Adult or Puppy food at 12 months?

[Renzo Red]

I would just put him in a heel and start your walk but don't let him sniff everything along the way so he knows you are in charge. If it looks like the has to go, give him a little more leash and let him find his spot, but he doesn't have to have his nose to the ground on the whole walk.
It's great you are asking questions and trying to get it right!

I would just put him in a heel and start your walk but don't let him sniff everything along the way so he knows you are in charge. If it looks like the has to go, give him a little more leash and let him find his spot, but he doesn't have to have his nose to the ground on the whole walk.
It's great you are asking questions and trying to get it right!

You know with all my other dobies I always used the gentle leader and kept them in a heel but with all this social media and trainer videos I keep seeing the Spirit dog methods of letting your dog have some freedom on their walk so I have been doing both. The morning we do 50/50 heel and release ... once he goes poop he is completely at a heel the entire way home... I get so confused now with what to do... All my previous dogs I just loved and cared for, and they were all amazing. A few I could go off-leash with no problem. For some reason, I feel so different about raising Renzo ... I really think I watch too many videos, and it convolutes my thoughts. I really like Beckman not Cesar.

 

[Ravenbird]

I'm glad it gave you ideas and insight. Feel free to ask questions as he will tend to push you these next few months. Just like 7 turns into 6:50 give an inch, he'll take a mile every time...

but now I put him on the patio and he can wait there until I'm ready

If he starts barking, bring him in and put him on his place, so he learns that barking only gets an inside down-stay and nothing else. So eventually he will learn that outside and quiet means he can mill around in the yard, but outside and barking will get him inside on a down stay. The best thing about a Doberman is they are extremely smart and learn fast. If you are clear with your boundaries and don't make exceptions he'll learn alll the things and be cheerful to do it your way.

 

[BGpa]

You know with all my other dobies I always used the gentle leader and kept them in a heel but with all this social media and trainer videos I keep seeing the Spirit dog methods of letting your dog have some freedom on their walk so I have been doing both. The morning we do 50/50 heel and release ... once he goes poop he is completely at a heel the entire way home... I get so confused now with what to do... All my previous dogs I just loved and cared for, and they were all amazing. A few I could go off-leash with no problem. For some reason, I feel so different about raising Renzo ... I really think I watch too many videos, and it convolutes my thoughts. I really like Beckman not Cesar.

Heh. I get you on "watching so many videos", and confusion. There is SO much good info out now that just twenty years ago you would normally get from a qualified trainer (and I use qualified on purpose).

Bonnie is my first pupp in a long time, so I had the benefit of being retired to get some training for me, plus all the advice in online forums, a dozen books on dobes (not all done yet!), and of course, youtube. Then there is trying to sort out the various religious beliefs, positive only, thou shalt not on service dogs, etc...

Well...about the best advice I have gotten is "learn from the dog in front of you"...
And
Dont be afraid to try a new trick or technique if one thing is not clicking for you and Renzo.

I notice that dobes as a mix of terriers, shepherds, hunting dogs, mastiffs may express a drive or behavior thats from more than one fiundation breed, or mixed in together...it makes sense they would be more of a challenge than a dog from a long established breed with predictable behaviors to a task and motivations...that are best met by say one simple thing...

So you and Renzo just sort of have to learn together, and its ok if it takes some trial and error. Its ok to try something different.

Remember there is the idea out there that puppies go thru a couple periods where they seem to regress, so just go back a step or two to basics and rebuild/reinforce until that clicks in, again.

My very best advice has been "make it fun".

I personally think you can learn something from everyone you meet in life, if you listen, and there are some good trainers online.

I'll defer to the more dobe experienced her on who they like, but I do like the down to earth style of Donnie Stover, the thoughtful interviews by Cabral, and Beckman intrigues me with his marine mammal background and focus on using his dobes as demo dogs.

I also like anything from Leerburg, Mike Ellis, and see Kikopup mentioned a lot on Service Dog forums. There is a lot of very wise info from the LEO and MWD community in the GSD forums, thats very insightful- including from GuideDogs.

I'd most highly recommend read @Ladydi posts on training puppies as Service Dogs, and see what you can glean from the top 3 corporate programs.

There is a lot of really interesting and results oriented behavioral science going on in that area, thats hard to get at but so useful in early socialization, calm obedience, bonding...she posted a link to a youtube channel you can review all ten lessons.

