It’s one of the very first questions any new Doberman owner has: how much am I supposed to feed my new Doberman? Naturally, the answer is going to vary depending on factors such as the dog’s age, size, activity level, spayed or neutered status, the brand of food, and many other variables. However, below is a great guideline that seems to work for well for most Dobermans in most situations.

Most adult Dobermans will consume between 4 and 7 cups of dry dog food per day. However, a Doberman may eat between 1 and 8 cups per day depending on factors such as the dog’s age, size, activity level, spay or neuter status, health, and much more.

Dobermans were bred to be guard dogs first and are designed on a genetic level to be in peak physical condition through the consumption of high-quality foods. Medium in size but muscular in build, Dobermans and their sleek athleticism require very specific requirements when it comes to their feeding quantities and times—the true answer to the question of how much to feed a Doberman is going to depend on their age, their weight, their activity level, and much more. Perhaps one of the biggest factors is what type of food you’ll be using.

You can use the information to help you and your veterinarian figure out how to best feed your Doberman, depending on your situation.

Doberman Feeding Chart by Age

The chart below is my personal chart that I follow closely with my Dobermans and that I recommend to others quite often, as their Doberman-specialized dog trainer. Remember that this chart is a general guideline and should be adjusted based on your vet’s recommendations and individual factors affecting your dog.

While the Daily Food Quantity (in cups) below may apply to many other dry dog foods, the chart below is the guide I use while feeding my Dobermans a diet of Purina Pro Plan (the recommended food on this site for Dobermans).

Links to these specific foods are below the chart.

I’ve found that using these amounts as a starting point, gets me fairly close to the ideal feeding amount. From there, I will adjust portions based on how my Doberman appears physically, how hungry they are at feeding time, and the recommendations of my veterinarian. I suggest you do the same, but always start with a trip to your veterinarian.

As you may see when you compare the amounts I feed my Dobermans (in the table above) to the amounts recommended by Purina on their dog food packaging (below), I feed my Doberman significantly more than what Purina recommends. In my experience, Dobermans require significantly more calories than is recommended by most dog food manufacturers.

Recommended Puppy Food

I consistently recommend Purina Pro Plan Focus for Dobermans for a few reasons. First off, it seems to be consistently ranked as one of the healthiest foods for Dobermans, it’s used by many sport and show Doberman owners, it passes WSAVA guidelines, it’s never had a mandatory food recall (that I’ve heard of), it contains grains, and Purina runs all their foods through feeding trials before releasing them which not every manufacturer does (look of packaging may vary).

Nutritional Information

• Protein (Min) – 28%
• Fat (Min) – 13% – 14%
• Fiber (Max) – 4.75%
• Calcium (Ca – Min) – 1.1%
• Glucosamine (Min) – 500 ppm
• Omega-6 Fatty Acids (Min) – 1.8%

Purina’s Recommended Daily Feeding Amounts

Recommended Adult Food

This is essentially the adult version of the puppy food listed above. The protein and fat content are slightly less than the puppy version as now your dog should be done growing. You may also want to slightly dial back the amount of food when your puppy hits adulthood as well, depending on how they appear and what your veterinarian says. Generally, the number of times per day you feed your Doberman will also be less when they’re an adult as compared to during their puppy growth stages (more on that below).

Nutritional Information

• Protein (Min) – 26%
• Fat (Min) – 12%
• Fiber (Max) – 4.5%
• Calcium (Ca – Min) – 1%
• Glucosamine (Min) – 500 ppm
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Min) – 0.45%
• Omega-6 Fatty Acids (Min) – 2%

Purina’s Recommended Daily Feeding Amounts

Recommended Senior Food

This is also a Purina Pro Plan food, and it’s also a chicken and rice formula which your dog should be used to (if you’ve been using the food recommended above). However, this version is specifically formulated with botanical oils and omega-3 fatty acids to keep the mind sharp. It also includes glucosamine support to help with aging joints, which can be a problem with Dobermans. Many Doberman owners report great results in their older dogs after switching to the Bright Mind formula.

Nutritional Information

• Protein (Min) – 29%
• Fat (Min) – 14%
• Fiber (Max) – 5%
• Calcium (Ca – Min) – 1%
• Glucosamine (Min) – 500 ppm
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Min) – 0.45%
• Omega-6 Fatty Acids (Min) – 1.8%

Purina’s Recommended Daily Feeding Amounts

To find out more about why Doberman Planet recommends Purina Pro Plan dog food for Dobermans, see our page about our recommendations for the Best Food and Treats for Dobermans here.

Feeding Raw Diets

On Doberman Planet we recommend mostly kibble food such as Purina Pro Plan mostly due to cost, convenience, and a well-tested balance of nutrients. Also, we don’t recommend feeding a raw diet for the average Doberman owner since it’s easy to inadvertently provide your dog with the wrong portion of vitamins and nutrients since most of us aren’t canine nutritionists.

However, there are other great options that are certainly fresher and may even be healthier such as the Ollie dog food service shown above. This service delivers fresh human-grade “real food” for your dog straight to your door that’s veterinarian formulated, made custom to the Doberman breed, and delivered on a regular schedule. If you don’t mind spending a touch more money than you would with kibble to really spoil your dog, take a look at Ollie dog food service (click the image directly below). You can also see our video on Ollie food on YouTube here.

Number of Meals per Day by Age

Hopefully, by using the information above and speaking with your veterinarian, you have developed a plan for how much you will feed your Doberman each day. Now you need to decide how many times per day you’ll be feeding your dog.

Doberman puppies from 6 to 12 weeks of age should have four meals per day, young Dobermans from 12 weeks to 1 year should have three meals per day, and adult Dobermans over 1 year of age should have two meals per day.

The general rule is that eating more smaller meals each day is better when the dog is young and still developing. Below is a typical progression for a Doberman puppy as they grow.

Dobermans are highly routine-focused dogs. So ideally, you’ll be feeding your dog at the same time every day. This helps to reduce their anxiety around feeding time and especially helps puppies begin to feel more comfortable in their new homes.

It’s also important to make sure your Doberman is provided with plenty of fresh water. Dobermans love to drink a lot of water throughout the day. Ensure that you’re cleaning out your Dobie’s food and water bowls regularly to avoid developing any bacteria that may be harmful to your dog. This is often thought to be one of the causes of the small red “acne” looking bumps Dobermans often get underneath their chins when they are young.

Optimal Feeding Times

It’s best to spread out your Doberman’s meals evenly throughout the day. Below are the feeding times I use each day for my Dobermans, as an example.

Feeding Schedule by Age

• 6 to 12 Weeks of Age – 7:00am, 11:00am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm.
• 12 Weeks to 1 Year of Age – 7:00am, 1:00pm, 7:00pm.
• 1 Year of Age and Older – 7:00am, 7:00pm.

While I try to stick to this schedule as much as possible, it does vary a bit depending on the schedule of those in my household. However, it’s good to stay as consistent as possible.

Adjusting Your Doberman’s Food Intake

As you continue feeding your dog, you’ll inevitably need to make adjustments to the quantity of food you’re providing. The best input you can get for this is from your veterinarian. However, you can also gain some insight into whether you may need to be feeding your dog more or less based on your dog’s physical appearance, apparent hunger level at feeding time, stage of growth, spayed/neuter status (spayed or neutered dogs generally require fewer calories), and activity level.

If you want a general idea on how your Doberman should be progressing in terms of weight based on age, as well as how they should appear physically if at an appropriate weight, see the Doberman Weight: Growth Curve and Average Weights resource here.

Transitioning to a New Food

When transitioning your Doberman to another type of dog food, it should be done gradually over the course of several days or weeks while watching for signs of an upset stomach.

Dobermans notoriously have sensitive stomachs so although most Doberman owners will change foods multiple times during their dog’s lifetime, they generally do it quite slowly. Sometimes, changing your Doberman’s food will cause your Doberman to suffer from an upset stomach and/or diarrhea. These issues can generally be minimized by using a slow transition schedule such as the one below.

This is one area where it’s probably ok to be a bit over-cautious and the schedule above is a bit slower of a transition than many dog owners use. But given the hyper-sensitivity of the Doberman’s stomach, being over-cautious here isn’t a bad idea.

If you’re bringing home a new Doberman, it’s a good idea to keep the dog on the same diet they had at their previous home. Changing homes (and especially owners) is stressful on a Doberman and it’s best to keep their diet the exact same for at least a few days while they get settled into their new environment to help keep their stress to a minimum. This goes for new puppies from breeders or new adult Dobermans you may adopt.

Make sure to consult with your veterinarian if your dog has any special nutritional needs or if you see any signs of intestinal or stomach upset such as diarrhea, vomiting, frequent gulping, loss of appetite, lethargy, licking the air, or frequently licking of lips.

TIP: If you’re considering a fresh food option for your Doberman, great! It’ll make a huge difference in so many aspects of life with your dog. Consider Ollie, they ship straight to your door, they expertly balance the vitamins and nutrients, and they’ll customize a plan for your specific Doberman!

Use Coupon Code “DOBERMANPLANET” for 60% Off Your First Box!
(Click below to try it for your Doberman)

Health Considerations

Bloat

One of the biggest issues when it comes to Dobermans and feeding habits is a condition called bloat — this is a condition where the stomach fills with gas or air, flips on itself, and cuts off circulation. It’s a life-threatening condition and the exact reasons why it happens are still a mystery.

However, it could have to do with over-eating, according to the DPCA. We do know that it’s an issue for bigger, deep-chested dogs and the Doberman is certainly one of these breeds.

A [Doberman] with bloat will have a distended abdomen and may appear restless and depressed and have dry heaves. Bloat most often occurs to middle-aged to older dogs.

Dr. Cathy Greenfield, Small Animal Surgeon at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Symptoms

If you suspect your Doberman has bloat, take him to your vet immediately. Pressure on the stomach will need to be relieved, and in most cases, emergency surgery to untwist the stomach will need to be performed. Below are some common symptoms of bloat.

• Enlarged abdomen.
• Rapid, shallow breathing.
• Pacing and general anxiousness.
• Pale nose, mouth, and gums.
• Drooling.
• Non-productive vomiting.
• Collapsing.

Prevention

Bloat is common in Dobermans and although the exact causes aren’t known, there are some things that owners can do to reduce the chances of their dog developing bloat, and a lot of it has to do with their meal times.

• Limit Physical Exercise 1 Hour Before an After Eating – Eating a large meal and then engaging in a high level of physical exercise immediately after has shown to increase the chances of bloat. Also, if your Dobie is panting for air because they just exercised before eating, it will increase the chances that they ingest more air while they eat, also increasing the likelihood of bloat.
• Slow Down Eating – Dog’s who are fast eaters have a five times higher risk of developing bloat as compared to slow eaters, according to the AKC (source). You can use a snuffle mat, puzzle toy, or slow-feeder bowl to help reduce the speed at which your dog eats.
• Have Fresh Water Available – Water helps your dog digest their food and also does the important job of helping transport nutrients to the rest of the body. Dobermans can be picky about always needing fresh, clean water. So even if there is water in their bowl, it doesn’t hurt to refresh it regularly to keep it clean. Also, don’t let your dog drink too much too quickly immediately after a meal either as that has also been shown to increase the risk of bloat.
• Smaller Meals, More Often – This prevents your Doberman from carrying around large quantities of food in their stomach at once, reducing their chances of developing bloat.

If you want more ideas on how to prevent bloat, take a look at the video I did all about preventing bloat in Dobermans here.

Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

With a name like “Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy,” it’s easy to think that DCM is too complicated an issue to grasp. But simply put, DCM is an enlarged heart, and although it’s generally thought to have a genetic cause in Dobermans, there may be a connection to the food you feed your Doberman as well.

In our article, Doberman Pinscher Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Simplified, we show how the FDA has linked DCM to certain grain-free foods. To combat this, it’s important that you feed your dog a high-quality dog food that contains grains.

Symptoms

Most early symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy are only detectable via the use of an echocardiogram or 24-hour Holter exam by your veterinarian. Early detection is vital when it comes to managing this disorder. However, later symptoms include:

• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Collapse/fainting
• Unusual heart sounds or murmurs
• Irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmias
• Faster breathing
• Labored breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Coughing
• Abdominal swelling
• Pale gums
• Sudden death

Prevention

There isn’t a lot we can do just yet to prevent DCM in Dobermans, mostly because although science has discovered some of the risk factors of this disorder, we’ve yet to identify the exact cause.

Feeding a high-quality dog food that contains grains is one of the steps that may reduce the likelihood of developing bloat. Regular checkups at your veterinarian are also important for early detection and management of the disease.

You can also figure out some of your Doberman’s risk factors for developing DCM during their lifetime using a simple at-home DNA test kit that includes the DCM1 and DCM2 tests. You can learn all about the test kit we recommend for this in the Doberman Planet Guide for DNA Health Testing here.

Multiple Dog Considerations

It’s best to feed a Doberman separately from other dogs living in the same household. This is especially true if the other dog is of the same sex. Same-sex aggression can be an issue in Dobermans.

Dobermans, like many breeds, can be protective of their food, and most conflicts between dogs living in the same household are surrounding attention or food. Although some Doberman owners can get along for a long time without conflicts while feeding their dogs together, it only takes one of these incidents for serious injuries to occur.

Related Questions

Why is my Doberman always hungry? If your Doberman is always hungry, it might mean that their bodies are unable to absorb the correct amount of nutrients from their food. This could be because they’re eating too quickly or there’s a more serious problem with their digestive tract. Speak to your veterinarian.

How can I slow my Doberman down while eating? If your Doberman is eating too quickly, consider investing in a slow-feed or maze bowl to slow them down. You can also feed them from a cookie pan or muffin tin to help slow things down.

The post How Much to Feed a Doberman: A Complete Feeding Guide appeared first on Doberman Planet.

The Doberman Pinscher is a breed that really does offer quite a lot of perks for their owners. Dobermans are some of the best protection dogs in the world and are known for their intelligence, trainability, and loyalty. However, hidden in their course, short-haired coats is possibly one of the best perks of the breed; the ability to stay clean for relatively long periods of time.

How often should you bathe a Doberman Pinscher? For most Dobermans, a bath every 6 to 8 weeks will be plenty. However, the frequency of bathing should be adjusted based on your dog’s outdoor activity levels.

Basic Steps for Bathing a Doberman

1. Gather What You’ll Need: You’ll need three towels, shampoo, a microfiber cloth, a leash, conditioner (optional), and cotton balls (optional).
2. Prepare the Water and the Dog: Run the water until it’s room temperature or slightly cooler and at the lowest pressure possible. Acclimate your dog to the water.
3. Apply Shampoo and Lather: Use a small amount of shampoo, working it into your dog’s coat using only the pads of your finger. Work in the direction the fur naturally lays.
4. Rinse: Rinse your dog in the direction of the fur with the lowest water pressure possible. Rinse extremely thoroughly.
5. Dry and Brush: Dry from head to toe in the direction of the fur. Then wipe the dog with a microfiber cloth to remove any loose hair and add a shine to their coat.

There’s more to it, but those are the basic steps for bathing a Doberman. Further description of each of these steps along with pictures are in the steps below.

Doberman Bathing Schedules

Surprisingly, how often you should be bathing your Doberman is not an easy question to answer. Every authority on the topic of Dobermans will likely give a slightly different answer. But after owning multiple Dobermans over the years in the real world, and in an average family environment, I feel that I can confidently give the answer to this that seems to hold true for the majority of family Dobermans.

The below schedules should offer you a general guideline on how often you should bathe your Doberman. However, it’s worth noting that there are a large number of Doberman owners who only bathe their dogs when it’s needed due to a particularly dirty play day, or some other irregular reason. Owners who have allergic reactions to their Doberman may also want to bathe their dog more often to reduce skin flakes and shedding.

In other words, you don’t have to stick to any schedule if you don’t want to. Dobermans are clean dogs with short fur that doesn’t hold onto dirt very easily, so you can get away with this approach. But for those who like to have a general guideline, the below bathing schedules should give you an idea of how often to bathe your dog.

Doberman Puppies

It’s common for a Doberman puppy to get their first bath at around six to ten weeks of age. This is usually done by the breeder or soon after a new owner brings home their new puppy. They shouldn’t receive another bath until they are well over twelve weeks of age unless it’s an absolute necessity.

If you must bathe a puppy under 12 weeks of age, make sure you use nothing but very mildly warm water—almost room temperature. Coldwater will put a lot of unnecessary stress on them, while water that’s too warm could cause irritation to their sensitive skin. Also, working the shampoo into the dog’s coat should be done gently by hand on puppies this young.

For puppies older than 12 weeks, you can follow the following schedule:

As you can see from the table above, puppies should be bathed fairly infrequently. This is because their skin is still very sensitive (much more than many other breeds) and the possibility of drying out your dog’s skin is higher at a younger age. Really, you should be bathing your Doberman puppy as infrequently, and with as mild of an approach, as possible.

Since a puppy’s skin can easily become overly dry, many owners will use various other techniques to clean their pup’s coat in between baths. A wipe down of the dog’s coat with an unscented baby wipe or just a damp microfiber towel will help more evenly distribute the natural oils in the dog’s coat and give them a gentle cleaning without the risk of drying out their sensitive skin.

Adult Dobermans

The official answer that many experts seem to fall back on for how often you should bathe a dog in general, is about once a month (example source). If you want a simple answer that will work for everyone and every dog, that’s as close as you’ll get. However, bathing is another area where the Doberman breed is different than many other breeds.

Thankfully, Dobermans can very oven get by with fewer baths than this thanks to their short-haired coats that don’t hold onto dirt and debris very easily.

The biggest factor with Dobermans is their outdoor activity level. Dogs with a higher activity level outdoors will generally need more bathing.

Of course, the above table is just a general guideline for your average adult Doberman that seems to have worked well for my Dobermans and others who I’ve helped in the past.

The basic, common-sense rule, is that anytime your dog gets filthy or smelly, it’s time to give them a bath. Believe it or not, some owners rarely have their dog’s venture outside and these dogs might require no more than one or two baths a year.

On the other end of the spectrum, you shouldn’t really ever wash your Doberman more than once every two weeks, unless they are undergoing a specific treatment recommended by a veterinarian. This is because Dobermans tend to have sensitive skin and it’s very easy to remove their natural oils, dry out their skin, and cause skin irritation.

Elderly Dobermans

The average lifespan for a Doberman Pinscher is ten to thirteen years. Therefore, these dogs are considered to be “seniors” after about the age of eight. An older Doberman can have different needs when it comes to the frequency of their bathing.

For Dobermans eight years of age or older, you can use the following schedule, depending on their needs.

In most cases, you won’t need to bathe an elderly Dobermans as often as a younger one. They’ll probably be less active and better at staying clean (something Dobermans love doing anyway). They’re also a bit more likely to suffer from skin irritations.

Of course, it’s a different story if your dog has any special health or skin related problems. Obviously, the advice of your vet should be followed closely in these cases.

How to Bathe a Doberman

Believe it or not, there is a unique way to bathe a Doberman that is different from bathing many other breeds. I know this is hard for most people to understand, but Anna Browning of Windsor Dobermans explained this concept in great detail in this DPCA article after she learned about this process during a dermatology lecture at the Western States Veterinary Conference.

The main issue is the Doberman’s sensitive skin and propensity for allergic reactions to various compounds that are not a problem for most other dogs. Because of this, there is a specific way to wash a Doberman to make sure they are thoroughly cleaned, oils evenly distributed in their coat, and to minimize the chance of a reaction.

Step 1 – Gather What You’ll Need

What you’ll need:

• Three Towels – One towel for traction in the bottom of the bathtub, one to dry off with, and one just because you’ll never wash your dog and not need at least one extra when things get messy.
• Leash – Something basic will work just fine. It’s just to help you maintain control if your dog really doesn’t like baths.
• Two Large Cotton Balls (optional) – This is to help keep water out of the ear canal.
• Handheld Spray Head (optional, but very helpful) – The one I use in the video which is super cheap but works really well on a plain downspout in a bathtub it’s this universal handheld shower head on Amazon.
• Hypoallergenic or PH Balanced Dog Shampoo – The shampoo I use is pretty gentle on a Dobie’s skin. It’s the Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo (Amazon link). If your dog has extremely sensitive skin you could get the gentler, hypoallergenic version of this shampoo (Amazon link).
• One or Two Microfiber Cloths – Basic microfiber cloths will distribute the oils better than regular towels. I use these basic microfiber cloths from Amazon. Their inexpensive, you get a bunch of them, and they get the job done.

TIP: All of the specific brands and products I use and recommend for bathing can be found on my Best Hygiene and Grooming Products for Dobermans page.

It’s a good idea to make sure everything is within reach while bathing your dog, especially if they aren’t used to being bathed and may react negatively to it. For this reason, it’s a good idea to try to work quickly and avoid turning your back on the dog.

You may want to get a second person to assist you in bathing your Dobie to help calm the dog and make sure he (or she) does not try and jump from the bathtub and make a mess or get hurt in the process.

Step 2 – Prepare the Water and the Dog

It’s good to run the water beforehand for the dog to see since running water will scare some dogs. Get them used to it a bit before trying to bathe them if they aren’t already.

Make sure the water is at approximately room temperature. This is one big difference when bathing Dobermans. Do not bathe your dog in warm water. The reasoning for this is that warm water will open your dog’s pores and increase the chances of a reaction to the shampoo you’re using. Keeping the temperature room temperature avoids this issue.

“Do not bathe your Doberman in warm water. Room temperature water is ideal for the Doberman.”

John Walter (DobermanPlanet.com)

A showerhead can be used, but keep it turned down to a low-pressure setting. If your tub has a slick surface that might cause your dog to stumble during bath time, lay down a towel first to provide some traction.

Now place a leash on your dog to help you control him and place him in the tub. Take a minute to make sure they’re calm and relaxed in the tub, with the water running. Optionally, you may now place one large cotton ball in each ear. Be careful not to go too deep, just put the cotton ball in the pocket of the ear, far enough to prevent water from getting all the way in.

Step 3 – Apply Shampoo and Lather

Wet the dog thoroughly and gently from head to toe. When applying the shampoo, use the minimal amount of shampoo recommended. You may want to dilute down the shampoo a bit with water before applying.

Diluting the shampoo is a great way to retain the cleaning properties while making it milder for a Doberman’s sensitive skin. With Dobermans, the shampoo can almost not be too mild.

Now start working in the shampoo with your fingertips starting from the head and working down throughout the rest of the body. Make sure you never use your fingernails to work in the shampoo, only the pads of your fingers.

Important Note: Do not rub the shampoo in against the grain of the hair. Always work in the shampoo in the same direction as the fur lays on your dog’s body.

Focus on These Areas:

• Around the neck.
• Underneath the chest.
• Legs.
• Paws.

