April 19, 2011
We have a problem with our 2 year old Dobe mounting my daughters and other female guests. What should we do?
Full Question:
I was introduced to your wonderful site per the Doberlist to which I belong.I own a male Doberman (from very good German lines) who is now 2 years old, (all 40kgs of him). Could you please offer me some advise as he very often attempts to mount my daughter (10 years) as well as most women who come to our home as well as my daughter?s friends, both male and female.
This is to my mind an attempt to dominate and I would not favor having him castrated, I am also aware that males (he is my first male) have terrible sex drives at this age. He never attempts to mount me, as I am his 'boss.'
Would it be advisable to put him into a 'down' when this occurs, or to banish him to outside once reprimanded with a firm 'no'? I have asked anyone who he attempts to mount to walk backwards which then 'throws' him off the person. Would you have any advise regarding putting him a down for other occasions too, when not wearing a leash, he does have a collar on permanently. He will go into a down but as soon as I turn my back he will break the stay. Any advise and ideas please.
Regards,
Adele
Cape Town, South Africa
Ed's Answer:
You are correct that this is a dominance issue.
It is also evident that your dog is not fully trained (he gets up when you turn your back).
If this were my dog I would tell him "NO" in a firm voice, if he did not obey I would strongly correct him (either with a prong collar but more than likely a dominant dog collar) Many times a prong collar correction on a dog like this over stimulates the dog into aggression. (redirected pain aggression) This does not happen with dominant dog collars. I would also have the dog wearing a drag leash so I could instantly correct the dog.
This dog would learn that this is 100% unacceptable behavior and your corrections need to be firm enough that this dog understand that it will not be tolerated.
It is obvious that what you have been doing has not created a lasting impression on the dog - because he still continues to mount people. You need to jack it up about 10 levels and teach this dog to mind.
The fact is if it were my dog it would not be allowed near strangers . In other words I would send it to his dog crate when someone came over. If he did this with family members then he would quickly learn the value of the command NO!
Another part of this problem is the dog is going through maturity. Combine this with not enough training and you have this problem.
If you would like to learn something about the principles of obedience training a dog, read the description for my Basic Dog Obedience video. You will probably find that you have not had the full picture on the steps of training a dog must go through before it can be considered fully trained. You can also read why I am not a fan of taking an untrained dog to obedience classes.
You would also want to consider the DVD I did titled Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs. Obedience training is only part of the solution. Pack behavior training is the second part and it cannot be ignored.
It is also evident that your dog is not fully trained (he gets up when you turn your back).
If this were my dog I would tell him "NO" in a firm voice, if he did not obey I would strongly correct him (either with a prong collar but more than likely a dominant dog collar) Many times a prong collar correction on a dog like this over stimulates the dog into aggression. (redirected pain aggression) This does not happen with dominant dog collars. I would also have the dog wearing a drag leash so I could instantly correct the dog.
This dog would learn that this is 100% unacceptable behavior and your corrections need to be firm enough that this dog understand that it will not be tolerated.
It is obvious that what you have been doing has not created a lasting impression on the dog - because he still continues to mount people. You need to jack it up about 10 levels and teach this dog to mind.
The fact is if it were my dog it would not be allowed near strangers . In other words I would send it to his dog crate when someone came over. If he did this with family members then he would quickly learn the value of the command NO!
Another part of this problem is the dog is going through maturity. Combine this with not enough training and you have this problem.
If you would like to learn something about the principles of obedience training a dog, read the description for my Basic Dog Obedience video. You will probably find that you have not had the full picture on the steps of training a dog must go through before it can be considered fully trained. You can also read why I am not a fan of taking an untrained dog to obedience classes.
You would also want to consider the DVD I did titled Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs. Obedience training is only part of the solution. Pack behavior training is the second part and it cannot be ignored.
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