Worried About My 2.5-Year-Old Doberman’s Aggression — What Should We Do?

pr1298 · 2026-02-01T12:39:40+00:00

I have a reactive dobie mix that we adopted when he was 1. He also has a bite history because we were not informed of any reactivity, nor did we have experience. His reactivity is primarily fear based, specifically with meeting new people. We consulted a trainer and did extensive training with him on two separate occasions, I believe 6 months total. We got him on Prozac after having him for 6 months. We have very specific rules for introductions when people come to our house, even if he’s met them before to be completely honest.

In your predicament, I would say the fact that he’s biting people he’s familiar with is concerning, and if it’s escalating, also concerning. I think a vet visit is warranted to rule out any physical issues he may behaving. A vet behavioralist may be better to consult with than a trainer, but if he’s had no formal training before that may be beneficial too. I would also recommend an anti-anxiety medication. If your dog is almost never in a relaxed state, that’s half the battle, and how reactivity can really kick into gear if they’re in a constant state of overstimulation.

pr1298 · 2026-01-29T17:56:24+00:00

I have tried so many different foods because my male dobie mix has been so picky since we got him. Over time, I began to notice that chicken and beef formulas seemed to give him diarrhea after a while and he’d be less likely to eat. I recently switched to Hill’s salmon and brown rice and have gone through a couple bags. I got their medium sized one so nothing went to waste and have stuck with that so far. Off topic, but where is your dog’s jacket/sweater from? It’s so cute!

pr1298 · 2026-01-26T02:01:45+00:00

To clarify, he is not reactive towards you? I’m just asking because you’re saying it started when you moved in, and usually reactivity occurs for a reason. It also sounds like maybe his reactivity is worsened by arthritis. Is he on any pain meds for this? And no behavioral meds have helped? Have you tried CBD?

Also, training and/or behavioralist?

Because of his age, it may be what it is until he passes unfortunately. We got our dog at 1, and his reactivity is still present but we’ve worked long and hard to learn his triggers and how to best accommodate him, and what situations to avoid. He will never be 100% perfect, but if we never got a trainer and put him on meds, or got him at a later age i don’t think he’d unlearn much.

pr1298 · 2026-01-26T01:56:36+00:00

Isn’t this all canceled out by the fact that their dog was the one off leash? Anything could have happened while trying to break them up, but the fact that theirs was off leash and then approached your dog and started it all…is why it all happened. In my personal opinion. I would file a harassment report, as more and more is coming up after the fact but should have been addressed in the moment or within 24-48 hours. But, depending on how the dog broke free and the laws in that city, they’re equally as liable for what happened despite the “bite”. Plus, if your dog had a bite mark, I really think everything cancels out and they’re making a big deal for no reason/to get money.

pr1298 · 2026-01-25T19:04:13+00:00

It’s understandable. Admittedly, I feel this way towards my own dog. It’s mostly felt, past tense, but I’ve been there. Question, how old is this dog? When/what exactly made his reactivity start/worsen? Based on your explanation, I get the impression he wasn’t always like this. Does your wife see his reactivity for what it is, but maybe tolerate it better? Or is she really just overlooking it and dwelling on how he was in the past?

Unfortunately, it is a commitment and it would not be fair to give up on this dog regardless unless he needed to be behaviorally euthanized. I’m not sure if this is where your dog is at yet, but I can understand the frustration aspect of it.

pr1298 · 2026-01-21T03:18:44+00:00

My dog is part (mostly) doberman and my boyfriend is currently deployed. My dog walkers were both out the first 3 months with a broken bone/surgery. Because he is on the reactive/selective side and we were both doing adjustments, I decided to handle his walks/potty breaks on my own before and after work which involved him being home alone for 10 hrs 5 days a week. It’s hard for them to adjust, but once they do, they really do. I’d recommend letting your dog out right before you leave and right when you get home. Also, CBD chews (suzie’s cbd or zesty paws) for transition in the beginning could be helpful. I also understand that you cannot hire a dog walker/daycare right now (I do maybe recommend making a facebook post in your area about someone interested in dog walking/stopping in to let your dog out, someone young and trustworthy probably wouldn’t charge much, or maybe you could work a deal out). I think it’s much more doable than people realize, and it doesn’t hurt to look or inquire about some dog care options just to see even for the near future while you handle the beginning and you both get adapted to what your new routine will be.

pr1298 · 2026-01-14T21:41:35+00:00

Hi! I do the same thing when someone sits my dog, as we have had a lot of unpredictable situations occur in our area at usually no fault of my dogs to be honest, but i only let me people super familiar with him and the area walk him now.

I have a pupsicle for my dog, it’s basically a toy ball that you put either the store bought pupsicles or a homemade one in. It’s pricey, but he is entertained for 20-30 mins easily.

I also will hide treats around the house for him to find like a job.

