Training the "Watch Me" Command for Dobermans | Dobie Masters - S1E4

[@Darthego-K9]

Great video. Short and sweet. My boy Zeus was a picky eater, and I would put a topper on his food and that got him eating it. Also, I would give a treat once the bowl is empty. I look forward to the next video from Dobie Masters!

[@DobermanPlanet]

So glad you enjoyed this shorter episode. Great tips as well!

[@Segra13]

Art is so sweet for making the pies for you! Cleopatra is beautiful, as always!

[@DobermanPlanet]

It is kind of him and she is a pretty dog!

[@appaloosatexas3254]

Great episode, John! I totally agree on the food issue and the importance of structured meal times. Especially if you want to use food rewards for training and a training session before feeding time for sure helps a lot, too. 2-3 training sessions a day are enough, and they can be short like 5 min (or even 2-3 minutes might be enough if the dog does something really well or you just reinforce already known commands). The watch me command is a good one and dogs at any age learn it quickly (of course Dobies quicker than most other breeds😁). I like the name command too, but it seems to work better with very young puppies. And of course, I got some (constructive) criticism too😀 I love the "YESSS" marker but you need it "charge" it first (no matter what word you use, any release command that means to the dog "You did a great job and are free now." ) You are pretty much just saying "YESSS" and reward the dog. After a few times, they will automatically look at you. The word "YESSS" has now a value to the dog. Now you can ask for other commands like "watch me" and after they look at your face reward with "YESSS" and bring out the food. If you combine this while jumping backward, it will increase your dog's excitement and motivation. I do not really like the toy reward at this point. Cleo is more focused on the toy. It's better to master it with the food first before moving to the toy. Ideally, the reward should not be the toy itself but the play, the interaction with the handler. Arthur needs to make sure that the release command "YESSS" sounds exactly the same every time and he definitely needs to be more exciting for his dog. Here is one for you, John: I know you mentioned leadership in one of the previous episodes. I think Arthur really needs help to work on his leadership skills. He means well, but unfortunately, that's not how Cleo sees it and she's taking advantage of it. It is not only about being a calm, firm, and consistent leader, he also needs to work on building a relationship with his dog.

[@JoeR203]

I would point at my dog and say his name. Then point to myself and say my name. I did that over and over and changed the order of saying names. It was more for him learning my name because when people talk to him, they'd say my name (Example: "Are you going for a walk with Joe?") and I felt he'd be like "Who is Joe?". Another thing he got from that is, if I point in any direction, he'll look to see what I'm pointing at.

[@DobermanPlanet]

Great idea for training!

[@wolfprowler]

We use "Look" for our two nut bars lol 2-3 training a day for our guys is great. One loves her food, the other loves his tug toy. Great video John.

[@DobermanPlanet]

Haha great short and sweet command! So glad you enjoyed this video as well!

[@josephchiarello11]

I’m a professional dog walker in SF - my dobie knows his name of course- knows my name and the names of every pack member- I remember being blown away when I realized this - very intelligent dogs

[@DobermanPlanet]

That's awesome, Joseph! They are super smart!

[@kristenburkett4274]

Something else to keep an eye on is the combining of two different commands. I noticed that when he asked for SIT she did it but then immediately laid DOWN then he yes'd. If he isn't careful he will have a dog that DOWNs for a SIT and stairs at you when you ask a DOWN because he "accepted" the DOWN. I don't have a Doby but I have had to rework on those two commands so he does the right action with the right word.

[@DobermanPlanet]

Thank you for pointing this out, Kristen! That is important.

[@sheilahbuettner8452]

Great video, John! You are so right. Cleopatra is doing an excellent job training Art to up the anti to get her to eat, and is also not viewing food as an incentive or a reward because it is always available. Your suggestion about structured meal times is a great one. Also about training when they are a little bit hungry. I would also suggest a higher value food reward such as bits of chicken, hot dog, string cheese, etc. for training if she isn't being motivated by her usual training treats. The key is that training treats should be something special that isn't generally available. Lastly, Art needs to work on and be more consistent with giving his verbal Yes markers. That should be the first thing out of his mouth and immediately upon getting the desired behaviour and simultaneous with or even before giving the treat or toy reward. Cleopatra is still trying to connect the dots; it has to be very clear to her when she gives the right answers or she will just be confused and/or uncertain. Great job. Kudos to Arthur for making the effort. You're a good girl, Cleopatra!

