Really struggling but don't want to give my dog up

[My First Doberman]

I have rescued a Doberman Lurcher X who is eleven months old and it isn't working out. I work from home and he is as good as gold during the day. I take regular breaks from work and he gets walked five miles a day at least but come evening he won't leave me alone and constantly trying to hump me. I am covered in bruises on my arms and legs where he keeps grabbing me and I can't sit down in an evening The next morning he is his lovely calm self again but I am totally exhausted. I have been told not to neuter him until eighteen months and am totally broken-hearted as I think I will have to return him as I can't continue like this. Can anyone offer any advice?

 

[Firestar Dobe]

Training! Maybe you could find a dog club that has manners/obedience classes. Dobes who aren't trained are extremely difficult to handle when they reach maturity. A good training class, with training at home as well, may be able to turn your problems around! I would advise you to read everything you can on this site about training and behavior. There are a ton friendly, knowledgeable owners on here that are always willing to help and share their experiences!

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[JanS]

Welcome from Minnesota!

The teenage phase usually starts at about 7 months so your boy is going to continue to test his alpha with you as long as he's getting by with it. As stated, training and structure is a must with this intelligent breed or they will walk all over you.

 

[Ravenbird]

The replies above are 100% correct. Train, train, train. Someone asked on here "why does my dog hump me/others/dogs at the park?" And I said very simply "Because you let him". We aren't trying to be mean by saying it's your fault, we're just saying that explaining in no uncertain terms to the dog what boundaries are, and you reinforce those rules will work wonders. If he's crate trained, start putting him in the crate in the evening (before he starts his habit so it won't seem like punishment). Neutering has zero to do with humping. I've seen dogs that were neutered at 6 months hump well into old age... because no one told him he couldn't. It's nothing to do with not getting enough exercise, it's just a self-rewarding behavior like barking or chewing a bone. The more they do it the more it becomes a habit, and we as humans know it's easier to quit a bad habit early on than after years of practicing it.

I love lurchers and sighthounds - share photos of your boy! We all love pictures and love dogs of any breed!

Welcome from New Mexico!

 

[HelenaG]

Your dog may have enough physical exercise, but what about intellectual? As other people here said, training is important. And not just for obidience, but also for mental stimulation. Mentally stimulating activities & games help to prevent behavior problems

 

[Dobielurcher]

I have rescued a Doberman Lurcher X who is eleven months old and it isn't working out. I work from home and he is as good as gold during the day. I take regular breaks from work and he gets walked five miles a day at least but come evening he won't leave me alone and constantly trying to hump me. I am covered in bruises on my arms and legs where he keeps grabbing me and I can't sit down in an evening The next morning he is his lovely calm self again but I am totally exhausted. I have been told not to neuter him until eighteen months and am totally broken-hearted as I think I will have to return him as I can't continue like this. Can anyone offer any advice?

Mate him...let him release some testosterone maybe if u can't get him castrated yet. I've just got my pup today...same breed. Good luck xx

 

[Dobielurcher]

The replies above are 100% correct. Train, train, train. Someone asked on here "why does my dog hump me/others/dogs at the park?" And I said very simply "Because you let him". We aren't trying to be mean by saying it's your fault, we're just saying that explaining in no uncertain terms to the dog what boundaries are, and you reinforce those rules will work wonders. If he's crate trained, start putting him in the crate in the evening (before he starts his habit so it won't seem like punishment). Neutering has zero to do with humping. I've seen dogs that were neutered at 6 months hump well into old age... because no one told him he couldn't. It's nothing to do with not getting enough exercise, it's just a self-rewarding behavior like barking or chewing a bone. The more they do it the more it becomes a habit, and we as humans know it's easier to quit a bad habit early on than after years of practicing it.

I love lurchers and sighthounds - share photos of your boy! We all love pictures and love dogs of any breed!

Welcome from New Mexico!

I think this is absolutely sound advice...kids r shits sometimes because parents let them get away with it so same with our dogs. He's taking the piss basically...he needs to know ur the alpha...I hope ur not scared of him? U need to be more dominant...Good luck xx

 

[Ravenbird]

Mate him...let him release some testosterone maybe if u can't get him castrated yet.

I'm sorry, but this is just not good advise. You are way off base here thinking breeding is an answer.

 

[Dobielurcher]

I'm sorry, but this is just not good advise. You are way off base here thinking breeding is an answer.

