Are Dobermans Hard To Train? – A Guide For Doberman Training

Introduction

Are Dobermans hard to train? No, if you use a reward-based system and be consistent. It is because they are a very smart and loyal breed.

Dobermans would not historically be guard dogs if they are not trainable. On the right hand, they can truly be the best friend one would ever have.

The Core Concepts Of Doberman Training

Like other dogs, a Doberman Pinscher needs an alpha to follow. But military-style training with physical punishment and mental oppression won’t do the job.

What you want to do is guide their temperament with your own. If you are hostile around them, they would act jitterily too.

Another important thing to do is motivating your Dobies with rewards. Give them some treats in time when they complete a task. A pet on the head or some kind words will work too.

To yield results from the above things, keep your dogs in a routine. Repetition is the key to behavior training.

For a quick recap, be a loving alpha, reward good behaviors in time, and set up a consistent routine for your Dobermans. It is critical to keep positive energy throughout your interactions with your dogs.

Characteristics Of Dobermans

Traditionally being guard dogs, Dobermans Pinschers are notorious for an imposing appearance and being physically capable.

When it comes to protecting your home, Dobies, German shepherds, and Pitbull are the first to come to mind.

To many people, Dobermans are dangerous to humans as well as other pets. The common practice of ear clipping surely doesn’t help at all.

However, they are not all that. Behind that cold and stern look is a brittle heart.

This breed has many characteristics that you should take into consideration before getting one.

Related post: Special Things About White Doberman That You Will Want to Know

Pros

  • An imposing yet graceful look.
  • A formidable deterrent even when relaxing.
  • Relentless with athletic activities.
  • A short and easy-to-care coat.

Cons

  • Not allowed in some areas or be a reason for insurance refusal.
  • Need regular exercise and socialization to be happy and to be well-behaved.
  • Easy to be distressed by loud voices and anxiety.
  • Tend to bark or otherwise react defensively toward aggression.

Some Basic Training

You should begin with some basic obedience training. Sit, stay, walk on a leash, and shake hands are some good starts.

To train a dog to stay:

  • Hold its favorite food hovering above its head.
  • Move the treat toward its tail.
  • As it repositions itself to see the treat, say “Sit”.
  • Give it the treat once they sit.

For stay training:

  • Start in a sitting position.
  • Tell it to stay.
  • Saying “Stay” while standing next to it.
  • Reward it if it stays for a few seconds. Withhold reward if it doesn’t.
  • Repeat with further distance and duration.

To teach your dog to walk on a leash:

  • Walking with your dog with a leash on.
  • Walk the opposite direction if it pulls you.
  • Praise and reward it when it follows you.

For the handshake command:

  • Start in a sitting position.
  • Present your palm at a suitable height.
  • Wait or guide its paw to your palm.
  • Give it praise and a treat when it shakes your hand.

See more at: Things You Need To Consider Before Purchasing Doberman Puppies

Frequently Asked Questions

When To Start Training A Doberman Puppy?

It is ideal to start training a Doberman when it is between 6 and 12 weeks old.

The surrounding awareness of fewer than 6 weeks old puppies is still too limited. They are not developed enough to understand instructions or any verbal command.

If you let your puppy grow older than 12 weeks old until you start training, it may develop unwanted behaviors and be harder to receive correction.

That being said, you still can train a Dobie who is fully grown to be a wonderful pet.

How Long Does It Take To Train A Doberman?

There are a lot of factors to take in when answering this question. Some of them are your dog temperament, its past, its age, the other dogs in the pack, and your time budget per day.

Usually, with the right approach, it would take a couple of months for your dog to nail down the fundamentals.

For something more complicated than simple tricks and understanding basic commands, you would need some more time. For example, walking on a leash may take a few weeks, but potty training your Doberman may take half a year.

Further reading: Do Dobermans Bark A Lot? The Quick Answer For You

What Treat Should I Feed My Doberman With?

As we have said, rewards are a crucial part of training your Doberman. Besides being leverage, treats can also help them relieve stress, condition their teeth, and get additional energy.

Some of the popular treats for Dobies are jerky strips, beef muscle sticks, and biscuits. Jerky and beef muscle are naturally flavorful and can help them improve dental and mental health.

With biscuits, you will have more bangs for your bucks. They are quick to eat too, making them perfect for dog training sessions.

You should avoid feeding your dobbies beef marrow, antlers, or rawhides. They are too hard or chewy for their teeth. On top of that, rawhides can be a choking hazard and a digestive problem.

Be careful of giving your dogs human foods as treats too. Many human foods are dangerous for them, including chocolate, onions, grapes, coffee, and soy.

Read more: Best Harness For Doberman

How Can I Use Toys To Train My Doberman?

Similar to edible treats, playtime with toys is a very effective motivation.

We believe that positive reinforcement should be the core of your dog’s training. So instead of disciplining them with harsh words and physical punishments, focus on rewarding them with toys and playtime.

Regardless of your use of toys as a motivation, you should always give your dogs designated playtime in the day. When they are good, give them their toys for additional playtime.

Conclusion

We hope our article has helped you answer the question: Are Dobermans hard to train?

In summary, this breed takes instructions and commands well. Still, you must assert yourself as an alpha who is consistent and generous with rewards. Reward-based training, proper emotional support, and routines are the key to this dog breed.