Onyx is a registered Doberman Pinscher under Tackleberry Solutions and is specifically bred for service as a protection dog.
What Makes Onyx Special
- Born June 21, 2022
- Raised in a Litter of 8
- Female
- Black and Rust
- Breeder: Amy Arthur
Financing Available
ID # Breakdown
Onyx and her ID breakdown: A1.6Z
Press Play - Onyx
Onyx was actually featured in one of the articles that I've written. All of the pictures and images in this clip are of her.
Personality
Onyx took her test on 8/8/2022 and ultimately scored an A although she landed a few B's as well. Only time will tell as she grows, her environment, socialization and training what type of personality she will stick with.
Below are a few Instagram reels that Onyx has been featured in. She is the canine with the purple collar.
In the past, we've aligned our A type personality score with the Volhardt grading system. However, we've found that their summary of a canine that scores a 1 (or an A) does not match what we've seen of protection dogs and Doberman Pinschers in general.
Here is what we've found:
A canine that has an "A" type personality has little to no fear. They're confident in themselves to the point where they are not frightened by new encounters like other canines with a lower personality score would be.
Curious About New Things
As a result, when presented with a new experience, they're more likely to be curious about the object/person instead of frightened. Obviously, this will differ with each puppy/dog depending on several variations such as age of the dog, size, movement and noise level of the object or person, etc.)
Less Likely to Develop Fearful Aggression
In conjunction with that, a type "A" dog can also do excellent as a protection canine because they are less likely to develop fearful aggression.
Because of their confidence and lack of fear, they'll likely be more friendly towards strangers, so you won't have to worry as much about accidental bites or stress about taking your protection canine out in public. (Don't let this fool you however. With the right training, an A personality can easily go from friendly to protection mode on command.)
Protective
Be warned, in some cases, they may not be friendly to new people/animals. Sometimes an introduction will be necessary in order to show your canine that the visitor is not a threat. At other times, you may need to secure the canine somewhere else until the visitor has left. As always, this will vary strongly based on several factors to include their socialization level, training, etc.
Smarter
Furthermore, a dog that has less fear is able to think more clearly. Making them more intelligent and quicker to pick up on commands. So much so that many canines with this personality score will have a natural "6th sense" so to speak that can aid them in judging the character/intent of another person.
This could even include picking up on danger from many different factors to such as natural disasters like an earthquake or a fire, or from people such as an attack or ambush.
Potentially Great with Children
In fact, we've found that an "A" type canine normally does really well with children. They've shown that they can be smart enough to realize that children are vulnerable and have demonstrated more care and protection towards that member of their "pack."
Service work examples that would work well with this personality score:
- Police Dog
- Military Canine
- Personal or Family Protection
Your Own Confidence is Important
Even though we've found through experience that even novice dog owners can train a dog with a type A personality score, they will have to ensure that they're willing to be consistent and willing to learn how to do so.
This is because an A personality score will want to be the alpha. Also, their high intelligence level will give them the need for regular exercise and play. Otherwise, they could develop bad behavior as an expression of their boredom or dominance.
They'll Want to Be the top Dog
If you have other dogs in the home, be sure that they are not also scored as an A since both Alpha personalities could cause them to clash. However, a ton of early socialization will help smooth this over.
In summary, you can be confident that your dog is going love working and give it's job everything that it has got. An A type personality is the type of canine that would die for you in the battlefield if it had to.
Social Outing Assessment October 2022 Age: 17 weeks
On October 19, 2022 I took Onyx on a 1 on 1 social outing assessment. This was to see how she would perform in public based on her previous social outings and behavioral development.
Entering the Store
This was her first time on the leash, and she did not pull. Furthermore, when we came to the automatic doors of the store, she did not hesitate or show fear like I've seen so many other puppies do.
Interaction with Strangers
Onyx was super friendly to everyone that she met. She showed love and affection to strangers and was very curious about her surroundings. (Contrary to popular belief, this is actually a good thing. Dogs that are automatically distrustful of everyone are exhibiting signs of fear. Fearful aggression = not good.) During her entire time at the store, her tail was up and she was investing everything around her.
Interaction with Other Puppies/Dogs
Onyx likes to be the boss. She is currently rivals for Alpha with her sister Storm. She frequently asserts her authority over her siblings and has even tried to challenge some of my adult Dobermans.
While she has been socialized extensively with dogs, it will be important that she does not go to a home that has another dog with an Alpha personality as this could cause some contention.
Summary
Overall, I was very impressed with Onyx's results. She still exhibits the A type personality score that she originally achieved on her first testing. To be honest, I've never seen a puppy at her age react as well as she did while in public.
Below is a video of her first time in a store. Notice how her tail is up and she is actively walking around and investigating. This is a sign of confidence. It also shows that she is not experiencing any fear.
Confidence Test 12/29/2022
The confidence test is done to gauge how a puppy reacts to a stranger suddenly showing up within their line of sight. It is important that this is done on neutral territory in order to best gauge their reaction in a strange environment.
While I'm looking for a canine that is confident and not fearful, I also want to be sure that the dog isn't acting over aggressively either which is also a sign of fearfulness.
As a result, what I'm really looking for is curiosity, and confidence. This can then evolve more fully into protection training once they've overcome basic obedience training and the bite command.
As you will see in the video, but puppies featured here (Onyx and Storm) reacted really well.
Current Training
While I currently have not been able to work with her as extensively as I would like (due to an intern shortage), she does catch on quickly and is eager to please.
Right now Onyx responds to hand signals but has not yet mastered verbal commands. She knows sit. I'm also working on teaching her not to jump by requiring that she sit for everything that she wants. Which is a work in progress.
As far as potty training goes, I have not had an accident with her while working with her in the home or at a store. However, I cannot guarantee her behavior in a new environment as I have not been able to fully vet her to my satisfaction.
On the other hand, I can tell you that potty training should go very smoothly. Just be sure that you are consistent and watch her closely for the first couple of days.
Health Info
- Lifetime Health Guarantee
- Insured by Trupanion
- Vet Checked
- Ears Cropped
- Tail Docked
- Wormed regularly
- Up to date on all shots (to include rabies)
The Parents of: Onyx
Tackleberry Solution's Protection Canine: Athena
Athena personally belongs to the owner and founder of Tackleberry Solutions, Christopher Arthur. She is our smartest, most agile and hardworking canine. Athena is the only one of our dogs that excels in every area that we've trained her in: Bite/Protection work, Search & Rescue, and Therapy. Athena loves her job and she shows it when it is time to train. Click here to view her personal page.
Tackleberry Solution's Protection Canine: Zeus
Zeus is a 100% European purebred Doberman Pinscher. He is very loving and enjoys playing. While Zeus is protective of his family, he is also very friendly to visitors and does very well with children. Click here to view his personal page.
More Pictures of Onyx
Storm is the puppy towards the back with the blue collar. Onyx is the one forward with the purple collar.
Personal Protection Bite and Tracking Tackleberry Dobermans
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