Doberman reputation

NamVetJoe

Active Member
Will taking Tyson on his second 90 minute walk a woman on a bicycle was approaching. I stopped had Tyson sit and then down, which he did perfectly ok so I was showing what a well behaved dog he was and expecting a compliment. The lady bicycle rider said “Thank you I am afraid of Dobermans” before I could inquire as to why she quickly rode off. I guess perceptions about Dobermans will never end
 
Will taking Tyson on his second 90 minute walk a woman on a bicycle was approaching. I stopped had Tyson sit and then down, which he did perfectly ok so I was showing what a well behaved dog he was and expecting a compliment. The lady bicycle rider said “Thank you I am afraid of Dobermans” before I could inquire as to why she quickly rode off. I guess perceptions about Dobermans will never end

People have low expectations of dogs in general, I find. So add Doberman to it, and they’re stunned if someone has relative control of their dog. At least once a day I come across a neighbor I’ve never met who see’s DeSoto, ignores my “good morning” or “good evening” with a smile, and give us a wide berth while continuing to stare at him. They come to realize as soon as we pass that he didn’t react beyond a sniff in their direction even with yappy dogs barking at him all the while LOL, and then they’ll compliment him or me with, “wow he’s a REALLY good dog!” Simply because he was non-reactive. I thank them anyway, but it’s awfully sad to realize the state of dog ownership these days.
 
I take Rex typically everywhere I go, included malls and crowded places. When people are walking towards us, it’s like Moses spreading the nile. People go out of there way dramatically. I find it quite funny to be honest.
 
Well, that woman's comment seems a bit ungrateful. You didn't have to down your Dobe so she could roll by. Was this on the sidewalk?

Anyway. I want people to fear Dobermans. The foremost job my Dobe is to do is to deter crime against my home and family. Of course I want people to be afraid. I'm not out to be an ambassador for the breed.

I may occasionally demonstrate a bit of his obedience, which yes, wows people in a hurry. I agree with MelonJ above: People's expectations of dogs are very low.
 
People in general are vastly ignorant of dogs and especially the finer points of the individual breeds. I’m sure most of us consider ourselves dog fanciers but what do we really know about other breeds? Knowledge that is “duh” to us as Doberman chat forum members would never occur to joe smoe whose only experience with a Doberman is seeing them on tv, portrayed in a negative light. They are not a common breed. I only just recently actually met my first one to where I was able to interact with him and not just seeing one in passing. Me! I think it is unfair to judge people for not being aware they aren’t born cropped and docked, or that they come in different colors. Or that the only thing they know about their reputation is being a protection dog, they are aren’t they?

I care not a bit if someone doesn’t recognize my mannerly dog and gives us a wide berth. I prefer it. I also welcome questions and compliments too of course. GSDs are one of the most popular breeds of dogs and I have had people from kids to adults refer to Rio as a “K9” and not his actual breed.
 
Most people who live in my area are fairly cool with dogs but when you go to the more populated coastal areas it is an eye opener how many people move right away from Jazz. Usually one or two on every walk and I usually just chuckle. Sometimes it is annoying though. Like one time I was giving Jazz a drink from the doggie water bowl provided at the base of the human drinking fountain and a nervy type lady kept coming in and trying to get a drink while we were there, then shrieking and leaping away every time Jazz lifted her head! :sour: A drama queen!

The weirdest place to walk a Doberman type dog was Tasmania though. They obviously don't see many and it happened several times that people would yell or scream out their car windows at us as they drove by. Probably trying to get a rise out of Jazz.

I do try to be considerate of people who show fear though as you can never tell why they are fearful. Sometimes it is a past event that has traumatized them and not just the media portrayal of the breed. On a beach quite a few years ago while walking with Mum, Dad and their oldish whippet one woman went totally nuts when this little dog ran past her. Nearly climbed up onto Dad's shoulders in panic and went all wall-eyed. Later we discussed it and Mum had noticed the number tatooed on her arm, so there would have been a very good reason indeed for her reaction to even a smallish dog. I felt really bad for her.
 
Will taking Tyson on his second 90 minute walk a woman on a bicycle was approaching. I stopped had Tyson sit and then down, which he did perfectly ok so I was showing what a well behaved dog he was and expecting a compliment. The lady bicycle rider said “Thank you I am afraid of Dobermans” before I could inquire as to why she quickly rode off. I guess perceptions about Dobermans will never end
You did good, our Preacher boy doesn't like bicycles.
 
I was showing what a well behaved dog he was and expecting a compliment. The lady bicycle rider said “Thank you I am afraid of Dobermans” before I could inquire as to why she quickly rode off
I will compliment you on your thoughtfulness to ask your dog to be still as a bicyclist passes, but to me that is just doing the right thing, no need to expect anything in return. Since she did say she was afraid of Dobes, that explains her wanting to just go on by. I've come to learn to just do the right thing because I'm able to, expecting nothing in return but hope it influences someone else to do the same. If everyone in public with a Doberman acted like asshats we'd have even a worse reputation! Her comment says to me that she saw the breed and expected a rude person but instead you downed your pup and were polite and she expressed her thanks to you for that. And I thank you too and hope you continue to be polite to non-dog people!
 
umm not always polite am I this morning while walking on a path around a large lake that is used by walkers bike riders joggers est. a woman on a bike stopped about 50 ft in front of me and yelled "IS HE ALRIGHT" my response was "ARE YOU ALRIGHT" She then said that she just wanted to make sure it was ok for her to ride past, I stated if I thought he was a danger to anyone we would not be out and about. When I got home I realized that she had every right to ask and I could have been more diplomatic
 
Sometimes in the moment we can be impulsive and in hindsight realize we could’ve handled a situation differently. Even though it’s obvious to us, many people DO take their unstable, ill mannered dogs out into the public.
 
