Hey!

I bought a 2 and a half month old Doberman puppy a week back. She is healthy in general but I have a few queries..

1. She tends to shake her front legs a bit for 5 to 6 seconds when she is sitting. The weather gets a little chill in the evenings, but I notice this behavior in the morning as well. What could it be?

2. The dog tends to be alone in the house for about 10 hours a week. Could you suggest a way to keep her calm when she is left alone?

3. I want to train my dog to stay out of the house as a guard dog. Is it wise to keep her tied for most of the day outside the house? If left loose she tends to run over all the plants and eat a lot of mud!

Thank you!

Have a great day
Jade

Dobermans are pretty smart and trainable. Leg shaking is nothing to worry about, it is quite common and doesn't mean neurological disorders if that is what you are thinking.

Crating during the time you are gone if it is not too long may keep her happy, with a blanket she can call her own.

How can she be guard dog if she is tied up? Does this mean you won't be socializing with her as a pet? Don't like that idea too much either. Doesn't make sense and I heartily do not agree with keeping a dog tied up outside. She can be trained to stay of your flower beds, either that or get invisible fencing, which I have had for many years and can recommend it highly.

Young dogs do eat mud, that soon gets boring for them !

Tick

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Originally Posted by jade89

Hey!

I bought a 2 and a half month old Doberman puppy a week back. She is healthy in general but I have a few queries..

1. She tends to shake her front legs a bit for 5 to 6 seconds when she is sitting. The weather gets a little chill in the evenings, but I notice this behavior in the morning as well. What could it be?

2. The dog tends to be alone in the house for about 10 hours a week. Could you suggest a way to keep her calm when she is left alone?

3. I want to train my dog to stay out of the house as a guard dog. Is it wise to keep her tied for most of the day outside the house? If left loose she tends to run over all the plants and eat a lot of mud!

Thank you!!

Have a great day
Jade

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1. If she is lifting her paw and shaking, check her nails. If she is trembling, have her checked for dysplasia in the shoulders.

2. Is this 10 hours at a time? You don't want to leave a puppy alone that long.

3. Tying a dog outside is never okay. You see it a lot but you see drivers cross the center line a lot too.

Enroll her in obedience classes immediately. Once you have learned to communicate with your dog then you can worry about advanced training.

Dobes are the most loyal, intelligent, devoted breed there is (personal opinion) but they need a leader that knows them and won't let them down.

Doberman Pinscher Breed Information & Pictures (Doberman, Dobermann)

Dobermans, like Great Danes, need vitamin supplements and really good puppy food at that age, as to help with the development of their bones. They will get rickets if they don't get enough calcium. She may be eating mud for that reason. My first Dane tried to eat rocks. My vet said he was craving calcium.

Their bones grow so fast, and they are getting used to the ever- changing lengths of their legs.

And I agree with Cats on the rope or chain. You can walk them on a leash, but don't leave them tied up for any reason. This practice poses many risks, and tends to make dogs mean.

And it's cruel in my book.

Has your dog been to the vet?

Get her checked out, to make sure she doesn't have any skeletal problems, again like Cats mentioned.

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Originally Posted by jmjoseph

Dobermans, like Great Danes, need vitamin supplements and really good puppy food at that age, as to help with the development of their bones. They will get rickets if they don't get enough calcium.

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I don't agree with vitamin supplements for puppies. A balanced diet is more benficial to growing bones. Dobes are bad about developing bone spurs from too much calcium, and in the spine that can cause Wobbler's syndrome. A quality puppy food at 23% protein or lower will have the right balance of vitamins and minerals.

By the way, read that website I linked to, jade89. It will explain how communicating with your dog is all the "guard dog" training a Dobe needs.

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Originally Posted by Catsmine

I don't agree with vitamin supplements for puppies. A balanced diet is more benficial to growing bones. Dobes are bad about developing bone spurs from too much calcium, and in the spine that can cause Wobbler's syndrome. A quality puppy food at 23% protein or lower will have the right balance of vitamins and minerals.

By the way, read that website I linked to, jade89. It will explain how communicating with your dog is all the "guard dog" training a Dobe needs.

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For both of my Great Danes, my vet gave me a paste that added whatever it was that they needed for the rapid growth of their bones. It came in a tube, and smelled like beef bullion.

That's why it is important to consult your vet about issues concerning young pups, especially.

I agree with you Cats about not giving puppies adult vitamins, but both of mine needed something other than what puppy food that was available 20 years ago had to offer.

Have to agree with Cats on this one sorry Joseph...

Danes need a basic, simple diet.
I have seen personally a dog that was fed calcium supplements, vitamins and other doo-dads as a puppy and the dog had to be put to sleep by the time it was 9 months old because it's legs were so deformed.


1. She tends to shake her front legs a bit for 5 to 6 seconds when she is sitting. The weather gets a little chill in the evenings, but I notice this behavior in the morning as well. What could it be?
It could be the cold or there could be something wrong, unfortunately we can't diagnose over the internet, you will have to see a vet on this one.

2. The dog tends to be alone in the house for about 10 hours a week. Could you suggest a way to keep her calm when she is left alone?
Kong toys are great. They are a rubber ball with a hole in one end. You fill the ball with treats and the dog spends ages trying to get the treats out. They don't fall out easily but the dog does get a treat every so often.

