We don’t usually see Dobermans being used as service dogs, but when we do it’s a wonderful thing. Not only do these dogs help their owners, but they also help improve the Doberman’s reputation. They are typically known for their work as guard dogs, but Dobermans being used in other fields more. They are now seen working in search & rescue, as therapy dogs for PTSD, guide dogs for the blind, hospital therapy, and seizure dogs. And since Dobermans are intelligent, highly trainable, and alert dogs they are perfect candidates for service dog work.
These two videos provide a glimpse into their service dog training and hospital therapy dog work.
Have you seen a Doberman being used as a service dog? Let us know what work it was performing in the comments below.
My son has biopolar w/ anxiety and depression. He will be leaving to college in the fall. He would like to have a Doberman as a service dog, but I HATE purchasing from a breeder. Has anyone had any luck finding a rescue that supports service dog training? If so please send me the information.
I am looking for a young male, 10 – 18 months old so I can try to train him to be my service dog. I have previously trained 2 other service dogs for myself. My health is worse, and I really need the help of a good dependable dog. I prefer a black & tan or a red and tan. Really am not interested in the dilutes, (blue and fawn) and certainly not interested in a white dog. I am willing to work out a reasonable price for a non – show quality dog. I assure anyone who reads this post that the dog will receive loving care and proper veterinary care. Please contact me at : boogsmom53@gmail.com.
My Doberman is 7 months old ands she is being trained as my TBI/mobility service dog.
I’ve been trying to find a way to have my Doberman trained as a service dog for me. I’m disabled and she could be a great help for me. She’s been evaluated and is an excellent candidate. But, being disabled, I am unable to work and live on disability. Which means I can’t afford the training. There are lots of grants for children or the blind but, unfortunately, I have not been able to find one for me. It’s frustrating. I feel rejected. Lauri
Had a 5 1/2 year old dobie. Black and Tan she was my service dog till heart disease took her from me day after Christmas. She would wake me from nitemares, alert people if I was having a seizure and provided bracing for me as needed. Working with another breeder here in California to get another pup but training is outrageous or they work with rescue dogs which is great but I would prefer another dobie as they seem to be more loyal (Velcro) to there person and I love that about the breed. If interested you can go to my gofundme page at gofundme.com/servicedogfordave to help me get the pup which is first step. When it is older then I can tackle the training for disability side of the house
I have a 6 year old Blue Un cropped Dobie named Dave. He is a rescue.
Rumored to be a Grunt. He is proud, fast, defensive, intuitive and loyal. He knows English, Dutch and German. He can be told sentences and follows orders. An absolute mess when I got him, 3 months in IC at humane society. Too uglyto even post adoption picture. No hair, puss filled eyes. Worms. NO STORY , BUT NAMED DAVE. Once a harness was put on him he snaped to. He hides from even a clip loaded, yet will face every door in a restaurant, watch my back. And even snapped hard at a false police call as I told the officer NO HE IS A SERVICE DOG AND YOU MAY DEAL WITH THE DOJ. Dave stood down and sittsen. I get 10 to 15 beautiful dogs a day, He had eye surgery and his hair grew bsck. I have wonderful friend. Companion. Hero. Service Dog for my health issues.
We rescued a 3 year old altered male who came with a lot of emotional baggage: separation anxiety, fear aggression, reactive to everything we encountered on a walk. To desensitize him, And help him feel safe and confident, I ordered a training vest that read “In Training -Do Not Pet”.
Three times a week, I would start with exercise, him running along side my bike for 30-45 minutes, then I would put his vest on and take him to Home Depot. I chose this location specifically because of the traffic, noise, and diversity of customers moving through the aisles. I would keep Dylan at a heel on my left, and used the cart as a barrier between him and customers. He became accustomed to the noise and traffic, and began to associate the vest with positive social exposure where he did not get attention, nor did he get reactive. This became his favorite thing to do,l. The best allowed me expand his social exposure and help grow his confidence.
A drastic change happened when I was no longer able to ride my bike to exercise him, and could barely climb stairs or stand up from a sitting position. The doctors told me I needed hip replacement surgery. Our now well trained Rescue Doberman now rescued me.
