Would your Doberman willingly go with a stranger?

[Oh Little Oji]

This is such good progression! I completely believe in the baby talk. My hb is not much of a talker with the dog. He believes in letting Kaiser "sense" the moment. I'm not quite into that as I think he's still too young. I do think that possibly I have gotten much farther with K with my short talks and brief ear rub sessions than my hb has with his endless hours of constant dog walking and playing and obedience time.

I don't think its just because of your breeder, I propose that it is a male "momma's boy" sort of thing going on here. I use sweet talk to gain compliance and it nearly always works. I've implemented the "thank you" response for when Kaiser does what he's told because I think he feels and senses the genuine emotion of gratitude when he does as he's told. So when you sweet talk to Oji, you're tapping in to some part of him that desires this. It might just be a Dobe thing!

With just one Dobe's worth of knowledge, I suspect that they require a fair bit of verbal feedback/approval/love if enough physical/touching/emotional feedback is not given. This is actually what both of us are working on because we can see how much it seems to matter to him. Fwiw, we don't think his breeder was overly hands on with her pups.

Good information!

One thing I think about is this, however: Just like most of our Dobes could be persuaded by a stranger with a yummy treat, don't you think our Dobes could be persuaded by a stranger – perhaps a stranger with bad intentions – who administers some sweet baby talk?

 

[Kaiser2016]

Good information!

One thing I think about is this, however: Just like most of our Dobes could be persuaded by a stranger with a yummy treat, don't you think our Dobes could be persuaded by a stranger – perhaps a stranger with bad intentions – who administers some sweet baby talk?

Great question! I have no idea how likely it is that a dog can be lured by a stranger. And the bigger problem is how do you test it?

 

[Kaiser2016]

Another thing I noticed on our walks in public places is that Kaiser easily gravitates to friendly strangers. One lady was rubbing his head and he totally ate it up so she kept going. Was he sensing that we were relaxed with them? He was so zen and we were talking for several minutes, she and her friend remarked how calm and quiet he was. He is astounding that way. In public you would never see him act like a whiney brat. If they would take his leash from me would he leave with them? What if I had him tied to a tree and those same ppl tried to steal him, would he go? Right now, he is 15 months and I say he'd probably go with them! Shocking to think of!

 

[JanS]

If they would take his leash from me would he leave with them? What if I had him tied to a tree and those same ppl tried to steal him, would he go? Right now, he is 15 months and I say he'd probably go with them!

I honestly doubt he would go willingly. Della is a total sweetheart with nice strangers but if I hand the leash to someone I know and she likes to go do something across the room, she won't take her eyes off me and tries to pull them in the direction I went.

 

[Kaiser2016]

That's good to know! You're probably right. Regardless I would never tie him out somewhere. My hb has if he's running a quick errand while walking him but even then it's only where there is line of sight. I wouldn't be able to take that kind of risk with my little donkey boy. If he would end up in the wrong hands

 

[Oh Little Oji]

That's good to know! You're probably right. Regardless I would never tie him out somewhere. My hb has if he's running a quick errand while walking him but even then it's only where there is line of sight. I wouldn't be able to take that kind of risk with my little donkey boy. If he would end up in the wrong hands

Yes, if I tie him out and step into a store, it is usually within sight or at least in a neighborhood/location where I don't think it's likely to have any monkey business occur. For example, I'd really like sometimes to be able to take Oji to the nearest supermarket so that I can tire him out by running or walking there, and pick up the few items I may need. I know, though, that this shopping center, though located in our relatively safe neighborhood, sees a lot of riff-raff and ridiculousness. You get characters there who seem to think the public square is their private space and will get in your business instead of being freaking normal and minding their own business. I could easily see some people making a ruckus over my tying my dog out – especially if he barked. I'm not talking do-gooders either. No, more like people on the make in one way or another. At any rate, I know this is OT.

 

[Kaiser2016]

I feel pretty safe in my neighborhood too but it's just that one off chance that something goes wrong that worries me given his young age. Once he is more mature I'd actually feel more confident about leaving him. I've seen a number of people do it and the dogs are always well behaved and seem to handle it fine. I'm certain no one would be able to steal Oji!

