My 8 month old male Doberman attacked a 6 month old female Rottweiler.

[Hayk]

Hey folks,

So today I was in a field with my 8 month old Doberman and few other dogs that he knew and few he didn’t.
He was playing with them no problem, even with the new dogs until a 6 month old female Rottweiler came to the field with her owner.
Both she and her owner were kinda anxious, she was afraid of all the dogs and would be close to her owner. Her owner was kinda protecting her from other dogs all the time, clearly her owner was afraid that something would happen.
She even asked me if my dog is ok with other dogs and I said yes he is because he never had problem with other dogs.
When I said it my dog went to her, smelled her and lounged at her barking.
I took him away and calmed the situation, then released him.
Few minutes later he did the same thing to her again but with more aggression this time.
I corrected him and took him away from her and did not release him until she was gone from the field.
I talked to other dog owners about the situation and they were shocked that it happened because they knew my dog and that he is not like this.
Honestly I’m shocked too because of the fact that he acted like that to a younger female dog. If it was a male I would understand, but to a younger female dog ?
Would appreciate if you guys could give me some answers and feedback on this situation.
Thanks.

 

[Two Dobes]

That is a scary situation....especially when so unexpected. Sorry I don't have any ideas, but hopefully someone will chime in. It sounds as if it was the energy of the owner and her dog....but I don't understand why your dog was trying to 'get rid of them' in a sense...in such an aggressive way.

 

[Hayk]

That is a scary situation....especially when so unexpected. Sorry I don't have any ideas, but hopefully someone will chime in. It sounds as if it was the energy of the owner and her dog....but I don't understand why your dog was trying to 'get rid of them' in a sense...in such an aggressive way.

That was a very weird situation, after they were gone my dog continued playing with other dogs without any problem. Her owner was very protective of the dog, crouching and almost hugging her in front of other dogs that tried to meet her. I’m shocked that my dog did that to a younger female dog, he is always interested in female dogs because he is sexually maturing now but never was he aggressive towards them.
I can’t stop thinking about that situation.

 

[Ravenbird]

It doesn't sound normal, and I feel like your puppy will not make a habit of this type of aggression. Without seeing the incident, I'm going to guess that the human and the Rottweiler were both projecting such a fearful energy that your dog thought they "didn't belong" with the group. I don't usually say things like this, usually there is a more concrete reason for aggressive barking especially, as you stated, a 6 month old shy female and an 8 month old playful male. Was this an off-leash situation? You did the right thing by correcting your dog and taking charge of the situation - you certainly don't want him to start thinking he can boss other dogs at this age.

Welcome to Doberman Chat - we'd love to see photos of your boy!

 

[Hayk]

Hey, it was off leash in an open field with 10-15 dogs running around. I spoke with few dog owners who saw the situation and they said too that the rottweiler was very anxious. I understand that puppies can be afraid and anxious around other new dogs that’s completely fine but I noticed that her owner was more afraid and anxious about her dog meeting other dogs. The energy there was kinda weird can’t explain but few other dog owners noticed that too. I am doing obedience training with my dog, he listens to me, when I call him he comes back to me even when there are other dogs playing, not 100% but working on it. If he does something wrong I’m correcting him, he knows what he can do and what can’t. I have been training him since I got him (4 month old) and we have huge progress. I shall note that he sees me as a leader and respects me.

 

[Hayk]

It doesn't sound normal, and I feel like your puppy will not make a habit of this type of aggression. Without seeing the incident, I'm going to guess that the human and the Rottweiler were both projecting such a fearful energy that your dog thought they "didn't belong" with the group. I don't usually say things like this, usually there is a more concrete reason for aggressive barking especially, as you stated, a 6 month old shy female and an 8 month old playful male. Was this an off-leash situation? You did the right thing by correcting your dog and taking charge of the situation - you certainly don't want him to start thinking he can boss other dogs at this age.

Welcome to Doberman Chat - we'd love to see photos of your boy!

This is the best picture of him I could find, around 6 months old.

 

[Two Dobes]

Darling!

 

[Kswoodssue]

I am not an expert, but my experience is that an 8 month old Doberman is like a young teen. He can understand the rules, but his judgement and consistency are sometimes unpredictable. It is also my experience that these dogs are very sensitive to things outside the norm. They pick up on odd vibes or odd appearances. I would never recommend off leash activities with other dogs. Even for the best behaved.

 

[JanS]

I would never recommend off leash activities with other dogs. Even for the best behaved.

I agree and I saw this clip the other day that sort of nails it down.

794K views · 10K reactions | Think Long and Hard Before Going To Dog Parks #react #dogs | Southend Dog Training

Think Long and Hard Before Going To Dog Parks #react #dogs

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[Hayk]

I agree and I saw this clip the other day that sort of nails it down.

794K views · 10K reactions | Think Long and Hard Before Going To Dog Parks #react #dogs | Southend Dog Training

Think Long and Hard Before Going To Dog Parks #react #dogs

www.facebook.com

I am bringing him to the field for him to socialize with other dogs that’s the only reason I’m going there. I’m aware that having many strange dogs in same place can cause problems but how else can I socialize him with other dogs. In the area where I live most people got small dogs and won’t let them play with my dobie because they are afraid of him.
Since I got him it has been very hard to find friends for him to play with and I don’t want to have a unsocialized dog.