Its a great time to be learning to "talk dog" so give yourself a chance to be imperfect but just be patient and stick with it.

The one thing I have learned is dobes are a little more of a challenge but once they get their brains fully in, which in males may be later...its so worth it...

PS: there is a gold mine of info in the archives here, and you can search using the built in tools, or outside in using search engines.

What sets it apart are some of the smartest most experienced, kind and generous people in dobe and big dog world so dont be afraid to ask.

 

[BGpa]

Sheesh...i constantly scramble that guys name...

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC6vdCX3-G6oDGajvQFreLLA

 

[Renzo Red]

Heh. I get you on "watching so many videos", and confusion. There is SO much good info out now that just twenty years ago you would normally get from a qualified trainer (and I use qualified on purpose).

Bonnie is my first pupp in a long time, so I had the benefit of being retired to get some training for me, plus all the advice in online forums, a dozen books on dobes (not all done yet!), and of course, youtube. Then there is trying to sort out the various religious beliefs, positive only, thou shalt not on service dogs, etc...

Well...about the best advice I have gotten is "learn from the dog in front of you"...
And
Dont be afraid to try a new trick or technique if one thing is not clicking for you and Renzo.

I notice that dobes as a mix of terriers, shepherds, hunting dogs, mastiffs may express a drive or behavior thats from more than one fiundation breed, or mixed in together...it makes sense they would be more of a challenge than a dog from a long established breed with predictable behaviors to a task and motivations...that are best met by say one simple thing...

So you and Renzo just sort of have to learn together, and its ok if it takes some trial and error. Its ok to try something different.

Remember there is the idea out there that puppies go thru a couple periods where they seem to regress, so just go back a step or two to basics and rebuild/reinforce until that clicks in, again.

My very best advice has been "make it fun".

I personally think you can learn something from everyone you meet in life, if you listen, and there are some good trainers online.

I'll defer to the more dobe experienced her on who they like, but I do like the down to earth style of Donnie Stover, the thoughtful interviews by Cabral, and Beckman intrigues me with his marine mammal background and focus on using his dobes as demo dogs.

I also like anything from Leerburg, Mike Ellis, and see Kikopup mentioned a lot on Service Dog forums. There is a lot of very wise info from the LEO and MWD community in the GSD forums, thats very insightful- including from GuideDogs.

I'd most highly recommend read @Ladydi posts on training puppies as Service Dogs, and see what you can glean from the top 3 corporate programs.

There is a lot of really interesting and results oriented behavioral science going on in that area, thats hard to get at but so useful in early socialization, calm obedience, bonding...she posted a link to a youtube channel you can review all ten lessons.

Its a great time to be learning to "talk dog" so give yourself a chance to be imperfect but just be patient and stick with it.

The one thing I have learned is dobes are a little more of a challenge but once they get their brains fully in, which in males may be later...its so worth it...

PS: there is a gold mine of info in the archives here, and you can search using the built in tools, or outside in using search engines.

What sets it apart are some of the smartest most experienced, kind and generous people in dobe and big dog world so dont be afraid to ask.

thanks I hadn't heard of some of these ...I will enjoy checking them out

 

[Two Dobes]

I will add to what @Ravenbird mentioned; " Feel free to ask questions as he will tend to push you these next few months. Just like 7 turns into 6:50 give an inch, he'll take a mile every time..."
Falcon will be 3 in November; and he still pushes me! He never wins though....I have the same routine every day with my dogs, in terms of waiting to eat across the kitchen, in a down...and he will randomly get up and try and walk around the kitchen. So he gets put back in his place, and Glory gets to eat because she didn't move. It takes longer and longer till he can eat if he whines...doesn't happen every day (Thank God) but he pushes on occasion....and he will never win. It frustrates me because I have never had such a non compliant dog! Makes me work harder! My problem is my husband...he is not consistent with Falcon, so there is my battle. But I do all the feeding, and walking/training. He is the play buddy, nap with guy.

 

[JanS]

he pushes on occasion....and he will never win.

That is the most important thing with a dog or child for that matter. If they figure out that they will get their way if they fuss long enough it would keep making it harder to win.

