3 y/o male Dobe suddenly aggressive towards dogs

Sarahf

New Member
Hello!

We have a 3 y/o neutered male Doberman. He is known every he goes as the most gentle and kind boy. When he was younger he was often attacked for being intact and was such a lover he wouldn’t even fight back.

Since he was little he also has gone to daycare — over the years it has become one of his favorite places. He especially loves one female retriever that he loves to rest his head in or sit on during play.

When he is not a daycare he is walked off leash through hills and Forrest area that he loves.

He has never been too aggressive towards a dog or had an issues but he had to leave daycare early one day because he tried to attack 2 dogs. The owner believed he was just so tired from being there 2 days in a row because it is so unlike him.

A week later we bring him back and at first he was ‘acting strange’ and intolerant of the dogs. They brought him away for a few minutes but was crying to come back with the others so the brought him in and then seemed to be fine.

He is obsessed with my husband who works away most of the phone. We always joke he has daddy issues but wondering if he just gets fed up with him being gone.

He eats well most of the time (except for when he’s being difficult and manipulative as dobes do). Plays with our cat, great with children and hates be left alone as dobes do as well.

Any ideas on what could be the problem?
 

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Dobermans dont tend to do well at doggy daycare or dog parks. Totally expected outcome. He is at the age he is in his prime maturity wise, even without testicles. He will challenge and not tolerate challenges from other dogs. This breed is a powerful breed that doesn't take to other dogs correcting them well. I'd say sadly, his doggy daycare days are over.
 
Ok! Thank you everyone for your responses. It seems you are correct as it has happened 3x in a row now

He’s just always been so kind and gentle to a fault it seemed strange.
 
Only aggressive to the dogs at daycare??

Two things come to mind:
1. He was mishandled or had a bad dog experience at the doggy daycare.
2. Go in to see vet and do a thyroid check.
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Yes only at daycare. We run into dogs off leash on our walks in the forrest all the time and he’s always excited to meet new ones and play. But it’s been 3 times now they he is trying to attack dogs at daycare.
 
But it’s been 3 times now they he is trying to attack dogs at daycare.
Those could be little (or big) misbehaved dogs so they shouldn't be allowed to interact if the daycare knows there's in issue.
 
I was thinking the same thing @Rits.

Regardless of how nice they are at daycare, something happened or something triggers him there or he has just matured into who he is. Unfortunately, he will always get the bad wrap of the deal because he is a Doberman.
 
I'd take that as your warning sign to drop him from daycare before he or someone else gets seriously hurt. Maybe there are a few dogs at daycare that he gets along with that he could meet up with and have playdates?
yes I love this idea. We will definitely get in touch with his best buds.
 
I was thinking the same thing @Rits.

Regardless of how nice they are at daycare, something happened or something triggers him there or he has just matured into who he is. Unfortunately, he will always get the bad wrap of the deal because he is a Doberman.
So true. On off leash walks I’ve definitely seen a different side of him. He use to cower away from intense playing dogs but he seems to give them a warning now when he’s had enough. I call him at this point and he recalls well. He’s not a lil pup anymore!
 

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