Question on English Mastiff aggression?

Question

My dog, Monty, who is a little over a year and a half has in the past few months, starting in March or April become increasingly aggressive. He was always very well socialized, taken to the dog park several times a week, taken to the pet store, had my friends come over and visit, took a puppy class to socialize with other puppies, everything we could to make sure he'd be a socialized, friendly dog. He used to be a very sweet dog, but now he barks angrily at strangers and at the dog park will go off on a dog for no real reason. We can't take him to the park anymore because he is frightening due to his size. We got a new puppy in the middle of May, but this was after his aggression began, the puppy and Monty get along fine, but Monty is still very aggressive. Last week at the dog park he bit a puppy (didn't pierce the skin), but for no reason at all. He sometimes will get along with the dog or person then after a few seconds go off on a barking tangent. Can this be changed?

Also, anyone have any similar situations?

Ah, and yes, he has been neutered a few months ago and has actually seemed to have come more aggressive!

Answer 1

I really suggest you looking into the techniques of The Dog Whisperer/ Cesar Millan.

Your dog needs behavior modification.

When your dog starts to show aggression you need to remain calm, the dog feeds off your energy. If you are tense it will only make him tense and worse.

Watch for signals and correct him. Not by yelling or even staying his name. I used to make the same mistake but dogs begin to link that word with their behavior.
When a dog is in that state of mind you need to treat it as if where in a pack and you need to be the pack leader.
He's a dog and needs to be handled how the pack leader would handle him.

Tug on the leash and say "shhh" with a firm calm voice. Keep this up until he reaches a calm state, no need to praise him for this.

I've tried these techniques on several aggressive dog and have been able to modify and change their behavior.

Answer 2

I have a Cane Corso Mastiff named Baxter, He will be 2 in October.
I find him to be the very best dog i've ever had, he is a little overly aggressive at times,
Like when people approach myself and my children.
We have socialized Baxter from the get go, and still he has an issue with other men.
I've read, and herd information on mastiffs being high on the list of being great family protectors, i feel if you feel there might be a problem with his health you should take him for a chech up.
Maybe he's maturing quickly, and is beginning to realize how big he is?
As far as neutering goes, Baxter was done at 6 months, and still 98% of the time is a huge teddy bear, he sleeps in bed with the kids, and watches there every move outside when they play, i couldn't ask for a better friend...
Good luck too you,
Be in touch if you would like..

Answer 3

First, get him examined by a vet. Any sudden changes in temperament can be an indication of an underlying medical problem, such as low thyroid.

Consider getting him neutered, if he is not already. Neutering him will greatly reduce dog to dog aggression and make him easier to live with.

Continue to work on socializing him, but keep him in environments where you can control him and the stimuli. A dog park is generally not a good place for this, but obedience classes with instructors experienced with aggressive dogs might be a good solution for you.

You may also want to have his behavior assessed by a canine behaviorist. Sudden changes within a matter of seconds is unnerving at best, dangerous at worst. He may have severe temperament problems that make him a ticking timebomb, and a legal liability.

Also check out the agbeh group on Yahoo. This is a fantastic resource for owners of aggressive dogs with help and adviced from qualified trainers and bahaviorists. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agbeh/

Answer 4

People tend to forget that although a mastiff may be the gentlest thing ever in your household, they were still meant to be a protection breed, and that is often still instilled in their breeding.
It sounds like you did a lot of things to make sure that he was well socialized and that's great, but it's not always enough. Have a good talk with an obedience professional/ animal behaviorist, you might need to get into some more intense obedience programs.
Best of luck with your dog :-) I love Mastiffs :-)
Edited to add: Also, check out a Mastiff forum, often obedience teachers and behaviourists will peruse a forum, so you might be able to get some good information before you can go and see someone.
This CAN be changed, but it may take work.

Answer 5

An aggressive dog is an unwanted dog. It sounds like your dog may grow up to hurt someone, or another dog. You want to talk to your veterinarian, or have your vet recommend a dog trainer that specializes in agression. In certain instances it can be changed, but sometimes this is simply part of a dog's personality, and the sad reality is, you don't want to be liable for a dog like that. Try every, option first, though before making any rash decisions. You may want to take a look at this site.

www.nathlaf.com

Dog aggressive dogs may not always be people aggressive. But, the problem is, if you dog is in the middle of fighting another dog, he may accidentally hurt you in the process. Or, the sight of another dog may get him so worked up he has to bite something, and it may be you or your children. Until you can get him some real help, do other dog owners a favor and do not let your dog near them. If it is necessary to take him out, make sure he is on a very short leash and not allowed to get within attacking distance. Warn people who approach your dog that he may bite. In all honesty, your vet may eventually encourage you to put the dog down. And this is not cruel. A dog that you have to worry is going to seriously injure someone is no joy to you, or those that he is around. I would also be careful with him around your puppy. They may appear to get along, but you never know when he might snap.

