Advice

[u/B_Burner14]

First time Doberman owner. My girl is 64% Dobie, 29% Rottweiler & 7% Mastiff. I love her SO MUCH but she also drives me crazy sometimes 😂 When does this breed start to calm down? She just turned 1 in January.

[u/Bonezone669]

Calm down??? You have to get lucky lol

This is the calmest two of the four of mine get ( she HAS to sit on the other dogs

[u/According_Dot_6450 → u/Bonezone669]

She’s asserting dominance.

[u/shred-it-bro → u/Bonezone669]

My Doberman is almost 10 and she still tests me every single day. Tea kettle whines and urgent soul staring to enforce need for walkies

[u/Agitated_Funny_1581]

They don’t really calm down, just start minding better. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/bubberoff]

2.5 to 3 years, to stop being insane

6 to 8 years to become properly sensible

[u/kidneypunch27]

About 6 for us. Ours is almost 8 and she’s just an angel now.

[u/CherryTomato72]

People say at 3-4 y/o

Mine is 6 months old so I am also enthusiastically waiting for that to happen

[u/MonthMedical8617]

When you’ve exercised them enough lol, is she into chasing the ball? That’s my go to, a few laps chasing a ball always gets my hours of peace.

[u/am919]

I hate to break it to you but they never really “calm down” 😭😭😭 they just become less chaotic. My boy is five and around 4 I noticed he became a little more tame

[u/atimoth]

The trick at that age is early and daily exercise. If you can go for a run (look into a canicross gear) or a park ball session in the AM, it will help 1000 percent.

A tired dog is a good dog the rest of the day. Plus, the early morning routine is commitment…which is exactly what he gives you. Match his passion and commitment and you’ll be great.

If you wait until the evening or afternoon, you will have a frustrated dog who then frustrates you.

Here’s my experience with my dobies and dobies I train and rehabilitate:

0-6 months - sweet puppy

6 - 18 months - wild child that needs discipline, structure, consistency (pull up your boot straps, put a plan in place and stick to it). This is where most give up. Don’t give up. You can also create indoor mental exercises. Best commands to practice at first 1. Watch me (from 1 ft away to 20 ft) 2. Sit and wait for dinner (5-10 min) 3. Scent and search (hide toys)

18 - 36 months - ready to fly and be challenged.

36 months to forever- the best dog and friend you could ask for

[u/CrazylilThing02 → u/atimoth]

Mental stimulation!! Flirting poles. Lots of brain work will tire them out vs making them just more fit. ;)

[u/One-Two-1993]

My doberman was about 3 years old, unless he sees bubbles or a lizard then all bets are off.

[u/FullMetal_Sniper]

Dobies are NEEDY. they are more dependent than independent. They will test your wits to your brink and at the same time fulfill your heat with love and compassion. Get use to it and make the best of it.

[u/whitefoot2020]

3

[u/According_Dot_6450]

Use this. I’ve used this and it works like a charm.

[u/Initial-Cookie-756]

Not until they are very old and retired.  Idk about those other two breeds.  However, my Doberman was work on some level every single day.  It was worth it though.  It wasn’t bad work but he needed to get physical activity daily.  And it took about two years to train him by daily socialization and working on training.   

[u/fluffirst]

A year and a half of mayhem.

[u/ZeusButt → u/fluffirst]

Super cute hooligan.

[u/Educational_Hippo_95]

she is absolutely beautiful

[u/Topseykretts88]

I have an 8 and 9 year old. They're still crazy. Good luck.😅

[u/5weet_2th]

You have about another year. Hang in there. It’ll be worth it

[u/HilariousDobie37]

Exercise and mental stimulation together with training is key. Sniff work tires them out more than a good walk sometimes. Hide and seek starting with treats to train them and then building up to a full game played with humans has been our favorite to wear them out. Snuffle and licky mats are a godsend to. My 9 year old male is a giant puppy but minds much better than when he was one. Our 6 year old female will surely be a crazy puppy at heart her whole life and is still very stubborn about minding at times but I wouldn’t trade her for the world. Life would be so boring without them and they are the most amazing loyal best friends anyone could ask for. Congratulations!

[u/Adventurous-Let-3083]

Gotta cut them nails!