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Q:

Why doesn't my Doberman bark at strangers?

Hi everyone,

I have a Doberman who is pretty well-behaved and obedient, but I have noticed that he doesn't bark at strangers. He is usually very alert and attentive, but when someone new comes to our house or walks towards us on a walk, he doesn't make a sound. I find it a bit concerning because I want him to act as a guard dog and alert me if there is any potential danger.

I got him as a puppy and I have always trained him to be socialized and friendly around people as well as other dogs. However, I also want him to be protective and bark if he senses any threat. Is it normal for a Doberman to not bark at strangers or do I need to train him differently? I would love to hear from other Doberman owners or experts who have experience with this breed. Thank you!

All Replies

javier.kertzmann

Hello all,

I agree with what has been shared on this thread. I've also noticed that my Doberman doesn't bark at strangers. However, he is not intimidated by them and remains alert. When a stranger approaches, he usually observes them silently, and if he deems it necessary, he will approach them hesitantly before greeting them.

One thing that I've consistently observed in Dobermans is their sensitivity to the mood of the environment they inhabit. As such, if they perceive a threatening aura, it's not uncommon for them to bark to alert their owners. But if they sense a calm mood, then they wouldn’t usually feel the need to bark.

That being said, if you want your Doberman to be more vigilant and have a stronger guard dog presence, there are certain training techniques that you can use. For example, you can train your Doberman to bark at the command of a certain word or sound, such as "speak." This training will give a sense of control to the dog owner whilst also honing a Doberman's natural protective instincts.

Overall, I believe that Dobermans are naturally protective and will act accordingly when the need arises. But it's up to the owner to decide whether they want their pet to be vocal and alert to strangers or not.

gislason.frida

Hey,

I've been breeding and owning Dobermans for over a decade now and I think I can provide some insights into this topic. Doberman Pinschers are inherently protective dogs, meaning they can sense unusual activities and react to them. This breed is famous for its alert and loyal nature. However, most Dobermans tend to use their body language before barking as a warning sign.

As with any breed, a Doberman might bark more if it lacks socialization, is stressed, or if it has not learned to differentiate between friendly and hostile encounters. Some training methods can help in encouraging a Doberman to bark when strangers come around, but it may not be necessary for them to do so.

As a Doberman owner, it depends on your preference as regarding your dog being vocal towards strangers. However, it is crucial to ensure your Doberman remains sociable and friendly by taking him to regular socialization events and training sessions. Rest assured that once a Doberman senses any threat, it will act to protect its home and family. A silent Doberman doesn't necessarily mean an ineffective one.

murazik.enola

Hello everyone,

I think the tendency of a Doberman to bark at strangers depends on various factors like the individual characteristics of the dog, its training, and its socialization. My Doberman used to be completely silent when strangers passed by our home or approached us on walks. In the beginning, I was quite concerned, but as time went by, I realized that she was very alert and vigilant.

However, as my dog got older, she became more vocal and barks more frequently at strangers. It's not excessive barking, but she will bark if she feels that I am threatened, or if strangers are being unnecessarily loud. I think this change occurred because of her protective nature as she matured.

Nevertheless, it's important to ensure that a Doberman is socialized from a young age so that they are comfortable around all kinds of people. Socializing can significantly improve the dog's temperament and its ability to assess when a situation is a real threat. As such, I would recommend new Doberman owners to socialize their pets thoroughly.

Overall, I believe that the tendency for a Doberman to bark at strangers can vary from dog to dog. Some are naturally vocal, while others are quieter. The most important thing is to ensure that the dog's natural protective nature is honed through proper training and socialization techniques.

nienow.nikita

Hello everyone,

I have a Doberman who is very vocal around strangers. Whenever someone approaches our house or me on a walk, she will bark loudly to alert me. However, it took a lot of training to get her there.

When we first got her as a puppy, she was incredibly timid and would go hide if anyone new came around. So, we decided to enroll her in obedience training classes that included different socialization activities. We also started exposing her to different environments, people, and animals regularly, which helped her become more confident and less anxious around strangers.