[@DobermanPlanet]

Thank you so much for your input, Sheilah! Great tips and advice.

[@Shreadington]

Art should watch your video library and get brought up to speed. Two weeks prior to getting our boy Rambo I went on a Doberman training binge. He's 5 months now and has none of the issues Cleo has. I/We followed your instructions along with a few others and Rambo is a well mannered Doberman puppy. Props to you John! Art has got to dig into training and become a better leader for both their sakes.

[@DobermanPlanet]

Thank you for your input! We will be sure to work on some leader-based sessions. Dobermans definitely do need strong and consistent direction from their owner.

[@Shreadington]

@@DobermanPlanet thanks John and you did a great job showing that in all your training videos.

[@cathyba5113]

Excellent video, John. Bravo

[@DobermanPlanet]

Thanks so much, Cathy! So glad you enjoyed this shorter episode!

[@johnolsen394]

John. Good content , really like this “real world” training. Love it.

[@darbiemayberry2902]

Great vidio I’m getting into it 💜love the look connection. And the yesss. These dobies love to please with the right affirmations the sky is the limit on their ability’s thankyou John for being you 💜

[@marlight3686]

I have a now 4 year old European Male (intact) who has never been food motivated. I have had the privilege to deal with his brother who is a year older also intact. Training food motivated dogs is much easier. Just them knowing that there is a chance of them getting something is enough motivation. Sometimes just having treats in your pocket is enough for them. Not so much with dogs that will eat what you give them, but what they want is play, running, a lot of physical affection and rough housing. I struggled quite a bit at first, but the second I started to lean into his wants as a reward everything changed. The watch me command (I use LOOK) is invaluable. This breed is always looking around us, making them focus in on you, helps get commands across and it also calms them, as you are taking over, they just need to do this one thing well. Proving to a dog that is not food motivated that you can lead them gives you a dog that does not negotiate with you. It also gives you a dog that, even with a bit of side eye, obeys when they don't want to. They trust the payout will come. I don't allow people to say key words to him to see his head tilt or ears perk up, I don't think its funny or cute to water down our main way to communicate with them, the mode of communication they have tried to learn to understand. If we say its time for a walk, we go for a walk. If its time to "play fight" then its time to play fight, even if after I said it, it started to pour outside. Most importantly if I say the word ball...then I'm not coming into the house any time soon, with less than 5 grass stains on me. I think you frontload a lot more work with a dog that is not food motivated, but man does it get so much easier later on. Beautiful dog, awesome owners, great video.

[@belindaguzman450]

I definitely binged on your videos before getting our boy venom and we followed thru with your videos thru every stage of his growth from nipping and jumping to even dominance issues, when training always used a high value reward to definitely get his attention your videos and consistency definitely payed off thank u 🙏🏼

[@mariaclark4564]

I think you are doing a great job with cleo..ill watch to gain the knowledge thank you so much.. Lol pie man😂

[@DobermanPlanet]

Hahaha thank you for supporting our channel by watching!

[@mybigbabygirl808]

Love the watch me! Will try with our new pup. Can you suggest another great alternative to Ollie since we live in Hawaii and they sadly don’t ship here☹ We’re able to get some of their treats at petco at least. Keep up the great work Art and Cleopatra!

[@appaloosatexas3254]

If you have a Petco, check out WholeHearted Fresh Frozen food.

[@HarleyDTV]

I've seen another trainer recommend open farm which looks very similar.

[@mybigbabygirl808]

@@appaloosatexas3254 Mahalo!

[@mybigbabygirl808]

@@HarleyDTV Mahalo!

[@maudevandijk55]

Great video! While watching trained my dobie Jimmy with the toy and the eye contact. The watch me command is also a great one, will try that today! Furthermore, our almost 6 month´s old is starting to bark at people, dogs outside from the window inside etc. What is a good redirection for this?

