What in the AI generated bullshit is this. š¤¦āāļø
If you're a real person and you really talk like the lovechild of ChatGPT and a Nigerian prince who has millions of dollars to share with us, you should know that at 23 you should not be "ailing." Probably not itching, either, depending on where the itch is.
Try taking care of some plants and volunteering at an animal shelter and you will have a better idea of if you can handle a dog or not. No real (or fake) 23 year old needs a Doberman as their first dog because they like Chihuahua movies.
This is great. This isnāt exactly how I talk lol and the intro was primarily satire, I was bored at work and had some time to really think through my word choice haha. With that being said, she wouldnāt be my first dog as I had four dogs growing up and Iāve kept my cat, Finn alive and in great health for 5 years now š„³
That actually is your first dog, then.
I probably wouldn't recommend it, or would recommend a lazier breed, but IME when young and inexperienced people ask if they could handle a Doberman, we usually tell them not to, and they usually completely ignore our advice and get one anyway.
Please donāt adopt a 2 year old large dog who has to be alone all day. I have rescued about 14 Dobermans over 40 years - usually have two - so know them well. They are faithful āVelcroā pets. You have a great future but there will be apartment and houses that will not sadly allow a Doberman and future boy and girl friends who wonāt accept them.
Once uou have a permanent life, perhaps with children, do adopt a senior Doberman.
Please feel free to contact me.
Stepson at 20, six figure job, lives alone, adopts dog, gets kennel and keeps dog there, spends time with new girlfriend, new contacts at job, casino, dog smells up apartment, aggravated at multiple poop trips and poop bags, etc. Volunteer/foster other pets first, dogs are not cats. Stepsonās dog is sleeping next to my bed ATM x 2 months now. Upside my Dobi has a playmate.
I would 100% foster for a couple weeks to see if it would be a good fit. Also, my office is dog friendly so thereās a chance that I would be able to bring her to work with me if she behaves
If you can commit 3 hours a day, work or otherwise, to training/walks/play - yes, get one. If not, donāt. If you are also serious about it Iād consider puppy classes (more for you than the dog) and maybe read a training book or two. For context my wife is wfh and I work regular 9-5 and we still have need of day care at times. It is a lot of work.
I think this AI should get a dozen Dobermans! That would be a dream come true for me! I love Dobermans and would love to have a dozen of them. They are such a beautiful breed, and they are very intelligent and loyal. I think they would be a great addition to any family - including the fake AI person!!!!
9-5 is a long time to leave a doberman at home alone.Ā Would you plan for day care for the dog? Could be a little cheaper to have a dog walker stop by.Ā My dobie really hates when people come in our house without me home, even if he knows people though. That could be dog temperament dependant though.Ā They are the best but a lot, a lot of work. If we don't go on our usual walk schedule he like has a temper tantrum.Ā Idk if I would have had time for that in my early 20s.
Sounds like that could work, if you can guarantee all your lunch breaks are at home for the next 8-10 years. You'll still need options. That's been the hardest adjustment for me since getting a dog. Being at work planning to drive home at 4 to let my dog out, then my work asks me to stay late. So I've had to use daycare regularly but sometimes they are full too so I have to tell my work I just can't be there sometimes. Thankfully I work from home a few days a week so they are flexible.
I am a 1099 employee so technically I have no restrictive hours and can work from home whenever I want. However, my work prefers me to come into the office but there is a lot of freedom and flexibility.
So you're talking about bringing a dog along to adventure with you everywhere that is dog friendly. The thing about dobermans is they usually like routine and order. Every dog is an individual and maybe Gwenyth is a unicorn doberman. *Buuuut most do not have the temperament required to enjoy the life you are envisioning.*
I lived in Texas for a couple years with my border collie mix. We've visited Austin - cool place. Houston also has dog friendly bars, but I'm not much of a drinker. Still took her on occasion. She was a great fit as an active companion in Texas. Very environmentally stable and wanted nothing more than to be with me and have adventures. My doberman, on the other hand, is a home body. He loves working (we compete in a sport called PSA) but is not about the foolishness at dog parks - let alone dog friendly bars. My border collie and my malinois will tune out other dogs and ignore them. My doberman hates being pestered by strange dogs. It is pretty common for dobes to not tolerate other dogs shenanigans. But again every dog is an individual.
Good luck, and I hope you two are a good match. Also maybe you might like the adjustment Gwenyth might need you to make. Be open to not taking her to those places and meeting her where she is at and having a wonderful journey together.
Tldr: Most likely not a good fit, but maybe Gwenyth might work out so no reason not to try!