Clean thoroughly underneath the dog, down their legs, and around their paws. These areas tend to get the dirtiest. Also, focus on the area around their neck as this is the only area on a Doberman where they have a second layer to their coat. Since the coat is thicker there, you will need to work the shampoo in a little more.

Be careful not to get too close to their eyes or mouth to avoid irritation. Check the bottle of the specific shampoo you’re using as some dog shampoos will require you to let the shampoo sit for between 1 to 4 minutes before washing it out.

Step 4 – Rinse

Once you’re finished working the shampoo in, and you’re ready to rinse, do so with the same room-temperature water. Make sure you’re using a gentle water flow to do this.

Start from the head of the dog and rinse down the body taking care not to get water in the dog’s eyes, mouth, or ears. It’s important to make sure not to leave any shampoo behind since it can irritate the dog once it dries. So rinse more than you think you need to. Extra rinsing is very important here to reduce the chances of irritation.

When you’re done rinsing you can go ahead and remove the cotton balls from the ears.

Step 5 – Dry and Brush

Luckily, the Doberman’s coat holds very little water. So drying is pretty simple; start by simply running your hands over their coat with medium pressure. Your hands will act as a squeegee and be able to get most of the water out from their coat. Then use a towel to gently rub their coat (making sure to go with the grain of the hair). After ten seconds or so, their coat should be fairly dry.

“Using a brush with long, sharp, or stiff bristles on your Dobie’s coat immediately after a bath may irritate the skin. I prefer to use a microfiber cloth and simply wipe down the dog’s coat.”

– John Walter (DobermanPlanet.com)

Many owners like to take the time immediately after a bath to brush their dog. I’ve found the best way to do this gently on a Doberman’s coat as to not irritate the skin is to simply use a microfiber cloth and rub in the direction the hair naturally lies. This helps to more evenly distribute the natural oils throughout their coat, reduce shedding by removing loose hair, and prevent irritating the skin.

If your Dobie suffers from chronic dry skin, this would be a good time to apply a hydrating spray to the dog’s coat, if you choose to do so.

Video: Watch How I Give My Doberman a Bath

Check out this video I made on my YouTube channel, Doberman Planet. I demonstrate the technique outlined on this page so you can see exactly how to do it. If you like this video, check out the other videos on my channel!

Giving a Doberman Puppy Their First Bath

When you give a Doberman puppy their first bath, it should be a very limited bath.

Your main goals for your puppy’s first bath should be:

1. Acclimating your puppy to the bathing process.
2. Provide a very light and gentle cleaning as to not irritate their skin.

A new puppy is easily frightened by new experiences that are very different from what they are used to. For this reason, you really should focus on gently acclimating your pup to the bathing process in a non-frightening way.

Here are some things you can do to help acclimate your puppy to the bathing process:

• If bathing in a bathtub, put a towel down inside to provide extra traction so your puppy isn’t falling while trying to stand up.
• Use only a gentle flow of water, and avoid using a showerhead with a strong spray.
• Let your puppy sit and watch the running water for a few minutes before putting them into the bathtub.
• Show the puppy the water isn’t something to be scared of by gently playing with the water using your hands for a few minutes before the bathing begins.
• As you begin wetting your pup, start with their feet and progress to their back. Keep the water flow away from their face.
• Use a wet washcloth to clean near the face. Avoid pouring water directly onto their face.

The cleaning itself should also be about as gentle as possible because a Doberman puppy has very sensitive skin that is easy to irritate. Irritated skin on a young puppy can cause red bumps, itching, dryness, and other discomfort. These are things you definitely want to avoid if you’re trying to keep your pup as comfortable as possible while they get acclimated to their new home.

Here are some things you can do to help make sure your puppy’s skin does not get irritated from their first bath:

• Don’t use a strong shower head or nozzle to clean your pup.
• Keep the water as close to room temperature as possible. Overly warm water will open the pores of your dog’s skin and increase the chances of an adverse reaction to the shampoo.
• Use a gentle shampoo that is safe for your puppy. I have recommendations available for shampoos and other bathing gear on my Best Hygiene and Grooming Products page.
• Avoid using a brush. Even the most gentle of brushes can cause irritation on a young Doberman puppy. Instead, use a wet washcloth and give their coat a wipe-down. Make sure to wipe with the direction the fur naturally grows on their coat.
• Don’t use human shampoos, adult dog shampoos, flea shampoos, or any product with harsh chemical additives.

As mentioned before, a puppy usually doesn’t need a full bath until at least twelve weeks of age, and they shouldn’t be put on a standard bathing schedule until three months of age. As for location, a large bathtub is probably the safest and most comfortable place for a first bath.

Bathing a Doberman in Heat

In general, bathing a dog in heat does not present any real problem. You can use the same methods that you would normally use, but you should try to be a little extra gentle with your dog. She is probably a little more sensitive right now, so take that into account.

There is likely to be some dried blood around the vaginal area, so make sure to get rid of that during the bathing. This area is also probably going to be swollen and tender, so proceed with care and caution. A female Doberman can sometimes be quite feisty when her boundaries are violated or if she’s in one of her moods, so be cautious not to overly irritate your dog.

You may want to allow your dog to sit in warm water for a while, as this is known to relieve the cramping and bloating that is often associated with this phase of the reproductive cycle. But keep in mind that warm water will open up pores of the skin, making skin irritation more likely. So avoid this if your dog has sensitive skin. And if you do decide to do this, do it at the end of the bath after all the shampoo is rinsed away and don’t brush your dog after.

Bathing Too Often

This might surprise you, but Dobermans are known for having sensitive skin, and too much bathing can actually be bad for them. If your dog is washed too often, their hair and skin will be stripped of natural oils that help to protect them from damage. This leads to dry skin, increased shedding, hair loss, and all kinds of other problems.

Surprisingly, certain colors of Dobermans are more prone to these skin and hair issues than others. Below is a list of the Doberman colors from the most likely to suffer from skin and hair sensitivity related issues to the least likely.

Doberman Colors Most Likely to Suffer From Skin and Hair Problems

1. White (or albino)
2. Blue and Rust
3. Fawn and Rust
4. Red and Rust
5. Black and Rust

If you want to learn more about the various colors of Doberman and their unique characteristics, see my article on all the Doberman Types and Colors here.

Dobermans as a whole are a little more vulnerable to skin and hair problems than most other breeds, partially due to their short coats. One example of this is a condition called follicular dysplasia. Researchers have determined that this breed is at an increased risk of developing this condition, which can cause significant hair loss. Often this condition can be worsened by over-bathing once your Doberman has it.

“When in doubt, try bathing your Doberman less often. They’re generally clean dogs and it’s common for owners to bathe their Dobermans too frequently. This is especially the case if they are suffering from dry skin or dandruff.”

– John Walter (DobermanPlanet.com)

Of course, there are some rare cases that require you to bathe your Doberman more than usual. For instance, allergies and skin conditions might cause a dog to require more bathing (or less). Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA) is common in the diluted Doberman colors (the fawn and blue colors), and a canine dermatologist might recommend more frequent bathing with special shampoos or creams to treat the symptoms of CDA.

Some other allergies and skin conditions might also mean you’ll need to use a special shampoo or other product during bathing. If your Doberman has any particular health problems (especially skin and hair problems), you should definitely ask your vet or, even better, a canine dermatologist about your dog’s specific issues.

Recommended Products

There are a lot of herbal shampoos and conditioners on the market that might contain anything from lavender to watermelon. If you go with one of these, test it on a small area of your dog’s exposed skin. If you see a rash, redness in the next few hours or day, throw it away. When there are random fruits and plants in your shampoo, there is a greater chance of an allergic reaction.

Many Doberman owners who have dogs with very sensitive skin (not uncommon for this breed) like to use oatmeal-containing shampoos to help soothe the skin and provide some relief. Typically though, if your dog has sensitive skin, less bathing is a better place to start as that will resolve many dry skin issues.

Some owners of other breeds like to use leave-in conditioners on their dog but this isn’t necessary for a Doberman. With such short hair, there just isn’t a need for this.

I’m always testing shampoo’s, brushes, and other bath products to find what works best. I think I’ve narrowed it down pretty well to just the best items for this breed currently out there. Feel free to see my list of products I recommend for Dobie bathing here: Best Hygiene and Grooming Products for Dobermans.

Washing a Doberman’s Bedding

This one will vary a lot according to your dog’s habits. If your dog doesn’t spend much time outside, then this can be done pretty infrequently. If you have a particularly lazy, couch-potato Doberman who spends most of their time in the house, then this can be done fairly infrequently.

If you have a Tasmanian-devil Doberman who’s running and digging outside, then you may need to do this quite often. In general, just wash the bedding when it appears soiled, discolored, or has any bad odors coming from it. Pretty simple.

Below is a general guideline for how frequently you should consider washing your Doberman’s bedding as it related to their level of outdoor activity.

• Light Outdoor Activity – Wash monthly.
• Moderate Outdoor Activity – Wash every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Heavy Outdoor Activity – Wash weekly.

Obviously, if your dog has any “accidents”, or tracks any mud in and onto their bedding, then you’ll need to wash it immediately.

Also, it’s good practice to avoid using dryer sheets in the dryer with your dog’s bedding since these leave chemicals and harsh smells in the bedding (harsh to the dog anyway). This can make them uncomfortable at night or even irritate their skin.

Final Thoughts

In my experience, the biggest mistake made by new Doberman owners is believing that they need to bathe their dogs too often. Remember, Dobermans are naturally very clean dogs who like to stay that way, and they’re good at it!

Many Doberman owners won’t bathe their Doberman for many months at a time without any issues. A simple, quick wipe down with a baby wipe from head to food on occasion is usually more than enough to keep them clean, happy, and their coat looking good.

Simply put, Dobermans have a single layer coat that consists of short, thick hairs that simply don’t hold onto dirt very easily. They also just instinctually prefer avoiding dirty situations. So there’s no reason to go crazy with bathing your Doberman unless there are special circumstances that make it necessary such as a vet’s recommendation or when they’ve had an exceptionally dirty play day.

Related Questions

What product should I use to reduce Doberman shedding? Supplementing your Doberman’s diet with omega fatty acids and giving him a weekly wipe-down with a damp microfiber cloth will help reduce shedding and improve the overall health of his coat.

What’s the best way to reduce dandruff on a Doberman? Ensuring your Doberman is not having an allergic reaction to something in their environment, diet supplementation with omega fatty acids, and a weekly wipe down of the dog’s coat with a baby wipe will greatly reduce dandruff levels for most Dobermans.

What’s the best way to moisturize a Doberman’s skin? The best way to moisturize a Doberman’s skin is to ensure a proper diet with plenty of omega fatty acids, use a gentle oatmeal shampoo, and consider supplementing with vitamin E. Seek a veterinary dermatologist for a personalized plan for your dog.

The post How to Bathe a Doberman: Bathing Schedule and Guide (with Pictures) appeared first on Doberman Planet.

Many loving owners of Dobermans out there are unaware of whether or not Dobermans can, or should, eat raw meat. Did you know that there is actually a whole movement in recent years all surrounding the benefits of feeding your Doberman a raw diet, including meat? Well, there is, and it’s gaining momentum quickly. Many canine nutritionists now argue that it’s actually the healthiest way to feed your Doberman.

Can a Doberman eat raw meat? Doberman Pinschers are capable of eating and digesting raw meat without any problems. Raw diets are gaining in popularity and while many contend that they are beneficial to your Doberman, many others question the safety of a raw diet for dogs.

