Not sure what to do next? I can't find a crate she can't destroy and get out of.

[Kaiser2016]

She has a personal trainer, I even take her to acupuncture at a holistic vet to try to help her, I get you feel that I am not home enough with her,

This is a very bored dog and you're in a pretty tough spot. I can understand not wanting to walk in the middle of the night, but keeping this dog couped up like that is asking for trouble down the road. Did your other 5 Dobes deal with this better? What worked for them, maybe you can try those things?

Acupuncture to help with the anxiety? If so, I would redirect those dollars to toys and chews. What does the dog have right now? There's lots of new stuff available to help you out a bit, but in all honesty, this is a time-demanding dog. Believe me, I spent plenty of time trying to get out of my responsibilities with Kaiser and they'll drive you nuts if you don't expend their energy.

The crate suggested above might actually make the dog feel a bit better because it's more den like. We have a wire crate and covering it with blankets definitely made a difference in crate training. Can you try using blankets too?

There's always someone willing to earn some money walking a dog. In addition to Rover, there are other dog walking apps that might get you someone suitable and closer to home. It will definitely help you get through this period.

 

[Regalis]

I agree that this sounds like a bored and understimulated pup.

Crate - the idea here is to keep her safe. Her destructive tendencies are liable to get her injured. Or killed.

12-16 hours in a crate, even not every day, but on a regular basis is a LOT. Even out of a crate, that's a long time to be left alone. A 2 mile walk is likely not enough to wear her out physically or mentally. There are many, many other ways to exercise them without walks. Do you have a yard? Is it fenced? If so - a flirt pole may really help. This way she can get some running in, anytime of day, without you having to leave your own property. A treadmill is another option.

For days when you are working that long - I would seriously consider finding a sitter/walker or doggy day care. Is she good with other dogs?

 

[Lolli]

No no when I called the vet to say my couch was all gone I felt judged, it was stuff like she is a working dog, everydog comes with a different personality, I know all this, my trusted vet retired in July so then I had to find a new and cause they don't know me it feels like judgment.

 

[Lolli]

I agree that this sounds like a bored and understimulated pup.

Crate - the idea here is to keep her safe. Her destructive tendencies are liable to get her injured. Or killed.

12-16 hours in a crate, even not every day, but on a regular basis is a LOT. Even out of a crate, that's a long time to be left alone. A 2 mile walk is likely not enough to wear her out physically or mentally. There are many, many other ways to exercise them without walks. Do you have a yard? Is it fenced? If so - a flirt pole may really help. This way she can get some running in, anytime of day, without you having to leave your own property. A treadmill is another option.

For days when you are working that long - I would seriously consider finding a sitter/walker or doggy day care. Is she good with other dogs?

She gets food in her crate she has toys where she has to figure out

 

[Lolli]

She gets food in her crate she has toys where she has to figure out

Sorry lost my page new at how to use a forum.
She gets food in crate frozen king in crate, puzzle toys, the non rawhide bones. When I am at work on mandatory it mark comes and takes her out sits with her. Spoils her kisses her etc
I spent all summer looking for day care or babysitter or dog walker but see I live in the country no one wants to come out here to take care of a dog. Someone suggested rover so I am gonna check into that. Her trainer has us come at night cause that's when her fear of people really come out takes her down town around activities so much at a time, getting a hair closer each time to strangers. I have an acre fenced in but I don't let her run it before I leave cause I am scared of coyotes

 

[Lolli]

I agree that this sounds like a bored and understimulated pup.

Crate - the idea here is to keep her safe. Her destructive tendencies are liable to get her injured. Or killed.

12-16 hours in a crate, even not every day, but on a regular basis is a LOT. Even out of a crate, that's a long time to be left alone. A 2 mile walk is likely not enough to wear her out physically or mentally. There are many, many other ways to exercise them without walks. Do you have a yard? Is it fenced? If so - a flirt pole may really help. This way she can get some running in, anytime of day, without you having to leave your own property. A treadmill is another option.

For days when you are working that long - I would seriously consider finding a sitter/walker or doggy day care. Is she good with other dogs?