 

[Kaiser2016]

I forgot to say, hauling groceries in a cart would be a great way to tire Oji out! I want to do that with Kaiser once he can pull loads. Finally put all his pulling power to good use!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Oh, you hit a nail on the head. I've long wanted to get one of those carts you see Rottweilers and Burnese Mntn. Dogs and the like pulling. They haul the owners' butts around. The carts hold two people. Unfortunately, my wife forbids it. Oh, and it would need good brakes due to Oji's proclivity for dashing after animals small and large.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Oh, you hit a nail on the head. I've long wanted to get one of those carts you see Rottweilers and Burnese Mntn. Dogs and the like pulling. They haul the owners' butts around. The carts hold two people. Unfortunately, my wife forbids it. Oh, and it would need good brakes due to Oji's proclivity for dashing after animals small and large.

Haha these dogs run like they've been shot out of a cannon! I wouldn't want to experience getting yanked that way either!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Haha these dogs run like they've been shot out of a cannon! I wouldn't want to experience getting yanked that way either!

Well, and she doesn't want to be known as the wife of the guy who has his dog pull him around the neighborhood. Wait. She already is. Just no cart.

 

[Kaiser2016]

It could be worse. Kaiser was having a melt down yesterday in the yard on his own. I was upstairs changing while he shut himself out. It was that torturous howling like someone should call 911. I never got undressed and dressed so fast and rushing down the stairs imagining my own broken neck.

 

[JanS]

At any rate, I know this is OT.

I split these posts off to their own thread, so carry on.

 

[Gelcoater]

I think it might be possible with Rocky. The right woman could do it I think.

Daisy, someone would have bled trying.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Rubie can be LEFT with a stranger (needed for CGC) and while she's not loud or jumpy or obnoxious about it, she'll anxiously watch for our return. I honestly have no idea if she would go with someone if she was left tied out and unsupervised. I would default to probably but not without a lot of hesitation. Would be an interesting test if you could find a willing 'stranger!'

 

[LifeofRubie]

Yes, if I tie him out and step into a store, it is usually within sight or at least in a neighborhood/location where I don't think it's likely to have any monkey business occur. For example, I'd really like sometimes to be able to take Oji to the nearest supermarket so that I can tire him out by running or walking there, and pick up the few items I may need. I know, though, that this shopping center, though located in our relatively safe neighborhood, sees a lot of riff-raff and ridiculousness. You get characters there who seem to think the public square is their private space and will get in your business instead of being freaking normal and minding their own business. I could easily see some people making a ruckus over my tying my dog out – especially if he barked. I'm not talking do-gooders either. No, more like people on the make in one way or another. At any rate, I know this is OT.

We were in Madison, WI a few weeks back and they have secured dog crates outside the grocery store with provided padlocks and everything! I'm sure it would take the pooch some getting used to but would be a handy thing for walkers for sure!

 

[Regalis]

I'm going to bet no. Kaizer isn't even good with "sorta strangers". Even my dad, who he sees ALL the time, has to announce before he comes in or approaches him if Kaizer isn't aware he's around. He's also gone off on hubs when he didn't know who it was.

Now, it's not so much that I think he'd attack but more that it would take some serious balls for someone to push through his barking and growling to actually take him.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Thank you for splitting this off into a its own thread. I think it's an excellent topic to discuss!

 

[Drogon]

My guess is that most Dobes would sense the apprehension of the stranger with bad intentions and react accordingly. I have to think most people would have some fear walking up to a 80lb intact male Dobermann to begin with, let alone with bad intentions.
I could hand the lead to someone and he'd be relatively okay, more so with a female.

 

[Cali_K]

I've never had a dog who can read and sense people like Kayla does, its amazing. She knows who's friendly and who is up to no good. In the past six months she has barked three times at people and growled once. First time was a guy that was digging through the trash at our apartment complex. Second was a guy at the dog park that was exercising with a hoodie and that was too suspicious for her so she circled and barked at him and the whole time we were there she never took her eyes off him. Third time was at the park a child (5-6 yrs old) and his father I guess they were scared and we're inching by as I sat watching my son play, she read that as nervous and suspicious so she barked, other then that she loves people and if she sees people walking towards her with a smile she completely accepts them. Never barks when people come over not even the cable guy, I feel that she says well they are letting him in so im ok with it. She did growl at a CHP officer at a DUI checkpoint when he approached my window. She definitely wants to be with only me even if my wife is holding the leash she pulls towards me. Poor girl she just wants to be by my side at all times, I almost feel bad.