[slimmwillis]

Me and my girlfriend got a purebred doberman pinscher today that is 5 years old. She has been bred once and has a docked tail. The guy we got it from said he was a breeder but we just realized where we saw the ad for the dog pinscher was misspelled three times, so we think it may mean hes lying. But when we first saw her, the whole time we were meeting her, in the car, and for an hour or so in our yard with her she was very sweet and would even follow us around in the yard. But then we went in to make dinner and came back out when it was dark and she has been barking at us every time we go outside. We would just not worry about it for the night since she may not be able to see us in the light but we have a jack russel mix? in a cage at the top of the stairs and we need to let her out to go to the bathroom. What should we do?

 

[Gally]

The man you got her from could be lying or just be a bad back yard breeder or even puppy mill owner. Did you get vet records or any other papers with the dog?

She is probably just confused and unsure in her new environment. I would bring her inside and make a comfy space for her with a place to lay down, something to chew on and access to water. If you're not sure how the two dogs will react you can put the new one in her own room temporarily. Did you introduce the two dogs before you got the new one? Do they get along?

 

[slimmwillis]

He said she is AKC certified and he has the papers but he is going to find them and get them later, same with the vet records and he also told us where her current vet is and that they have a file on her there.We tried to get her to come inside but she just stands about halfway back in our yard barking at us. We have a tennis ball and blanket on the floor for her if she does come in and we left the door open for a while but she doesn't move. We havn't completely introduced them, but they did meet through the cage. The doberman, Brandy, seemed fine but the jack russel mix, Daisy, started barking at her but Brandy just stood there sniffing her. Daisy has continued to bark since then but has calmed down quite a bit. Brandy is fine. Daisy did growl twice after a few hours but that is it other than barking which has calmed to one or two every five minutes.

 

[cshellenberger]

AKC registration means little except that the dog is purebred. They do NOT certify breeders (Though there is a "Breeder of Merit" program). It sounds like she's stressed out, which would be normal for a dog that old going into a new home. It also sounds like your other dog is very stressed as well, which again is normal since introdutions weren't done correctly. You're going to need to work on getting the new dog to trust you and for now try to keep them separated until they both settle in.

 

[slimmwillis]

So what do I do right now? Brandy won't come inside and keeps barking at us, and Daisy probably needs to go potty. Also any suggestions on introducing them tomorrow?

 

[cshellenberger]

Could you take Daisy out to the front yard to do her business? Then perhaps put her up in a separate room for her safety.

As far as getting Brandy in, sit with your back to her with lots of yummy (smelly) treats in your hand, and toss them toward her. Most dobes are pretty food driven and it may well help lure her in to you. Do NOT chase her, be calm, speak softly and don't make direct eye contact (these are all 'calming' signals that tell the dog you're not a threat). Remember she's acting like this because she's SCARED.

FOr introductions tomorrow, use the "Meet Me in the Middle" method, then take them for a walk together. Keep them separated, but able to see each otehr for a few days and take them for walks together frequently (one dog per person).

 

[Kyllobernese]

It was probably a bad idea to just turn her loose in your backyard as she does not know you. Does she have a collar on and can you go up to her and put a leash on her? Take some tasty treats out and just talk to her and see if she will follow you if you cannot get hold of her. I don't mean walk up to her and grab her, just see how she is if you just walk around outside with her, maybe she will come up to you.

 

[slimmwillis]

We fixed the bathroom problem by taking daisy out past the fence and then taking her out on the leash. She was calm and so was Brandy. When we went to come back in we clipped the leash on her and she let me calmly lead her into the house and we let Daisy roam the yard. Brandy is now in our house and perfectly fine, she has been since she has been inside and on the leash. We are going to try the "Meet Me in the Middle" method with introducing them. But also does anyone know how to introduce her to cats? They have had a few peeks of eachother, Brandy doesn't mind but the cats are scared? Any more advice? Also thank you very much to all of the advice and help

 

[cshellenberger]

Make sure the cats ALWAYS have 'safe' place, many dobes do well with cats, but see them as play things and play a little rough with them, others (like mine) have a prey drive. When I had a cat he had a room with a baby gate he could get across to be safe. As far as intros's , don't force it with the cats, they will investigate on thier own, thye may also be stressed and a DAP infuser will help them 'calm down' and prevent/reduce any marking that could result.

 

[lisaj1354]

He said she is AKC certified and he has the papers but he is going to find them and get them later, same with the vet records and he also told us where her current vet is and that they have a file on her there

Good luck with that. I would put good money on you never seeing him again.

 

[spotted nikes]

Walk the dogs together briskly, with no stopping and sniffing for about 40 min. Do it twice a day. Really will help them bond.
Toddler gates put up raised about a foot off the ground will allow the cat to go under, and make it harder for dog to go over.

 

[PatchworkRobot]

I don't know if this has been said but dobermans are not outside dogs. Their coats aren't made for it and, mentally, they're made to be inside with their people. I don't know if you left her outside while you went to dinner because you couldn't get her in but if that wasn't the reason than please know that dobes are not equipped to live outside.

Just be patient with her. If I were a dog that was suddenly with new people and a new place I"d be a little wary too.