This gentle giant is Dobby!  His is a 1 year old Doberman that was surrendered to us due to his owners busy life.  He is 75 lbs with another 6 months of growing to do.  Dobby spent most of his time in a kennel which made him an unsocialized, Ill mannered adult dog that his previous family realized they could no longer handle.  Upon bringing him into rescue our most experienced fosters struggled to control him due to his high energy, large size and lack of impulse control.  However, seeing Dobbys sweet disposition and eagerness to please we knew with the right direction and proper training he would be an amazing dog! The decision was made to do right by Dobby and send him to boot camp! 

After spending 10 days in board and train with Canine Academy Dobby has learned some amazing things!  He can do all his basic commands such as sit and down.  He can do “place” when you need him to stay somewhere safe.  He is treadmill trained.  He knows wait before going through a doorway.  He knows leave it when he has something he shouldn’t have or is trying to get something he shouldn’t be getting.  He has learned to walk nicely on a leash with a pinch collar and responds well with an ecollar.  Canine Academy will provide a free training session with his new owners to properly teach you how to use these “tools”.  Although controversial to some please remember that these are only tools.  The hope with any training tool is that they will be used properly and be used to keep him safe and under control until he is able to follow directions without them.  

Dobby truly seems much happier now.  He is just a big puppy that doesn't realize his own size and strength. He used to do anything for attention even if it was negative attention.  He would grab his foster moms arm with his mouth and not let go because he wanted to be pet -  now he has learned if he sits nice he gets exactly what he wants in a positive way which he prefers.  He loves to run and play and instead of stealing dangerous things for a game of chase he will leave the bad thing and happily take an appropriate toy for play.  He used to take the food bowl right out of your hand and dump it all over the place and then jump all over the person trying to feed him eliciting even more negative attention.   Trying to get his collar and leash on for a walk was a daily struggle.  Now he sits nicely by his crate for meals and he loves to go for walks and happily waits for you to get him all ready to go!  All of these things he has “learned” took a lot of hard work by the trainers and by Dobby!  We are very proud of how far he has come and his eagerness to please the people he loves. Please know that he is still a work in progress and these behaviors will have to be practiced every day in his new home or he will easily forget them and revert back to what came easy to him.  We never want that to happen!

So the home we would prefer for Dobby: 

Since Dobby has so much energy a fenced yard would be ideal for this fellow.  He is crate trained but we would prefer he not be crated 40/50 hours a week.  We do realize people have to work but a doggy day care should be utilized so he can continue to work on socialization etc at least a couple times a week. There are numerous options in this area.  Dobby is good with other dogs but is pushy, overzealous and has a hard time taking no for an answer (for example when the other dog is done playing- Dobby rarely gets tired of playing so he will continue to try and initiate play despite being told no).  If you have another dog in the home that dog has to have a similar energy level and or be very tolerant of a giant puppy always annoying them to play! Kids are fine as Dobby loves all people but they should be sturdy as he is so large and clumsy.  Dobby is going to be an XL dog so please make sure you have the time and space they need to be comfortable.  No small apartments etc. as he would not be happy being cramped up without a lot of room to move about. Ultimately, We are looking for someone who loves the breed, has the time, energy and patience to continue his training.  Someone who has a home and yard to accommodate and Large and energetic boy.  A person or family who wants the most loyal, loving boy to be their faithful companion for many years to come.  If that is you please apply! He deserves a happy ever after!  

Dobby is neutered, up to date with vaccines, microchipped, flea/worm treated and tested neg. for heartworm.  His adoption fee is $550 - please apply on our website