Hi Guys/Gals,

New here and could really use some advice.

I am looking to pick up a Doberman pup here in the near future (3 weeks) (she will be seven weeks old)and would like to start this little gal right from the start as a young pup. I am looking to train for Personal Protection, Obedience, and maybe some agility.

With so many training DVD's out there, I'm in information overload and considering the expense, I will have to do this a a few DVD's at a time.

So my question is this. Which DVD's should I start with and what order should I follow later in this sort of program to achieve my goals?

I have no training experience and have four Jack Russels that are family pets for which she will grow up with.

I certainly appreciate any and all suggestions.

Lynn

Here are a few DVD's to start with.

http://www.leerburg.com/120.htm
http://www.leerburg.com/117.htm
http://www.leerburg.com/308.htm
http://www.leerburg.com/101e.htm

And a few articles/e-books as well:
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/Ed%20FrawleysPhilosophyonDogTraining.pdf
http://www.leerburg.com/ebooks/puppygroundwork.pdf
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/introducingdogs.pdf
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/theoryofmotivation.pdf
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/whocanpetmypuppy.pdf
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/q-apuppies.pdf

Happy reading and congratulations on your new pup. Keep us posted.

Welcome to the board!

I just want to second Carol's suggestions for the videos and articles. She really keyed in on the things you need to read to get an understanding of how Ed trains and also with the Q and A some real experiences that people have had that Ed helps them with. I am sure you will learn some new things in these articles.

I think if I were you, I would order the puppy 8 weeks to 8 months DVD and pack structure DVD first and think about the personal protection stuff for awhile. We haven't heard anything about the breeder or the bloodlines of the dog, and personal protection work (from what I have read from these tough PPD and police officers here on the board ) is high level stuff requiring a dog with a sound tempermant, etc. Perhaps you have already thought of this, but I figured it was worth mentioning.

I also would like to add that you can do the foundation work for PPD found in the Bernard Flink's Building Brive and Focus DVD and probably in the Working Puppies DVD without actually moving on to PPD. I use the drive building exercises with my lab, Bella, and she loves it. I don't plan on doing much other than using it as mental stimulation and a workout for her, and it is great for that. I am sure when people see us training, they think I am crazy, but my dog doesn't!

Isn't seven weeks too young for the puppy to leave its litter mates? I've always heard 8 weeks was the standard age. I don't know a lot about it but I'd be worried about taking the pup from its litter too young, and a breeder willing to give them out too young.

Since you want to start out on the right foot, in my opinion see if the breeder will keep it with its litter an extra week before you take it home.

I don't know where you live, but it many states it is actually illegal to sell puppies under 8 weeks old (this mainly applies to licenced breeders/dealers/pet stores.)

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuspuppysaletable.htm

Anyway, best of luck with your little dobie.

 Quote: Angela Burrell

Since you want to start out on the right foot, in my opinion see if the breeder will keep it with its litter an extra week before you take it home.

Nice catch Angela, I forgot to address that earlier. I would definitely see if the pup can stay another week, or two even.

8 weeks is the earliest I would take a pup. They are still learning and gaining what they need for the future from their dam and litter mates.

Guys, Thank you for all the imput. So what I am hearing is to let her stay with her litter longer, though she is to be raised with protection in mind?

Per the question of her background, The mother is cocky and the father loves to work. Other pups from this two are working in search and rescue and security work. Dad is 132 lbs and the mom is 98 lbs, Big, thick Dobies. Mine is a Blue.

It has been suggested that the following training tapes be followed and in this order, any comments?
Raising a Working Puppy,
Building Drive & Focus with Bernard Flinks,
The First Steps of Bite Training,
The First Steps of Defense,
Training Personal Protection Dogs &
Dealing with Dominant & Aggressive Dogs

Thank You again,

Lynn

That's a good list of DVD's to keep you busy for a LONG time.

Regarding the comment about taking the pup from its mother early, I wholeheartedly agree that 8 weeks is best, but if circumstances warrant, you can take them earlier. Our last Doberman came to us at 6 weeks because the couple that bred them were simply unable to take care of the pups. With a lot of nurturing, she did fine and was probably the best dog I every had till she died last July at age 13. Our current Doberman, Jeta, did stay with her Mom till eight weeks, and the transition was perhaps a bit easier. I would just emphasize that when they are that young, all training should be positive!

Sorry if I'm straying off subject.