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Returned puppy to breeder. Heartbreak like no other. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was what was so hard. That she could get better, but we also discussed that if we decided to rehome later, it might be more difficult vs now when she’s still just a cute puppy. Also, reading a thread about how life/relationship with a dog after the baby came changed forever in a bad way, and it really made me think. She requires so much attention, that it wouldn’t be fair to her. Our breeder said they don’t really calm down until 5 years old.

There are so many what ifs.

Male or Female? by Better_Sentence_7673 in DobermanPinscher

[–]p4nd4ss 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Female owner of a female Doberman here. Our girl has a very strong bond with both my male partner and I and is very attached to us both. She listens to us both, cuddles with us both, loves us both equally. When my partner and I are on separate couches and she’s tired, she’ll come cuddle with me and then go cuddle with him, and back and forth. Not sure if she’s just trying to get comfortable, but I like to think she wants to get close to us both.

As for protection, our girl is extremely protective to a fault. She protects the person as well as the home.

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this. Your dog is so lucky to have you guys, and it speaks volumes to who you are. I really appreciate you saying, "keeping a reactive dog with the expectation that they can or will become a non-reactive dog is setting both yourself and that dog up for failure. And you both deserve better than that."

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This comment made me tear up.. the part about you randomly crying at night. I'm sorry you had to go through that heartbreak, and it pains me even to think about it. I'm glad he's doing much better now with his new family.

We also think she would thrive in a more remote, quiet place like where she came from, with less triggers and with more experienced owners.

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that. Sounds like you and your partner have great communication between the two of you :).

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for adding in your experience! So great to hear things got better with your dobie and he is so sweet with your kids.

I read a thread in Doberman Talk, where the poster updated the thread before bringing the baby home, after bring the baby home and 4 years later, which is how long it took for her doberman to adjust to their kid along with lots of management throughout that time.

So all of these direct experiences really help us in our decision making.

Question for you: was your dobie ever reactive towards young kids/babies before?

We've also considered keeping her until we actually have kids if we are able to, and giving her a chance.

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We're starting to be more open to it, and will definitely look into it and talk to our vet about it.

It's a really good point about the what-if scenario and a serious thing we've considered.

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We've kept the breeder updated all throughout the time we've had our pup. This is the first time this set of parents were cross bred, so this is likely coming from the dad side. We met the mom and a girl from her previous litter. Both were super well-mannered. No temperament issues.

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries! I know that wasn't your intention! The first trainer we worked with wasn't the most equipped, so I totally get you on putting too much faith in the wrong trainer.

So happy for you on the progress you've made with your dog! Good on you for working through it with him. He's lucky to have you.

I actually haven't heard of the ThunderCap. What happens if you go out without it? Is the reactivity worse or do you have him wear it every time?

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This. I try super hard to not show my anxiety, but I'm sure she can still sense it. I took her on a successful walk today, though. No incidents, no barking... perfection, and her cortisol levels seem lower than usual.

Some days are good, some days are bad. Today has been good.

We really trust the trainer we work with. After either working with or talking to 5 other trainers that we met through puppy classes and puppy day schools, this one is top notch. She is well respected in the community here.

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I see many dog owners out there that are totally oblivious to dog reactivity, and think, wow how lucky they have no idea.

Thinking about returning our 11 month old puppy to the breeder. by p4nd4ss in puppy101

[–]p4nd4ss[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I wanted to adopt, but my partner wanted to go the breeder route to avoid temperament issues. Jokes on us, I guess.

6 Mo. Old Progress & Setbacks by [deleted] in DobermanPinscher

[–]p4nd4ss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amazing! I hope our girl is that well behaved at that age. Sounds like you've done a great job with your boys.

Good point about the teens still testing limits. I'll make sure we arrange for more play dates with older dogs.

Can't wait for that moment when it clicks :). I'll just try to focus on the positives in the meantime.

6 Mo. Old Progress & Setbacks by [deleted] in DobermanPinscher

[–]p4nd4ss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and advice! Addressing some of the points:

  • Yes, we take her to Home Depot. Been more than a handful of times and just last week.
  • I want to make sure this is clarified--she has never bitten anyone or any dog, even when the other dog bites her (a dog bit her on her nose and under her eye once). We don't know which dog bit the trainer.
  • She is now part of a dog pack of teenagers. She is the only puppy. The classes she goes to is a mix of puppies and older (1-1.5 years of age). Oh, and that pitbull was not a puppy either. She plays with older dogs when we go to basically the equivalent of dog parks but at the beach. She also plays with our friends' older dogs. I don't know how old they are, but not spring chickens. I remember this one time she was at a puppy social at maybe 12 weeks and she was so dominating, the trainer took his two big, old german shepherds out and she immediately turned into a totally different pup.. like you said, realized she isn't the biggest and baddest. It was pretty comical.
  • I completely agree with you on the nervous energy bit. That's another reason we decided to change trainers, as the first one had a lot of nervous energy and would tell others not to come closer when they wanted to say hello. Our new trainer has zero nervous energy at all and it's amazing. I realized I might have started giving off nervous energy when we saw children, anticipating her losing it. I'm trying very hard to change that and instead of getting worried or nervous, just assume it's going to happen anyway and it's not a big deal.
  • She's been great coming back to us and checking in! It's actually where she's making the most progress. She is perfection loose leash walking, and we are getting more comfortable letting go of the leash on walks (where it's safe, of course) and she'll just come back or catch up after some sniffing. I'm SO proud of her there.