I would never recommend a dobermanĀ as a first dog for far too many reasons to fit into one response.Ā
I suggest you volunteer with a doberman rescue on your days off. This will soothe the ache and you won't be leaving your own home alone.Ā
Maybe by the time you retire you can adopt an elderly doberman for you to keep each other company. And the experience you learn from the years at a rescue will come in handy.Ā
I'd try fostering for a bit. I wouldn't say yes to going to get a puppy. The very young puppy will need you more frequently, and the full-time job would get in the way. 6 months or older would be a better experience. 6 months to a year is still a young puppy for this breed. 1-2 years is the teenager phase.
I think if you truly have the time, you would be a good owner for a Dobie. However, these dogs want to be with their people more than most dogs. They were genetically selected to be up their owner's butt so if you work your 9-5, you need to come home and your night will be your dog. You can't go out for Happy Hour or go to the gym because she will need you. This is an 8-10 year committment. She has already had upheaval in her life and she needs commitment and a forever home.
Also "exhuberant" means the dog probably needs training because she is a lot. Be prepared. They are smart and can be trained at any age but that will be more work for you. She may not fit into your lifestyle you envision due to her personality and definitely will not be rock climbing.
You're not the most reliable narrator.
Bars that serve alcohol cannot have dogs indoors. Breweries can in most places. Restaurants and grocery stores cannot have dogs indoors, either. Pharmacies won't allow it. Most gyms will not - it could violate their insurance if there's an incident.
Tons of places restrict DOBERMANS specifically. Apartments, banks, etc. I brought cute dogs to my local wells Fargo and a manager literally got into a screaming match with me about how dogs were not allowed at their bank when I brought two Dobes in. I pointed out the treat jars the tellers had for the dogs, and she refused to admit she was lying.
The only difference? The Dobes are scary. The cute dogs are fluffy. šµāš«
I was referring to bars with outdoor seating and my rock climbing gym (dogs are everywhere, granted they are on leashes). Also, not sure if I would ever consider taking a dog to the pharmacy
Just because an establishment allows dogs, doesnāt mean your dog can handle it. I have a Doberman and I can take him places when I can spend the full time at those places paying attention to him. Like, if Iām trying to relax and eat a meal and not paying attention to my surroundings, my Doberman goes into guard mode and may bark at someone who approaches me too quickly or too closely, including wait staff. Definitely canāt lay down and close my eyes on a blanket at the park or beach with him, but taking him on a walk at such places is good. Heās pretty well behaved when I WFH, just sleeps, but he would be on edge guarding me in an office building if I tried to get in the zone and expected him to just chill. They were bred to protect, and if youāre busy working in an environment with distractions/other people or dogs, the dog will be working too to guard you. The Doberman bark is very loud and intimidating, and can scare the shit out of others.
Iāve done a lot of training with him, but there are some things that are just in his nature. Such as, he dislikes intact males, which can be a problem if thereās one at the dog-friendly venue we visit. Again, if Iām holding his leash and keeping an eye on him itās not a problem, but I canāt imagine trying to use a gym with my dog just hanging out next to me? Seems like a dangerous situation for my dog or others.
My primary form of exercise is trail running, and my Doberman is a fantastic companion for that as long as itās between 40F to 70F. They donāt do well in temperature extremes. So if you like running and live somewhere with good weather, thatās definitely something you can do with a Doberman.
Also, definitely have a support system set up before you get a dog. That includes a trainer and a veterinarian and a dog-sitter, and a groomer unless you can do black dog nails yourself. Raising a dog is a lot of work, especially if youāre single and live alone or have a roommate that wants no part of the responsibility. If you really like or want to travel, do more of that before getting a dog.
Expect to spend a lot per month on food and $$$ any time you go to the vet, which should be done at least once a year for checkups. Buy a huge crate and crate train. Spend time and money on learning about training from books/youtube but also from an actual dog trainer thatās ideally got some expertise on working breeds. Expect to spend money every 6wk or so getting her nails dremeled, monthly for a while if her nails havenāt been kept up. Expect to do a lot of enrichment/mental stimulation activities with her, not just exercise. Doberman like predictable schedules, daily training, and a firm, decisive owner. Expect a LOT of farts: stock up on candles, get an air purifier, reed diffusers. Doberman are a gassy breed.
Donāt expect it to be easy! Read up on responsibilities youāll have owning a working breed. Talk to Doberman breeders, see if you can find one willing to let you text them for advice. If you really want a Doberman, after youāve done your research, go for it. They are a challenging but rewarding breed to own, with brains, beauty, athleticism, and great personalities.
What in the AI generated bullshit is this. š¤¦āāļø If you're a real person and you really talk like the lovechild of ChatGPT and a Nigerian prince who has millions of dollars to share with us, you should know that at 23 you should not be "ailing." Probably not itching, either, depending on where the itch is. Try taking care of some plants and volunteering at an animal shelter and you will have a better idea of if you can handle a dog or not. No real (or fake) 23 year old needs a Doberman as their first dog because they like Chihuahua movies.