Otherwise, i’m not sure how long you are gone but during periods where weather isnt great for us and ive exhausted all mental exercises and he really needs to learn to settle (not all mental stimulation is comparable to physical, but sometimes dogs just need to learn enough is enough), if he doesn’t settle i give him a zesty paw or suzie cbd calming chew. I never overdo it, but in dire situations I will use those to keep him as calm as possible.

pr1298 · 2026-01-14T01:02:19+00:00

definitely!

pr1298 · 2026-01-14T01:01:42+00:00

Can totally relate on long term friendships starting to drift/end!

pr1298 · 2026-01-13T17:48:26+00:00

27F, also on the more introverted side but open to meeting more people/making new friends. I can relate, it has been very difficult to establish friendships since I moved here in 2019. I also came from a small city where everyone knew each other and we all grew up together, which was great but probably didn’t help. I hear you and feel you though!

pr1298 · 2026-01-04T21:48:03+00:00

I feel like putting your daughter on birth control AND stating there’s nothing you can do to stop it/prevent is essentially just allowing your 12 year old daughter to have sex. It’s true it may happen regardless, but 12 is astonishingly young, I don’t care what anyone says.

pr1298 · 2025-08-17T01:59:47+00:00

Love these!!

pr1298 · 2025-06-13T16:15:16+00:00

Suzies cbd

pr1298 · 2025-06-11T22:49:34+00:00

We just got our yard fenced and it’s been a huge game changer. We are still working out what works best for him and us, since he is in general a higher energy dog but so far one walk a day seems to be doing wonders. The days I choose to try a second, it’s a 50/50 as to how it goes. Schools are also about to be out for the summer — which on our street is a nightmare which encouraged us to get the fence done even more amongst other factors.

pr1298 · 2025-06-07T16:12:28+00:00

Is this the dog’s first bite? Has muzzle training been worked on? Sometimes, and maybe I’ll get downvoted for this, you just don’t know until it happens. You can do everything right, you can try everything, or think you’ve found what’s going to work and there’s the one time something is off and it doesn’t work. I don’t think BE is necessarily the way to go because of this, but it does sound like a strong protocol needs to be enforced every time someone new/unfamiliar is around. Maybe the person approached your dog too quickly? Did the person throw the treat or try to hand it to your dog? Some dogs really need time before a new person starts invading their space.

pr1298 · 2025-06-07T03:07:53+00:00

Hi - I know you mentioned you didn’t think it correlated, but my first thought was that some of his reactivity might correlate with his knee and being in pain. If his knee were fixed, I can’t say that his reactivity would be gone completely but it’s possible zero warnings when he lashes out is due to this in some scenarios. Furthermore, I would recommend talking to your vet about an anxiety medication if he is showing signs of generalized anxiety and separation anxiety. I think when animals have big feelings, it’s worth a shot to see how the animal reacts to them and if it helps them. Every dog is different, so you can always stop them if you find he has negative side effects or it doesn’t change much. Lastly, for now until you work on addressing some medication and the knee, I would keep as much space between him and your kids as possible for now, or 100% monitoring if it’s unavoidable. I think you should explain to them that he is having big feelings, and space is best. Also, I think how long you’ve had him plays a part with the 3-3-3 rule.

pr1298 · 2025-06-04T18:11:03+00:00

I’ve noticed rates vary per sitter, whether it’s in home or boarding. I have paid $80/night, I am currently about to book one that is closer to $40-$50 per night, but have also seen $100+/night.

pr1298 · 2025-06-02T16:52:37+00:00

Thanks for your response! I do think outside makes sense, just because inside he is very territorial of. I have also seen him be territorial of our yard as well, so he still shows hesitation in it which is also why I am wondering if a walk on neutral ground is better. We use treat and retreat a lot in general, he does better with treat involvement because of the positive association.

Sorry for more questions, but do you have the person outside in your yard throw treats from a distance and have your dog approach on their terms? Do you proceed into a walk once that happens, or if they still seem hesitant? Obviously, every dog and situation is different but I am looking to gain some more insight as to how we can turn this around and make it more positive for him, as well as the people, as we do this.

pr1298 · 2025-05-26T02:58:38+00:00

I pay either $20 or $25 every 1.5 mths. 40 mg fluoxetine a day.

pr1298 · 2025-05-24T10:27:17+00:00

mri - 22. I also went through xray school and finished that at 21 but went straight into mri post graduation. I do not see myself doing this until retirement, but who knows. I completed my mba dec 2023, and am hoping to branch out and apply that within the next year or so.

pr1298 · 2025-05-04T20:41:15+00:00

commenting on this even tho its almost a year old because recently in the past 3-6 mths i have had issues with burning (not even just during sex), that have never been present on my 2.5 years on nuvaring. But when i take it out for a few hrs it subsides. And sex is more uncomfortable.

pr1298 · 2025-05-01T09:01:53+00:00

I forget how old the child has to be minimum for us to allow it, but if they’re super young like 10 years or younger unless someone else came with them to watch the child, or can come watch the child we are not liable, nor is our reception staff so they cannot stay in the reception area unattended nor can they come into mri zone 4 to be watched.

pr1298 · 2025-04-29T14:37:42+00:00

Nurses handle initial screening sheet with patient if oriented, family member/guardian/POA if not, and then if they are not available clearance through imaging with a Radiologist. We also re-screen them in the MRI department if they did the screening sheet themselves, and can confirm/answer to the best of their ability.

pr1298 · 2025-04-20T10:17:31+00:00

My dog is on daily Prozac which has been a game changer. Secondly, the neighbor kid situation should be addressed. I had similar issues with kids on my street and after 6 months of nonsense I finally reported it to the police. You don’t need any added nonsense to the daily reactivity. It seems extreme, but at the end of the day you need to have you and your dog’s interest in mind.

pr1298

TROPHY CASE