He naturally brought my shoes and socks, or picked up my keys, even my iPhone when I dropped them. He patiently supported me one step at a time up or down stairs and maintained impeccable manners in public situations.
He is 11 now, and we are never far apart. I have another hip surgery looming in my future and I am afraid Dylan will not be here to help me heel and regain my balance as he did 4 years ago.
Service was innate in him, and YES, Doberman are naturally smart and eager to please if trained, socialized, or even rehabilitated correctly. They make wonderful service dog, family companions, and instinctively protective of their family. There is no finer breed, in my opinion. It is cruel irony that their lives are too short.
Thank you so much for sharing this! And thank you for having the patience and love to help rehabilitate this Doberman.
I am training my boy to help me, he is 10 months and already a star. He gets me anything I have dropped because I am in a wheelchair, can do a good heel and lays by my side when I have seizures
😊
Some people comment on the Dobe who do NOT know this breed of dog. Most people’s life’s styles are NOT compatible with this breed. If a Dobe pup is socialized properly, handled properly and cared for 100 % to breed standard, this breed goes to the ends of the earth for there master. This breed as a service dog in the right hands makes for the best SERVICE DOG
There’s no better companionship than that of a Dobe.
Again, they are very high maintenance and NOT for most people.
Loki is a service dog in the suburbs of Chicago. He has been in training since four months old and just turned two.
Loki is a PTSD dog.
He has been trained to stand front and back for crowd control and gives hugs and pressure on command for high anxiety.
Due to there nature to be active and curious he will not let you lay around and be depressed. He will keep you on the move.
Loki is affectionately known as our rent a pup. He is my daughter’s replacement device dog but since her husband is allergic to him he lives with us. Since he is not in full service with her family he also works with a fiend of mines daughter who has PTSD as well.
While thy take about 18 months to settle down and begin to relax he has proven to be great in public. Being a Velcro pup certainly is the best benefit for using a doberman for a PTSD SD.
I am in north Idaho. I will be getting a dobie pup in North Carolina to bring back to train as my service companion. I am very excited. Any help anyone can give will be appreciated. I trained guide dogs and dogs for the deaf for 40 yrs. I had a dobie as a pet. Best dog ever. I am happy to be getting one as my life partner.
I am disabled and have spinal stenosis, causing balance issues, always falling to the right. My 95lb, 28 inch male, blk/rust is trained as a mobility dog. My big boy “Luka” is so attuned to me, it is unreal, and he breezed thru service dog training in just 5 months! He stands next to me so I can balance while dressing, if I am on the floor for some reason, he stands by me and allows me to pull myself into an upright position using HIM as a “tool/ladder”. He seems to sense when I’m going to need his support and leans into my body. He now is 8 years old and has cancer. I don’t know if I can afford another big guy like him, especially one so bonded to me and sensitive to my needs. He has allowed me to lead a much fuller life than I would’ve had without him. I will miss him emensely when he crosses the rainbow bridge….
I also have back problems, that cause my knees to go out and I fall down.my doberman is always there to help me up, she also seances when I get shaky. And acutely will bark at me so I stop what I’m doing and rest.if I forget to eat I get barked at.we have been together for 6 years. I don’t know how I could manage by my self without her. If there is one problem with a Doberman as a service dog is there too queries,and want to control the situation. Tell a doberman how to do something and they will try to find a better way, it can be agrivating.
I have a 95# fawn Doberman as my service dog. I could not ask for a more stable, reliable partner. She has that innate Doberman ability to read a situation.
I currently have a Doberman in training to be my service dog. Unfortunately I just had to fire the trainer I had been using (long story). Does anyone know and can recommend a good trainer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that I could contact?
These dogs if properly trained while young are smarter than most people driving down the road…I’d trust any doberman to lean on…over anyone off the street too!
i do not believe the dobermann should be used as a mobility assistant personally as dobes are highly energetic dogs who need regular exercise n that dobe jus isnt gettin it he looks realli upset =( thats jus my opinion though