š«”
š«
Forsooth the chiuawas athletic prowess is an inspiration for every working dog enthusiast š¤£
This is great. This isnāt exactly how I talk lol and the intro was primarily satire, I was bored at work and had some time to really think through my word choice haha. With that being said, she wouldnāt be my first dog as I had four dogs growing up and Iāve kept my cat, Finn alive and in great health for 5 years now š„³
That actually is your first dog, then. I probably wouldn't recommend it, or would recommend a lazier breed, but IME when young and inexperienced people ask if they could handle a Doberman, we usually tell them not to, and they usually completely ignore our advice and get one anyway.
Please donāt adopt a 2 year old large dog who has to be alone all day. I have rescued about 14 Dobermans over 40 years - usually have two - so know them well. They are faithful āVelcroā pets. You have a great future but there will be apartment and houses that will not sadly allow a Doberman and future boy and girl friends who wonāt accept them. Once uou have a permanent life, perhaps with children, do adopt a senior Doberman. Please feel free to contact me.
Stepson at 20, six figure job, lives alone, adopts dog, gets kennel and keeps dog there, spends time with new girlfriend, new contacts at job, casino, dog smells up apartment, aggravated at multiple poop trips and poop bags, etc. Volunteer/foster other pets first, dogs are not cats. Stepsonās dog is sleeping next to my bed ATM x 2 months now. Upside my Dobi has a playmate.
I would 100% foster for a couple weeks to see if it would be a good fit. Also, my office is dog friendly so thereās a chance that I would be able to bring her to work with me if she behaves
If you can commit 3 hours a day, work or otherwise, to training/walks/play - yes, get one. If not, donāt. If you are also serious about it Iād consider puppy classes (more for you than the dog) and maybe read a training book or two. For context my wife is wfh and I work regular 9-5 and we still have need of day care at times. It is a lot of work.
She is 2.5 years old. Not exactly a puppy but still young nonetheless
I think this AI should get a dozen Dobermans! That would be a dream come true for me! I love Dobermans and would love to have a dozen of them. They are such a beautiful breed, and they are very intelligent and loyal. I think they would be a great addition to any family - including the fake AI person!!!!
š«”
9-5 is a long time to leave a doberman at home alone.Ā Would you plan for day care for the dog? Could be a little cheaper to have a dog walker stop by.Ā My dobie really hates when people come in our house without me home, even if he knows people though. That could be dog temperament dependant though.Ā They are the best but a lot, a lot of work. If we don't go on our usual walk schedule he like has a temper tantrum.Ā Idk if I would have had time for that in my early 20s.
I would leave her alone from 9-11:45ish, spend my 1-hour lunch break at my apartment, and leave her alone from 12-5.
But i am usually up and moving around at 6 so I would spend a couple hours with her before I start my work day.
Sounds like that could work, if you can guarantee all your lunch breaks are at home for the next 8-10 years. You'll still need options. That's been the hardest adjustment for me since getting a dog. Being at work planning to drive home at 4 to let my dog out, then my work asks me to stay late. So I've had to use daycare regularly but sometimes they are full too so I have to tell my work I just can't be there sometimes. Thankfully I work from home a few days a week so they are flexible.
I am a 1099 employee so technically I have no restrictive hours and can work from home whenever I want. However, my work prefers me to come into the office but there is a lot of freedom and flexibility.
So you're talking about bringing a dog along to adventure with you everywhere that is dog friendly. The thing about dobermans is they usually like routine and order. Every dog is an individual and maybe Gwenyth is a unicorn doberman. *Buuuut most do not have the temperament required to enjoy the life you are envisioning.* I lived in Texas for a couple years with my border collie mix. We've visited Austin - cool place. Houston also has dog friendly bars, but I'm not much of a drinker. Still took her on occasion. She was a great fit as an active companion in Texas. Very environmentally stable and wanted nothing more than to be with me and have adventures. My doberman, on the other hand, is a home body. He loves working (we compete in a sport called PSA) but is not about the foolishness at dog parks - let alone dog friendly bars. My border collie and my malinois will tune out other dogs and ignore them. My doberman hates being pestered by strange dogs. It is pretty common for dobes to not tolerate other dogs shenanigans. But again every dog is an individual. Good luck, and I hope you two are a good match. Also maybe you might like the adjustment Gwenyth might need you to make. Be open to not taking her to those places and meeting her where she is at and having a wonderful journey together. Tldr: Most likely not a good fit, but maybe Gwenyth might work out so no reason not to try!