So we know that a Doberman can eat raw meat, but does that mean you should feed your Doberman raw meat? Feeding a Doberman only raw meat will not constitute a balanced diet and could even be harmful to your dog. However, a balanced raw diet may be beneficial. Raw diets are a hotly debated and controversial topic in the Doberman community.

In this article, we’ll have a look at what this raw diet trend is and what both sides have to say about this issue so you can decide if feeding your Doberman a raw diet is right for you.

Raw Diets for Dobermans

This trend in Doberman diets has been around for a long time, but it has only gained steam in recent years. Raw foods have been fed to other dogs for a long time now⁠—including sled dogs and racing Greyhounds. But now, many individual pet owners have taken to this way of feeding, and the most popular raw diet is the BARF diet.

B.A.R.F. stands for “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food” and “Bones and Raw Food”’ (Source). Dr. Ian Billinghurst, the veterinarian, and nutritionist who developed this feeding program wanted to support dogs by providing them with a diet like their ancestors the gray wolves naturally evolved to eat⁠—a raw diet of foods that are found naturally in the wild. 

Raw food diets for Dobermans are said to have the following benefits:

• Healthier skin and shinier coat.
• Better digestion.
• Leaner and more muscular build.
• Improves dental health—reduces plaque buildup on teeth, fresher breath, etc.
• Smaller stools due to more of the food being absorbed into the body.
• Reduces allergies due to no preservatives or additives.
• Improved weight management.
• Promotes a stronger immune system.
• Allows you to know exactly what your dog is eating.

Dobermans and other dogs who eat a raw diet would be fed not just fresh, raw meat, but also uncooked vegetables, fruits, bones, and seeds and nuts as well. A B.A.R.F. diet has a set guideline that ensures a measured balance of ingredients that introduces the correct amount of essential nutrients in every meal.

Proponents of this diet say that a raw diet is closer to what dogs eat naturally in the wild, and it has been fed to competition dogs for generations for a good reason. They say it’s “safer” than feeding store-bought food since you know exactly what’s in it and you don’t have to worry about all the pet food recalls. Also, a properly balanced raw food diet will give your dog all the nutrients and vitamins that their bodies are meant to have⁠—straight from their natural source.

They may also tell you that not having processed foods in your dog’s diet is a major plus and they argue that the only studies and other information you hear saying that raw diets are unsafe are (at least partially) influenced by large dog food manufacturers. Lastly, they say the “proof is in the pudding”, and a Doberman on a raw diet is far healthier (in appearance and internally) than one who eats store-bought food.

TIP: If you’re like me and don’t have the time to learn all the nuances of canine nutrition (or the money to hire a canine nutritionist), check out Ollie’s fresh human-grade food service. They’re one of the most reasonably priced fresh-food delivery services for your dog, proven safe, and highly customizable. You can make meals specifically formulated for your specific Doberman based on weight, activity level, health, and more. Only real ingredients like you’d find in your own kitchen with no fillers, preservatives, or artificial flavors.

A Better Alternative: Ollie’s Human-Grade Food

If you’re not a veterinary nutritionist and want to avoid the potential risks of feeding your Doberman raw meat—such as bacteria, parasites, and dangerous bones—consider using Ollie instead. They offer a fresh, human-grade dog food subscription service that’s perfect for this breed.

Their meals meet rigorous standards, they’re slowly cooked at low temperatures to make them safe but also retain as much nutritional value as possible, and they contain real ingredients like you’d find in your kitchen with no preservatives, artificial flavors, or harmful fillers.

Real meat like fresh beef, turkey, chicken, lamb, and pork is the first ingredient in ALL their meals.

These meals are also designed with veterinary nutritionists and your meal plan will be customized to your specific dog, just answer a few questions at sign-up. This is a great middle-ground that’s a no-brainer and still with TONS of benefits. You can click the picture below and learn more (this is an affiliate link that will take you straight to Ollie):

TIP: Use our coupon code “DOBERMANPLANET” to get 60% off your first box.

How Much Raw Meat Should Your Doberman Eat?

Raw meat is only one portion of a balanced raw diet. You should never just feed raw meat alone with nothing else in the dog’s diet. That would be dangerous and very unhealthy for your dog in the long run. 

Too much raw meat, besides being unhealthy, can lead to increased gas in your dog and we already know how bad gas buildup can be in Dobermans. If you want more info on gas buildup and how to reduce it, see my article Doberman Farting All the Time? Here’s Why.

A balanced raw diet typically consists of a certain percentage of raw muscle meat, edible bones, liver, other organs, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and fruit. The amount of this raw food that you feed your Doberman will depend on many factors. 

To determine how much of a balanced raw food diet to feed your Doberman, start by basing it off of your dog’s weight and then adjust as needed for their individual requirements.

How Much Raw Food to Feed Your Doberman

Below are the amounts of raw food that you should typically feed a dog based on their weight. This is just a general guideline that’ll get you to a good starting point but these are not precise numbers since ingredients, muscle mass, activity levels, age, and many other factors will impact how much raw food you should feed your dog.

IMPORTANT: Always consult with a professional such as a veterinarian or canine nutritionist before starting or changing your dog’s diet, especially when feeding raw. At Doberman Planet, we are dog trainers, not veterinarians or nutritionists.

One easy way to feed your Doberman a healthy, human-grade food diet while making sure they get all the nutrition they need is to get a fresh human-food delivery service that customizes the meal plans to Dobermans specifically. Many Doberman owners use Ollie for fresh, easily prepared meals delivered automatically to their homes.

If you’re feeding a young puppy, he should eat approximately 2.5 times the amount of an adult dog at the same weight. So if your puppy weighs 10 pounds, he should eat approximately 0.75 pounds per day, 5.6 pounds per week, or about 25 pounds per month.

Always consult with a canine nutritionist or veterinarian before beginning a raw food diet. This is especially important if you plan to feed the diet to a puppy, a pregnant dog, an elderly dog, or one with a medical condition.

TIP: If you’re considering a fresh food option for your Doberman, great! It can make a huge difference in so many aspects of life with your dog. Consider Ollie, they ship straight to your door, they expertly balance the vitamins and nutrients, and they’ll customize a plan for your specific Doberman!

Use Coupon Code “DOBERMANPLANET” for 60% Off Your First Box!
(Click below to try it for your Doberman)

Ratios

If you decide to feed your Doberman a raw diet, the majority of what you feed him or her should be fresh meat. This meat should be muscle meat, secreting organs, and even meaty bones. Specifically, on a daily basis, your Doberman should eat the following ingredients in measured ratios:

Note: The above table is based on the B.A.R.F. raw diet.

Eating a balanced diet with these ingredients will reduce the amount of processed foods, carbohydrates, fillers, and animal byproducts your Doberman ingests. Any exclusions of the above ingredients could result in a diet that’s deficient in some of the essential nutrients your Dobie needs. For more information about a raw diet such as the example shown here, see this resource on the site perfectlyrawsome.com.

It’s also important to note that your Doberman’s weight and age should always be taken into account when calculating how much raw meat to feed. Fortunately, there are online calculators that can help you figure most of this out on your own, and, of course, your veterinarian is a great resource as well.

The Argument Against Feeding Raw

I’ve told you what proponents of raw food say, and now I will present the other side of the coin⁠—what those against feeding a raw diet have to say, so you can decide for yourself.

First, they may tell you that dog food manufacturers spend millions of dollars perfecting their foods over the years and testing them to produce the best food possible (competition at it’s best). It just isn’t possible for average dog owners to come up with formulas that are better than the dog food manufacturers who have expensive research and development laboratories dedicated to this sole purpose.

Also, the Doberman is not a wolf or wild dog. Once domesticated, dogs have evolved in such a way that is further from wild dogs, and are more able to digest much of what we humans eat, including starchy carbohydrates. 

There are also added health risks for dogs who eat a consistently raw-meat-based diet and these risks affect other dogs and even humans as well. The CDC has warnings about raw dog food diets on their website here. The American Veterinary Medical Association has also warned about the dangers and discourages owners from feeding their dogs raw, as noted on their website here. Lastly, feeding a raw diet is much more time-consuming with preparation and almost always more expensive than using commercially available dog foods.

“A two-year study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2010 to 2012 found that raw pet food is more likely than other types of pet food to carry bacteria, including Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes that cause foodborne illnesses.”

– U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Source)

So, even though your Dobie may not get food poisoning, he could pass any lurking bacteria on to other dogs or even to people with whom he or she comes in contact. That’s why many officials don’t recommend feeding your dog a raw diet with children, or immune-compromised people in the home.

Finally, while feeding your Doberman a meat-laden bone every day may make for a happy dog, doing so may also inadvertently cause your pup some serious complications. Fragmented pieces of the bone could cause intestinal damage. It’s critical to know what your Doberman can break up with his or her teeth as well as digest safely and efficiently.

Should You Feed Your Doberman a Raw Diet?

That decision is completely up to you and there are certainly great points made by people on both sides of the argument. I can’t tell you what’s right for your Doberman, but what I can say is that if you are in doubt about what’s best, it may be a good idea to talk to a canine nutritionist or stick with a reputable business that will customize nutritious meals and ship them right to your door each week, such as the Ollie dog food service (recommended often in the Doberman world). Ollie slow-cooks their food to make it safer, while still preserving the important nutrients. There’s really nothing else like it and that’s why I always recommend Ollie to owners of Dobermans.

A canine nutritionist will be able to give you invaluable advice. They will take into account your Doberman’s age, health history, physical fitness level, exercise levels, and a myriad of other factors. Then they will be able to tell you what is right for your dog and if they do suggest a raw diet, they may be able to give you specific meal plans that are perfectly tailored to your dog. That would be money very well spent!

Safely Feeding Your Doberman a Raw Diet

If you do decide to feed your Doberman a raw diet, there are ways to be proactive and to mitigate, or possibly prevent, many of the issues that could arise along the way. Some of the precautions that you should take are:

• Keep raw meat frozen until you’re ready to use it.
• Handle raw meat carefully and be sure not to allow any of the juices from the meat to splash onto countertops, other foods, or surfaces.
• Always store your dog’s raw foods separate from human food to prevent cross-contamination.
• Don’t kiss your dog around his mouth or allow him to lick you. Especially directly after a meal.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with raw ingredients.

Just remember that safety should come first and foremost when handling raw ingredients. This is true with raw dog food ingredients or even just raw human food. This is especially important if you have kids or elderly in your household.

If You Decide to Stick with Commercial Dog Foods

A majority of Doberman owners will decide to simply use commercially available dog food for their dogs. If you decide to take this route, make sure you do some research and find a food that has proven successful with other Doberman owners. You’ll want one with the right balance of nutrients, minimal (or better yet, no) recalls in it’s past, has undergone real-world feeding trials, meets World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines, and something that is of very high quality. Also, it’s important to avoid grain-free diets as they have been shown to be linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dobermans, which is something they are already prone to.

As I continue to research the latest dog foods available out there for Dobermans, I keep my latest recommendations listed on my best Doberman food and treats page. At any time, my top choice for commercially available dog food that I feel is best for Dobermans is listed on that page. 

If new research comes to light or a better dog food becomes available, I will update my top dog food suggestion on that page as necessary so that it always reflects what I feel is the absolute best food available specifically for Dobermans.

Some Doberman parents give dogs the best of both worlds, offering a combination of dry kibble and a blend of raw meat and other fresh food items. If you do this, keep in mind that raw food digests much more quickly than typical dog kibble does. Therefore should not be eaten together in the same meal. You can, however, feed your Dobie one option in the morning and the other option in the evening. This would allow each meal to properly digest before the next one is consumed.