OK, your probably right, n after reading another person's comments about being firm with the dog n not letting him get away with it this makes more sense! Why do they do it? Is it an attention thing or a stress thing?? My dog years ago...that was a bitch use to hump my poor cat!!!

 

[Ravenbird]

Why do they do it?

I'll repeat: because you let them. It's self-rewarding behavior and they see no reason why not if you don't give them a reason to stop. Harassing a cat in any way is self-rewarding to a dog, even if they don't mean harm. If you don't take up for the cat and correct your dog, then it's all on you, not the dog. The cat suffers and the dog keeps increasing their bad behavior. Lose, lose situation for everyone involved.

 

[Dobielurcher]

I'll repeat: because you let them. It's self-rewarding behavior and they see no reason why not if you don't give them a reason to stop. Harassing a cat in any way is self-rewarding to a dog, even if they don't mean harm. If you don't take up for the cat and correct your dog, then it's all on you, not the dog. The cat suffers and the dog keeps increasing their bad behavior. Lose, lose situation for everyone involved.

On different matter, bk I the day of the puppy pooed or peed in the wrong place we would rub their nose in it, smack their bum n put them onto the newspaper where they should have gone to the toilet. This is what I've always done with my dogs. However reading up recently on stuff apparently this is not the right way. Thoughts on this??? Xx

 

[JanS]

Thoughts on this???

Definitely a huge "don't do that!".

 

[Dobielurcher]

Definitely a huge "don't do that!".

I won't. But glad I've been researching a bit. Like I said this was the oldskool way. Times have changed alot. I will not however be getting a crate. So many ppl may say I should but I'm sorry my pet is my family n will not be in a crate. She will...when she moves from the front door have her bed and know that's her bed n will go to it when she's told to. The crate thing I don't get

 

[Ravenbird]

The crate thing I don't get

Crates aren't punishment, crates provide a safe place - probably even more important to a stressed puppy like yours who wants to be left alone. Crates give them a sense of safety when the children (you have 3?) get loud or rambunctious or too much for the puppy. Also, most dogs are very reluctant to potty where they sleep so they learn to wait for you to let them out, thus helping you potty train. Most of us still have crates in the house with the door open all the time and most dogs choose to sleep there, or at least go there when they want to rest.

 

[Dobielurcher]

That makes alot of sense..especially as she's nervous xx

 

[CRDobe]

Crate train!!!

 

[cjpmpd]

I have rescued a Doberman Lurcher X who is eleven months old and it isn't working out. I work from home and he is as good as gold during the day. I take regular breaks from work and he gets walked five miles a day at least but come evening he won't leave me alone and constantly trying to hump me. I am covered in bruises on my arms and legs where he keeps grabbing me and I can't sit down in an evening The next morning he is his lovely calm self again but I am totally exhausted. I have been told not to neuter him until eighteen months and am totally broken-hearted as I think I will have to return him as I can't continue like this. Can anyone offer any advice?

I would get him fixed (not sure why you wouldnt), but I'm not an expert. Can try giving him "Calming" treats (get them from WalMart. Have really helped my boy. Have read so much about this breed. We are right there with you. I refuse to give our guy up, but need help. Good luck!

 

[JanS]

I would get him fixed (not sure why you wouldnt), but I'm not an expert.

11 months is way too early. They should be at least 2 years before you even think about it so they can grow properly and altering won't change a thing about the behavior.

 

[cjpmpd]

11 months is way too early. They should be at least 2 years before you even think about it so they can grow properly and altering won't change a thing about the behavior.

When we got our pup at a shelter at 10 weeks, he had already been neutered. Didn't, know. I'm sorry.

 

[Ddski5]

When we got our pup at a shelter at 10 weeks, he had already been neutered. Didn't, know. I'm

I can understand the reasoning behind shelters and vets pushing this so as to decrease the irresponsible procreation of stray unwanted animals. And you had no way to reverse this process….

What I don’t understand is how and why a veterinarian does not budge on this mode of thinking….I mean they take anatomy classes and learn extensively how important the endocrine system is to development and growth but yet the 4 vets I encountered in the younger years all pushed to have my Dobermans neutered/spayed at 6months- just baffles me when they look me in the eye and say there is no definitive evidence that one makes the difference over the other.

Sorry for the rant @cjpmpd….