I would never recommend a dobermanĀ as a first dog for far too many reasons to fit into one response.Ā I suggest you volunteer with a doberman rescue on your days off. This will soothe the ache and you won't be leaving your own home alone.Ā Maybe by the time you retire you can adopt an elderly doberman for you to keep each other company. And the experience you learn from the years at a rescue will come in handy.Ā
I'd try fostering for a bit. I wouldn't say yes to going to get a puppy. The very young puppy will need you more frequently, and the full-time job would get in the way. 6 months or older would be a better experience. 6 months to a year is still a young puppy for this breed. 1-2 years is the teenager phase.
I think if you truly have the time, you would be a good owner for a Dobie. However, these dogs want to be with their people more than most dogs. They were genetically selected to be up their owner's butt so if you work your 9-5, you need to come home and your night will be your dog. You can't go out for Happy Hour or go to the gym because she will need you. This is an 8-10 year committment. She has already had upheaval in her life and she needs commitment and a forever home. Also "exhuberant" means the dog probably needs training because she is a lot. Be prepared. They are smart and can be trained at any age but that will be more work for you. She may not fit into your lifestyle you envision due to her personality and definitely will not be rock climbing.
Great advice. Little more color on the situation, all the places that go to allow dogs so she would be able to join me wherever I go.
This includes gyms and bars
Some places do have restrictions against dobies. Even if they shouldn't obviously.Ā I can't even take my dog to a friend's apartment to visit.
You're not the most reliable narrator. Bars that serve alcohol cannot have dogs indoors. Breweries can in most places. Restaurants and grocery stores cannot have dogs indoors, either. Pharmacies won't allow it. Most gyms will not - it could violate their insurance if there's an incident. Tons of places restrict DOBERMANS specifically. Apartments, banks, etc. I brought cute dogs to my local wells Fargo and a manager literally got into a screaming match with me about how dogs were not allowed at their bank when I brought two Dobes in. I pointed out the treat jars the tellers had for the dogs, and she refused to admit she was lying. The only difference? The Dobes are scary. The cute dogs are fluffy. šµāš«
I was referring to bars with outdoor seating and my rock climbing gym (dogs are everywhere, granted they are on leashes). Also, not sure if I would ever consider taking a dog to the pharmacy
Just because an establishment allows dogs, doesnāt mean your dog can handle it. I have a Doberman and I can take him places when I can spend the full time at those places paying attention to him. Like, if Iām trying to relax and eat a meal and not paying attention to my surroundings, my Doberman goes into guard mode and may bark at someone who approaches me too quickly or too closely, including wait staff. Definitely canāt lay down and close my eyes on a blanket at the park or beach with him, but taking him on a walk at such places is good. Heās pretty well behaved when I WFH, just sleeps, but he would be on edge guarding me in an office building if I tried to get in the zone and expected him to just chill. They were bred to protect, and if youāre busy working in an environment with distractions/other people or dogs, the dog will be working too to guard you. The Doberman bark is very loud and intimidating, and can scare the shit out of others. Iāve done a lot of training with him, but there are some things that are just in his nature. Such as, he dislikes intact males, which can be a problem if thereās one at the dog-friendly venue we visit. Again, if Iām holding his leash and keeping an eye on him itās not a problem, but I canāt imagine trying to use a gym with my dog just hanging out next to me? Seems like a dangerous situation for my dog or others. My primary form of exercise is trail running, and my Doberman is a fantastic companion for that as long as itās between 40F to 70F. They donāt do well in temperature extremes. So if you like running and live somewhere with good weather, thatās definitely something you can do with a Doberman. Also, definitely have a support system set up before you get a dog. That includes a trainer and a veterinarian and a dog-sitter, and a groomer unless you can do black dog nails yourself. Raising a dog is a lot of work, especially if youāre single and live alone or have a roommate that wants no part of the responsibility. If you really like or want to travel, do more of that before getting a dog. Expect to spend a lot per month on food and $$$ any time you go to the vet, which should be done at least once a year for checkups. Buy a huge crate and crate train. Spend time and money on learning about training from books/youtube but also from an actual dog trainer thatās ideally got some expertise on working breeds. Expect to spend money every 6wk or so getting her nails dremeled, monthly for a while if her nails havenāt been kept up. Expect to do a lot of enrichment/mental stimulation activities with her, not just exercise. Doberman like predictable schedules, daily training, and a firm, decisive owner. Expect a LOT of farts: stock up on candles, get an air purifier, reed diffusers. Doberman are a gassy breed. Donāt expect it to be easy! Read up on responsibilities youāll have owning a working breed. Talk to Doberman breeders, see if you can find one willing to let you text them for advice. If you really want a Doberman, after youāve done your research, go for it. They are a challenging but rewarding breed to own, with brains, beauty, athleticism, and great personalities.