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With her regal bearing, alert expression, and devoted temperament, the Doberman is an impressive dog. Dobermans are reserved with strangers but are goofy and affectionate with their families. The Doberman was bred by a tax collector to protect him on his rounds as well as serve as his constant companion. For this reason, the Doberman owner has an edge in leash training, since Dobermans were bred to stay with their owner. On the other hand, since Dobermans were bred to protect, it is very important that yours is well socialized, especially while on-leash, so that she doesn't develop leash aggression.
While your Doberman was bred to stay with you, she was also bred to go all day. Dobermans are active dogs who require plenty of exercise to stay happy and calm and perform well. If your Doberman is bursting to run when you are trying to leash train her, you will find training much more difficult. Make sure your Doberman is well exercised and calm before beginning leash training. Even if you think she is worn out, it is helpful to do leash training at a bit of a jog at first until she gets the idea.
Your Doberman is a sensitive dog that will not respond well to harsh handling. Use a chest clip harness or a head halter to prevent damage to your Doberman's delicate neck, and motivate with toys, treats, and your affection. Begin training when your Doberman is well exercised but not exhausted, calm but not tired. Make sure you wear sensible shoes and are prepared to do at least some training at a bit of a jog.
The Tug Means Treat Method
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Sound means treat
Choose a specific sound or use a clicker or other noise maker to create a consistent sound that you can associate with a treat. Practice until your Doberman is coming to you for a treat whenever you make the sound.
Start walking
Leash your dog and begin walking. Walk at a good pace, giving your dog about five feet of leash.
Tug, sound, treat
As soon as your Doberman puts pressure on the leash, make the sound and give her a treat.
Repeat
Keep practicing, making the sound and giving the treat whenever your Doberman puts pressure on the leash. If your doberman is distracted by something in one direction, go another direction.
Reward hesitation
At some point your Doberman will pause before she leans into the leash and look back at you, anticipating the treat. Reward her for not pulling.
The Tied to You Method
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Tie your Doberman to you
It is best to use a leash with some elasticity so neither you nor your dog will be harshly pulled. You can use a belt or dog walking device to secure your Doberman to you.
Start walking
Start walking at a good pace, giving your Doberman about five feet of line from you. If your dog wants to stop to sniff, slow down to let her.
Pull, change directions
As soon as your Doberman pulls, change directions. Walk in a determined manner, pulling your dog with you in the new direction.
Reward following
When your Doberman turns to follow you, reward with a treat or toy and keep going in the new direction.
Reward anticipating
At some point your Doberman will anticipate the change of direction and will not pull, but will watch you. When you see this, reward.
The Walk With a Pack Method
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Determined Doberman
If your Doberman is determined to pull, despite being exercised well, you can try walking her with a pack to teach the mentality of staying together.
Leash dogs
Hold the dogs' leashes so that they won't get intertwined. Everyone should have a place to walk in the group.
Be steady
Your Doberman or another dog in the group may be resistant at first, but keep walking in a determined manner and they will soon fall in with the pack.
Practice
Keep practicing until all dogs are walking on loose leashes, having realized that pulling will not help pull the pack along.
Try alone
Once your Doberman is comfortable walking in a pack you can try it alone. Make sure to change directions if she starts to pull to reaffirm training.
Written by Coral Drake
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/15/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Pulling on a leash, or refuse to come when I ask, does come inside our home. Very distracted and not interested at all to look at me for guidance or directions.
July 22, 2021
Zues's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Camilla, Check out the Reel In method from the article I have linked below, for teaching Come outside. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall For the leash pulling, check out the Turns method below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel The Turns method is going to feel a bit like a dance at first, trying to cut in front of pup in time. Do this in an open area, turn in front of pup as soon as their nose goes past your leg and not just when they are way in front, and keep your energy high and enthusiastic to help pup focus on you, rewarding right when pup is doing well - looking at you or in the right spot. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
July 22, 2021
my dog keeps pulling on the lead i have tried the stand still technique and the walk backward technique short lead long lead choke chain semi choke chain so far and no real massive improvement some days when hes full of beans he is just a determined puller and their is no stopping him also he is very aggressive towards other dogs ! how can i stop the pulling and also is their any way i can help him with his aggression to other dogs ?
May 11, 2019
samson's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Jade, For the aggression I suggest looking online to see if there is a G.R.O.W.L. class within driving distance to you. A G.R.O.W.L. class is a class for dog-aggressive and dog-reactive dogs who all wear basket muzzles during the class and work on being desensitized and socialized with other dogs in a structured way. That class will likely also give you an opportunity to work on his heeling around dogs. For the heeling check out the videos linked below: Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo I generally do not recommend back clip harnesses or choke chains for pulling dogs. A back clip harness can actually encourage pulling (think about sled dogs) and a choke chain can damage the trachea because the majority of the pressure is on the front of the neck - choke chains are also difficult to use effectively. You want to use a device that either clips to the front of a harness so that when you pull back on the leash the entire dog's body has to turn, a gentle leader that turns the dog by turning his head to the side, or a correctly fitted prong collar which evenly distributes the force all the way around the neck (making it much safer than other collars even though it looks intense). If you use a prong collar look up how to fit it properly. they should be worn high on the neck behind the ears, with all of the prongs gently touching the skin but not digging in. If the prong collar is too loose it can hit the front of the trachea and is not very effective. Correctly fitting and using the collar lets you use minimal pressure with it. Also, a prong collar's prong should have rounded ends and never blunt. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
May 11, 2019