Need Help Training Very Scared Mastiff?

Question

We got Bruce from a breeder when he was six months old. Apparently he had very little contact with humans in this time and today, over one month later, he still is scared of anything outside the house and back yard. He spooks at the sound of a car, the wind, loud voices, or any fast moves. He only goes in and out one particular door of the house. He is unwilling to move when he is spooked, which makes a trip to the vet for vaccincations very difficult. At now 80lbs we have to carry him if we need him to move. He is in a very loving home with tons of hugs and positive reinfocement and treats. He gets along great with the kids and our second dog, a German Shephard and comes to us to lay his head on our laps. We try to socialize him by taking him to "low key" family gatherings or on walks, but frankly having to carry him back to the car to go home is major labor. We need help in socializing him and making him more confident in dealing with the world that lies outside the house!

Answer 1

It's really early days yet, it could take months before he is really comfortable, let your other dog 'teach' him, I have a rescue dog also, he is now 13 months old, when I got him at 4 months he would 'shy' at almost everything, if I get a metal tape measure out he will still shoot out the dog door and just today I bought one of those things that throw a tennis ball, he nearly ran a mile!! bless him but I laid it on the floor and let him come to it in his own time, we then spent 40 minutes in the field having great fun with it. My other dogs both GSD's have helped him an enormous amount because they are both quite bold and he watches what they do, don't make too much fuss if he spooks at things it is often better to ignore it completely, but calmly praise when he hears a car start up and doesn't worry.
Keep being as kind and loving as you obviously are and he will soon be a lot braver, but it is going to take time and patience!
Good Luck.

Answer 2

If you see your vet and get a referral to a behavioural trainer, they will work with you and your vet. You'll be asked to work through a training routine for 4 weeks, then your dog can be prescribed drug therapy. In severe cases like this, its worth it.
It is possible to use very low doses of two seperate sedatives. The doses are so low that they don't have a sedative effect, but they do relieve the anxiety and fear that your dog feels.
While the fear is removed you go through a second training routine for a minimum of 4 weeks.
Then the drugs are removed and you carry on with the training.
I know this sounds counter-intuitive, because lessons learned while under the effect of drugs are traditionally thought to be forgotten when the drugs are removed; but this therapy really works.

Your dog cannot learn anything positive while he is in the grip of fear and panic. He's ok at home with you and that shows you can teach him, and that he can learn. You have actually done extremely well to get him that far given the very poor start in life he had with the breeder. So well done!

Answer 3

how wonderful to hear you are so kind and trying to do he right thing. This is tricky as the breeder has not acted very responsibly towards poor Bruce; but can be dealt with well, but will take time. He is poorly socialised, which is dangerous, as such dogs can have unpredictable behaviour. It is good that he gets on well witht he other dog - he can learn from her. I would suggest they go out together- just round the garden to start with - and you always speak confidently in a positive, happy voice, using his name lots, and book them both into classes - but ask to meet the trainer first so you have a chance to explain. Julie and Kismets' advice are recommended on this matter. Teach him the basics, sit and down, and stay - as these might save his life one day, then heel walking, alwys fun. If he gets scared, let him sit for a minute, but always talking, always cheerful, in a 'nothing to be afraid of ' voice!
Good luck!

Answer 4

Take the dog to classes which aim to help other dogs intergrate with each other and that way he will learn to socalise. Also, get into the habit of distracting his attention when these 'loud noises' occur and reward him for this (if its done successfully). The dog will then recognise that if he pays attention only to you and not his surrounding that he will get food, obviously then ween him off this routine and he will be sound as a pound. Sounds simple but requires consistancy and dedication from you and the rest of the family.

If you live in the UK there is a book out from that woman that presents the 'its me or the dog' program on Channel 4, maybe that is worth a flick through to see if there tips to get you puppy to walk!

Answer 5

Unfortunately your puppy missed out on a very important socialization stage in his puppyhood and it may take a very long time if ever to help him get over his fears. I would suggest a very low key obedience class and if possible one that only has a few other dogs there and that the trainer is aware of Bruce's problems. You may be able to work out some of his issues in a class setting with other dogs and people.

Alternately if this is not possible you may want to talk to a behaviour consultant to get some help with desensitization training.

Answer 6

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/46gPt

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 7

I hope you succeed in solving problem with Bruce,i have a springer spaniel she was 7 weeks old when I got her,she is now 10 years and has always been very nervous of people and other dogs,in spite of training classes etc she has never got better ,my vet says she is basically a nervous dog and it could be due to in breeding

Answer 8

hi a good way to start is to take bruce around with u to see ur friends especially those with dogs as the more he gets used to being around other people n dogs the more he will grow out of his shyness when u walk him keep him on a short lead n whenever u go past sum 1 hold the lead tight so he is against ur leg once u r past the person tell him he is a good boy this will give him a sense of brashness that will help

Answer 9

i have a english mastiff who is 2now we had had since he was a pup,he is scared of everything.he doesn't even like to go outside during the daytime he will hurry and use the bathroom and run straight back into the house,but will stay out forever once it is dark outside.he is scared of strangers at first after a little bit he will attempt to warm up to them.i just do what makes him feel safe and comfortable.he has more fears of noises and people in the daytime so we play at dark.

Answer 10

HI...you might want to enroll bruce in a "shy/reactive dog" class. we enrolled our german shepherd in one and it really helps. they teach you how to desensitize your dog using positive reinforcement. it costs around $150 depending on the area that you live. it was a godsend for us. we now have an emotionally healthy dog and to this day I still use the techniques when he is in new situations.