If you are concerned about your Doberman’s health, my recommendation is to start by doing a simple genetic DNA test on your dog to get an idea of what’s going on under the surface, and then focus on getting their diet dialed in. Check our Doberman DNA Health Testing Guide here for a simple solution for this.

Final Thoughts

What you feed your Doberman Pinscher is a personal choice best guided by your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. However, there are definitely some tried and true dog foods commercially available that have worked well for Doberman owners for many years.

However, if you do decide to feed your Doberman a raw diet, it’s important to get input from a professional since there are just so many variables that it makes it very difficult, or impossible, to get right on your own without some guidance.

Oh, and while you look into feeding your Doberman a raw diet, get used to some controversy. This is one topic that is in no short supply of heated arguments on both sides! Good luck!

There’s a reason Ollie’s human-grade dog food is the official recommendation of Doberman Planet. Give them a try, click below:

HINT: Use coupon code “DOBERMANPLANET” for 60% off your first box!

The post Should You Be Feeding Your Doberman Raw Meat? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

Dobermans are incredibly loyal, strong, and smart dogs who have an undeserved reputation for being aggressive. This may be why people often believe that Dobermans always need muzzles, but in reality that’s rarely the case. Here’s when and why a Doberman may need a muzzle and more importantly—when they don’t.

Do Dobermans need a muzzle? A Doberman normally doesn’t need to wear a muzzle. However, if you have an overly aggressive Doberman, or are unsure of how he may react in a new situation, temporarily using a muzzle may be necessary.

I can say with confidence that Dobermans almost never need to wear a muzzle. However, I still get asked this question a lot, are there are some exceptions to this, so let’s talk about when they might need a muzzle. It really all depends on your Doberman’s history, individual temperament, the situation, and your level of trust of the dog. 

Why Dobermans Generally Don’t Need Muzzles

A Doberman Pinscher is considered one of the world’s smartest dogs. Intelligence goes hand and hand with threat assessment. Generally, the more intelligent a dog is, the better they are at proper threat assessment. 

In addition, Dobermans are people dogs and love pleasing their owners. A smart dog like a Doberman figures out pretty quickly that aggressive behavior almost always gets a negative response (from most owners). This is why Dobermans are low on the list of dog breeds that may need to use one.

Dobermans are amazing family dogs overall. If you don’t believe me take a look at my article Are Dobermans Good Family Dogs? The Surprising Truth. There you’ll see how they act in family units including with other dogs, cats, and children.

But in general, a muzzle should only be used as a last resort—to be used in extreme cases. However, a Doberman almost never gets to that point due to this intelligence and natural desire to please his owner. 

When You Might Need a Muzzle

There are however a few instances where even the most responsible Doberman owners do find themselves using a muzzle on their dog. So, when should you use a muzzle on your Doberman? These situations may include:

• Emergency Situations: If your dog is injured and at risk of biting because of pain or fear, you may need to use a muzzle so that he can get his injury addressed. Most owners believe their dog would never bite them but a dog who becomes severely injured will often bite anyone or anything just due to their altered mental state. It’s a good idea to carry a muzzle in your dog’s first aid kit for this reason.
• Going to See a Veterinarian: Many Doberman owners muzzle their dogs when they bring them to the vet. Sometimes trips to the vet can involve poking, prodding, and other uncomfortable touching that your dog isn’t used to. It’s not a bad thing to have them muzzled for this, just make sure it’s the last thing to go on before the appointment and first thing to come off.
• Being Groomed: If your dog is averse to his grooming sessions, it might be a good idea to use a muzzle. Mostly to make the groomer feel more at ease if nothing else. Some groomers actually require muzzles on every dog they work on. If a muzzle is used during grooming time, just make sure it goes on right before and comes off immediately after the end of the grooming session. The less time the better.
• Legal Reasons: Depending on your location, it may be the law to muzzle your dog if he is considered a “dangerous breed”. Unfortunately, many uninformed people still consider dogs like Dobermans dangerous just because of their breed. So some dog parks, public transportation services, outdoor areas, or municipalities might have rules (or in some cases, laws) requiring you to muzzle your dog.
• Risk of Biting: If your dog is being aggressive, has bitten others before, or is a new dog to you with an unknown past, you may need to use a muzzle in the short term. This is, of course, until you find a vet, trainer, or animal behaviorist that can help address the underlying issue.
• Ingestion of Unsafe Objects (Pica): Unfortunately, Dobermans are known to ingest things that are not edible, a condition that’s also commonly known as pica. The dog can have anything between a mild and a severe case. In the worse cases, a muzzle may be used to help prevent the ingestion of dangerous materials that could lead to expensive surgical treatment or even death of the dog if not prevented.

However, if you think your dog may bite because he feels threatened or fearful in any other specific situation, the use of a muzzle temporarily may provide a workable solution.

There may be other situations, but these are the most common. Owning and occasionally using a muzzle is completely acceptable if it’s done appropriately. Just remember that the less time your dog spends in a muzzle, the better. 

For more information about how aggressive Dobermans are, including how many dog bite fatalities they account for in the United States, see my article Are Dobermans Mean, Dangerous, or Overly Aggressive?

When Not to Use a Muzzle

There are certainly many circumstances where it isn’t appropriate to muzzle your dog and can lead to behavioral problems, risks to your dog’s health, and other serious issues. Below are some of these situations.

• For Punishment: Punishing your Dobie by making him wear a muzzle will make him hate wearing it and will increase the fear they have next time you need to put one on. If you need to use it for a valid reason (like when the dog gets hurt), his anxiety will increase drastically and he’ll likely reject it. It’ll also make him more likely to lash out by biting.
• As Any Long-Term Solution: A muzzle should never be used to stop barking or destructive behavior. Those things are a symptom of a bigger problem. In Dobermans, it’s often separation anxiety. A muzzle will only increase this anxiety.
• When Exercising or Playing: A muzzle can restrict the dog’s ability to pant and drink water. Both of these things are very important for your Doberman while engaged in rigorous exercise or playtime.

Also, it’s important not to wear the muzzle in public when it’s not necessary. Dobermans already have a bad reputation thanks to television shows and movies. Unfortunately, people will assume that you have an aggressive dog if they have a muzzle on and it’ll only reinforce breed stereotypes. Really, you wouldn’t be doing the Doberman breed any favors. So please just use it as little as possible.

Introducing Your Doberman to a Muzzle

Introducing a Doberman to a muzzle can take some time and you should never attempt to do it when you’re in a rush. If you slap it on your dog because you are in a hurry, it will likely frighten him so much he will quickly associate the muzzle with fear and anxiety. A slow, progressive approach (with a reward and praise) is a great way to introduce him to his new muzzle.

Start by showing your Dobie his new muzzle and holding it while playing a game and praising him. This will start his positive associations with the device. Then let him sniff it and encourage him to get closer. Then praise and reward again.

“A muzzle is a tool that should be used as little as possible—and only as a means to fix another issue.”

– John Watler (DobermanPlanet.com)

Now I like using the peanut butter trick with this personally. To do this, put a little peanut butter on the muzzle so your dog will lick it, then praise and reward again. Continue putting the peanut butter further and further into the muzzle until they’ve put their whole nose into the muzzle to lick it.

As this happens, make sure you take the muzzle off as quickly as possible when they’re done licking up the peanut butter—then praise some more. Slowly increase the time you leave the muzzle on until you can completely latch the muzzle on and he’ll be a happy camper. Don’t rush this and only add very small increments of time as you go.

Muzzle Comfort

It’s important that whatever muzzle you use is comfortable for your Dobie. If it’s not comfortable then you’ll have a real battle getting him to wear it and every time you do, it may be setting his behavior back a few steps (rather than helping it).

There are two main types of muzzles:

• Basket Muzzles – These are cages of a hard material surrounding your dog’s mouth. They’re usually plastic, metal, or leather. They are more comfortable for your dog than the soft fabric muzzles because they allow him to open his mouth, pant, and even drink water.
• Fabric Muzzles – Fabric muzzles are much less comfortable and although some say they look less intimidating, are more dangerous for a dog. They work by holding the mouth shut. This prevents your dog from panting or drinking water. They are also much harder for the dog to learn to accept because of their discomfort.

Try to get some form of a basket muzzle for your Doberman. When fitting it, make sure the muzzle is adjusted so it’s loose without being so loose that it might slide off or be easy for your dog to remove by pawing at it. 

Conclusion

Muzzles are not a permanent solution to a problem you are having with your Doberman and they should only be used as a temporary tool while addressing another issue. Regular use of a muzzle is likely to make your Doberman frustrated and potentially even more unpredictable in their behavior.

A muzzle may not look very attractive, and most Dobermans will not require a muzzle in any circumstances, but there are many reasonable circumstances where a Doberman may require one like if it is the law where you live, or if he needs medical care and is resisting by trying to bite those tending to him.

If you must use a muzzle with your Doberman, then make sure you use it properly so that it doesn’t hurt him and is comfortable as possible. 

Never use them to quiet your dog or prevent him from chewing on something in the house that he shouldn’t. This is not appropriate usage of a muzzle and instead, you need to focus on the reason why he’s acting out in that way and correct that first. Most of the time, with proper training, you can avoid the use of a muzzle entirely.

Related Questions

Is it cruel to muzzle a Doberman? Using a muzzle on a Doberman is not cruel depending on how it’s used, although it’s rarely necessary. Some responsible owners will use a muzzle during visits to the veterinarian or dog groomer, or during emergencies when the dog becomes injured.

How long can you muzzle a Doberman? It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid putting a muzzle on your Doberman for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Wearing the muzzle longer is not necessarily harmful to your Doberman as long as they’re supervised and the muzzle is removed if there are any signs of distress.

The post Do Dobermans Need a Muzzle? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

When winter approaches, many Doberman owners start to wonder if a dog coat is necessary when they go outside. The Doberman naturally has a very short, single-layer coat and an overall low tolerance to cold weather. This is why you’ll see so many Doberman owners with coats or jackets on their dogs. So when exactly should you put a coat on your Doberman? 

Do Dobermans need winter coats?  Dobermans should wear a coat or jacket if they are expected to be outside in temperatures of less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 45 minutes, or 35 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 10 minutes. Other weather conditions such as rain, snow, or wind chill should also be considered.

Of course, it isn’t only the temperature outside that should determine if you need to put a winter coat on your Doberman, but that’s a good place to start. Start with the temperature, then decide how long you’ll be outside, if there are any other weather factors present (wind, rain, snow, etc.), and your dog’s own tolerance to the cold. Here are the very basics that should give you a good idea if you should get a coat on that short-haired dog of yours. 

When to Put a Coat on Your Doberman

The table below should give you a rough idea on where to start in terms of what temperatures warrant putting a coat on your Doberman. 

This is a great place to start but there is a lot more to this than just what the temperature is outside. Please remember that this should be treated as a rough guideline to get you started and not set-in-stone numbers.

A Doberman’s normal body temperature is between 101 and 102.5°F. If the body temperature drops below about 100°F for a sustained period of time, it could be dangerous. This is why it’s important to keep them comfortable when they’re in cold weather.

Below are some of the factors that may mean it’s time to put a coat on, even if the temperatures outside and the table above say you’re ok not to.

