I will apologize for my attitude but will say this...I have been very upset that right off the bat my dog was looked down upon. I felt he was looked down upon because he was from a "show breeder". Because of that he was CERTAIN to have problems. I just have a hard time believing that to be true and I have been upset about that so I know that I came in with an attidute. The reason I was so bold about his behavior at 4 months old is because I've been shocked at how he has changed and how bold he has become just in the past couple weeks. He just seems so loyal to me. I felt like I needed to stand up for him. I I love him to death and NO I do not know a lot about protection work ect. I will be the first to admit that I'm ignorant TOTALLY. Just like 90% of all other people in the world, I'm a normal dog owner. I feel like I can't say anything on here without getting slammed. I would like to say that I didn't get this dog to protect me - I got him for a loyal loving friend that would bark at people when they knocked or came in the house. He alreday does this so I am pleased. But I know that is looked down upon in this forum. I know the reponse will likely be "why on earth did you get a doberman - why not a lab or a golden retriever or a mutt?" Fact is I don't like any of those dogs. I don't like dogs that everyone has. That's just me and I can't change that. I'm sorry if ya'll feel like because I own a "pet" and that's all he is means that I am ruining the breed. I wish it wasn't that way and we could all just have the dog we like. I am doing the things that I feel are necessary (after reading and talking with my breeder) to make him into a great dog. He will be going to a trainer for private classes that specializes in dobermans. Bill Whited is his name. I just think he will be a great dog for me and my family. I have heard so much good about dobermans as family dogs (and I've already gotten slammed for this but will say it again). I have talked to so many people - friends, people who see him when I walk him down the street, and a lady last night at Lone Star who saw the picture I was carrying of him - they all have nothing but good to say about them. I'm being totally serious and honest - it has amazed me how many people have stopped me and said those are awesome dogs! Yesterday a guy stopped me and said that his kids grew up with their two dobies and they were totally awesome. He said that his two girls were wonderful with the kids and very protective of them. This is just info. from the regular dog people world which is the world I live in. I don't have the same mind set as all of you and maybe I'm on the wrong board. Anyway - let me know if I am and I will get off. I don't want to be in the wrong place and get slammed for it everytime I say something.

Pauline

Just relax. This board is full of people who don't sugar coat any opinions they have. Some things stated are opinion, some are fact. Don't get so upset about it. There are all levels of knowlege. I don't recall your original posts that you claim that you were slammed. I have to admit....sometimes one needs to be a little thick skinned to stick around here. Don't lose sleep over it. Of course pet training discussions are welcome. But if your goals for your pet quality dog are un-realistic...you can bet some here will let you know about it. Your last post just came across arrogant and "in your face" ish. Your pup is only 4 months old. I can appreciate your love for your dog and it sounds like he will become a fine pet, but what we are saying is take it easy with the "I told you so's" at this stage of the game.

If you are overly sensitive then maybe you are right....this is not the board for you. Otherwise relax and ask your questions and enjoy the board. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pauline,
I think that dogs that live as pets and companions have a much more important job than many of the working dogs out there. I do work my dogs but feel that if they can't be good trustworthy members of my family then they aren't much good to keep around. I have a young son and I always consider the fact that how my dogs interact with him and our regular everyday life is the most important "work" of all. I would rather sell a pup to a great pet home where he will be loved and given lots of attention than to a high caliber working home where he will be locked in a kennel and only brought out for training. That's the way I have always felt and always will.

As for the Doberman prejudice, get used to it. I have had them my whole life and until the last 7 or 8 years competed with them in Schutzhund. When my little female Dobe whipped the other dogs butts on the field there wasn't much more for the people to say!! They are wonderful dogs but not for everyone. They tend to be a little more clingy than GSD's. They are also (in my experience) more of a thinking dog which makes them easy to train but tough to compete with as they are always trying to think 2 steps ahead.

