Hi all! I was wondering if there if any way to mhelp your pup be more affectionate. My little dobie pup is very independent - he may let you pet him for a couple seconds but then he's off. He also backs off from your hand when you reach down for him. Could this be a product of us picking him up to put him in his crate???? Would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks so much!!
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Pauline

Training him, and being the only one that feeds him is a natural way I think.

But also, are you the primary person the dog's around?

I'd make myself the only source for the pup to get anything, he will depend on you more.
Some pups are rowdy, and allow more affection as they get older. I've only had GSDs so I don't know about the Dobermans.

If it is a temperament problem then someone will chime in.

I've heard the Flinks tape on this site talks about this. I haven't seen it yet but hear great things.

Since we're on the subject gang, is this what's considered Play Drive?

pauline, i read your post under the dominant dog heading, and the pawing. i was hoping someone else would respond to the dominant question.
it sounds to me like this pup is submisive and maybe fearful.
play with him.
play with him.
play with him.
keep your training positive motivation.
build his confidence. give him easy wins and make him successful.
make his games interactive with you. tug of war, fetch--with him bringing the ball back to you. (use a second ball to get him back and to release)
hopefully someone else can go into depth on how to build his confidence.

Pauline,
I had this issue with my GSD as a pup "still kinda this way now at 14 mo" but a lot better, Brad is kinda on the right track here, the flinks tape does nto specifically deal with a non effectnate dog but the "in my arms" works for that. My wife calls it... you ready VanCamp? "Snuggle Therapy" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

During play time "fetch" usually I would bring my doggie woggie into my arms BEFORE I threw the ball for him. No huggle, no ball.I started for a 3 second calm contact then throw, increasing a second when he could do it for 3 days in a row without fighting and showing complete calmness. He has made it to about 30 seconds and he just won't do any more... so I dropped it there, good enough for me to give him a huggle when I want to and a few nice strokes of the back.

Now this is a take off of Benhards theroy of training calmness while on the rag or sleeve, making the dog comfortable while working, outing etc....

I have no idea on the crate issue...hard to say without seeing. I personally would not pick my dog up to put him into the crate... I want him to go on his own when I tell him to. Using food or other means to train that command. I will say "It could be some of the problem"

Some dogs just don't like to be affectionate... mine is one of them... he shows effection by mouthing and bringing you his bones and such if he likes you.

Hope that helps ya.

Well - thank you so much to everyone for their advice. I would certainly love more info on how to build his confidence!!!

Pauline

Pauline,
My pup was like this and still is to a certain point. He is independant and confidant. He is from an excellent working line. He's 14 months now and is a great dog. I would recommend the Bernhard Flinks tape from Ed....this will teach you how to play and build drive with him. Keep in crate when possible...everything good only comes from you..ie play, food, any reward. I would say get a book titled Ruff Love by Susan Garrett. It explaines exactly how to build this type of relationship. She is big on head haltis and clickers but make your own decision on that...I am not a fan...but the program is sound and you will notice a huge difference. Obedience helps with a nice bond as well.

Pauline - I too had this problem with my pup - not a GS, but a chocolate lab - When she was just a little fur ball pup she would let you cuddle - but that quickly changed. She then went through a stage where she really didn't want you to pet her much at all- I had been taking her to a dog academy for obedience training and their technique was to correct for every little wrong move. Well, I came to this forum and asked for advice -How to bond with your puppy - The advice was play - play - play -
I quit taking her to the dog academy for lessons and started training her on my own - mixing play in with her obedience lessons - She has totally turned around - She loves attention now!!
If you even try to ignore her - she is right there to see what's wrong.
I love her to pieces!!
She is now 8 months old and quite a character!!
Thanks everyone for the advice!!!!!!!!!!!
Sharon

Some dogs just are not cuddlers. My first dog NEVER cuddled with me. She hated it. We had a great relationship and bond but that didn't me she liked being cuddled. She came to be petted but if you tried to hug her or cuddle her forget it. She didn't like any restraint what so ever. It's just the personality of the individual animal. My male on the other hand is a CUDDLER....he would ride in a back pack on me if he could..his half brother is somewhere in between. Likes it but then when he's had enough he goes in the bedroom and lays down. My new puppy Sabre..well I'll get back to you on that one considering she thinks my arm is a chew toy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I also think that picking the pup up and knowing they are going in the crate could cause the backing away from your hand. My new pup and I are having our difficulties with the "here" command. Even with a treat she looks at me like no way babe..you are going to put me away or in a kennel. So needless to say she only gets fed from my hand when she is called. Sometimes it's to go in a crate other times a treat and off she goes. Again she's a bit independent but that is her natural personality. I will build upon a relationship and bond with her but if she naturally does not like to cuddle then you can't force the issue. Coming when called on the other hand will be a must <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

My 7 1/2 month old male pup is not much of a cuddler. In fact he hates it, but will now grudginlgy put up with it. He is very outgoing and has great drive and goes right up to everyone we meet but he does not cuddle that much. I have found that in certain situations he is more affectionate. The first being, if I ignore him to do something else like crochet. Generally he will get in my face to figure out why I am am ignoring him. Also early in the morning, he gets to sleep in my room right now(I know but I work all day and I just cant crate him 20 hours a day its not fair)so he wakes up and will cuddle for a few minutes before he is off to play.

Each dog is going to be different my female is a big time cuddler and I have learned to accept that Ike may never be one. He still loves me and is happy to see me when I come home and he always wants to play, I like the independant streak it is a plus in SAR work.