Dobermanic

Thanks for all the great info. I signed up for the Susan Garrett games so am looking forward to having a go at them. You have all been really helpfull with all of your suggestions.

Mrs Rusty Bucket When do you think it is safe to start with the jumping and weaving etc? She is going on 19 months now. Should I wait until she is two to be safe? Our training club lends out books so I will have a look and see if they have any on agility. Thank you.

That's great Sparkycat that your dogs have so much fun. Agility looks like it would be a lot of fun. Even if we don't compete it will keep us both active learning ( mentally and physically) I did a YouTube search last night of Dobermanns doing agility and there are a lot of them doing it and quite a few successfully. I did agility in NZ with my JR she loved it and was really good but to dog aggressive unfortunately. We only did it for a few months because she wouldn't let any other dogs near us.

Thanks for all your opinions it's helpful to hear about other people's experiences. I do think she would be very good at tracking the only problem is where the training takes place is quite far away and I rely on my partner to drive me around. I will hopefully have my licence by next winter so should be able to start then. I guess there is risk of injury in any sport. We would just have to start slowly and learn everything properly to try and minimise the risk involved. And I think I will wait until she is two so that her joints are fully developed. Thanks again :)

Hi I am interested in doing some kind of dog sport with my Dobermann. The problem is there are so many I'm interested in and I'm not sure which ones would be the most fun for us. We already do obedience and I show very occasionally but am looking for something a bit more interesting. I like the look of Flyball and Agility. My dog loves to chase balls and is quite fast. I would also be interested in K9 nose work or tracking as she has a fantastic nose. Has anyone had any experience with theses sports and what are your thoughts on which ones are the most enjoyable? Thanks in advance :)

Thank you very much that info it is a great help. Geat idea to measure the dog I hadn't thought of that. I'm sure she will pick it up quickly she is very easy to train and food motivated. Thanks again :)

Thanks for all the tips. The idea of giving the command touch when the dog has the object in their mouth sound like it may work for me. She holds it quite well and will retrieve it but instead of putting it in my hand she throws it at me. She loves the touch command so asking her to touch with the object may get her putting it in my hand. I don't use a clicker but use the word yes so I suppose it is the same thing. Thanks again.

Hi I was wondering if anyone has any experience with using a human treadmill for their dog? I would like to get one for myself so I can still exercise on very wet days. I thought it would be good if my dog could also use it on the occasional days that I can't take her out. In summer I usually take her out twice a day plus she swims in the pool. So she is quite fit. In winter she gets a good walk in the morning and if I have time an afternoon walk. I believe I would have to get a rather long treadmill. But how long would that be? And is it difficult to train them to feel comfortable on one? Thanks in advance :)

Thank you that is great information :)

Hi I am currently trying to teach my dog to take and hold a dumbbell. We have only had two training sessions and I have managed to get her to take it and hold it for a very short time. Does anyone have any tips on how to teach a good hold? My goal is to eventually have her heeling with it. I would also be greatfull if anyone can recommend a good web site or some articles I could read that may help me train her better in this area. Thanks for your time.

Hi I have tried applying paw paw ointment and coconut oil which has helped the skin but not the hair growth. I have been told its due to a gland on the tail. I will try the chalk thanks for the idea. It's only a small area so it should work well.

Hi Everyone. I am in need of some grooming advice. I have a Dobermann who has a small bald spot on her tail. I would like to find a product to cover it up for the show ring. I believe Chris Christensen has some black makeup products but I am unsure what ones to uses. Does anyone know of any products that would work well for this? Thanks in advance :)

I have worked out the problem. She is having a false pregnancy. I noticed awhile ago that her mammary glands were swollen I did mention it to the vet last time we were there. She is now lactating a bit. I have noticed she is quite sooky and a bit out of sorts. She is still eating chicken wings and had a bit of K9 naturals last night so I'm glad she is getting some nutrients. How long will it last for? Glad to hear about the probiotics being sprayed on she has always done well on Holistic. She has the grain free fish one.

A probiotic maybe worth giving a go. The Holistic Select dry food is supposed to have the good bacteria in it but since it has been heat treated I doubt that many would have survived.

Thanks for the advice. It is frustrating! She would happily eat what ever we are having but I am not giving her my veggie mite toast lol. She had a season in September so wouldn't be that. I now see I have been making a mistake by hand feeding her and making a fuss. Tough love it is from now on and fingers crossed that will do the trick.

Thanks for the advice I will get her check out if she doesn't get her appetite back. She is the only dog at home. I will stop making a big deal over her eating and try the throwing the food in the bowl and walking away. Thank you.

Hi Everyone, This is my first post here. I would like to ask if anyone has any advice on feeding a very fussy dog. I have an 11 month old Dobermann. I feed her mainly a natural raw diet ( vets all natural and BARF) she also has Holistic Select dry food. Lately she has been refusing to eat anything more than once. I have tried adding Show Stopper to her food for flavour. She like it a few times but now is not interested. She will eat if she has to work for it. If I ask her to do a trick or obidence routine then use the food as a treat she will take it but only from my hand and not the bowl. I have been told to just let her go hungry and she will eat eventually but I don't want her to lose condition. She is a good weight but is quite active. I was thinking maybe it's the heat or prehaps she is going through a naughty teenage phase and testing me. I would be greatful for any tips as I am throwing out more food than she is eating lol. Thank you.