOTS of daily socialization, obedience classes from a young age, and extreme caution when the dog and kids are together.
I second this posting. It is not that the dog is a dobe, it is the novice dog owner and child factors that are important. Toss in the dobe and you have an alarming situation. I too would never leave a small child alone with any dog. And this puppy is going to get big and strong quickly. I am surprised that the breeder let it go to this home.
Socializing and training are very important. So is careful monitoring and "training" of all the children in the household. They need to learn how to live with a dog.
Cole's Mom
bubbatd
10-10-2006, 05:19 PM
Thanks for posting Dob owners ! You know the breed !
Doberluv
11-02-2006, 01:00 PM
Bad idea all together. If this person is asking these questions, they are not ready for a Doberman, especially a male. That statement about males being aloof and females being nurturing is off the mark by a long shot. Males are known by most Doberman fanciers to be "in your face affectionate." Females are sometimes thought to be affectionate on their terms. My male is the most affectionate and loyal dog I've ever owned. It's not all about him as was written in a previous post. It's all about me. LOL. This dog is so into his owner and family, it isn't even funny. However, males can be more pushy, more determined, less easily dissuaded. Someone really should know something about training and training properly before getting a Doberman of either sex.
They're fine with kids when raised together, but they do often have a high prey drive, so a running little child can really set them into action. They need constant monitoring and supervision. They're very rough puppies, don't know their own strength and are not easy to handle. Too much frustration or anger, punishment, heavy handedness will absolutely ruin a Doberman. New dog owners who don't have the tools tend to resort to improper handling, including anger and harshness or they let a dog walk all over them, equally dangerous. These are very sensative dogs, extremely aware of their environment and some of them have a lower tolerance level to certain stimuli than other dogs.
That said, a Doberman is not a breed for an inexperienced dog owner. This breeder totally puts up red flags to me all over the place. And your friend is in for a wild ride if he's not very, very familiar with dogs and Dobermans in particular. And all indications are that he is not, not by the questions asked.
Dobermans need a tremendous amount of exercise and mental stimulation (training) and a tremendous amount of socializing. I don't know how I'd do it with little kids unless I had someone to watch my kids a good deal of the time.
It sounds to me like this is a disaster waiting to happen.