Dobermans basically have six main stances: Alert, Passive Submission, Active Submission, Stress, Offensive Threat, and Defensive Threat. Active submission should be the most common posture you see your dog in. This means that he is happy and has a relaxed look with his body lowered, his ears back and may be sniffing or licking if he is greeting someone or another dog.

The alert posture is the next most common posture that you will become familiar with. He will be focused on something, standing quite tall and still with his ears forward. You are genuinely interested in someone or something and haven’t quite decided if you should feel threatened.

If your Doberman feels that whatever has been fixed on him is a threat, he may go into an offensive or defensive threat posture. In the offensive threat stance, he will remain upright, but will also pull his lips back to show his teeth. His hair may or may not stand on end.

In the defensive threat stance, it will crouch down, keeping its head down, growling, and baring its teeth. This is the most dangerous position because the dog feels threatened and may feel that he needs to attack. Strangers or people he knows should never try to approach you in an offensive or defensive threat position.

When you are training your Doberman, you need to be aware of the stress posture. The dog will generally lie low to the ground with its tail down, ears back, and pupils dilated. This posture is the result of mental or physical pain or illness. Dobermans in this position need a break or need medical attention.

The last stance is passive submission and one you shouldn’t see too often, if ever. Your dog will display submission in this pose, either crouching or rolling onto his back with his tail tucked in and his ears back. This is a scary position that you should never see if you don’t scold your dog, which of course you never should.

When training Doberman Pinschers, take the time to learn their postures to open the doors of communication between you and your dog.