We get a lot of the same questions regarding meet-ups so here are the answers to your most asked questions!

What to expect:

Meet-ups are usually held on a weekend morning or evening and are always at an off-leash location. We plan them all up and down the Southern California coast from San Diego to Santa Barbara, feel free to email us with any dog park or dog beach suggestions. We plan a specific time frame (usually 9 to 10 a.m.) so that everyone arrives around the same time and can interact all together.  

What to bring:

-Doggie bags. We always want to leave a good impression, so we ask that everyone clean up after their own dog.

-Water, for you and your dog. It usually gets warm and many meet-ups are held at the beach, so to prevent too much salt water consumption we suggest bringing a dog bowl and plenty of fresh water for you thirsty Dobie.

-Hand sanitizer. You will meet, pet, and love on many Dobermans so a little anti-bac might be necessary at the end of the meet-up.

Safety:

-Collar safety. Prong collars, choke chains, and harnesses should be removed before your dog is allowed off leash. These can be great for walking your dog, but they pose a huge safety issue for your dog and other dogs so we ask that they are removed before your Dobie goes to play. A snug fitting buckle collar or a quick release collar are the best options for meet-ups.

-Children. Dobies and children can and do mix, however a pack of energetic dogs and little ones building sand castles can be a recipe for disaster. Children are welcome and have attended meet-ups just be sure to keep an eye on your own kids and make sure they are playing at a safe distance from the dogs. Please supervise your child's interaction with other peoples dogs as well.

-Socialization. You know your dog better than anyone so just make sure a meet-up is a situation your dog will be comfortable in. 

-Females in heat/ intact males. Most dog parks and beaches post a rule that states dogs in heat are not permitted. This is really for the safety of your dog so she doesn't get bombarded and harassed. It is suggested that dogs in heat not be brought to meet-ups. Likewise, please watch your intact males to make sure they are not harassing any females whether spayed or not.

Some commonly asked questions, answered.

Q: How many Dobermans will be at the meet-up?

A: Meet-ups have ranged from 12 Dobermans to our largest meet-up of over 40! It's all about fun, so we don't require an RSVP or even really ask if anyone is coming. We show up with our two Dobermans and know that they will have fun whether two or 20 other Dobermans come.

Q: How come you only schedule it for an hour?

A: We plan meet-ups for a specific time frame so that everyone shows up around the same time. Meet-ups usually last much longer, until 12 noon or so. Showing up between the scheduled time assures you arrive when other Dobermans are there too. You are welcome to come early and stay late, however there is no guarantee other people will be there outside the scheduled time. 

Q: I don't have a Doberman but I love the breed, can I still come to meet-ups? 

A: Absolutely! Anyone who loves Dobermans is a-okay in our book. 

Q: Why don't you host a meet-up at an outdoor mall or a restaurant, so it's more fun for people?

A: Doberman meet-ups are first and foremost about the Dobermans. All meet-ups will always be hosted at off-leash locations to maximize fun for the dogs. Bringing a bunch of leashed dogs to a public place is no fun for the Dobies and that doesn't' sound very fun to us.

Q: Why do you only have meet-ups in California? Can you have a meet-up in (South Dakota/ Texas/ Kansas, __________, fill in the blank, you get the idea)?

A: We live in Southern California which is why we host meet-ups here. We would love to road trip all over the US just to host meet-ups but at the moment we will continue having them in Southern California.

Q: My dog loves people but is dog aggressive, can I come and keep him on a leash?

A: Each owner is responsible for their dog at each meet-up. You are responsible for watching your dog at all times, for cleaning up after your dog, and for knowing your dog and how they interact before coming to a meet-up. So to answer this question bluntly, no. It's not a good idea to bring a dog-aggressive dog to a meet-up even if you keep him on a leash. It builds frustration and anxiety in your leashed dog and will also affect the other dogs who are off-leash. Dogs read energy very well and an unstable dog effects every other dog in the vicinity.