The retractable leash isn’t the best option for every dog or every dog owner. It really depends on your dog and how much control you actually have while using one of these. There are several people that have claimed injury while using these types of leashes and I don’t doubt it one bit. If your dog pulls really hard during their walks, jumps on people or you are training a puppy or an unruly dog I wouldn’t recommend a retractable leash. Also, if you are walking multiple dogs at once this could become more of a hassle than a pleasurable afternoon stroll.

I had a Doberman Pinscher growing up and we always used a shorter leather leash so we could take over at anytime during their walk if they were getting out of line. If your dog sees a squirrel or cat and takes off on you, you have to react in a split second to retract the leash, if it even retracts! Many times, they will get stuck and you have to grab on the the “leash cord” itself which has proven to be very painful and quite difficult. I now have a smaller breed and I use a retractable leash with him from time to time and have no problems whatsoever. It gives them the freedom to roam a bit ahead and smell the flowers and just check things out like dogs do. We both enjoy it and haven’t had any problems.

You just have to remember that the retractable leash isn’t a for sure thing… there is a chance that it won’t do what it’s supposed to and you could find yourself pulling on that wire thin leash to get your dog back at your side. This may result in some wounds on your hands or even legs if they get wrapped around you, and major stress at that moment. I think you just need to know when the time is right to go with a retractable leash.

Why does something so delicious have to be so toxic to our dogs? We’ve all heard stories or experienced it first hand, our dogs eating the chocolate we left on the counter or even giving them chocolate not knowing yet that it can be fatal for your pooch.

The toxic ingredient in chocolate is called Theobromine. The amount varies in different kinds of chocolate so milk chocolate being the least harmful (depending on the intake amount), semi sweet chocolate being in the middle and baking chocolate being the most toxic out of the three. The more concentrated the chocolate, the more toxic for your dog.

Now just because milk chocolate isn’t toxic unless eaten in larger amounts doesn’t mean you should be giving them chocolate in even small amounts at all. It’s just not a good idea. Why not feed them dog safe veggies and dog treats! That is the safest way to go. I’ve found that giving my dogs baby carrots and home made dog treats is a big hit with them. You know exactly what they are eating and you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Here are some signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs just in case this happens in your home… diarrhea, heavy panting, nervousness, seizures or urinating uncontrollably with death being the worst case scenario. If you suspect your dog has eaten some chocolate, I would highly suggest taking them straight to the vet so they can handle things properly and save your dogs life. They will do what they can to get it out of their system. With all of this being said, hopefully you won’t leave chocolate out within their reach at anytime. If you have kids, you need to educate them on this as well.

The Doberman Pinscher is a healthy dog breed.  Some breeds are prone to so many health problems but not this one.  Just like with any dog breed though, some health issues can occur so it’s important to be mindful of that and always pay attention to your dogs overall health and behavior.   Here are just a few things to keep your eyes open for just in case:

Gastric Torsion – this may be a fatal condition if not treated right away… the stomach fills with air and the stomach twists.

Hip Dysplasia – this will affect the hip joints and the ligaments and muscles surrounding the joint is what causes this.

Staphylococcus – this is a bacterial infection that affects the skin.

Those are just a few things that can be a common health issue for many other dogs breeds as well.  Anytime you see your Doberman acting differently, change in appetite or acting out it’s time to take him/her in for a check up.  Running your hands over their body and checking for any sign of a wound or skin problem is also a good idea from time to time.  We all know that regular vet visits can be very expensive especially if you don’t have pet insurance.

The Doberman Pinscher is a large dog breed that needs a good amount of exercise.  These dogs are not meant to be an apartment dog like some other small breeds out there.  They need to be walked or ran daily to keep them happy and healthy.  Just like with many dogs, lack of exercise can lead to dog obesity, health issues and they can become destructive.  If you are planning on owing a Doberman Pinscher you need to be ready for more of an active lifestyle to accommodate them.  The Doberman is a very loyal dog and a great protector.  They are wonderful and very beautiful dogs.