@NamVetJoe I'm far from perfect, I often regret some of my quick sarcasm. I mean, I did seriously laugh at your reply ARE YOU ALRIGHT. But, that said, For you to step up and admit that you could re-think your reaction for the next time is pretty awesome. My last Dobe before my current puppy was in the '90's and she was a friendly goofball, hung around the shop where I worked part time and I had so many compliments from customers declaring they never liked Dobermans before they met mine. They had no idea they were "nice". She converted a lot of people, who I'm sure never went and got one, but at least could admire them after knowing mine. Fear almost always comes from ignorance. The idea of protection is always with us, but a well trained protection dog will still behave in public. At least we hope they do!
 
Unfortunately....as others have said....media trope isn't friendly to the breed ( and often...not the owners). We had a great experience this morning with someone who was afraid of the breed...left our yard wanting one of her own ( her husband knows the breed..has has three over his life time).

I don't want anyone terrified of my guys....I do want them to respect what my guys are....my companions and if ever need be...my protectors. I travel alone a lot...and my husband travels for work...which leaves me alone for days at a time....my guys are another line of protection....but they aren't "attack dogs" and I don't want anyone thinking that and do my best to stress that anytime any reacts with honest to gosh fear.


And I'm not always Mrs. Jolly Sunshine with people about reaction to my guys. :eek::mad::shock::wtf3::facepalm:

If we are out walking my head is on a swivel and I talk to people we are coming up behind.....to let them know we are coming thru...to not be afraid...but I understand telling them that..and having that not happen...ain't realistic..LOL.


I try really hard to let anyone who is going to be "in our space" know my guys will stay calm...as long as they stay calm. We had an issue a while back with a young man who lived down the street from us...who is Autistic. He would wander out of his yard sometimes and end up in my yard...wanting to play with the guys. The first time he was on his way in the gate when I spotted him....and got out to the gate before he was inside....both boys were on the deck and at alert.....low throat growls. I walked him back him...found an adult to explain what had just happened.....they more or less blew me off and told me if my dogs attacked the kid...there would be hell to pay. I explained they were not attack dogs..and as long as he didn't try to come into the yard.....there wouldn't be a problem...and got again the "if they attack the kid" shitty attitude..ignoring the fact I was TELLING them to make sure the kid didn't come into my yard....I gave up...waled away, went home...and put a pad lock on my gate.

Better safe than sorry.

From that point on...at least once a week...the guy ( he wasn't a kid...he was in his mid 20s) was at the gate..trying to figure out how to get into the yard. We'd had a few go rounds with animal control over the boys....nothing bad..just reports on vicious dogs at our place ( Bam kept getting reported as a pit mix...lawdy)....that was resolved...but I have no doubt it was this kid's family doing some of the calling and reporting.

I was out in my driveway one day with my next door neighbor and someone stopped to look into the yard to see the boys....he asked if they were mean...and before I could say anything my neighbor said
"Not unless you try to hurt her...or get into the yard."

And I thought
"HOT DAMN..she gets it!!"
 
We have a 6ft privacy fence around a double lot. All gates are pad locked, there will be no problems unless somebody comes over the fence. If that happens I have no doubt Preacher will do his job. Anytime anyone gets close to our fence he is all business.
 
So I think I am kind of a hypocrite. I like being able to walk Jasper and not worry about strange people approaching me. However, there are times that people really offend me. Its like they think he is a killing machine.

Last week a woman walking her small dog was passing me. I crossed the walkway so that I was between her and Jasper. There was about a ten foot spand between us and she freakin scooped up her dog as if Jasper was going to attack. He was right by my side! As she passed I looked down at Jasper and said loud enough for her to hear: “Sorry Jasper, people are scared of you!”

Later on the walk we looped back and the same lady passed us. She scooped up her dog but this time she said, “sorry I need to pick her up or else she barks and lunges.” Dog was whisper quiet without a care in the world.
 
So I think I am kind of a hypocrite. I like being able to walk Jasper and not worry about strange people approaching me. However, there are times that people really offend me. Its like they think he is a killing machine.

Last week a woman walking her small dog was passing me. I crossed the walkway so that I was between her and Jasper. There was about a ten foot spand between us and she freakin scooped up her dog as if Jasper was going to attack. He was right by my side! As she passed I looked down at Jasper and said loud enough for her to hear: “Sorry Jasper, people are scared of you!”

Later on the walk we looped back and the same lady passed us. She scooped up her dog but this time she said, “sorry I need to pick her up or else she barks and lunges.” Dog was whisper quiet without a care in the world.
I shared this a while back, but: When we were staying in a hotel on a trip, I was taking Oji outside and, having descended a few flights of stairs, we were just coming to the door that opens up to the parking lot. Just then the door opens. A woman with a small dog sees us and utters the words "Oh no!" :rofl: and they quickly turn around and go back outside.
 
Later on the walk we looped back and the same lady passed us. She scooped up her dog but this time she said, “sorry I need to pick her up or else she barks and lunges.” Dog was whisper quiet without a care in the world.
This reminded me of a video I saw from a Doberman owner who had a similar issue on walks. She always saw the same cranky old lady pick up her tiny dog and give her a dirty look so she decided to pick up her Doberman in response and act the same. It was pretty hilarious in execution because she brought along someone to make the video and the other lady clearly didn’t like being mocked that way.
 
I totally agree we have these dogs because they can and DO make some Red Seas part. I swear I literally laughed out loud at Nam Vets ARE YOU ALRIGHT and then again at @Kaiser2016's story picking up the Dobe. I'm with you guys all the way, I just believe in being kind to people who are honestly afraid or wary and not to make a bad reputation worse.
 

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