Timid Doberman

[samantha21]

I posted this in the shopping section by mistake (apologies)!

I have an 8 month old doberman who is an absolute joy. Around the house he is fine and acts like any other doberman, but when we take him outside for walks he becomes very suspecious of everyone and everything, he will not let other dogs near him and he runs a mile if anyone tries to touch him. I've heard of Dobermans sometimes being to rough with strangers, but my one is the complete opposite. If strangers come into our house he barks and shows his teeth, but never when he is outside. I dont know if this is normal....

Please help.

[horselady]

Hi, I bet your doberman is gorgeous, 8 months is a crazy age. He sounds as though he may be nervous away from his territory but completely confident when he is on it. I always think a couple of warning barks is OK, but he shouldn't really show his teeth at all, at home or out. I had a German Shepherd like this once and as she got older the nervousness became agressive, she wanted to "get" other dogs before they got her. It's hard work when they're like that. If I were you, having been through it, I would get him off to training classes and let the experts show you what to do.

[little coojy]

get on to barkbusters they have great help and advice on all problems, www.barkbusters.co.uk you need to address it before like horselady says nervous ness can quickly turn to aggression, i have same problem with my jack russell, booked up for a course with barkbusters recomended to me on another link, good luck. p.s they come to your home to train and very reasonable prices.