Good luck with your puppy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hell, and I didn't even get a chance to give my two cents...lol. We all know how I sugar coat everything...lol
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Heck Todd, you didn't get to use your water gun. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oh, cry me a river. . .

Boohoo-hoo. . .sob sob. . .whine whine. . .I hear the violins. . .

Can we talk about training or something? I'm tired of the human interest stories.

Pauline, welcome. . .glad you like your dog. . .glad he is working out for you . . .hope you stay here on this board and take from it what it has to offer, which is A LOT OF GOOD TRAINING.

BUT, this is a working board and most of the people here feel strongly about working dogs. . .fanatical is a better term. . .a bunch of working dog zealots.

Crazed zealots. . .full of passion for the working integrity of our working breeds.

You have to expect a little flack, which you have taken well. . .so can we get back to dog training now?

Puleeeeeeeeeeezzzze!!!!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Apology accepted by the way. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pauline,

ALL of my dogs but 1 have come from top SHOW LINES. Both of my current working dogs came from TOP SHOW LINES. However, the breeds I pick have always been breeds that do work and show because they are not popular breeds. When the dogs lose the working ability I switch breeds. The concern here is that breeds that we love have been changed in to a different BREED because people will not let them be what they are.

Too many people select a dog based on what they look like and not what they need/want. Then they want the breed changed to something it is not, because they don't want to put the time and effort in to the dog. At this point 2 things happen. One is that people that are interested in making money get a hold of the dogs and breed poor specimins that create a terrible reputation for the honest breeds and dogs becasue of the problems they dreate. Second well meaning people try and change the breed to make it easier to deal with and to remove the chacteristics that make the breed what it is. Often they will often seize on a single aspect of the dog and breed it to such extreames that the dog not capable of doing what it was intended to do. In some show dogs they have gone so far as to fee the dog arsenic to enhance the coat the dog has. Then the dogs are breed for one very narrow aspect, the dogs appearance, and disreguard the total dog. When the breed has so many problems they don't want to deal with they move on to another breed and do the same thing.

WE end up stuck with what is left and then try and rebuild what has been destroyed or forced to try and find a breed with the chacteristics we want. And then some one comes in here and tells us we don't know what we are talking about, often after 20 or more years of doing what we do. Yep, that will make me a little on the aggressive and sensitive side. If you want to come in a stur that hornets nest, expect that you will be stung.

We like dogs. We like training dogs, for anything that they can do, including just being a pet. Owning a pet isn't a bad thing. Owning a pet of a breed that is designed to work isn't a bad thing. Dogs properly bred to work will make the very best pets in the world. The reason for that is that these dogs are bred for temperament and trainability first. All other considerations come second.

If you love your dog and want to learn how to make the dog a better pet through training, welcome you have come to the right place. If you want to come here and tell us we dont know anything about dogs, gird up your loins because we will not tolerate that.

I have the feeling that yoou are more interested in doing the best for your dog and making it a better pet. We are really good at that, so welcome.

Richard, That was about as a good of an EXPLANATION of what has happened to our working lines I've read. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think you have cleared up a lot of misunderstanding.

GREAT POST!!!

Richard,
I appreciated what you had to say about owning a working dog as a pet. I have sincerely felt like that was very frowned upon on this board. Someone made the comment that if I wanted a pet dog I should've purchased another breed. Yes - that set me off because I don't understand why that would be true. I would much rather see a working dog go to a wonderful pet home vs. a working home that didn't care for the dog properly. That comment just did not make sense to me and seemed like a very unfair statement. You see, I've seen somewhat of a double standard here. You have the people that say that a good working dog should be a great pet because it has been bred for temperment and trainability. Then there are others who say if you want a pet you should get a lab to minimize mouthing etc. but don't get a working dog like a dobie. So which is true? As long as I can be respected on this board for owning a pet dobie that I love, I am fine with being here and gaining knowledge and advice. But otherwise I want off here. Thank you again for your soft and helpful response.

Pauline