I have to say I agree with
@JanS that there are SO many people trying to "be some body" as an "influencer" making controversial statements for clicks, views, likes on social media that in can be VERY hard for someone new to dog ownership, and in particular to a breed like a doberman, that it can become "analysis paralysis".
I have great respect for DoberPlanet guy for putting it out there but note he is relatively new to dobes, and even newer to training, compared to breeders, handlers, helpers, winners in show world and in particular in the working side,
so I'd just caution on talking things verbatim from one source without reading more in the breed by those with multiple decades.
For example I like some of what Cesar says, but dont agree on others, same with Beckman, although I have HUGE respect for his animal behavior background and what he is trying to do with Prince is intriguing, just as Cesar did with Daddy, now long over the Rainbow Bridge.
I've boight Krohns book and you can see how much he has evolved since.
The other thing I should mention is there is SO much really brilliant insight coming out of the positive training side, out of service dogs (see
@Ladydi ) and if you are able to access some of the deep experience in MWD war dogs in the sandbox, or K9s training...see the xenforo foorum on german shepards as an example- really deep knowledge there in some mods)
You'll realize ehat we think we know is being pushed so far by new expertise and insight...thats NOT on youtube...
One thing that has helped me is to focus on insights from the people with long experience in the breed. This and another webforum have literally twenty plus years of a LOT of experience and expertise recorded in the archives. Ive been reading each plus some on reddit and still learning. Its a gold mine. I'm sure there is more on FB too, if you are selective to find expert in breed sources...
There's Mike Ellis and Ivan Balabanov on IGP world class winning perspective. Checl out Leerburg for early Ellis and search for his new website and train the trainer facility- get on his email list and you can get great training topics cheap if you sign up before they go live. Ecollar etc.
Sorry, I was dog-nerding out there...
back to my point:
@Ziva23 if you have done your homework as you say, then surely you can agree that there are A LOT of opinions in dog world and there is something to be learned in all of it.
BUT...someone with 40 years of experience in lets say more "old school" methods may not appreciate some of the newer and science based practices...and since this is your first dobe, its possible you can learn more...
In fact I'm so looking forward to two years from now as you do.
I recall a youtube about Robert Cabral and Larry talking about thst very topic, and how they have evolved some away from the old "yank and crank" approach twenty years ago.
Thats not to say that what you know, and what works is out of date...its that there are sometimes very understandable different opinions and its sometimes very subjective as its based on the mysterious connection between the individual human and dog, as well as "doctrine"- one size does not fit all. The best tip I have heard is "learn from the dog in front of you".
So not to get all woo-woo here, my advice to noobs in dobes is start with basics, and on especially dobes I'd look to the best books on the breed, first. (See threads for what most recommend)
Then look for a trainer with actual expertise in the breed, or at least in people guardian breeds. This will take some looking, but I most highly recommend do this in person because dog training at beginner level is not so much about training the dog as it is training the human...and this can only be done in person, and only after that will the youtuber advice start to really makes sense.
This can be your local Petco if thats all you can find, or afford, but imho if you are investing the time and money in a breed like a doberman, its sort of crazy NOT to plan to get training for you. Find a local dog club, see the many examples of people here who did.
Now, we have all been there done that on first and subsequent dogs, and
@Ziva23 I have great respect for your long experience and appreciate blunt talk (as long as its respectful)
So I'd like to repeat what I suggested in my DM:
Could you share some photos of your current dobe, by way of introduction, and some of your training background?
That would give a lot of context and lead to more interesting questions on more.
And btw, when one takes the time to read archives, here or elsewhere, you'll get an idea who has a LOT of experience...
No offense to any I have left out but try this: search on
@JanS ,
@Ravenbird,
@Rits and take a peek at background, history, scroll back aways.
Another fast way is look at pinned posts in any subforum by interest: "training", or use the search function.
You'll get an idea who is who in the zoo and what do they know, including from those also on the other side of the bridge, whose advice lives on.
One very insightful moment in one very good youtube was (forgive my senior moment on the new trainer name...he is doing youtube interviews like Robert Cabral does of some of the greats) interviewing
Tom Rose, who in his very down-to-earth, humble way, noted with a chuckle that "the first thing a dog trainer will do (early in career) is tell you why all the other fellas are wrong..."
I'm reminded of similar advice from teachers in other martial arts- gunfu, etc... dogfu is the same; that you can learn something from everyone. But get the white belt basics in dobe-fu down first.
