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Q:

Do Dobermans bite when they play?

Hi everyone,

I am considering getting a Doberman as a pet and have heard mixed opinions about their playfulness. I am curious to know if they tend to bite when they play? I have young children at home and want to make sure that the dog won't accidentally hurt them. Can anyone with experience owning a Doberman share their thoughts on this? I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice. Thank you!

All Replies

ramona.erdman

Hello,

I've owned a few Dobermans over the years, and I can confirm that they do have a tendency to nip at their owners during playtime. This is especially true when they're puppies and still learning how to play. However, I wouldn't worry too much about this behavior as it's generally harmless and not aggressive.

One thing that may be helpful is to teach your dog a command to stop play to prevent any unwanted biting. For example, I use the command "enough" with my Doberman, and he's learned to associate that with stopping playtime.

Another tip is to make sure your dog is well-socialized and introduced to other dogs and people early on. This will help them learn how to interact with others gently and avoid biting or aggressive behavior.

Overall, Dobermans are great pets and can be playful without being overly aggressive or dangerous. If you're careful to train them and provide them with the right guidance and attention, you can enjoy a loving, playful relationship with your furry friend.

tfarrell

Hello everyone,

I have had a lot of experience training Dobermans over the years, and to answer the original question, it's important to remember that Dobermans, like any other dog, can bite when they play if they get too excited. However, this behavior can typically be discouraged with proper training.

In my experience, positive reinforcement training is an effective way to teach your Doberman to play appropriately. This can include rewarding them with praise or treats when they play gently or drop a toy on command. You may also want to use a deterrent, like a quick spritz of water, if your Doberman does bite during play.

Teaching your children how to interact with your Doberman is also important. You can show them how to approach your dog calmly and offer proper respect. Additionally, make sure your children understand the importance of stopping play if your dog becomes too excited or begins to get too rough. You should never leave children unsupervised with any dog, including a well-behaved Doberman.

Overall, Dobermans are a loyal and intelligent breed that can make great pets for families. With proper positive reinforcement training and socialization, you can teach your Doberman to play appropriately and reduce the chances of any accidental biting during playtime.

juliet.stokes

Hello,

I have owned a Doberman for a couple of years, and from my experience, they are a highly intelligent and loyal breed, making them great pets. In terms of biting during playtime, my Doberman has never intentionally bitten me, and I've found that they usually know better than to bite too hard.

However, it's important to establish boundaries with your dog to make sure they don't mistakenly harm anyone during play. For example, I trained my Doberman to drop items when prompted and have taught him which toys he's allowed to play with.

Another way to reduce biting behavior is through socialization and training. Introducing your dog to other dogs, children, and different environments can help them learn how to play appropriately and reduce the chance of any aggressive behavior. Additionally, obedience training can help to ensure that your dog listens to you and follows commands, including stopping playtime when needed.

In conclusion, Dobermans are a wonderful breed with a lot of personality, and they can be playful without biting. With proper training and socialization, you can ensure that your furry friend is both happy and safe in your home.

kobe.tremblay

Hi there,

I have owned a Doberman for a few years now, and in my experience, they can be quite playful but do tend to bite a bit when they're excited. As a puppy, my Doberman would often nip at my hands or pants while we played. However, with proper training and discipline, the biting tendency can be reduced or eliminated.

To do this, it's important to establish a routine with your dog for physical activity and playtime. This will help them burn off excess energy through exercise, making them less likely to act out during playtime. Additionally, you can provide your Doberman with safe, appropriate toys to play with that they know they can bite or chew on without getting into trouble.

Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid roughhousing or getting too physical during playtime. This can encourage aggressive behavior and exacerbate biting. Instead, try to keep playtime calm and establish clear boundaries with your Doberman.

In summary, Dobermans can be playful, but with proper training and attention, you can eliminate biting behavior and ensure that your pet is always safe and well-behaved around your children.

cgoldner

Hi there,

I have had Dobermans for many years now, and in my experience, they can be quite playful and energetic dogs. Sometimes during playtime, they may nip, but this is not necessarily aggression or biting behavior. It's just their way of showing affection and excitement.

That being said, it's important to train your Doberman to understand boundaries and discourage any rough play that might be harmful to humans. One of the best ways to do this is to teach them good behavior from a young age by using positive reinforcement training. You can reward them for acting calmly and encourage them to play with toys instead of nipping at people.

When playing with your Doberman, it's important to pay attention to their body language to avoid any potential biting. If they become overly excited or start to nip, you can redirect their energy by using toys to play fetch or tug of war. This will help them burn off excess energy and focus on something other than nipping.

In summary, Dobermans can be very playful dogs, but it's important to teach them boundaries and discourage any unwanted biting behavior. With proper training and supervision, Dobermans can make excellent pets for families with children.

macie.glover

Hi everyone,

I have owned a Doberman for several years, and in my experience, they can be very animated and playful dogs. However, they can also have a tendency to nip, especially when they're young and still learning how to interact with humans.

One thing that has worked well for me is to establish clear boundaries during playtime. I have trained my Doberman to understand certain words, such as "gentle" or "easy," which signal to her that she needs to be careful and not nip or bite during play.

It's also important to establish a consistent routine for exercise and playtime to keep your Doberman from getting over-excited during playtime. By giving them an appropriate outlet for their energy, you can help reduce the risk of accidental biting during play.

Overall, Dobermans are intelligent and loyal dogs, and with proper training and attention, they can be affectionate, playful, and safe to play with. Just keep in mind that they are large dogs, so it's crucial to teach children to always respect their boundaries and to play gently with them.

webster80

Hi there,

I have owned a Doberman for several years now, and I can say that they can be playful dogs. However, it is important to note that all dogs have different personalities and behaviors, so what might be true for my Doberman may not necessarily apply to all other dogs of this breed.

Generally speaking, when my Doberman plays, he doesn't bite. But if he's overly excited or hasn't had enough exercise, he may try to nibble or gnaw on my hand or clothes. In these instances, I usually redirect his attention to a toy or bone to play with, and that usually does the trick.

That being said, it's crucial to teach your Doberman boundaries and discourage any behavior that may be harmful or dangerous to humans. You can train your Doberman to understand or respect your children's personal space by introducing them to each other gradually and rewarding them for good behavior around each other.

Overall, Dobermans can be loving, loyal, and playful pets, but as with any dog breed, it's important to research and understand their personality, temperament, and behavior to make informed decisions about owning and caring for them.

Hope this helps!

thora89

Hey there,

I have recently got a Doberman as my pet, and I can say from my personal experience, they can be playful, but not necessarily in a way that involves biting. My dog usually uses his paw or nosed to get my attention, and when we play fetch, he purposefully doesn't bite the ball and instead picks it up carefully.

One thing to note is that Dobermans are intelligent and typically follow commands, so if you teach them properly, you can redirect their playful energy to a more appropriate behavior, such as chasing a ball or following commands.

That being said, you should always supervise your children while they're playing with your Doberman, even if they're playing gently. Young children, especially, don't understand the boundaries and limits that come with playing with dogs, so it's crucial to teach them how to interact with the dog safely.

Overall, my Doberman is a great addition to my family who's obedient, fearless, and loving. With proper training and attention, they can make great pets for families with children, but it's important to understand their behavior and personality to ensure their safety and the safety of the kids.

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