Hello everyone,
I am a proud owner of a Doberman and I absolutely love her. However, I have noticed that she gets really anxious and nervous when she is around strangers. She becomes very alert, barks, and sometimes even lunges at them. This behavior is really concerning for me, especially when I have guests over or we are out for walks.
I understand that Dobermans are known for their protective instincts, but is there a way to train my dog to be more calm and relaxed around strangers? I want her to be social and friendly with humans, but at the same time, I don't want to compromise on her natural guarding instincts.
If anyone has any experience with this or has successfully trained their Doberman to be calm and composed around strangers, please do share your tips and techniques. Also, please let me know if there are any risks involved in training a Doberman in this manner.
Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Hi there,
I have a Doberman and I never had any problem with her being nervous around strangers. I think it depends on the personality of the dog, and how they were raised. My Dobie was socialized from a very young age, and I made sure to expose her to different people and situations. Whenever she displayed calm behavior, I would reward her with treats and praise.
However, I think it's important to mention that Dobermans are a highly intelligent breed and they need a lot of stimulation and exercise. A bored Dobie can become destructive and anxious, which can lead to unpredictable behavior around strangers. So, make sure to keep your Dobie engaged with regular exercise and training, but also plenty of playtime.
Additionally, never punish a Doberman for being nervous around strangers, it will only reinforce their fear and anxiety. Instead, take the time to teach them how to behave appropriately around strangers in a positive, controlled manner.
Overall, training a Dobie to be calm around strangers is possible, but it requires a lot of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement training.