Some dogs she is good with, if we are at dog park and a mouthy dog goes to come in then she is all over them. Not biting or anything like that but like stands over the top of them so I hook her up and leave

 

[Lolli]

This is a very bored dog and you're in a pretty tough spot. I can understand not wanting to walk in the middle of the night, but keeping this dog couped up like that is asking for trouble down the road. Did your other 5 Dobes deal with this better? What worked for them, maybe you can try those things?

Acupuncture to help with the anxiety? If so, I would redirect those dollars to toys and chews. What does the dog have right now? There's lots of new stuff available to help you out a bit, but in all honesty, this is a time-demanding dog. Believe me, I spent plenty of time trying to get out of my responsibilities with Kaiser and they'll drive you nuts if you don't expend their energy.

The crate suggested above might actually make the dog feel a bit better because it's more den like. We have a wire crate and covering it with blankets definitely made a difference in crate training. Can you try using blankets too?

There's always someone willing to earn some money walking a dog. In addition to Rover, there are other dog walking apps that might get you someone suitable and closer to home. It will definitely help you get through this period.

No there wasn't inasked called every vet posted where ever I could and once they find out you in the country or 20 - 30 miles away it was I don't think so. I was married up until the last pair was 6 so there was always someone rotating in and out, they were not destructive she wouldn't even be in a crate if she wasn't destructive when she was young I had rugs over top she'd pull in chew them up then blankets got pulled in and chewed up

 

[Kaiser2016]

Ah ok, it had seemed to me like you might have just been a bit off the beaten path (the car prowling), but you're really out in the country so I can see why finding a dog walker is hard.

Your issues are typically of someone who has a Doberman in small living quarters and/or no yard. But you have an acre that is fenced in, but can't exercise the dog? I'm guessing between your shifts and the time change, it's too dark to be outside. And the fence isn't secure enough to keep coyotes out? If this was me, security would be number one. I'd fix the fence and have bright outdoor lights installed. This would facilitate playing in the dark, you'd have a happier less destructive dog in the house, and since you have a girl, they tend to become more mature faster so really I'd even let her have free reign of the house. Properly exercised, they are way less destructive.

 

[Lolli]

Ah ok, it had seemed to me like you might have just been a bit off the beaten path (the car prowling), but you're really out in the country so I can see why finding a dog walker is hard.

Your issues are typically of someone who has a Doberman in small living quarters and/or no yard. But you have an acre that is fenced in, but can't exercise the dog? I'm guessing between your shifts and the time change, it's too dark to be outside. And the fence isn't secure enough to keep coyotes out? If this was me, security would be number one. I'd fix the fence and have bright outdoor lights installed. This would facilitate playing in the dark, you'd have a happier less destructive dog in the house, and since you have a girl, they tend to become more mature faster so really I'd even let her have free reign of the house. Properly exercised, they are way less destructive.

It's a 6 foot chain link I'm known as the house in the woods, I don't know if coyotes jump in with her or not see I only have one light out there in back.

 

[Lolli]

It's a 6 foot chain link I'm known as the house in the woods, I don't know if coyotes jump in with her or not see I only have one light out there in back.

She loves to run in this foot of snow rt now but I make her come in after 10 minutes cause I'm scared she will freeeze her feet she loves frisbee and is very good at it, but like you said time change weather shifts idk maybe I baby her to much.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Indeed if this was me and Kaiser, I'd never walk the dog again lol, we would play Chuck it forever. Knowing me I'd probably replace the Chuck it with an automatic ball thrower. I'd build him his own barn for winter time fun because then I don't have to be out in the elements either. Can you imagine the Jolly Ball insanity on one acre? I might never see Kaiser expect for when he's hungry! Oh and I'd throw away all his collars and leashes.

Wait, dog parks? You go to dog parks? I live in the city and don't go to dog parks! The dogs there are crazy at best.

 

[Kaiser2016]

maybe I baby her to much.

I think this is true You really need to not coddle her at all. If you're nervous or scared around her, she will pick up on that. As long as she is running around in the snow, she won't be cold. If she is cold, she will come in. My crazy guy has enough sense to come in on his own when his feet get cold. Here he is. Last winter was super cold and we relied on this toy a lot. Bonus for you is that it's an independent play toy!


