How to Bond with Your Beloved Doberman Within the First 5 Min.

Bonding with Your Doberman

"I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, all that you're yet to be."
Ernest Hemingway

A Personal Story

It was later in the afternoon. I had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. We had worked for weeks to get Athena and now she was sweetly sitting next to me on the coach. I had grown up with dogs all of my life but had never owned a Doberman.

Further reading: Large Breed Dog Food: 5 Worst Myths

How much of this puppy was a puppy?

I kept reminding myself that I had seen her parents and Athena's paws were much too big for her body to stay that size forever. 

Which was Fact and Which was Fiction?

The longer I sat there with our new puppy, the more nervous I got. Thousands of questions raced through my brain. We had done so much research before deciding to go with a Doberman, but only true experience would peel away the facts from fiction.

Consequently, all of the movies I had ever seen with a Doberman in it played themselves out - every one of them a villain. For one moment, I felt like I was sitting next to a potentially dangerous stranger. Were we ever going to bond with her?

However, I was yet to discover that Dobermans were one of the most loving and loyal dogs I had ever owned or worked with.

How to Bond within the First 5 Minutes

First Moments - Bonding with Your Doberman

See Beyond Looks

Step one, while looks matter with this breed, (you want them to look intimidating) there is so much more to the Doberman than their muscular build and large size. Indeed, beneath their fierce surface is a canine in need of love and compassion.

Even as a puppy, don't be fooled by their size.

Be Confident

Step two, BE CONFIDENT. In fact, Dobermans are so intelligent that they'll pick up on your inward concerns and reflect it with their outward behavior. Your nervousness or doubts are going to create a barrier between you and your furry friend. This will prevent you in establishing that crucial element of TRUST.

Consequently, if you don't have confidence in yourself, or if you feel intimidated by or have a lack confidence in your Doberman, that bond with your dog will be delayed or even damaged.

"Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success." - Joyce Brothers

Where are they coming from?

Step three, in order to fully be able to bond with your Doberman, you're going to need a clear picture of their history. Important questions to ask are:

• What was their life like before they came to me?
• How was their trip here?
  • Was it long and stressful?
  • Did they experience anything traumatic that may have damaged their behavioral development?

Puppies especially can be on edge after a long trip. Their behavior in their first moments with you may not necessarily reflect their true personality. They will need time to relax before their true colors will start to shine.

Furthermore, don't use your first meeting with your new Doberman as a starting point for weather or not they will actually like you.

Side note: Here are a few tips to consider for bonding those first moments when you meet your new Doberman:

• If he/she is a puppy - don't be afraid to pick them up and give them a gentle, soothing hug to calm them down if they are scared
• Move slow
• Talk quietly and softly
• Let them smell your hand

* I wrote an article on questions to ask and things that you should look out for in locating the best breeder. Believe it or not, this is also closely related to building that bond with your dog. The more that you understand your Doberman, and the better their start to life is, the quicker you're going to be able to bond.

Pay Attention To Their Body Language

Step four, (this is closely connected to step three) pay attention to their body language. The position of their tail (up/down, wagging, etc.), which way their ears are facing, if they're shaking are all indications that you should consider. 

Furthermore, watch out for warning signals that show they could potentially react aggressively. Any indication that you get in this regard should be taken very seriously. In fact, you may want to reconsider the adoption if this looks like it may be an issue.

Check out this article for more information on body language.

Fear Stages

Additionally, puppies from birth even up to 2 years old go through multiple fear stages. These are times during their behavioral growth where they can be unusually fearful where otherwise the puppy was full of confidence before.

As a result, you'll need to exert more patience and understanding. This is especially true if you're meeting your puppy for the first time. Accordingly, be sure to provide as many positive and new experiences for the puppy during this time to help build its confidence and teach it that there is nothing to fear.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that this is just a phase. Just because your puppy is a bit timid now, doesn't necessarily mean that you've adopted a scaredy-cat. 

Further reading: Puppy Health Guarantee: Why All of the Best Breeders Offer One

When All Else Fails

In addition to all of this if your Doberman is still afraid you can try this:

Side note: These tactics are NOT for canines that exhibit fearful aggression and could possibly bite without cause.

• Slowly approach by walking backwards and sit next to them with your back slightly turned in their direction.
• Stay still and allow them to approach
• Wait until they've shown interest in you before attempting to pet or face them
• Make sure every action is slow and soothing

To explain, by placing your back towards the dog, you are showing them that you're not a threat. This is especially useful for dogs that are fearful or have had a traumatic experience. Giving them time to approach you without fear of threat will help ease their fears and build that bond of trust.

Side note: Coming soon: How to establish dominance while still promoting fearless positive growth in your Doberman.

In Conclusion

As a final point, I must stress that you cannot expect to fully bond with your Doberman within the first 5 minutes of meeting them. However, you can kick it off to a great start.

Furthermore, the more that you are prepared for your first encounter, the smoother the transition will go.

Please leave a comment below if you found this article helpful or would like to add something that you feel I've missed.