• Rain or Snow – Rain and snow can get your dog wet which will quickly reduce their body temperature. A raincoat will help keep them dry and it may be a good idea to consider boots to keep their feet dry and warm as well. Especially if they might be walking on de-icing materials spread on the streets.
• Windchill – Windchill can make outside temperatures feel 20 degrees colder than they actually are. If it’s cold and exceptionally windy out, it might be a good time for a coat on your dog.
• Very Old or Young Dogs – Young or old Dobermans aren’t as good at regulating their body temperatures as healthy adult dogs. Also, older Dobermans often have stiffness or pain in joints and exposure to cold weather can make this worse. Warm joints move a lot easier and with less pain.
• Dogs with Medical Issues – Dobermans with heart disease or weaker immune systems should wear a coat a bit more often than an otherwise healthy Dobie. 
• Dogs with Skin or Hair Problems – If you have a dog with skin or hair problems, such as is common in many Dobermans, you will have to consider that the already thin layer of protection normal Dobermans have might be even thinner on your dog.

It’s really important to just use a little common sense and to know your individual dog, then adjust accordingly.

How to Tell When Your Dog is Too Cold

Probably the biggest factor is your dog’s individual tolerance to cold. Just like how Dobermans have different personalities, they’ll also have varying degrees of tolerance to the cold. So watch for signs that your dog is too cold and if you see them, it may be time to put that dog coat on.

Signs Your Doberman is Cold

• Shaking or Shivering – Dobermans appear to shiver a lot, sometimes when they are not even cold. But if you see an increase in the amount of shaking or shivering, especially when they just went outside, for example, it may be a bit too cold for them. Learn more about other reasons why Dobermans shake here.
• Anxiousness – Pacing, restlessness, or other similar actions may be signs that your dog is a bit anxious. This can be caused by being uncomfortable in cold temperatures while outside.
• Whining or Whimpering – Dobermans are great communicators. If you just went outside with your dog and he or she starts crying or whining at you, they may be trying to tell you their uncomfortable. It’s time to warm them up.
• Slowing Down – This is where things can start to get scary. If your dog starts slowing down out in the cold it could be a sign that they are passed just being cold, and are entering hypothermia stages. Bring them inside and warm them up right away.
• Other Actions – If your Dobie is hesitant to go outside later in the day after being out earlier, it might be because they know it’s a bit too cold out for them. Or if they are outside and begging to come inside, it may be just because they are a normal Doberman and want to be stuck to your side like glue, or it might be because they’re cold.

Don’t underestimate how easily Dobermans can get cold. They get cold much quicker than you might think. Really, if you see any behavioral changes after being in the cooler weather (other than normal excitement from being outside), it may be time to put on that winter jacket.

Why Dobermans Don’t Tolerate the Cold

Dobermans are prime candidates to wear winter coats on cold days. It might help you to understand why Dobermans are not meant to be winter dogs by knowing how their coat and body differs from other dogs.

Dobermans have smooth, single layers coats with naturally short hairs that lay close to the body. The only exception is around the neck of Dobermans where there is a small undercoat (meaning two layers of fur are present). The Doberman’s hairs are also stiff and somewhat sparse compared to other breeds. This is great in some ways—less shedding and grooming is required.

However, this is about as bad as it can get when it comes to providing the dog with insulation on cold days. Boxers, Pointers, and Greyhounds are other short-haired dogs that also have trouble in the cold as Dobermans do for this reason.

Lastly, the Doberman is an impressively athletic dog with low body fat and lots of lean muscle. Muscle is great for many reasons, but it’s a poor insulator when compared to fat. Since there’s not much fat on Dobermans that means they don’t have much internal protection from the cold either.

Picking a Winter Coat for Your Doberman

The difficult thing about buying a coat for your Doberman is he can’t exactly tell you “this is too tight”, or “it scratches”. To make things a little tougher, the first few times you put any jacket on (even one that is comfortable and a perfect fit), there will likely be resistance anyway.

That’s why slowing down and spending some time sorting through the options before you buy is a good idea. Here are the basic steps for picking a good winter coat for your Dobie.

• Determine the correct size. You’ll need a fabric tape measure for this and you’ll need to check the website of the company that you are buying your jacket from. They’ll want specific measurements from your dog. Usually, they want the length (measured from the base of the neck/shoulder blade area to the base of the tail), the girth (measured around the largest portion of the chest), and the neck.
• Choose the material. Dog coats generally have two layers, an inner and outer layer. The inner layer keeps your dog warm and the outer layer keeps him dry. For the outer layer, waterproof canvas, nylon, and Gore-Tex are all good choices. For the inner layer, anything warm will generally do well. Synthetic lambswool, a polyblend, or a fleece lining all work well. Wool is warm but can be itchy and hard to clean.
• Check for proper fit. Once you get your dog’s coat, try it on and give it a quick check for a proper fit. Your Dobie should be able to move freely. If you can run a flat hand underneath the coat, then it’s not too tight. A coat too loose can get caught or tangled on something and won’t be as warm, so make sure it isn’t too loose either. Check the chest, armpits, and neck areas to make sure they fit well. Dobermans have an odd body shape.

If you’re ordering the coat or jacket online, just make sure whoever you order from has a good return policy. For example, Amazon.com has a 30-day simple return policy and Chewy.com has a 1-year return policy if you aren’t completely satisfied. Both are good options.

Also, make sure that the coat doesn’t have anything attached that’s easy for your dog to chew off like large zippers, buttons, or tags. 

Getting Him to Wear It

It may take a little practice to get your Dobie used to wearing his new coat, but it shouldn’t be too hard. Praise and reward your dog with a treat the first time you put it on him. Then continue to do that. Over a short time, he’ll associate it with positive feelings and look forward to you strapping it on him.

Some owners who have a difficult time getting their Doberman to accept a coat will put it on him every night before eating dinner. This can further help to reinforce the idea that wearing the coat is a positive experience.

If He’s Wearing a Coat, Can I Leave Him Outside?

The real question is not can you, but should you. Dobermans were bred to be personal protection dogs. They are loyal and protective and need to be close to people to be happy.

A Doberman that is left outside for extended periods can quickly develop behavioral problems. As the Doberman Pincher Club of America (DPCA) says:

“Dobermans cannot be outside dogs and they cannot be ignored.”

DPCA.org (source)

That’s the first reason your Dobie shouldn’t be left outside. The other reason is that temperatures below about 45 or 50°F are not comfortable for your Doberman, and temperatures below 40°F are in the danger zone.  

Did You Know?

Dobermans were once commonly used as police dogs. Several factors have caused many law enforcement agencies to stop using them. One is their fierce loyalty, which can be problematic if their handler is transferred or retires. Another factor is their cold tolerance, or lack thereof.

If you’re still determined to leave your Doberman outside for extended periods, take a look at my article all about Dobermans living outside here, so you know what you’d be getting yourself into.

Final Thoughts

Your Doberman just wasn’t bred to be an outside dog, unlike some breeds with thick, double-layered coats and more body fat. But it’s still important to get them outside and burning off some of that extra energy, even on cold days. 

Although a little cold will be okay without a coat or jacket, if you plan to take him outside in the cold for an extended length of time, go for a walk, or spend some time in the yard, a dog coat is probably a good idea. Remember to keep things fun and positive and your dog will be happy to put that new coat on and frolic around outside in the cold with you.

The post Do Dobermans Need to Wear Coats in the Winter? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

Since you brought your new Doberman puppy home, it seems like all he does is eat and sleep.  While everyone online is talking about how energetic their Doberman puppies are, yours is sleeping all day. It can quickly have you wondering why you have a seemingly lethargic Doberman puppy, and what you should do about it. More than a few people have asked me about their supposed “lazy puppies” in recent months, so here’s a quick rundown of what you should know. 

What should you do about a lazy Doberman puppy? Dobermans are known for their energy, but puppies need between sixteen and twenty hours of sleep. While sleeping this much often makes it seem like a puppy is overly lethargic or lazy, it’s actually completely normal. Make sure to rule out depression or medical conditions as a cause.

After working with many Doberman puppies over the years, I can tell you that they certainly do have their own personalities. It’s not uncommon for one Doberman pup to sleep all day while another is up and running around. Although dogs from the same litter are more likely to have the same exercise requirements.

So instead of the word lazy, what if we use the word lethargic instead? A lethargic dog might look lazy, but he could be lying down for other reasons. Lethargic looks the same but it can be caused by other factors such as medical conditions or depression. So before we talk about other causes, let’s talk about what a normal amount of sleep is for a Doberman puppy.

How Much Sleep Doberman Puppies Need

If this is your first Doberman, you might not be aware of how much sleep your dog needs. Veterinarians say average dogs need anywhere from 10 to 12 hours of sleep, with active dogs needing even more, and the Doberman is certainly an active breed. Energetic Doberman puppies need even more sleep than that!

Add all that up, and you can easily end up with a dog that appears to be lazy or lethargic because he seems to be sleeping all day, but is actually a completely normal puppy. I believe this is why so many are concerned about this. After an hour or so of energetic activity, your young Dobie certainly needs a nap.

Below is a graph of the amount of sleep a Doberman puppy needs, on average, based on their age. The graph shows a range for this average (the highlighted section) depicting the minimum and maximums. Every puppy is different and it isn’t uncommon for a perfectly healthy Doberman to vary a bit from this graph. If your dog is drastically off the graph though without an obvious explanation, it might be a good idea to look into the possibility of a medical issue or depression as a cause.

Clearly, Dobermans need a lot of sleep. This is true for older Dobermans which are over the age of 1 year old, but it’s also true for young Dobermans. A Doberman puppy at about 8 weeks of age needs around 18 to 20 hours of sleep every night. A 4-month-old Doberman puppy needs around 17 to 19 hours of sleep. At 1 year of age, Dobermans still need between 10 to 16 hours of sleep every single day.

Of course, these numbers will vary based on the individual dog and their activity levels throughout the day, but this should help put things into perspective for you so you can figure out what a normal and abnormal amounts of sleep are.

For how long average adult and elderly Dobermans sleep, which can be very different from puppy sleep cycles, see my article How Long Do Dobermans Sleep.

Why Dobermans Need a Lot of Sleep

During the first 1 to 2 years of a Doberman’s life, they are growing at an incredibly fast rate. This takes a significant toll on the body. This means that during this stage in your puppy’s life, their body is working extremely hard even while they don’t appear to be. This rapid growth is tiring for a young puppy and is the biggest reason they need such a large amount of sleep early on.

Another reason they sleep so much is simply due to how dogs sleep as compared to humans. Much of what looks like sleep is really dozing for a Doberman. While you’re sleeping, a guard dog like a Doberman is on high alert.  Nighttime noises that we might sleep through can alert your Dobie. A car driving past is cause for concern. That creak in the ceiling needs investigating. All these things mean your Doberman likely gets a lot less sleep at night than you might think⁠—it’s in their genetics.

Some sleep experts theorize that dogs, in general, don’t get adequate amounts of REM sleep at night because they’re always on a much higher level of alert than humans. This would help explain their propensity towards daytime napping.

A Doberman breeder writes on the Gentle Doberman Forum:

“I usually tell my puppy owners that a new puppy has a “shelf life” of about an hour, and then they nap for a while.  Rinse and repeat.”

Another commenter on the same forum stated: 

“A 8 week old puppy is just a baby. They will sleep a lot. When they’re awake they’re 90 MPH getting into everything then all of a sudden, it’s like someone flips the switch to off” (source)

Before you accuse your puppy of being lazy, keep track of how much he sleeps.  Remember that he may be awake half the night. Six, eight, or even ten hours of sleep during the day is probably just necessary shut-eye.