Has your dog been neutered? Altering your dog will reduce his aggressiveness toward other dogs! Be sure you get him neutered.

Answer 6

Yes, there are protocols you can work with to help this kind of behavior. Best thing is to find a local trainer who can help evaluate your dog and will use *positive* methods of desensitization and classical counter-conditioning. The old Cesar Milan "hang 'em by the leash method" is in fact an old method that Cesar did not invent, and has a long history of creating dogs that are more dangerous than they were to start off with (yes, this method *seems* to have fast results because dogs stop exhibiting the *symptoms* of aggression, but all they really learn is to stop telling you when they want to bite someone. Next thing you know, you're saying "he just bit that person out of nowhere!", and of course he did... didn't you just teach him not to growl or bark? It's like "curing" a broken leg by taking a ton of painkillers -- looks like a good idea the first day but not such a great move in the long run. Skip it.)

First, immediately stop taking him out into situations that are over his head, such as the dog park. If you know his unacceptable behavior is escalating, don't set him up to fail. Also, it's not fair to other dogs, especially young or sensitive dogs, who might be terrorized by his behavior.

Second, understand that your sweet pup is currently going through adolescence. Guard dog breeds tend to have messier teen years than most. He's trying to figure out his place in the world, and just like with human teenagers, it ain't always pretty. The time period between 1 and 2 years old can be extremely trying with some of these breeds. There's no time like the present to get started, but you will still be working against nature for a little while. The good news is that his brain will continue to grow in as he gets older, so the work you put in now will not be in vain.

The best advice I can give you is to go check out the Yahoo! group "agbeh", short for aggressive behavior.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agbeh

They, also, will recommend getting an evaluation from a professional trainer, but they also have a lot of resources and information to help you get started down a more constructive path to helping your guy out. While I can't speak for your specific dog, especially without seeing him myself, this kind of behavior can definitely be turned around in many, many dogs. I won't tell you that it's quick or easy, because it's not, but you have time on your side, because he'll start coming out of the teenage nonsense soon enough, and you'll have more to work with as he gets older and more mature.

Please do look into this to help your dog out, for him, for you, and for the other dogs he will meet in his life.

Answer 7

I'd be more than a little concerned. Mastiffs guard by leaning on people, they use their weight, but are not generally this aggressive. Any sudden temperament change could have a physical cause, so you might want to take him to your vet.

This behaviour of his sounds too scary for you to deal with without getting some help from a behaviourist, but first check him out with the vet. Hope you get some help for him.

Answer 8

A 5 month old domestic dog should not be exhibiting aggression, incredibly in case you're interior the middle of instructing her. Her warmth cycle can rather make a woman somewhat greater unpredictable, yet aggression in the direction of human beings can't be tolerated - incredibly from one in each and every of those extensive breed canines frequently common for his or her guarding and loyalty in the direction of their proprietors characteristcs. initiate with common coaching so as that she as we communicate is conscious which you're p.c.. chief. extremely have her spayed and then re-evaluate. If she remains exhibiting autonomous habit, you may desire to call in a specialist.

Answer 9

I ALSO HAVE A MASTIFF AROUND 1 1/2 AND HE TO WILL BECOME AGGRESSIVE AT TIMES BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL THEY SUGGEST FIXING THEM AT AROUND 6 MTHS BECAUSE ONCE THEY GO INTO HEAT LIKE A FEMALE THEY KNOW THE TENDENCIES THEN. THEY ARE ALSO GROWING UP AND BECOMING PROTECTIVE OF THEIR FAMILY ESPECIALLY WHEN ON A LEASH OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE OF HOME JUST CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HIM AND DO NOT GIVE THEY ARE GREAT DOGS I HAVE A TOTAL OF 3 NOW

Answer 10

He is aggresive, live with it. He is not going to change. Continue to socialize him. Always watch him. He can be a great dog, but for your own good, don't trust him with other dogs or strangers, especially kids. Exercise him, give him attention, but he is aggresive because thats the way he is. If he hurts somebody, it will be your fault, not his so take good care of him.