okaygreatthanks
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Just a couple days ago was our “Gotcha Day”, marking our first year with Remy…unreal! I’ve kept a progress journal since the first week we picked him up, and I thought I’d share some of my reflections, lessons learned (many more still to be learned!), things I’d tell myself if I could go back in time, etc.
- Research is wonderful, but even years of it won’t fully prepare you for the actual experience of raising a Doberman puppy.
- On that note, having a good support system (this forum, your breeder, a balanced trainer, your local breed club, etc.) is so important…you can do it all yourself, but it’s already a somewhat isolating journey because Dobermans are such a unique breed. Leaning on others’ expertise and experience makes things much easier!
- We went to town socializing Remy to new sounds, surfaces, dogs and people from the time he was 10 weeks old. While I wouldn’t change that, I wish we'd put more emphasis on was neutrality towards other dogs/ focus on us when in public.
- He went to puppy preschool once a week from 5-7 months. While it was super fun for him (and a needed break for me so I could catch up on work), I don’t know if I’d do it again because: 1) I feel that having a trainer besides myself (i.e. without me being present) sort of devalued my role in his eyes — he learned that people = rewards, rather than expecting all fun/reward to come through me, and 2) it amped up his interest in other dogs, seeking them out as play buddies in public, and creating reactivity issues, which we’re still ironing out.
- For the first few weeks of having him, I put too much emphasis on physical exercise, and he quickly started to build endurance meaning I was having to consistently up the ante. Once I focused more on mental stimulation (puzzle toys, playing hide and seek/nosework, obedience training, etc.), he was more thoroughly tired out.
- They really do “need a job” and I’m so grateful our breeder emphasized this. She encouraged us to test for his trick dog titles when I’d send her updates on his training, suggested Barn Hunt when I mentioned he was really taking to nosework. We got Remy as a pet and companion, and while I knew I wanted to train him really well, the dog sports and show world were something I enjoyed watching on TV, not a tangible reality. I’d never considered titling my dog, but having him earn his first title (TKN) at 5 months was such a proud moment for all of us, and a great motivator to keep working and setting new goals.
- I wish I wouldn’t have felt guilt over enforced crate naps and maintaining a strict schedule. Enforced naps weren’t something I was used to doing, but without them, he never would’ve gotten adequate rest for healthy development, and I never would have gotten any work done during the day. I’ve really come to appreciate how much this breed thrives on routine and structure; having a consistent schedule is one of my main coping mechanisms for ADHD, so we’re a match made in heaven in that sense.
- Thank heavens we got pet insurance from the get-go because we have used it constantly!!!
- The most important command to teach a puppy (in my opinion at least) is “leave it”. EVERYTHING goes into their mouths. Frankly, it’s an achievement that I’ve kept this dog alive for a year, because in the time we’ve had him, he’s eaten or tried to eat: rocks, tree branches, his ear posts (he ripped them out and snarfed them down during a crate nap — fun endoscopy and stomach pumping vet trip), acorns, pine cones (Fall is one of my favorite seasons, but I hated it last year), goose poop, a dead squirrel, anything he can find in the garbage, all the socks, underwear, bras, a highlighter, zip ties, a roll of duct tape…I could go on. We always have hydrogen peroxide and syringes on hand just in case, but of course teaching impulse control and “leave it” is the best first line of defense.
- I tried to fade treats too early in obedience training, and it just made him lose interest in training and probably a bit of trust in me. Keep the treats going as long as you need to!
- Every Doberman is unique (even between littermates!), as is their situation…comparison is truly the thief of joy when it comes to enjoying your own progress and journey.
For now, I look back at all the stages he went through, and it’s really incredible to see how far he’s come. There were meltdowns, tears, questioning whether or not I was doing enough for him, or doing too much. There were many more moments where I just couldn’t believe I finally had my dream dog, felt so damn proud of him, of us for figuring it out together. And we’ve only just begun!
All so GOOD! I was smiling and nodding my head through it all! Thanks for posting! Now we need a succession of pictures!