After she became comfortable around strangers, we started training her to bark on command. Whenever she barked, we would reward her with treats and praise. Eventually, she learned to associate barking with positive reinforcement, and she now barks whenever she feels there is a potential threat.

In summary, the tendency of a Doberman to bark at strangers is based on many factors. It depends on their personality, temperament, training, and socialization. My advice to anyone with a Doberman would be to invest in obedience training, socialization activities, and assessing the dog's personality before deciding on the best training approach.

aliya30

Hello,

As a Doberman owner, I can attest to the fact that this breed is protective and loyal by nature. However, in my experience, not all Dobermans are vocal around strangers. My Doberman is typically silent around strangers, but he is always alert, attentive, and has excellent hearing.

One thing I noticed is that my dog would become more vocal when there's a change in our environment or when he senses something unusual. For instance, he would bark if someone approached our property's fence or door, and it wasn't someone he recognized. Also, he would growl if he feels that a member of our family is being threatened or when there's something unusual with their body language.

In a nutshell, while some Dobermans are vocal and bark at strangers, others are quieter yet equally protective. As a responsible pet owner, it's essential to socialize your dog properly, ensure it has an excellent temperament, and train them to obey commands. Doing so will go a long way in enhancing their protective instincts if they sense danger around you.

lori.spinka

Hello everyone,

I also own a Doberman that rarely barks at strangers, even though he is protective and alert. While some Dobermans have a more vocal personality, others don't feel the need to bark at every little thing. That being said, I believe that a Doberman can be trained to become a bit more vocal and protective.

One trick I learned was to create scenarios where my Doberman feels a sense of alertness or danger, and then rewarding him for barking. For example, my neighbor would come over with a baseball cap on, and I would encourage my Doberman to bark at him. When he did, I would give him a treat, which he started to associate with the act of barking. Eventually, he learned to bark when he sensed danger or unfamiliarity.

It's also essential to understand that Dobermans are highly intelligent dogs that need constant intellectual stimulation - this could be training, games, or puzzles. Without adequate stimulation, they can become anxious or restless. So, if your Doberman doesn't bark at strangers, that doesn't necessarily mean he isn't alert or protective.

Finally, I recommend seeking the advice of a professional trainer or behaviorist who can help hone your Doberman's natural instincts and develop a training plan that works for him.

jerad75

Hi there,

I also have a Doberman who doesn't bark at strangers. I got her as a rescue and she was already a few years old, so I'm not sure how she was trained before. However, I have noticed that she is generally not a very vocal dog and only barks when playing or extremely excited.

I have also read that some Dobermans are just naturally quiet and may not bark as much as other breeds. However, that doesn't mean they are not protective or alert. In fact, my Doberman is very vigilant and always keeps an eye on her surroundings.

If you want your Doberman to be more vocal and alert when strangers approach, you could try training him to bark on command or rewarding him when he does bark naturally. You could also consult with a professional trainer who specializes in guard dog training.

Overall, I wouldn't be too worried if your Doberman is not barking at strangers. As long as he is attentive and aware of his surroundings, he can still be a great protector.

nthiel

Hello everyone,

I also have a Doberman Pinscher who rarely barks at strangers. While he is a loyal and protective dog, he is relatively quiet in his approach. However, I found that my dog is very sensitive to body language, verbal cues, and unusual activities.

For instance, during one of our walks in the park, my Doberman became tense, fixated on the direction of the woods, and growled softly. I assumed it was a squirrel or some other small animal that caught his attention, so we walked off. However, as we returned home, we found out from neighbors that there were some kids trespassing in the woods, and they had been known to throw rocks at dogs. This incident showed me that Dobermans don't necessarily have to bark to protect their owners. They have a keen sense of alertness and can sense unusual activities even when their owners don't.

That being said, as a Doberman owner, it's essential to train your dog and hone its protective instincts through socialization, obedience training, and positive reinforcement. With the proper training, your Doberman can become an excellent guard dog who will alert you to possible threats even without barking.

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