Doberman Puppy Exercise Requirements

In general, Doberman puppies need 1 to 2 hours of exercise every single day. However, each dog is a bit different and their environment will also influence this as well. Luckily, Doberman puppies are amazing at regulating their own exercise requirements. 

You won’t have to wake your Dobie up or encourage him to come play with you to meet these requirements. In fact, you shouldn’t. You should let your Dobie sleep if he wants to sleep—his body probably needs it. When a Doberman is young, their body tells them what they need and they act accordingly. 

Just make sure that you are able to engage with them when they do wake up and are ready for playtime. These interactions are incredibly important to your dog when he or she is young. This is the time when your dog’s bond with you is built, so don’t skip this!

Depression

Most of us know by now that Dobermans are energetic, fiercely protective, and extremely loyal. That loyalty cannot be built without rich interaction with their owners—such as games, walks, and general companionship. Swatting him away when he is underfoot isn’t building companionship. Putting him outside is not a way to encourage exercise. Instead, you’re depriving him of one of his basic needs—to protect and interact with you.

Dobermans can become nervous, anxious, or even depressed if they’re left alone too much. Depression will often show as your dog being extra lethargic during the day and he may sleep much more than is normal for him. If you see a sudden increase in the number of hours your dog sleeps, and you’ve been gone from home a bit extra lately, this could be the cause.

Dobermans are especially prone to separation anxiety if left alone too long. If you come home and see your puppy has left scratch marks on your door, tore the curtains down, or in some other way caused havoc in your home, recognize those as signs of separation anxiety.

If you do have to work a normal job like the rest of us, there are some things that you can do to help avoid depression and separation anxiety. Take a look at the article I wrote all about leaving your Doberman home alone for how you can set up your dog correctly when you leave the house to avoid these things.

Dobies are more sensitive to stress than many other dog breeds. They will become nervous and anxious when those around them are stressed. Sleeping or acting out in a destructive way are often ways to cope with that stress.

Health Problems

If your Doberman has suddenly changed his or her sleeping habits, it could indicate something is wrong. If you notice your puppy sleeping a lot more or less—consider calling your vet. Dobermans are susceptible to numerous diseases; some inherited and others preventable.

• Hypoglycemia – Signs of low blood sugar include lethargy or, in some cases, seizures. Your vet will provide you with suggestions for a proper diet as well as medication if he or she deems it’s necessary.
• Heartworm – If an infected mosquito bites your puppy, it can transfer the larvae to it. Lethargy, decreased appetite, and weight loss are potential signs of heartworms. Since this disease can cause heart failure, take your puppy to the vet if you suspect this. Better yet, if you aren’t giving your puppy a monthly pill to protect against heartworms, talk to your vet to see if it’s time to get started.
• Hypothyroidism – Dogs with this condition have a thyroid that doesn’t produce enough of the hormone thyroxine. This hormone is responsible for the process of turning food into energy which means it could cause your dog to be lethargic if this isn’t happening. It may also cause weight gain. Although this condition doesn’t usually occur until dogs are 4 to 6 years old, it won’t hurt to have it checked out. It can be successfully treated with medications.
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – I did a very in-depth article about DCM in Dobermans here. This is an incredibly common disease that Dobermans are genetically predisposed to. Sadly, statistically, 58% of all Dobermans will develop this at some point in their lifetime. It causes the heart to become enlarged and weak. Your dog’s heart has to struggle to pump blood and it causes lethargy and intolerance to exercise.
• Hepatitis (CAH) – Hepatitis is when your dog’s liver isn’t functioning as it should. Unfortunately, this is also a common condition that Dobermans are predisposed to. During the later stages of this disease, lethargy is very common. You may also see a swollen abdomen, weight loss, lack of appetite, weakness and other symptoms.

If your puppy wasn’t screened for genetic issues by your breeder, you should consider having him screened. There are many genetic tests available that will tell you if your dog is genetically susceptible to many common Doberman health issues. 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, I can put your mind at ease⁠—just about everyone who has reached out to me because they were concerned that their Doberman puppy sleeps too much had nothing to worry about in the end. Most had simply read about how much work a Doberman is (especially a puppy) and expected a lot less sleeping, and more playtime, when the dog is young.

Sometimes we forget that our pets are like us in many ways. We don’t call a baby who sleeps all the time lazy. We just call her a baby who needs a nap. Just like a baby often is restless or cries in the middle of the night and sleeps during the day, your puppy is the same way. He might not be active when you want him to be, but after high-energy activities, he needs his nap also. 

And if you never see those hours of energy bursts during the day that puppies normally have, talk to your vet to be sure something else isn’t wrong.

Related Questions

Do Doberman puppies sleep a lot? A Doberman puppy requires a lot of sleep during their first year of life. Between the ages of 8 to 12 weeks, Doberman puppies will sleep 18 to 20 hours a day.

Where should my Doberman puppy sleep? During the puppy stage, a Doberman should sleep near you in a crate. This will help lay the groundwork for healthy boundaries as well as housebreaking your Doberman later on.

The post What to do About a Lazy Doberman Puppy: Average Sleep Times appeared first on Doberman Planet.

When I bought my first house with a yard, I knew the first thing I wanted to do was get a Doberman Pinscher. I worked full time though and wasn’t sure if a Doberman could ever adapt to my schedule and be left alone for an 8-hour workday. If this is you, let me reassure you that it is possible, it just might take some extra effort especially in the beginning.

How long can you leave a Doberman home alone? While each Doberman’s personality is different, in general, an adult Doberman shouldn’t be left home alone for more than 8 hours while a puppy shouldn’t be left alone for more than 4 hours. Puppies under 4 months of age may need additional attention. Dobermans are prone to separation anxiety.

This is the best guideline I can give you but the truth is, many of us who have 8-hour jobs need to be able to leave our dogs home alone for 9 to 10 hours. There’s drive time to and from work, and very often we have an hour lunch break at a job that’s too far away to be able to make it home during the break. Luckily, you can still make it work if you plan things out carefully.

There are even remote pet cameras now which will allow you to see, talk to, and even dispense treats to your dog remotely while you’re at work. I listed a few of these in the Cool Doberman Tech Gear section of my Recommended Products page.

Leaving an Adult Doberman Home Alone

Leaving an adult Doberman Pinscher home alone is a lot different than leaving a puppy. We’ll talk about leaving a puppy alone in a minute, but first I want to reassure you of what’s possible once your dog becomes full grown.

Dobermans are very intelligent and adaptable dogs. Once they learn what the house rules are, you’ll find yourself slowly becoming more and more trusting of your dog being home alone. Of course, each dog is different and you’ll have to learn what your specific dog can handle, but eventually, an adult Doberman can be left alone during your 8 to 10-hour workday without a problem.

Just to be clear, 8 to 10 hours won’t work if your dog is kept in a crate when you leave. But an adult Doberman should be trusted to be outside of his or her crate and even let themselves outside to go to the bathroom (usually by using a doggie door). Make sure they have this concept down before attempting this or you could come home to some nice welcoming puddles of joy for you to clean up in the house after a hard day’s work.

Here are some basic tips for making sure your adult Doberman has what they need so you can get through a full day of work.

• Leave out at least two water bowls. If your dog accidentally knocks over a water bowl the first hour you’re gone, it could be serious. So leave out at least two water bowls to be safe.
• Provide plenty of chew toys. Dobermans are prone to separation anxiety of varying degrees, although this tends to be less of an issue as they get older. Any anxiety they do have is usually expressed through chewing. So make sure your Dobie has plenty of chew toys around, especially toys that are mentally stimulating. A shortage of chew toys means they just might start to chew on something they shouldn’t. I have compiled a list of my favorite chew toys that are also mentally stimulating here.
• Tire out your dog before leaving. Going for a walk or run before you leave for work for the day is not only healthy for you but can help your dog deal with his or her time alone. It’ll reduce anxiety for your Doberman and make it much more likely they’ll just sleep while you’re gone. A puppy might even sleep the whole day while you’re gone. See more about how much Doberman puppies can sleep (it’s a lot) with my article all about average Doberman puppy sleep times.
• Arrange for a mid-day visit if possible. If you can make it work with your schedule, pay your dog a mid-day visit during your lunch break. Taking him out for a quick walk, play with him, and give him some praise for being a good boy while you were gone. If this isn’t possible, consider getting a dog walker to come by.
• Ensure you have adequate fencing. We have a 6-foot tall privacy fence around the backyard of our house which works great. Just make sure your dog is well contained with a good fence. If he does start to get anxiety with you being gone, he could decide to start exploring the fencing. If there’s a way out, and an adventure to be had, your curious Dobie might just go for it.

My 5-year-old Doberman is very well behaved in his adult years now and he knows the rules of the house. I could leave him alone for 24 hours straight without worrying about him (even more if I had to). In fact, at one point we had a family emergency and we had to leave him from morning one day until evening the next day. We made sure he had plenty to eat, drink, and toys to play with and he did absolutely great!

He slept in his bed, put himself out through his doggie door to pee, didn’t destroy anything and was completely trustworthy. To be clear, I hated doing it and it was an emergency situation. I don’t ever plan to have that happen again and I’m definitely not recommending that you should do this. However, it is good to know what he’s capable of.

Doberman’s are very adaptable dogs. Many people will give you some extreme answers to this question like “you shouldn’t leave your dog alone at all,” which is true in an ideal world. But this world isn’t ideal and most of us have to work for a living to be able to afford our gorgeous Dobermans. In my opinion, you lucked out choosing this breed, because you couldn’t have picked a better dog to adapt to their living situation than a Doberman.

Raising a Puppy with a Full-Time Job

Here’s where things get interesting. Yes, a Doberman puppy who isn’t potty trained yet and doesn’t know the rules of the house is going to need a lot more attention than the very self-sufficient adult Doberman I described in the previous section.

Besides being more prone to intense separation anxiety, puppies also need frequent potty breaks, they’re more prone to flipping over their water bowls or getting into something they shouldn’t, and very often start off by being crate trained. In fact, I will talk a lot about crate training because I think this is the best way to train your puppy to hold it while you are at work.

Here’s what a typical day might look like for a Doberman puppy who’s going through crate training while their owner is at work.

1. Morning Routine – Wake up, go for a walk and play ball for 15 minutes. Focus on tiring your puppy out, giving him lots of love and attention.
2. Give Food and Water – Give your puppy food and water at least an hour before you leave for work.
3. Potty Break – Bring them outside to “empty them out” (potty them) as much as possible.
4. Put in an Appropriate Crate – Put him in the crate 15 minutes before leaving the house. The crate should be covered with a blanket on three sides so it’s more like a den. The crate should be large enough for your pup to comfortably turn around in, but not too much larger than that.
5. Provide Lots of Chew Toys – Make sure there are chew toys inside the crate so they can work out the anxiety. No overly stimulating toys though, this should be nap time, not playtime.
6. Check on Your Pup – After no more than 4 hours, come home to let him out for a potty break, give some attention to them, provide water, then place back in the crate. If this isn’t possible due to your work situation, hire a dog walker to come by.
7. Arrive Home – After arriving home from work, take your pup out calmly, potty, water, and praise him for a job well done while you were at work after a few minutes. Overly excited greetings immediately upon arrival can increase their separation anxiety while you’re gone.

If you are wondering what specific equipment I use for dealing with a Dobie puppy at home, I have made a list of what I recommend for new Doberman puppies here. My hope is that this list can save you a whole lot of time and money. I wasted plenty of both testing things that just didn’t work for Dobermans.

