Puppy Adoption Support & Requirements
At DHDR, we love to match Doberman puppies with amazing forever families like yours. Our puppy adoption fee is $350. This is significantly discounted in comparison to other shelters and purebred rescues, as they typically charge up to $900. We are able to charge a lower fee due to our amazing donors, so that you can invest your money in your puppy instead. When you adopt a puppy from DHDR, it will have already had:
- Comprehensive veterinary exam(s) with full records provided to you.
- All shots and deworming (as applicable prior to adoption).
- Professional behavior evaluation with full records provided to you.
- Spay or Neuter.
- A socialization, exposure, and training program as relevant for its age.
- Free Doberman Puppy Guide, with content from leading trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians.
- A dedicated post-adoption volunteer to support you as needed.
- Access to discount Doberman Sports courses as your pup gets older.
- Access to future social events.
It typically costs DHDR $500 – $1,000 in medical, behavior, and care to get them ready for adoption. We only pass $350 of that on to adopters.
We require that puppy adopters:
- Complete a Free virtual puppy class video prior to adoption day (all members of Household over 14 must complete). Comment on the video or via email with your favorite learnings.
- Sign up and complete payment for two 1:1 in home sessions (prior to adoption day) with one of our approved 1:1 trainers. Session one must take place within two-three weeks of adoption, and session two can take place within 2 months of adoption (or it can be up to 6 months if the 1:1 trainer recommends that timing and you agree). All family members must be present for 1:1 sessions. Trainers can book out, so be sure to coordinate with them as soon as you know you have been matched. Waiting until right before adoption could cause a delay in adoption. DHDR makes no money from these trainers. The trainers will confirm with DHDR once you have completed your required sessions (they will also let us know if there are any cancellations or delays so we can work with you to ensure your sessions are completed).
- Sign up and complete payment for one 6+ week group class (prior to adoption day) with a DHDR approved trainer/facility. We have provided a list of suggestions here. If you have a trainer/facility you prefer, email the information to match@azdoberescue.org so that we can approve it. DHDR is only able to approve LIMA-based trainers.
Overall, trainer costs can vary quite a bit. In meeting these specific DHDR training requirements, you can expect to spend at least $450 – $650, though the costs could definitely be higher (or lower). It is also smart to budget for ongoing training beyond these requirements. These requirements are in place because we care about you, the adopter, and the puppy. The first months of a puppy’s development can impact who they become as an adult (especially rescue puppies who got a tough start to life), and we want you to have a Doberman that you enjoy for many years.
- The correct type of socialization and exposure is critical to raising a behaviorally sound adult dog. These links and courses will be of great help, and we are always here for you if you have any questions.
- Dobermans need annual vet visits (at the minimum), and it is critical to consider how to proactively manage the possibility of DCM, which impacts almost 60% of Dobermans.
- DHDR recommends a LIMA-based approach to training, which you can read about here. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recently updated its position on Humane Dog Training, emphasizing that study after study supports the use of reward-based methods for training, and avoiding aversives like prong collars, ecollars, rock cans, dominance theory, and more. Positive doesn’t mean permissive. Dobermans still need quite a bit of training, structure, and mental exercise.