Fix your lighting situation and start enjoying your dog!

 

[Lolli]

When my lady passed away at 12 almost 2 years ago, you know what it was from one wrong jump 2 days later she couldn't again completely incontenet was in intensive care for a week and never got her feeling back to walk again, so I'm scared to let her bounce around, scared she is gonna get hurt by something .

 

[Kaiser2016]

When my lady passed away at 12 almost 2 years ago, you know what it was from one wrong jump 2 days later she couldn't again completely incontenet was in intensive care for a week and never got her feeling back to walk again, so I'm scared to let her bounce around, scared she is gonna get hurt by something .

That sounds like Wobblers. It is known to happen in Dobermans, but this breed has so many health issues, we can't bubble wrap them. They'd bite through it, probably swallow most of it, and then look for something fun to chew on

 

[Lolli]

O my gosh that is so funny, and true!

 

[Lolli]

I recommend getting a Impact Crate. They have a high anxiety one that is escape proof. I have their collapsible and it’s escape proof in my opinion. I’m gone for work 10 hours a day, but my work is staggard with my s/o work so he gets crated from 8am-430pm. With a 30 minute break at 1pm. I used the “rover” app and conducted several interviews with people I saw as responsible. I eventually found the right person and she comes over daily for his crate breaks. This may be an option for you.

I’ve also been working a lot of overtime right now and it’s been a pain but I find 30-45 minutes in the evening to exercise him. I found an empty well lite parking lot and we train there and he gets to run. It’s been helpful, I also use CBD which helps mellow him out.

Hope you found something useful in my rant. I posted a picture of the crate below.

View attachment 90625

Edit: I saw that you didn’t want to get the crate because it looks like a “prison” however most dogs love their impact crates. When I set up Rex’s crate he started whimpering and soon as I finished setting it up he ran in and plopped himself down. He even gets upset if I move it or mess with it. He’ll even sit by it and wait till I open it so he can go in randomly. I wouldn’t look at it as a prison but as a safeguard for your dog and your property.

What are the demons ions on your crate?

 

[Antman408]

What are the demons ions on your crate?

I have the 500, however Rex is 80 pounds and has another year of growing. Which is why I bought the 500. If your girl is smaller a 450 will do. However you can call them and explain your needs and they’ll help you.

 

[Archer]

I second the impact crate. They are awesome.


I will also add this. Classic hallmark signs of a bored Doberman. She is in her crate waaaaay too long and she needs more exercise than just a walk. A walk despite the duration of it is not enough for a Doberman. Bike her in place of walking. Free run her in a safe open field. Build a PVC jump and teach her to jump. She also needs more MENTAL stimulation. If you haven’t already research puzzle games and buy interactive toys. Train her at 1 am when you are too afraid to walk her. Put her through basic obedience commands. Teach her new tricks. The mental stimulation in this breed needs to be more than just basic things. Does she like to chew? Elk antlers and long leg bones really can do the trick as well. This is a working breed that needs a job to do and doesn’t do well with lack of stimulation.

I feel your pain. I work sometimes 60-80 hour work weeks and my days start at 4 am. I work an hour from home. I have call hours overnight. I have five Dobermans. Only one can be trusted enough to be out of his crate when we are gone so the rest are crated. We have a dog walker. I have zero time to myself when I get home because the minute I walk in my door I have to feed, potty and work them. It is hard, but doable. I know you can accomplish this too. We aren’t judging you. Just trying to help as we all understand the situation. This is NOT an easy breed to own and some Dobermans are needier in their energy/job requirements than others.

 

[Archer]

I have the 500, however Rex is 80 pounds and has another year of growing. Which is why I bought the 500. If your girl is smaller a 450 will do. However you can call them and explain your needs and they’ll help you.

I second this. They are awesome. Good crate with even better customer service.

 

[Antman408]

I second this. They are awesome. Good crate with even better customer service.

Tommy and crew have fantastic service. UPS damaged my first 2 during shipment. Each time they rushed my order and had a new crate out in a few days!