Von, I know you are against the word "dobie", but I read a post from you on Rottweilers and you often referred to them as "rotties".....what's the difference? 

The expression "dobie" is originally used to denote a fool, a moron, someone who has no common sense etc. its an old expression that veteran Dobermann people never use. If anyones is determined to use it go right ahead I'm simply explaining why I don't like to see it used. This breed is a Companion, Protector, Protection, War Dog, Detection Dog, Messanger Dog, Services Dog, Family Dog etc. so the referenses as a Fool bothers me. I'm for the dog in this case the breed, I don't refer to a loyal breed with such a demeaning expression. If you didn't know the meaning, now you do.

The breed name is Dobermann also spelled Doberman, a short name thats used is a Dobe. Pincher has been dropped for some time now. Hope this explains why that expression doesn't refer to a Dobermann.  Von.

Back to the OP,  I believe the teens start somewhere between beginner and intermediate classes.  I don't know when they stop, not there yet LOL!  It's natural for them to test you, just like "kids" (there's another term we could start on, kids are baby goats..).  You just have to follow through ALWAYS.

We aren't calling them the Dobieteens we call it the doberteens- if you don't like the little nickname we have given this phase so be it!

I have been around the breed for 25 yrs. I have owned 3. I have much respect for the breed as I think everyone here does. Just because we aren't professional trainers and want our dogs to be part of the family and have phrases to refer to a behavior doesn't make us dolts about the breed.

There are other threads about the topics you are discussing here. Go post your knowledge there. Where it may be useful. Not on one that was a simple question about a term we use here. It was defined perfectly by LK and that should have been the end of it...;

here we go again....

OK, here goes.  Von, there are us out there that do remember "Dobie Gillis" on TV, many are too young.  It probably wouldn't even register that the word Dobie means what you are inferring.  To us, it's just a term of fondness.  NONE of us would use it in a detrimental way of referring to our beloved dogs.  If we didn't respect the breed, why would we have one and why would we be on a forum learning and sharing like we do?

Now, I should probably start a new thread about this but while we're here..

One of the attributes that breeders are supposed to be breeding for (as stated by yourself, and any site that you read about Dobermans on) is to be a loyal family dog.  They are such a versatile breed that can be titled on many levels, and the possibilities are endless.  I happen to live in an area that those events are few and far between and very expensive to travel to to participate in.  Knowing this I knew I wasn't looking for a show dog etc. 

I'm beginning to resent comments made on forums about pet dogs.  Top notch breeders (should) know the quality of their pups for each venue, and those pups sold as such.  I was looking for an even tempered yet protective dog to be my "family pet" and that's exactly what I got in a breed that I've loved for years. I fail to see what is wrong with that. Sometimes I feel that it's implied that nobody should own a doberman except people that are only going to title their dogs. 

Ok... I tried... Another simple topic being sidetracked by von Cosack for no good reason. Account is now suspended.

Looks like we were typing at the same time again Kate. It's become apparent that you're right. I tried though. I think von does have good information to share, but von is not willing to share it in a consumable way. I might have a pill that makes you rich and handsom, but if I jump on your back and try forcing it down your throat - well...

Thank you again webby.  I agree that some of Von's info was good.  But today was something else.  Now, if you have a "young and pretty" pill, jump on!

Happydance, lol

Oh yeah, back to the original point. I'd define a doberteen as the time between 6 months and 2 years of age when doberman puppies are consentrated evil poored into an adorable doberman skin.

Good point Kate. I'll take measures.

Thank the lawd! And I call Laith a terrorist somedays... but it doesn't mean I think he/all dobermans are Bin Laden. 

Doberteen to me is that craaazzy faze from eh, 6 months-on. ha-ha. Mostly 6-9 months for me though.

Example:

Laith barks at the door because someone is walking by it.

