Doberman Owners Please Read

[SalemWitchChild]

Today I went to the pet store to buy Kota a new collar and we were looking at all of the ads posted there. I saw a ad for a doberman and commented on it. Hubby said he thought they were the craziest of dogs. He said that when he was a kid one tried to bite him because he looked straight into the dogs eyes. I wanted to ask all dob owners here if they have experieced the same with other dobs

[fireworksinjuly]

if your talking about looking into their eyes, its not dobe sensative...dogs see it as a sign of agression...all breeds, not just dobes.

if you meant some other experiance that I didnt catch onto then im sorry.

[GSD]

Originally Posted by SalemWitchChild

Today I went to the pet store to buy Kota a new collar and we were looking at all of the ads posted there. I saw a ad for a doberman and commented on it. Hubby said he thought they were the craziest of dogs. He said that when he was a kid one tried to bite him because he looked straight into the dogs eyes. I wanted to ask all dob owners here if they have experieced the same with other dobs

Why was he looking straight into its eye's, try that with a lahpsa aphsa, i bet the same thing will happen especially if you're a stranger to that dog. It had nothing to do with it being a doberman.

[SalemWitchChild]

I suppose this dog was moreso than others. All dogs I've had I look into their eyes. Not one has ever done anything. I tried to tell him that not all dobs would be like that one..but he's convinced himself that dobs are crazy cuz the dog attacked him. sigh.. I think they are a beautiful breed. Not that I was actually looking to get one. But if I ever am in the market again, I suppose dobs are off the list.

[SalemWitchChild]

Originally Posted by GSD

Why was he looking straight into its eye's, try that with a lahpsa aphsa, i bet the same thing will happen especially if you're a stranger to that dog. It had nothing to do with it being a doberman.

You know how when you tell a kid to not do something, that they are tempted to do it anyway just cuz you told them not to? Well that was the problem..He was probibly only 6 or 7. But its put a lasting impression on him

[Ritz459]

I don't think all Dobes are crazy. I mean, it is the same nonsence that people have with Pitties, and Chows. Look at all of the Dobes out there that are doing police work! IF all of them were unstable, how could they do the work?
You aren't supposed to look a dog strait in the eye anyway. It is just that some dogs feel that this is more of a threat than others. Our Grandma's Schnauzer is more snappy and aggresive at even the slightest mistake on your part more so than a Rottie I know!
One dog of a breed that was snappy doesn't mean they all are.

[GSD]

It probably won't make a difference since he already doesn't like them, but his experience had absolutly nothing to do with the breed of dog. And its not a good idea to stare into a strange dogs eyes especially if its a child doing the staring, your just asking for a bite to happen. Do you walk down the street and confront every person you meet on the street?? Sooner or later your going to meet someone that's not going to like it and fight back. Its no different in dogs no matter what the breed. (not meaning you in particular do this, just making a point )

[SalemWitchChild]

Yes I do know. And so does he now. Just thought I'd share and see if dob owners have experienced this within the breed. Of course all animals are capable of the same behavior.

On a side note...the collar I got does not fit her...now I gotta go back tomarrow....

btw for anyone in ky looking for a dob...The dob in the ad was only $100 and registered...

[Carrie]

GSD is right. It's a dog thing, not a breed thing. I'm a Dobe owner and my dog is very stable and sensible, not aggressive and certainly not crazy. He's extremely intelligent and loyal. They are bred to protect their owner. Mine shows this tendency, but only in appropriate situations. He can walk through a crowded place, full of all kinds of people and he's completely comfortable. He knows they are all friendly strangers and nothing to worry about. So your hubby is not alone. There are many misinformed people out there.

I got a nasty bite from a Lab mix which required surgery. Any dog bred for protection, herding dogs included....will have a tendency toward being a little more ready to be aggressive when the need arises. But that doesn't mean that Dobermans are running around attacking people left and right. They are not.

On another board I go on there is a groomer. She said that she has groomed all kinds of dogs and has suffered several bites. They were almost all done by Labs and Goldens, the sweet dogs. So, it depends on a lot of factors, not the breed. Those dogs may have been mishandled, badly bred, who knows?

[DarknessDivine]

So true, I once punished my now 14 yr old son for staring into a dogs eyes. They see it sort of like a challenge. I know Boxers will have a staring contest and I usually win but they are my dogs, now if some stranger walked up and stared them in the eyes, they'd go crazy..

[Ritz459]

Ya, I can look Blackie and Rose in the eye just fine, and I think that they would tolorate it from a stranger. If it was a stranger that Blackie just did NOT like though, I don't think he would tolorate it. He definitly doen's tolorate it from other dogs.....
I was in our churches parking lot one time and this Chow/Lab mix came walking up. (He was pretty skinny, but he had a collar with a phone# on it and I knew he lived around there.) Anyway, I didn't look him strait in the eye untill I was absolutly sure he was freindly. And even then, it was only for a quick sec. and then I looked away agian. I tried to move slowly and act small,because he seemed kinda timid too. (He acted like he didn't have any joy in life. NOT like a Lab at all. He just kinda sat there and let me pet him. I think he only wagged his tail maybe once and that was it. I felt so sorry for him......)

[IceyBlueSibes]

I agree with everything that has been said...

When Sarge doesn't like someone or senses they are afraid of him, he'll stare you in the eyes, and watch your face and movement like a hawk. If you stare back at him, he goes bazerk. It's just a dog thing, and like Carrie said, the protection and sometimes even herding breeds are more readily to defend themselves if someone/thing offers them a challenge. Whether it be human, animal, or a passing motorcycle LOL

[SalemWitchChild]

Kota has yet to show any agressive nature. The only thing I can tell that might have upset her is when my daughter fell or something she went berzerk. She is protective of her and comes and tells us if she is crying. But thats a collie for ya. The most agressive dog we had was a huge mutt! I think he was part mastiff or something. But no one BUT us could go near him. When I was a kid one of my friends wanted to see him. I told him ok but to stay out of range (dog was on a chain) My friend got too close. He didn't get hurt but the dog deffinatly didn't like my friend being there.. I Probibly shouldn't have had him back there... I think the dog was abused when he was a pup.. (We got him when he was older). I think thats why he acted that way. He only took up with a very select few of people.

[Pharlane]

Originally Posted by Carrie

Any dog bred for protection, herding dogs included....

I raise australian shepherds 9 of them.Out of 9 there is only 4 that people can just walk up to without getting bit.
I tell people not to try to touch the atheres.

[theGOOCH]

If my dog ever tries to attack you, just hold out your cell phone...he's afraid of them