[@stacy_morales]

Your videos have really helped me in training mine. thank you for this😊

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

C'mon, Suzanne Clothier's automatic check in. No bribing, no begging for their attention, simply rewarding their decision to actually look at you. The challenge then is acknowledging every single check in. If you Yes it, you have to reward it. If you don't have treats, at least acknowledging it, thanks for checking in - good job. Susan Garrett has a video on how to rank food, toys, whatever the dog finds reinforcing. Even when you think you're not training, you're training. Daily routines. Every single doorway you come to - sit/wait, you go out the door, fling the door open, dog should see still be sitting, until you give the release word. How many times do you let your dog out? How many times do you take your dog to a different place, even the car door - sit/wait. Opening the door and moving out of the way is NOT the cue for the dog to move - only the release word is permission for the dog to move. Yes, even that is training. My older Dobe was not food motivated, until I started cooking for them. Pretend you get ants if you leave the food out. My first dog didn't want to eat until 10pm - that became her feeding time. One Dobe allergic to chicken, one Dobe cannot have Rosemary of any kind. Peas/chickpeas not great for Dobes either. We teach an enthusiastic recall for 3 weeks before adding a sit once they come to you. My Mom makes strawberry rhubarb pies too. Hope that helps.

[@DobermanPlanet]

Great tips and helpful advice!

[@OdiseoQuintin]

Constant worry when Camelia not eating her daily portions of kibble. I know very well (and she does too) that putting some kind of soft food over the top will stimulate her to eat it all in one sitting, but am always trying not to spoil her that way.

[@DobermanPlanet]

It is definitely a hard balance - especially when you don't want to/can't provide them wet food daily. Just try not to let it get to the point of them manipulating you to give them wet food. They may prefer that, but they will eat when they're hungry.

[@josebronc2608]

❤❤

[@DobermanPlanet]

Thank you for your support!

[@michaelj8460]

I have two Dobies, one 4.5 and one 2.5 years. I have watched you for all those years and found it beneficial in their training. But, I realized at some point I needed to teach them, train them, reward them with praise and less of a treat reward. Also, my dogs have been taught that a bowl of food is not a reward, it is a timely and daily meal. Nutrition, not reward.

[@Kristrout]

I am still having issues with my one year old on nail trimming. He is my 3rd Doberman and the most hard headed. Maybe add some advice to all of us ❤

[@DobermanPlanet]

Here is a video on nail trimming that you may find helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3KbkKdudpyepZYsi=6x3x9Ju_2fOKG_ur. Wishing you lots of success!

[@meganfrench2250]

I love all your great videos John. They have been very helpful for me and my male intact red German dobie 2 yrs. He knows sit, stay, lay down, many others. But, He’s gotten in the habit that when I tell him to sit he sits than if I don’t immediately reward him he instantly drops to a lay down or other tricks he thinks I want but I’m just asking for a sit. How does one correct this or stop him from running through all his tricks when I just ask for a sit? He’s a silly and super smart guy. Thank you!

[@YngBlueVEVO]

But if y'all can do me a favor can you please tell me where to go to go get one

[@MrSa458]

Yeah, I defenantly think that he's doing a great job with cloptraia,and he would just need to get it together a little bit more because of the puppy nipping and biting But anyways, still bo Doberman yet, brother John, but I'm hoping by December I'll just be able to get a Doberman. I don't want a fixed Doberman. I wanna breed the dogs So anyways, God bless you, brother John, and your awesome family 👩‍👧‍👧 keep up the great work that you're doing for the kingdom of Heaven with the encouraging words that you're giving right now 🙌🏻🔥🪽✝️

[@DobermanPlanet]

Thank you for leaving your comment! Your support for the channel is much appreciated!

[@MrSa458]

@DobermanPlanet welcome, brother

[@Baeprints]