Me: "Laith, enough"

Laith growls very softly and then walks away. 

or.... when you tell him to get the BONE OFF THE COUCH. And he runs to the bedroom and hides it under your pillow...

ya know. :) 

i kinda like that term doberteens, dillinger turned 2 in aug, and i have to tell u i really think hes calming down alot these days. up until recently, i crated him at night when i left for work, i work 10p to 6 a and take a bus into nyc i leave at 8 pm and dont get home until 7 am. and i will have to admit it killed me keeping dillion crated up all night , i used to say to myself , i got a freekin doberman, a great watchdog ,an awsom family companion and best freind, and i have to keep him crated? heres the reason why, befor i got diilon i had just bought a beutiful living room set , couch, love seat. leather top  coffee table. needless to say 1 morning when i got home from work.. the couch and the love seat were totally destroyed. cushons ripped ,,, the foam all over the living room floor... coffee table legs were biten all up. and this was way way after his teething had stopped . i had maybe thought of him  having seperation anxiaty. anyway ,ive been leaving him out at night and ive been retuning home in the morning and id say the last month or so hes been doing very well.... with an occasional cushon on the floor with alittle stuffing out of it ... hopefully he is now turning into a very handsome young and smart dober "man" 

Wow!  What a thread!!  I love the poured into the doberskin too! 

Reesie has been very good lately.  Maybe we're  headed into the valley.... sure does look good from the mountaintop.  You can almost see what wonderful dogs they are going to grow up to be someday!

I realize that i'm about 56 comments behind.  But I want to applaud the Alphaman as well!  Thank you for protecting us from the negative!  I've been reluctant to make comments or read lately.  I've been a member and proud to be for almost a year and have enjoyed nearly every comment, photo, story.  Disagreeing here and there, but no major issues.  Until recently.  For the last few months there's been a lot of trolling going on. The arrogance of late has been a block...blocking enjoyment and learning from the Gentle Doberman site.  Of late I feel dread in logging in, where I used to thrive.  Most of the people reading and commenting here are here for the number one reason of educating themselves on being a better owner and sharing the knowlege they have with newer owners.  Real members don't come to get attaboys or recognition.  

I have owned Dobermans since the 70s and have loved the breed since my first experience. In all that time, I have learned more about breed specific issues in this last year; due to this forum, and the wonderful people that take time to contribute.  There is a child's book entitled It Takes a Village, which imparts the ideas of raising our youth as being a community project.  The basic message is that parents can't raise a child by themselves.  It takes a family, a doctor, a school, ..... a community.  That's what Gentle Doberman has meant to me.  It's been the village.  

Mrs. von Dobers, I hope you will continue taking the good from this place. Just want to throw in my Doberteen ideas....like do you remember all the things you overlooked because they didn't know better and you had all the patience you could find...then they learned and you were elated with each proud moment of correct responses.  Then ......the Doberteens hit.. they know better, but they do it anyway just to watch your blood boil! 

When Princess was going through the Doberteens, she would lay on her pad and seemed to be trying to ignore me. Then when she turned two suddenly I had cuddle bunny. She now loves to come up and get in my lap, and curl up for a while. She is really becoming a good girl now.

And to think - I volunteered to go through that again. Maybe I should be committed.

doberteens??? don't get me started! lol axl has been going through it for the last 2-3 weeks (he's 5months old) and wow! so very frustrating! he brought my wife to tears last week after she was trying to play and train him and he nipped at her (p.s she is pregnant and hormonal/emotional) totally out of nowhere..I suppose they try to push the boundaries and reassert their dominance..someone told me on this site to hang in there and that's what I'm doing..through all the frustration I can't not love him! he's my best mate!

oh DILLINGER'S MASTER - that entire paragraph could have been type my me..:)   Rocky has been the exactly same - We have tried repeatedly and failed at leaving him out of 'puppy prison' as I call it.   He actually made it 9 entire days with no crating and then decided for the next 3 that the couch cushions were to die.   Needless to say, as of today he is back to being crated.  he's 1yr 9 months now.

Dober-teens are just like everyone said.  They seem to be doing great, they listen, they learn and then one day they decide to start testing things.  Much like teenagers too.  They may attempt to ignore you even though they know exactly what you're asking type stuff.  and it's not every day...some days they are just like always, but then they decided to see what they can get away with.

And Webby - good call,  once post explaining was more than enough - repeating yourself just to argue is riduculous...thank you.

from rgreen: The real problem with the DoberTeens is the cuteness factor is very high and they know it.

Ain't it the TRUTH!!!