Note: In general you should not leave your puppy home alone more than the number of hours that they are old (in months). In other words, if your puppy is 3 months old you shouldn’t leave them in their crate for any more than 3 hours without a break. At 4 months it’s 4 hours, at 5 months it’s 5 hours, and so on.

Never put your dog in their crate as a punishment. You want the crate to be a happy and relaxing place, not a place of punishment.

Just make sure that your Dobie doesn’t start peeing in his or her crate. If this happens with any kind of regularity it will be detrimental to successful potty training. If this starts to happen, it means you are leaving them alone too long. You need to find a way to give them more potty breaks during the day and may have to hire someone to come by.

Remember also that Dobermans have growth plates in their legs that are still forming when they are puppies. So although it’s great to thoroughly tire them out before putting them in the crate, don’t go on long runs on concrete until they are at least 18 months of age. It can cause real damage to your developing Dobie’s body, especially if you’re running on concrete or asphalt.

Dealing with Separation Anxiety

First off, I made a detailed video all about how to deal with separation anxiety in Dobermans which you may find useful (available here on YouTube).

Separation anxiety is a problem in many Dobermans. They are intelligent dogs that thrive on close human contact. If you leave your dog alone too often or too long when they just aren’t mentally ready for it they might get separation anxiety in the form of:

• Howling or barking.
• Destructive behavior like chewing on things they shouldn’t be.
• Excessive crying.
• Swallowing things they shouldn’t (this is very dangerous).

The best thing I can say is to know your dog. Some dogs suffer greatly from separation anxiety while others don’t seem to very much. I was lucky with my Doberman Cooper who only seemed to struggle with it as a puppy. As an adult, he really has no problems—especially after I found the one key that really worked to break him of this habit.

Iheartdogs conducted a poll on 714 Doberman owners and asked them if their dogs ever had separation anxiety. 9% said their dogs had severe separation anxiety, 36% said moderate, and 55% said none. They defined separation anxiety as “bad or anxious behavior when left alone.”

The best thing you can do if your dog struggles with this is to make sure to provide plenty of toys to keep them busy (especially food injected toys like certain Kong toys for example), have someone come by to play with them and tire them out more during the day, or practice leaving on your days off.

To practice leaving, start by leaving the house for 5 minutes and listening for any signs of anxiety. If there are none, go back in and reward your dog. Then do it for 10 minutes, then 20 minutes. Eventually, your Dobie will understand what’s expected of them and you may be able to work through the issue completely.

I have an entire article dedicated to separation anxiety on this site since it’s such a major theme with the Doberman breed. You can learn all the methods for preventing Doberman separation anxiety here.

The Key That Finally Solved Cooper’s Separation Anxiety

What finally seemed to break my Dobie of his separation anxiety was simple; I stopped getting overaly excited to see him when I got home from work—or making too big of a deal when I left for the day.

It’s hard to do at times, but when I would leave, he’d be in his pen about 10 minutes before I’d leave so that he could calm down. Then when it was time for me to go, I’d say a calm “good-bye” to him and leave. When I got home, I would calmly walk up to him, pet him, and tell him I was happy to see him. Then I would let him out of the cage.

Before, I used to make a huge deal saying big long good-bye’s to him before leaving. I’d also jump up and down and hug him multiple times—really going overboard when I got home. This calmer good-bye when I left, and hello when I got home, was the key that seemed to finally work for breaking his separation anxiety issues when nothing else would.

Leaving Your Doberman Alone Outside

Just a quick word about leaving your Doberman alone outside while you are gone. If your dog is old enough and able to let themselves in and out of the house through a dog door, it’s fine that they have access to the outside. But you should never lock your dog outside while no one is home.

For one, Doberman’s have thin skin and a single layer coat. They get cold easily and can even overheat fairly easily as well. Also, if they are left outdoors it increases the chances of kids coming by and teasing your dog which may cause them to develop aggressive behaviors. That is not something you want to struggle within your 100 pound Doberman down the road.

Lastly, never ever tie your dog up outside. They can literally tie themselves up in the rope or inadvertently strangle themselves. It has happened more than once in the past so don’t do this to the new member of your family.

Related Questions

Do Dobermans have separation anxiety? Many Dobermans suffer from separation anxiety and will often express it by crying, howling, barking, and destructive behavior. Dobermans are highly intelligent and thrive on close human interaction throughout the day.

Can a Doberman be left home alone while you’re at work? In general, adult Dobermans who are fully house trained and understand what’s expected of them can be trusted to be left alone indoors during a typical 8-hour workday without issue.

The post How Long Can You Leave a Doberman Home Alone? appeared first on Doberman Planet.

Recently, a friend of mine wanted to get a dog for his family. He told me that he absolutely loved Doberman Pinschers but that his wife would only let him get a dog that could primarily live outside. So I decided to spend the next half a day researching the characteristics of the Doberman to find out if it’s possible for them to be kept as “outside dogs.”

Can Dobermans live outside? Doberman Pinschers cannot live outdoors. They don’t have the mental or physical characteristics necessary to be outside dogs. Their short single layer coats and low body fat means they don’t do well exposed to the elements, especially in cold climates. They also need frequent human interaction.

There is actually a lot to consider when deciding whether any dog can live outdoors. How long your Doberman can be outside and away from normal interactions with the family will depend on a number of factors as well. You just might be in for a surprise if you leave your Doberman alone in your backyard for too long.

Why Dobermans Make Poor Outside Dogs

Many people love the idea of getting a Doberman Pinscher. After all, they’re a proud and elegant breed. They’re also great family dogs, fearless family protectors, and one of the top dog breeds in terms of intelligence. And talk about trainable! You can impress your friends all day long with the tricks your Doberman can learn.

But, if you aren’t prepared to have your dog live inside your home with the family, a Doberman is one of the worst dog breeds you could choose. Here are some of the main reasons why these magnificent dogs are horrible as outside-only dogs.

Physical Characteristics

• Single Layer Coats with Short Hair: Their fur is great when it comes to minimal shedding inside the home, but it’s not so great at keeping them warm when it’s cold out.
• Thin Skin: Their skin is not like humans. It’s thinner and leaves them just that much more exposed to the elements.
• Low Body Fat: These are lean, muscular dogs with very little body fat. Fat is the body’s natural insulation and protection from the elements. Dobermans have very little of this protection.

Mental Characteristics

• An Instinctual Need to Have Human Interaction: Dobermans need lots of human interaction. This is probably the most important reason why they don’t make good outside dogs.
• Highly Intelligent: Having a high level of intelligence means that they will not only realize that their family has separated themselves from them, but it means they’ll also get bored easily.
• A Need for Human Interaction: Doberman’s were originally bred to be put to work providing personal protection. As such, they developed an instinctual need to bond to their human counterparts. They’re often called a “Velcro Dog” because of their desire to stick right by your side at all times.
• Need for to Be “Part of the Pack”: Dogs, in general, are pack animals. They thrive when they are in a close pack (or family). This is what makes them feel safe and secure.

Although each individual dog will show slight variations, these mental characteristics are typical of the Doberman Pinscher. Let’s face it, we love these dogs because they are such great loyal family dogs and amazing protectors. With those traits comes some of these realities that you should be prepared for.

Doberman’s in Hot Weather

Doberman’s are dark colored (or black) dogs and seem to absorb heat quickly. They’re also very muscular and seem to have a thirst that will cause them to suck down even the largest water bowl in just a few minutes.

You should avoid the extreme heat with your Doberman. It’s easy for these dogs to get heat stroke if overworked on a particularly hot day. If the temperature outside is anything over about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, you should only let your dog out for short durations. Otherwise, it’s best to keep them indoors.

If it’s an unusually hot day and your dog is outside (especially if they’re being physically active), make sure he has access to cool shaded areas and plenty of water.

Doberman’s in Cold Weather

As you’ve probably figured out, Doberman’s don’t tolerate the cold very well. In fact, although Doberman’s were used as Police dogs heavily in the United States in the past, in recent years many departments have steered away from Dobermans specifically because of how poorly they do in cold weather.

Doberman’s will shiver quite easily while outdoors and anything below about 55 degrees Fahrenheit will not be tolerated well by your Dobie. Their short fur leaves them very exposed to the elements.

Tossing in the fact that they desire so desperately to be with humans means your Doberman will more than likely prefer to stand, shivering in the freezing rain looking in your sliding glass door waiting to join the family, than be huddled up in his doghouse trying to stay warm.

To know when you should put a coat on your Dobie, see my article Do Dobermans Need to Wear Coats in the Winter?

What Happens if a Doberman is Left Alone Outside

If you leave your Doberman Pinscher outside for an extended period of time it isn’t terribly uncommon for them to lash out in many destructive ways. They will quickly get frustrated and likely suffer separation anxiety since they have the natural instinct to be very close to their masters.

The following are some common behaviors of a Doberman left alone for significant periods of time:

• Excessive barking.
• Eating plants around the yard they normally wouldn’t eat.
• Increased aggression towards people.
• Digging holes and destroying landscaping.

Often when a Doberman is left outdoors all day he will bark like crazy and you’ll find yourself scrambling to find ways to stop the barking. You might even get a little love note from your neighbors when you get home from work about the noise. Your dog might also do some other unpleasant things in your backyard out of frustration such as digging holes in your yard, eating plants (even potentially poisonous ones), and having a field day with your irrigation system.

If left alone for long periods of time your Dobie can also start to develop aggression issues. Historically, outside dogs tend to show more aggression towards humans than their inside-only counterparts. For a large, powerful breed like the Doberman, issues with aggression can be a serious problem.

Using Heated Dog Houses

Many people believe that as long as they provide their Dobie with nothing but the best of accommodations outdoors, that they can then be outside dogs. Unfortunately, the truth is, even if you provide them with the taj mahal of dog houses with built-in heaters, fans, and water dispensers, they still won’t fare well.

Providing a plush dog house doesn’t address the large mental related issues that surround leaving your Doberman outside at night or for many hours during the day. It’s also very likely it won’t be used as often as you think anyway since they will be seeking out other humans as much as possible the entire time, even to their own detriment in freezing temperatures.

Final Thoughts

Doberman’s clearly are not cut out to be outdoor dogs. They aren’t built for it physically and are happiest when they’re apart of the family. Frankly, they will also be a better protector when they are bonded with the family, which is one of the biggest benefits of owning a Doberman.

Now that I have owned my Dobie for about 5 years and have talked with many other Doberman owners, I know that I ‘m not alone with some of the strange behaviors I have seen from my dog. Now I know they are mostly related to my dog’s genetics and an overall aversion to poor weather.

I remember seeing my Doberman go out into the backyard to pee, and lift his feet unusually high when it was raining. If the grass was wet one day after the sprinklers went off, I’d see him quickly run out into the grass, pee, and run back onto the concrete as quickly as possible with those same high-prancing steps. As funny as it was to watch, the reason he did this was he hated getting wet and cold. Not something you’d expect from a dog.

I used to think there was something wrong with my dog but from my research, speaking to other Doberman owners, and just getting to know my dog better I learned it’s really just the cold hard truth when it comes to Doberman’s: they hate being out in the elements and should only be kept as primarily indoor dogs.

Related Questions

Can Dobermans be in the cold? With short fur and a single layer coat, Doberman Pinschers are not built well for cold climates. Exposure to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 13 degrees Celsius) should be limited.

What temperature is too cold for a Doberman? Generally, anything below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 13 degrees Celsius) is not well tolerated by the Doberman Pinscher. The Doberman doesn’t do well in cold weather.

The post Can Dobermans Live Outside? appeared first on Doberman Planet.