86 replies to this topic

[dlambo1]

[Arda]

Rommel is tolerating Patton. What a beautiful pairs. The neck is looking a little better and a lot better than when we got him. He is quite a boy.

[Nancy Robinson]

What a very very nice pair. Nice pictures.

[Bumpette]

They look really nice together! Thanks for the pictures!

[dobie sunshine]

Hey Dean thanks for all the pictures of Patton (Ozzie) & Rommel. They are both very handsome boys.

[Karen A]

I know the weather is pretty dismal out there, but have you been walking them together Dean? Walking them together helps them for a bond or pack mentality towards one another. Even if it's just around the block, you should try it with them and see if Rommel gets a little happier about his new roomate

[Pam]

Wow, what a beautiful,(& intimidating-looking) pair!

[dlambo1]

No I haven't, it's just too difficult with the snow on the ground. I live in the country on an off/on busy paved road (class B road) that's posted 45mph and they usually go 50+. All the side roads near me are dirt and not well kept and not plowed out to both lanes. They're only about 1.5 lanes wide...it's just what the Road Commission does. Trust me, I've been trying to think of something to get the bonding process and pack hierarchy established through walking. I personally have no problem with either dog, Patton already knows I'm the pack leader. I can easily put my face down by his food bowl or peanut butter filled Kong and assume possession of it with no problem, same as Rommel. However the two dogs are still sorting it out with Rommel starting to assume a leadership position.

I knew it'd be a challenge on several levels adopting a dog at the start of winter. It's nearly impossible to train Patton on my Hidden Fence since the flags are white (same as the snow) and there are NO physical landmarks he can see to help him identify where the line is. Especially since my Hidden Fence lines my flower beds in my front and back yards so I'm forced to put him out on a cable to keep him tethered to the home without a shock collar. I don't like it but it's only for a few months more. Short term pain, long term gain. Patton's a quick study, he doesn't enter the kitchen whatsoever after only 1-2 zaps from my interior wireless system. He knows EXACTLY what the beeping and vibrating box under his neck means. It's just a matter of teaching his brain the same thing outdoors and an acre is time consuming without a foot of snow. With the warm weather as of late I'm going to at least get the flags put out on the line today and as long as we don't get any snowfall to disguise the flags can start on that process now. Under ideal circumstances it takes about 2 weeks of twice daily training on the entire system, the sooner I can get it done the much easier it'll be on me, that's for sure! Here's what's all involved:
http://www.youtube.c...l...NM&vq=large



Here's a few more photos. Rommel doesn't care to be told to sit and pose, you can tell because his ears aren't erect...he's protesting. Patton is excited as usual! They're a great pair together and I just love having another Dobe!

[Nancy Robinson]

GREAT PICTURES

[doberpagegirl]

Such handsome boys. Patton's chest really looks much better than when I last saw him. The hair is growing back nicely.

[dlambo1]

Such handsome boys. Patton's chest really looks much better than when I last saw him. The hair is growing back nicely.

Do you know if his previous family kept him outdoors for the most part? Plus, do you know what the story was behind the horse collar???

[CAB]

Here's a few more photos. Rommel doesn't care to be told to sit and pose, you can tell because his ears aren't erect...he's protesting.

Sounds like someone I know. Cute boys you have!

[dlambo1]

Finally got a video...
AVI VIDEO

Edited by dlambo1, 03 March 2011 - 02:52 AM.

[dobie sunshine]

Patton and Rommel look like they are having a good time. If that was my dog all the stuff on the end table would have been knocked off. Thanks for the video. Both Patton and Rommel look very happy together.

[doberpagegirl]

Wow does Patton look great! Thanks for the video, I'm so glad they are buddies. Such handsome boys.

[dlambo1]

Patton's settled in quite nicely, he gets so excited when I come home. I can't wait 'til spring so I can get him trained on the hidden fence and he can frolic un-tethered outdoors. It's going to be a FUN summer!

He's SOOO funny, he chases laser lights and my work flashlight like a nutcase! I'll get a video of that up soon too. Thanks for such a great dog...he's working out just great!!

Edited by dlambo1, 04 March 2011 - 12:29 AM.

[dobie sunshine]

So glad to hear that Patton has worked out so well for you, sounds like you made the right choice to bring him home when you did, I know you were kind of hesistant to get another dog with the winter season and not being able to train him right away with the hidden fence. Can't wait to see the video of Patton chasing the laser light. Patton was quite the character at SCD, he use keep Arda on her toes barking at her when he knew she was getting his food ready. Give the big ole boy a hug from us.

[dlambo1]

So glad to hear that Patton has worked out so well for you, sounds like you made the right choice to bring him home when you did, I know you were kind of hesistant to get another dog with the winter season and not being able to train him right away with the hidden fence. Can't wait to see the video of Patton chasing the laser light. Patton was quite the character at SCD, he use keep Arda on her toes barking at her when he knew she was getting his food ready. Give the big ole boy a hug from us.

Well, since the weather's broken I flagged my yard at the border of the hidden fence. As goofy as Patton seems at times he surely knows what those flags mean, what the warnings mean and where NOT to go! It only took 2-3 days tops to get him to understand it's in his best interest not to breach the flags. After 5 days of training I took the leap and let him go and we played ball in my unfenced yard!! He was doing SOOO well until another dog from 2 houses down came to investigate which took his mind off the flags and he sneaked past the line and off he went. Thankfully I tired him out enough he didn't have much run in him and I was able to chase him back into my yard. Did some more re-training and was outside throwing the ball for him to fetch with no problem .

What a great feeling it is to get him outdoors for exercise. I felt guilty the past few months keeping him inside the house and tethered to an outdoor cable to go potty.....NO MORE!

I'm eager to get some videos posted so everyone can see just how happy his now in he is new home.

.....He can't sleep unless he's up by me in bed and usually under the covers!! Yea, I spoil my dogs.

Edited by dlambo1, 12 April 2011 - 08:40 PM.

[Bumpette]

Thanks for the update on Patton. Glad to hear that he has learned his boundaries. I'll bet he is having fun running the yard without the tether. Looking forward to the videos.

[dlambo1]

Wow, has Patton come along nicely, but slowly. I love him dearly but sadly for a Doberman being the 4th smartest dog in the world he's a tad bit slow on the uptake when it comes to training, but with persistence I won the day. Since spring has sprung and the ground has thawed I was able to plant the flags for my underground fence and got him trained not to leave my yard. I now have my Olympic sprinter trained NOT to cross the line no matter what's beyond those boundaries, even if it's my neighbor's cute female yellow Lab on the other side! What a relief it is now that he can go out and enjoy the outdoors without being supervised or tethered and can let himself in and out with the doggie door. Now that I can trust him loose in my yard I'm able to play ball and if he didn't look like a Doberman I'd think he was a Labrador Retriever! We have tons of fun almost daily playing fetch with a tennis ball until he calls it quits!

It's late but I do have some great videos to post and will do so soon!