 

[MyBuddy]

how else can I socialize him with other dogs.

Just my two cents.

We are on our fourth Doberman and I've never been to a dog park. And actually I never will. Unless it's empty! LOL but I don't have a need for it. We live on 10 acres and she has plenty of room to run. I think sometimes people go to dog parks to be able to let their dogs run free. I realize a lot of people might not have a fenced in area or even a large enough area to really let their dog run. And Dobermans love to run!

But I've always thought it dangerous to be in an area with a lot of other loose dogs and personalities. I don't consider dogs like children where they need a friend. I'm their friend. My husband is their friend.

Socializing to me is acclimating them to a lot of different situations. Not running loose with other dogs. Running around, unleashed is not training. There's no control over your dog or others. And a lot of times the owners are not even paying attention. They think of them as a bunch of children that just want to go play on the swings while they converse. A lot of things, bad things, can happen in those situations. And let me tell you. When it happens with your dog, the Doberman will end up being the 'bad guy'. Because a lot of people have that notion in their head that Dobermans are 'mean.' So when trouble starts they're going to point fingers!

There's a lot of better ideas. One is taking him to a store where dogs are welcome. Walking him around in a store with the bright lights, lots of people, and sometimes even the occasional other dog, I feel is good training. You have them on a leash. You have control. And there's a lot of socialization. Try taking them on leash around the outside of a fenced in soccer field or a Children's Park. Again, it's being out and about, controlled on leash, while exposing him to different situations. Noises, children, cars, to me that's more socialization than anything. And the occasional dog that you would come upon in a store teaches him to be polite and obedient.

Even delivery people to your home can be a teaching experience and socialization. Make him sit while you open the door to the delivery man. You may even want to have him pet your dog as long as he's calm.

All these type of things to me are socialization. A gang of loose dogs teaches nothing in my book. There's so many other ways to expose your dog to the world. And the world is more than other dogs. It's noises, big scary equipment, running children, traffic, bikes, and even the weather.

You can also introduce other dogs by taking a walk with a friend with their dog. One on one is much better.

There are so many things to expose your dog to other than other dogs that will round out his world.

 

[Rits]

Since I got him it has been very hard to find friends for him to play with and I don’t want to have a unsocialized dog.

Thread 'Proper socialization for a puppy'

Mar 15, 2021

• Rits
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Doberman Puppies

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They don't need to directly play with dogs to be socialized. They've already learned all of their skills on how to play with other dogs through their littermates and mom. It would actually be better if you were to go sit at a bench near the dog park or pet store with your dog on leash and armed with treats. Sit there and wait for him to look at you. Mark "yes" and give him a treat. Any time something grabs his attention and then he looks at you following that, reward. You will find he will learn to look at new things for a brief second, then immediately look to you. He's learning both that the dog he is looking at is a positive thing and that looking to you for direction is also positive!

 

[Katyusharocket]

It would actually be better if you were to go sit at a bench near the dog park or pet store with your dog on leash and armed with treats. Sit there and wait for him to look at you. Mark "yes" and give him a treat. Any time something grabs his attention and then he looks at you following that, reward.

if you have a patient staff at the vet clinic, this is also a prime place to practice this same idea. I, on the other hand, am the only one around here who would endorse the use of dog parks, but, we have a very accepting group of dog park users, so you have to work with who you've got at parks. If they aren't liking what they see, it's time for a smooth exit.

 

[Ddski5]

Very unfortunate incident indeed…I can understand feeling a weird vibe as it happened- been there. They just act weird, cautious and anxious when meeting new dogs. I do find it odd that a male went after a young female…

Could you identify any pre-attack signs he exhibited that you can watch for next time? My male was pretty expressionless, it was hard but I was able to see signs and mannerisms to stop it before it started.

Advice: Well, it happened once so there is potential to happen again. And if it’s worse next time you could be judicially liable. You said you are doing obedience training…he is still young so don’t go full bore, still have a lot of fun with him but work, work, work and lock his obedience up. You can get him to where he will look and respond to you rather than succumb to his urges.

You’re not gonna like this but I agree with the others- no dogs parks. I can understand your rational but the risk is not worth the reward here. Not only him going after other dogs but an other uncontrollable owner/dog going after your dog- just not worth it.

Good luck and work on obedience to lock him down when needed.

 

[MyBuddy]

You’re not gonna like this but I agree with the others- no dogs parks. I can understand your rational but the risk is not worth the reward here. Not only him going after other dogs but an other uncontrollable owner/dog going after your dog- just not worth it.

Exactly. And when it's your dog that got attacked, it will change him. I don't have personal experience with that, but I've been on this board over 16 years and I've seen it with other people. Members that join looking for some answers because now that their dog has been attacked he is either cowering at everything or he is now fear biting. Including at the owners. It's just like if you were attacked. It does change you to where you may need therapy. And it's hard to give support like that to a dog.