Dobermans were originally developed in the late 19th century by a German tax collector called Louis Doberman. He developed them from a range of other dog breeds, such as Rottweilers, German Pinschers and German Shepherds. What he wanted to create was the ultimate watchdog, and he succeeded.

Doberman Pinschers are very intelligent, strong and lean. While they make fantastic watchdogs, they also can make a great family pet, although it is essential to train them from a young age. They have been known to be aggressive, so it is important that you dont let them close to young children until you are absolutely confident that they are properly trained.

In this Doberman Training article, well look at how to stop Dobermans from being overly aggressive. If you want the ultimate guide to training your Doberman (including step-by-step photos), visit Secrets to Dog Training

There are many types of aggression that Dobermans are known for

• Food-bowl aggression Which is when they get very aggressive around food, especially when you are trying to take away their bowl.
• Being overly aggressive at play time.
• Aggression towards strangers
• Aggression towards other dogs
• Fear aggression
• Aggression around the leash

The most common aggressive behaviors in Dobermans are

• Barking
• Lunging
• Growling
• Snarling
• Biting
• Snapping
• Wrestling with other dogs

If your Doberman is male and hasnt been neutered, he is very likely to be instinctively aggressive around other male dogs. So neutering is definitely the first thing to think about.

If they are afraid or nervous, they are also quite likely to behave aggressively.

You should be able to tell when he is about to be aggressive (and hence when to stay away or make sure others are warned) because he will stand with a stiff back and hairs and ears erect.

How to train your Doberman to stop being aggressive

If you use firm handling from when he is a puppy you should be able to make sure that your Doberman is very well behaved.

Below are some more essentials:

• You must establish yourself as the alpha (do this as soon as possible, preferably from puppyhood).
• If at all possible, try not to punish your dog physically. A verbal no! and perhaps a squirt of water is enough.
• ALWAYS reward calm and good behavior.
• It is very important that from an early age you get your dog to get used to being handled by all members of your family.
• It is also a good idea to allow a lot of socialization of your Doberman with strangers and other pets.
• Try not to tie up your Doberman outside for long hours.
• ALWAYS keep him on a leash in public places.

Remember it is your responsibility in Doberman training to make sure that he isnt placed in situations where he is likely to act aggressively. If you notice that certain stimuli cause him to act aggressively (either in fear, or in anger) then if at all possible, just remove the stimuli.

For the most in depth guide to obedience training your Doberman, visit Secrets to Dog Trainingyoull be so glad you did.

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From one dog lover to another, best wishes!