How to Handle a Doberman That Is Behaving Neurotically

The doberman is a naturally intelligent and active dog breed, according to DogBreedInfo.com. The doberman requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to be a contented and balanced dog. If a doberman is living an unfulfilled life, he can become anxious and frustrated, which can cause him to exhibit neurotic behaviors like barking excessively, focusing obsessively on a particular object, pacing continuously and displaying hyperactivity. Neurotic behaviors are a coping mechanism for dogs, and as a responsible dog owner, it is vital that you determine what is causing this type of unnatural behavior and that you take appropriate steps to rectify the situation.

Things You'll Need

  • Vanilla essence
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your doberman to see your local veterinarian to rule out health problems that could cause your dog to exhibit neurotic behaviors.

    • 2

      Walk your dog for an hour every day to alleviate any built-up frustration that is causing the dog to become neurotic and to keep him fit and healthy. Walk slightly in front of your doberman to show that you are the pack leader, as dobermans can be stubborn and difficult to control if they are not given leadership.

    • 3

      Enroll your doberman in obedience training classes to provide him with adequate mental stimulation to stop him from becoming bored. Give your dog the chance to behave like a normal dog by socializing him with other balanced dogs that you meet at the classes. Practice regularly the training principles that you learned and enroll him in additional classes, such as trick training or agility training, once your dog has mastered the basic commands.

    • 4

      Correct the dog when he is fixating on an object by catching him as he begins to show the first signs of the behavior, such as staring with large pupils and a still body or barking and repeated jumping. Say "no" in a firm tone of voice. If the dog remains unresponsive to your voice, use your fingertips to quickly tap the dog on the shoulder to bring the dog out of his fixated state. Keep the doberman next to the object of his fixation and wait for him to reach a relaxed state. Listen for a sigh to signal that the dog is completely relaxed and then reward your dog with a massage. Repeat this exercise whenever your dog exhibits neurotic behavior.

    • 5

      Teach your doberman to use his nose first, rather than his eyes, as this is the natural way for a dog to behave. Encouraging your dog to use his other senses can help him to overcome visual fixation. Spray vanilla essence several meters away from the dog and watch him sniff the air with his nose.