 

[Renzo Red]

I will add to what @Ravenbird mentioned; " Feel free to ask questions as he will tend to push you these next few months. Just like 7 turns into 6:50 give an inch, he'll take a mile every time..."
Falcon will be 3 in November; and he still pushes me! He never wins though....I have the same routine every day with my dogs, in terms of waiting to eat across the kitchen, in a down...and he will randomly get up and try and walk around the kitchen. So he gets put back in his place, and Glory gets to eat because she didn't move. It takes longer and longer till he can eat if he whines...doesn't happen every day (Thank God) but he pushes on occasion....and he will never win. It frustrates me because I have never had such a non compliant dog! Makes me work harder! My problem is my husband...he is not consistent with Falcon, so there is my battle. But I do all the feeding, and walking/training. He is the play buddy, nap with guy.

I did push back for only 2 days and he was fine going for his walk by the 3rd day so thank you all..I put him on the patio and he barked and then settled the 3rd day. thank you

 

[MichiH]

This! I say that having Pepper is like a 2 yo child for life. Literally the same behaviors lol and you must stay on top of them or you’ll have a problem child.

That is the most important thing with a dog or child for that matter. If they figure out that they will get their way if they fuss long enough it would keep making it harder to win.

 

[Ravenbird]

Falcon will be 3 in November; and he still pushes me! He never wins though....I have the same routine every day with my dogs, in terms of waiting to eat across the kitchen, in a down...and he will randomly get up and try and walk around the kitchen. So he gets put back in his place, and Glory gets to eat because she didn't move. It takes longer and longer till he can eat if he whines...doesn't happen every day (Thank God) but he pushes on occasion....and he will never win. It frustrates me because I have never had such a non compliant dog! Makes me work harder!

I've said many times that Asha was the best teacher I ever had. She taught me that I was wrong in so many ways! She taught me that if I was too tired to push back one day that she would push back even more the next day. Give an inch and she'll make you sorry. I'm most sorry that I didn't have experience with a dog of this nature and kept trying to train her like my previous Doberman who was just the opposite. The hardest thing is having to go back and un-do the mistakes. I so wish I could have a "do-over" with her first year.
One a positive note for Falcon, I think 3 was about the age that she was really coming together and the insistence that she was boss started fading.

 

[Renzo Red]

I've said many times that Asha was the best teacher I ever had. She taught me that I was wrong in so many ways! She taught me that if I was too tired to push back one day that she would push back even more the next day. Give an inch and she'll make you sorry. I'm most sorry that I didn't have experience with a dog of this nature and kept trying to train her like my previous Doberman who was just the opposite. The hardest thing is having to go back and un-do the mistakes. I so wish I could have a "do-over" with her first year.
One a positive note for Falcon, I think 3 was about the age that she was really coming together and the insistence that she was boss started fading.

I can't believe how DifFERENT this one is from my last 5!! He is sassy and bull headed but has one heck of a personality! I cannot be tired ever lol I am shocked how this one memorizes patterns and routines so quickly.

 

[BGpa]

I'm a baby dobe noob with one dobe now, and another 30 years ago that was so easy I have forgotten...so my free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it...
But my "observation to share" is:

BYB Bonnie needs her "daily affirmations" (as I call them) on the fine tuning, and at this point I'm pretty sure she is training me...like a toddler if they dont get enough positive attention.... (and as BW reminds me I need a lot of training...)

So they will get your attention doing something naughty..."no, don't chew that bark, c'mere, give it" as I tickle her tonsils...(thanks @Ladydi for the technical term)
To get the bits out so they dont show up in my new amateur cynology nerd subspecialty: copropholgogy...(sp?)

J/k,
Seriously. I know I'm preaching to the choir here but to any lurkers like me 3 years ago on dobe forums: tryna catch up on the little hellion...

These dogs were bred to watch, think, make up their own minds...its a mastiff thing.

And like the old Alsatians...run out and kill the wolf on the perimeter.

So its a good thing for the pack leader to pay attention. You have a couple seconds vs a fur-missile breed like LGDs or "bear x BRTs"
To redirect...

And its a good thing they occasionally think they know better...and keep this old fahrt on my toes. There are manny times BYB Bonnie was on to something I missed on trail or home so I practice my good listening skills too.

I guess I could just get a chihuahua if I wanted a brainless bark box...
Or a golden so soft its rolling on its back submission pee-ing obedient...
But where is the fun in that?