I would see a Veterinarian to rule anything out. I imagine Cleopatra has completed her Parvo shots etc. I currently have a Doberman puppy who will be 21-weeks -old this Thursday (Oct. 17). It’s not my place to say anything; I think Doberman Planet puts out amazing content, and John has been extremely generous. But maybe in the future instead of a $500 PetSmart Gift Card-John can hold off to see if the Doberman may benefit from a year’s worth of Ollie or a CytoPoint shot* etc. I know PetSmart works with Banfield Pet Hospital (they are often found inside PetSmart), but as far as I know PetSmart gift cards cannot be used to pay for Banfield visits. I don’t know what dog food Cleopatra is currently eating, but sometimes switching the “flavors” can help. My puppy was on a beef based kibble, but I switched him to their salmon version to see if it helps with his skin allergies. Other people note that their puppies stopped eating a specific flavor, but will eat a different one by the same brand. My puppy also loves when I soak his kibble and mix it with some pumpkin purée and put it in a Kong. I am currently researching how to prepare fresh meals for my Doberman. Ollie is out of my budget, but I want to add more heart healthy meals to his diet (I was originally a dietician major in college). Arthur 100% needs to set an alarm clock on his phone etc. for scheduled meals. I still give my puppy three meals a day. You can’t just leave a bowl full of food out like that… I actually rarely use my dog’s bowl anymore (except for treats) and usually end up using the Kong Wobbler or end up hand feeding my puppy, because I train with his dry food**. Lastly, I wouldn’t use cheese as a treat too often. Dobermans are prone to DCM and too much saturated fat is bad for heart health. Unless Arthur knows the meat source I also would NOT recommend giving raw meat to dogs. I’ve read too many people who give their dog raw meat from the food store, and eventually their dog ends up with salmonella. Our dogs depend on us for what they eat and their wellbeing. It’s our job to do the best we can regardless of our own relationship with food or doctors etc. *An allergy shot that can stop itching without impacting the immune system. ** I originally was using the beef jerky Doberman Planet recommended (it’s how I potty trained him ^_^) and these 100% New Zealand grass fed lamb green tripe treats, but I had to eliminate a lot of things once I realized my puppy had allergies. I’m extremely grateful he loves his kibble and treats it like a high reward. I also wanted to note it’s surprising, but protein sources from chicken and beef are two of the most common dog food allergies. I know many people focus on carbs, but from all the research I’ve gathered and my vet confirmed it’s mainly the protein source you want to change if your dog is having potential food allergies.

[@gailwatson4927]

My Dobie mix has lots of problems with "watch me" command.

[@DobermanPlanet]

Maybe change it up to command "Look" and start from scratch. You can still follow these same steps!

[@csakzozo]

My dobie doesn't have a food bowl. He gets everything from my hand,while he's working. No free meals. I don't need treats, he's super focused, easy to train like this.

[@pntdblack]

Be extremely careful what you feed your Doberman there's alot of cheap junk food that can contribute to DCM. Keep monitoring your Doberman for DCM with a good thorough vet even though it may show no symptoms throughout it's life!!

[@DobermanPlanet]

Great advice! We always have to be aware!

[@CaliCountry-b6h]

So I have a border collie dobie mix and she is not food motivated at all and I tried Ollie mixed in with her normal science diet puppy and she almost immediately started having diarrhea and throw up even a few times . She is 7 months old any suggestions?? I love your videos and am really hoping to get my Ellie to where she is better behaved and mainly a strong recall…

[@DobermanPlanet]

Definitely talk to your vet about the throwing up and diarrhea and also reach out to Ollie to let them know. If she is not food motivated, you could try high value treats (like cheese cubes or peperoni), toys, or praise and pets! Here is a video we made about recall: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmTbqIOigZ2fmqssi=3_ilKKrnJXeqODX6. Hopefully this helps!

[@Arivmario]

👍🏻 With all due respect to the owner…He needs to do lots of training himself. He needs to be a better leader. 5 minutes training are not hard to do when you’re sick.

[@winny4765]

Please do not judge too much. He is a man. When men get a flu they feel like dying 😀. Anyway we have the profit of learning small steps and the feeling of being a more striving being.

[@Arivmario]

@@winny4765 Constructive criticism is not being judgmental. Treating him like he can’t deal with the situation should be more offensive to him. He signed a document to put himself online showing his issues with his dog. When someone gets a dog he/she has and owes a responsibility to the dog. All necessary training should be taken so that dog can have a good life. I want for him to train his dog. That strengthens their bond.

[@winny4765]

@@Arivmario Generally spoken, you are right, but this is not the place to discuss a Personal Case, I guess.

[@Arivmario]

@@winny4765 good advice should be welcomed everywhere. Unfortunately Regardless of the best intentions some folks have to get offended for others.

[@DobermanPlanet]

Thank you for your input! We will be sure to work on some leader-based sessions. Dobermans definitely do need strong and consistent direction from their owner.

[@YngBlueVEVO]

All I got to say is I can't find me a doberman in my city of Oklahoma so I guess I'll never find me a Doberman I have to look for other breeds and I am not too happy

[@DobermanPlanet]

Hi! Send us a message at support@dobermanplanet and we can send you some resources to find a good breeder!

[@YngBlueVEVO]

@@DobermanPlanet I might ask

[@jasinvestmentsllc1375]

Do you not like to use a clicker when training?