Skip to main content

An easy guide for training your Doberman pinscher the right way

Training your Doberman pinscher might seem intimidating — they are a smart and active breed, after all. The truth is, though, that Dobies are incredibly eager to please, so you’re likely to have a dog who’s even more excited to learn than you are. Just don’t forget the treat bag!

With some forethought and the right mindset, Doberman pinscher training can be a breeze. It might take some practice to be as clear and concise as possible when communicating with your pup, but in the end, this will make a world of difference for you both. When in doubt, some pets and a delicious snack will definitely help get the message across.

Have an alpha demeanor

According to the American Kennel Club, Dobermans are incredibly smart and eager to please, though they can get rowdy and even destructive when raised or trained inconsistently. In addition to being full of excess energy, this breed can be pushy when they’re particularly motivated — or unmotivated.

To help combat any Dobie stubbornness, make sure she understands that you’re the boss. It’s not about being harsh or loud, though; it’s about letting your dog know that you’re the one who makes the decisions for you both. Once your dog has mastered a basic obedience command like “sit” or “wait,” incorporate that training when feeding your dog or letting her out to potty. When she has to earn her favorite things, she’ll understand that you’re the one who calls the shots.

two doberman pinschers stand next to one another on green grass
Jenson/Shutterstock

Work with their desire to please

Because Dobermans are so naturally motivated to please their owners, many Dobie parents find that training comes pretty naturally. The keys to keeping your pinscher engaged in training are thorough praise and appropriate training intervals. Make sure to find a training treat that’s both healthy and enticing to your dog — though these are no substitute for verbal praise and lots of loving pets!

Although Dobies are often eager for training, too much practice can encourage your pup to act out. Start with five to 10 minutes of training per session when you’re starting out, then build up according to what feels right for you both.

Start with the basics

Dobermans are excited to please their owner and earn a reward, so start with the easiest commands to give them an opportunity to succeed. This builds their confidence, too! Learning the essentials will make some of the more advanced commands even easier since complex moves often combine and build off the basics.

“Sit” is the perfect place to start. Grab a treat and hold it in front of your dog to get her attention, then slowly raise your hand (and the treat) above your pup’s head. To keep an eye on the treat, your dog will naturally lift her head and eventually sit. Don’t forget to praise and reward her! Once you go over it a time or two, incorporate the command word “sit” every time you repeat the trick.

Learn a release command

One helpful training tool for pups who love to please is the “release” command. This command essentially tells your dog that you’re done asking her for things and she can go back to just being a dog.

You would use this command after telling your Dobie to “sit,” “stay,” or just about anything else. In fact, you might already have a release command without even knowing so. A lot of pet parents tell their pups “Okay!” when it’s time to grab a treat after training — it’s exactly the same idea!

a doberman pinscher stands in a grassy field on an overcast day
patstatic/Pixabay

Be consistent

Doberman pinschers are smart and loyal, but they’re creatures of habit, too. Routines will help keep them relaxed and happy … as long as you don’t come home late, that is! Falling off routines is one common cause of a wily Dobie, though confusion can make them lash out, too.

To combat this, stay as consistent as possible during training. Short, frequent sessions are predictable and just long enough to keep their minds engaged for learning. When actively training, be sure to remember your usual command words and don’t expect your pup to magically pick up on anything new.

When it comes to training Doberman pinschers, most owners are very lucky: All it takes (sometimes) is an alpha demeanor and clear, consistent practice. Of course, every pup is different, so it’s fruitless to expect every Dobie to act just like the rest. It’ll take some time to find what works for you, but try to have some fun in the process!

Editors' Recommendations

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Science says dogs cry tears of happiness when reunited with their humans
New study shows dogs cry happy tears when reunited with pet parents
A man hugs a Golden Retriever, facing away from the camera

There are so many ways to tell whether a dog is happy. We all know to look for a wagging tail, but there are countless clues hidden in a dog's body language to let you know how they feel. But for the first time ever, Japanese researchers have confirmed that dogs show emotion in another way: by crying.
While the image of a crying dog can be enough to bring a person to tears themselves, empathetic people can rest assured--there are no sad dogs here. In fact, scientists recently discovered that dogs cry happy tears when reunited with their pet parents. Now that is a sign of true love!

Scientists wanted to explore whether tear reactions are similar in dogs and people
Azabu University professor Takefumi Kikusui was first inspired to discover the role of tear production in dogs while watching one of his Standard Poodles nursing her puppies. He noticed that she appeared to tear up while nursing, and the professor hypothesized that dogs can experience happy tears, too. After a bit of research, this pet parent and the professor found zero studies focusing on emotional tear production in animals.

Read more
Video: Dog befriends bike thief (or why golden retrievers shouldn’t be guard dogs)
This is all the proof we need that golden retrievers make bad guard dogs
A sweet golden retriever puppy lies on the grass

The golden retrievers are at it again. Well known for being playful and goofy, these beasties lack one dog-defining characteristic: a healthy dose of stranger danger. In the mind of a golden, there's no such thing — only a new friend waiting to happen. This viral video takes that flaw to its natural conclusion when a beautiful goldie proudly invites a bike thief into his garage.

The video is a snippet from a broadcast and is entitled "Guard dog or accomplice?" on TikTok. The newscasters explain that a $1,000 e-bike was stolen out of a garage, and we all get to witness the scene. A sweet pup goes right up to the presumed thief and demands pets and belly rubs. The bike thief happily obliges and looks a little confused, perhaps unsure if he should stick to his original plan after meeting such a delightful pooch.

Read more
Video: Adorable dog thinks the TV wants to play fetch
This is why dogs love the game fetch so much
Beautiful couple watching television at home with their dog on sofa

Some pups just can't ever get enough playtime and will take every opportunity to chase a ball, even a virtual one. Videos of cats and dogs watching TV frequently catch our attention because they remind us how much more advanced our animals are than we really understand. Unlike us, though, this doggo doesn't quite get that he can't jump into the action on the screen, sadly for him. Watch this video of a dog playing fetch, or at least attempting to.

The video opens with a shot of a person throwing a football in a yard on the TV. The player tosses the ball, and it goes offscreen as we pan to a beloved dog watching it excitedly. He tries to follow the football, not realizing that it exists in a completely separate time and place. He looks back and forth, seeming to question his pet parent about the laws of physics, not understanding where the chaseable football went. It ends with the sound of his delighted person laughing in the background. The caption sums it up perfectly with: Huh? Mom, where’d it go?

Read more