Dear Baffled: As you have found out, not all Dobermans are naturally protective. Your puppy is still very young and has not yet matured either physically or emotionally. At this stage in his life your best course of action would be to concentrate on proper socialization to build his confidence around all types of people and other dogs.

To achieve this goal enroll him in a beginner obedience class or puppy kindergarten to get him accustomed to lots of sights, sounds, and situations. In addition to the weekly classes, get him out and about in the neighborhood with long walks to different locations, whether it is the park, the ball fields, or the mall parking lot. The more places you take him – and at the same time the more you help build his confidence with praise for showing him that all these activities are fun and accepted – the farther along you will be in setting the ground work to help teach him how to bark at appropriate times.

According to a local Doberman breed expert I spoke with, most “Dobe” puppies do not demonstrate their natural protectiveness until they are five to nine-months-old. These dogs grow into their protective abilities as the mature emotionally, build self-confidence and learn to trust their masters.  

Teach Him What

You Expect

Once your puppy has basic training under his belt - meaning you can get his attention, give him commands and he responds accordingly - then you can move forward and teach him to alert you with a bark when someone approaches the house or the car. You need to find yourself a good trainer to work with and spend a little time developing this rapport in your dog. You need to teach the dog what it is you want him to bark at. Without guidance from his “alpha” leader he may not understand what you want from him and then both of you will be frustrated.

If you want your pet trained in more advanced protection work then the time to do that is once he has fully matured both physically and emotionally. For this level of work you definitely need a professional to help you. 

Lisa’s Pick of the Litter

A cute, cuddly puppy is tops on many Christmas lists this year.  Tempting though it may be to grant your children’s holiday wish, the holidays are not the ideal time for new puppy ownership.

“The first few months of a puppy’s life are extremely important—he will require your full, undivided attention and will need training, exercise, socialization, trips to the vet and lots of love and care,” said AKC spokesperson Gina Lash. “With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s difficult to set aside the time a puppy needs during this important life stage.”

Yet, parents don’t need to be a scrooge when it comes to puppies for the holidays.  “My First AKC Puppy Kit,” developed by legendary German toymaker Steiff, is the perfect precursor to real puppy love.  The kit helps young children count down to the arrival of their new real-life pet, while teaching them the responsibilities of dog ownership.

On “Day One,” flip open a numbered tab to reveal a dog bowl. The following day, the lucky owner can unleash an adorable dog bandana. The doors to “Days Three and Four” open up to a respective “Best in Show” ribbon and doggie bone. Finally, the big day – “Day Five” – delivers a cute plush yellow Labrador Retriever, complete with an American Kennel Club registration certificate.

Geared toward children ages three to six, the “My First AKC Puppy Kit” is now available exclusively at FAO Schwarz locations or at www.faoschwarz.com

 

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com  or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.