3. I want to train my dog to stay out of the house as a guard dog. Is it wise to keep her tied for most of the day outside the house? If left loose she tends to run over all the plants and eat a lot of mud!
I have never been a fan of keeping dogs tied up in the yard. I have seen and heard of several dogs hanging themselves, tearing throats and breaking legs.
Perhaps you could try and train her to dig in one particular spot. Sand boxes are great fun for dogs as you can hide treats in the sand for them to find. It can take a little effort but it's possible to get them to only dig the sand box.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmjoseph

For both of my Great Danes, my vet gave me a paste that added whatever it was that they needed for the rapid growth of their bones. It came in a tube, and smelled like beef bullion.

That's why it is important to consult your vet about issues concerning young pups, especially.

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Danes and the other giant breeds have needs that the run-of-the-mill medium-large breeds like Dobes don't. I think everyone here can agree to

CONSULT YOUR VET.

If you already think its too cold out for a young puppy, then just imagine how cold it will be when the adult dog has to live outside. Dogs are pack animals, they don't do well by themselves. I don't agree in any way of keeping a dog outside as a form as their home. Dobies have short hair, they'll get cold very easily. If you require a jacket to be outside, then so do they. Dobies also don't have a lot of fat preserves, so they will get cold very quickly.

Shaking front legs could mean a lot of things. I would suggest to get the vet to look at her and monitor movements and growth. Sometimes puppies can grow too fast and they can develop strange things.

10 hours a week? So would that mean your dog is alone for a max of 2 hours a day? If that is the case, purchase a crate. Crates keep good dogs good. Also, it is natural for the mother dog to tuck her pups away while she goes off, so crating a dog isn't unnatural in any way.

I have met many people who have taught their dogs to go potty in certain parts of the yard. The only thing hard about training a puppy to do this is consistancy on your part. Puppies are going to get into things and dig things up. If you're not prepared or willing to deal with this and teaching the dog right from wrong, then I highly suggest you not own a dog. WHat your asking from this young puppy is a lot. Dobies are naturally going to protect your home and belongings, teach your dog to be a good dog instead of the scary dog on the block... YOu'll be happier, and your dog will be happier.

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Originally Posted by Lucky098

I have met many people who have taught their dogs to go potty in certain parts of the yard.

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Good points you have lucky, and not any different then any other. Of all the dogs I have house trained successfully I have never tried to make them GO in one certain part of the yard. Having a dog, completely house trained is a bonus to any dog owner and who the heck cares which area. I have a lovely garden, no pet I have ever had in it has abused the privilege without a slight correction of NO, NOT THERE. My old hound dog who has been in this garden for l0 years is pretty good.

One can impose a lot of restrictions on their pets, and then they no longer are pets, they are robots. Know your dog, get used to your dog, learn their habits and you have it licked. They have to respect you and that can be done with no trouble at all by watching their movements, their ears, their eyes, in other words, you are the pack leader in all areas.

Tick

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Originally Posted by Catsmine

ls. If she is trembling, have her checked for dysplasia in the shoulders.

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OP's dobe is a little too young to check for dysplasia in the shoulders, cats, as well as dysplasia in the hinds is not detectable that young.

If it is part of the breed, then it is a problem, and if bought from a reputable breeder, that breeder would have to prove that that trait has been eliminated in previous litters.

The shaking problem is not a big deal, as I said, it is for a few seconds. The young dog is just anxious, therefore the trembling.

Tick

Wow! First off thank you all for your time and overwhelming replies!

I took her to the vet and got her a 7 in 1 vaccine against parvo etc. I will get her checked again regarding the shaky front legs.

Thank you for the link catsmine!

I thought of keeping her outside since she skids on the marble tiles at home which will make her bones under developed.

Also she has had a few bald spots on her knees. The vet has given me an ointment for it which I am applying twice everyday, but was just wondering if this was common among rescued puppies.

Thanks again! Wish you all a very happy new year!

Have a great day
Jade

"Have to agree with Cats on this one sorry Joseph..."

No need to apologize to me Shaz. I'm just stating what my vet sugessted. And come to think of it, he put both of my Danes on chewable tabs as well back then. The first one's toes were turning in due to lack of calcium.

So vets today do not use vitamins at an early age on Danes?

Let us know how she goes at the vets jade :)
Good luck and happy new year!

Joseph, I think these days there is enough giant breed formulated food around to not need the additives.
Some dogs have different needs though so I don't doubt that yours did need the extra calcium, but as a general rule though less is more with these guys, there are just a few exceptions ;)

Happy New Year, Jade! Love your pup and check out the rest of this website. I came hear to ask a question about wiring up a thermostat and I check it 2-3 times a day now.

THank you catsmine!! Yep this forum is very addictive!

I took Dobbe to the vet and she is perfectly fine :) got her a calcium supplement tonic and de-wormed her.

I'm trying to upload a picture of her but I'm not able to!

Take care!

Jade

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Originally Posted by jade89

THank you catsmine!!! Yep this forum is very addictive!

I took Dobbe to the vet and she is perfectly fine :) got her a calcium supplement tonic and de-wormed her.

I'm trying to upload a picture of her but I'm not able to!

Take care!

Jade

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Post a few more times on different topics and the site will allow more options.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jade89

THank you catsmine!!! Yep this forum is very addictive!

I took Dobbe to the vet and she is perfectly fine :) got her a calcium supplement tonic and de-wormed her.

I'm trying to upload a picture of her but I'm not able to!

Take care!

Jade

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Yes, I came here to rid my house of flying squirrels. Catsmine here saved my sanity on that occasion too. I have been hooked ever since.