Training Overview

Training Overview

The Dobermann takes to training, even as a very tiny puppy. It is highly intelligent breed that actually seems to be capable of "sensing" and feeling what his master is thinking and what he wants the Dobermann to do. Because of this natural intelligence, the Dobermann has been successful in agility competitions and tracking events. This breed is a people-pleaser so you should not use too firm a hand in training and correcting problem situations. We suggest making the training and the time you spend exercising a fun and even an adventurous experience. If the Dobermann believes it is being asked to do something that will please you, he may go beyond what you have asked for.

The best way to train your Dobermann is to stay ahead of them in the thinking department and be willing to change tactics slightly to fit your pet’s personality. The more interesting you can make your time together, the better your Dobermann will respond. The Dobermann is as close to being "human" as any breed of canine. They have the desire to please and comply with the requests of their master. Because of these wonderful traits and their intelligence, they are trained very easily and quickly and retain the lessons very easily.

They can be very "testing" at times, but with patience and guidance, they are remarkable in their ability to learn and anticipate the situation. Basic Obedience training is imperative for the Dobermann. This is a breed that must be disciplined, both physically and mentally. Dobermann who are not trained and socialised properly have the capability of doing great harm to someone, thankfully most people who breed Dobermann of the correct character are very selective in who they sell their puppies to.

A key to having an enjoyable experience with your Dobermann is buying a puppy from a reputable breeder who takes the time and makes the effort to ensure that the puppies have the best start by introducing them to the right stimulus and experiences in the first weeks of their lives. They make great family pets and if raised properly should be a great with children of all ages. Remember that the Dobermann can be a bit “pushy” and sometimes assertive if allowed in a position of control of a situation. Interestingly, female Dobermann can be a bit more stubborn during training than males. Due to this cheeky nature, any training you undertake on your own should be done with consistency and firmness. However they won’t respond well to physical punishment. For this reason, you should use positive reinforcement and try to work with this breed’s natural love for attention, reward and mental activity. Dobermann need this mental stimulation and as a result want to interact with people, therefore they should not be left alone for long periods, and if they are this will impact on their willingness to learn as the bond with you will be weaker, and in fact it can lead to sulking and destructiveness.

Reward is most commonly food or prey related, prey being a ball-drive. We recommend that you build your dogs prey drive for a ball from a very early age and maintain this as it will help in all areas of training later.

We offer training support with all of our puppies throughout their lives and are always available for owners of Lunascura Dogs to call us at any time for help and tips. We provide a full puppy pack which covers basic socialisation, house and crate training among other things. However we also offer training to other owners of Dobermann and other breeds. You can find out more about the training services we offer on the Training Offered Page