'How do I go about getting her more comfortable and more confident in herself?': Doberman adopted from shelter, new owner asks internet advice on best approaches as a new dog dad

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jun 14, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

It may surprise you the best ways to train a new Doberman Pinscher, so here are some quick tips if you're thinking about adopting. 

From Reddit's r/DobermanPinscher this new dog dad asks the internet for advice on his Doberman. Doberman's are known to be some of the best, most devoted, and smartest dog breeds out there. This Doberman is a year and a half, and the guy adopted her from a shelter who found her and her two siblings roaming around without a claim on them. She's timid, so he is putting in a lot of effort to raise her confidence and make her feel comfortable. She seems scared of doors, so he wants to adjust that in her. The internet comes in with great advice for him, namely consistency, schedule, eye contact, praise, and to talk to the dog a lot. Having a routine dialogue of what you're doing helps them understand what's happening and it helps them feel stable. It's so interesting that animals are just like us in a lot of ways. They need to feel safe, loved, and they can be greatly affected by their past and can need extra love and care to get over things that have happened to them. 

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10638746880
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10638748416
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 03
    I adopted this beautiful 1 and half year old Doberman from a shelter she was found with her two
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 04
    siblings roaming and was never claimed. She's very timid and really only goes from my room to
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 05
    the hallway and outside. She seems scared of doors and is super calm which is not what I
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 06
    was expecting. We've seen glimpses of her personality but she's mainly just been laying
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 07
    down. She was spayed 4 days ago which might be part of the reason she's so mellow. My main
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 08
    question is how do I go about getting her more comfortable and get her more confident in herself.
    via u/Dmaki2420
  • 09
    Frozen-Chips-401802 As others said, and from adopting dobies for years:
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 10
    consistency, schedule, make eye contact, praise often & respond in kind when she offers affection / attention.
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 11
    I found that having a running dialog helped a lot the first 3-6 weeks. Talking
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 12
    about things before I start doing them, asking if they want to help, all the same thing you do with a kid.
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 13
    Sounds silly, but it gives her a cue that something is going to happen / you're
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 14
    going to move before you actually do. Avoids the accidental jump-scare if I get
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 15
    off the couch unexpectedly & helps them get used to everyday stuff.
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 16
    "I'm going to get a drink, do you think you want one? [make eye contact] "Hmm? Do you?"
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 17
    [get up and go to the sink/fridge] "What do you think? You want some water too?" [make eye contact]
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802

  • Dogs are more like us than we realize. They really need tender love and care to feel confident and comfortable. I think everyone knows what it feels like to be down on your luck, to not be as confident, and to be uncomfortable in your own skin. Dogs are the same; they feel emotions in a similar way that we do. This dog was found roaming around outside. There's no telling what her life was like before the shelter, if she had owners or people who didn't treat her well, if she had to fight for her life just to survive each day, if she struggled with hunger or tiredness or weather issues. We should always have sympathy and empathy for the dogs and cats that end up at shelters. Personally, I'm a cat person, but I can really appreciate and respect dogs too. If I were to get a dog it'd be a Shiba Inu. 

  • 18
    "I'll refill your bowl while I'm up." [get my drink, make hers while talking to her]
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 19
    "Let's do some laundry, can you watch me sort?" [laundry basket, sorting, etc]
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802
  • 20
    Calm, steady conversation all the time. You get the idea.
    via u/Frozen-Chips-401802

Check out our Instagram for more hilarious animal content!

Love our stuff? Shop for some of our pawsome merch here.

Tags

doberman pinscher wholesome dogs Dog Rescue
Scroll Down For The Next Article