concern about mastiff's reaction to perceived threat - need answers from big dog owners?

Question

Hi. I am living in a city with an English Mastiff who is almost a year now, very well behaved and trained. I was approached by a drunk who made a move on me physically and verbally outside my bank. He was subtle in actions but scared me with words, taking time to befriend the dog and my kid before he spoke to me. I couldnt make a scene w/the kid so I told him to go away and that I was reporting him. The whole thing was really rattling. The bank called the police. I went out to leave and the guy came right over again & just as I was getting ready to respond, my dog went nuts. I have never seen him like this. Other than my own fear, there was no obvious threat. Did he sense the threat from me? I comforted him and then went home but on the way home he reacted agressively to two more people who spoke to me. What can I do to let him know it's ok and should I worry now that he is going to be wary of everyone for a while? I'm glad to know he'll protect me if need be but concerned.

the two other people that approached me after the first incident did nothing wrong at all. My dog has never shown any aggression ever toward anyone face to face. He has only ever even barked at a closed door if someone is coming up our walk or for us to help him get a toy he cant reach because his head is so big:) He is VERY socialized. Knows almost everyone in the neighborhood and they all know him by name and love him. I just dont want him suddenly insecure and want to do something to help prevent this starting immediately. I will absolutely hire a trainer if I have to but I want to do what I can now if it can help him get back to his normal laid back self.

Wow you guys are great. I feel better already. to the poster who worried about the kid issue. I certainly told the guy to get lost and immediately. I told him calmly that I hoped he was pleased with himself because I was now reporting him and calling the police and my child heard this and then came with me and watched me do it. Normally though in the city if someone touched me like that and I was by myself, my reaction would have been louder and used different words. I didnt want to scare my kid because he is an 8 year old boy. I did talk to him about it and it was good I did. He thought the guy was just flirting with me which he definitely wasnt. I got to explain to him the difference between someone who is acting amorous and someone who is acting threatening and the correct response to both. it was a good chat though a bit awkward.
Also I didnt praise the dog. I was quiet but firm, told him it was ok while I put him in a heel but I had to do it a few times

Answer 1

Your dog only got upset because he felt your fear. He wasn't sure what caused it but, just it was there and making him uncomfortable. I am sure all the way home you were still upset. Wait a day or two and allow the dog to calm down. Then try and walk it near but, not right up to people. When you get over it the dog will to. If you remain nervous about his reaction he will only react again. Good Luck.

Oh one other thing. When your dog reacted to the first person did you praise him for it? He might think this how you want him to react.

Answer 2

Dogs sense threats on levels that humans could never percieve. Slight movements, body language, and smells that our bodies put off when there;s stress or conflict will often trigger dogs to react that way, big or small. I'm assuming that these next two people he threatened were not harming you. So, I can only assume that he's connected strangers talking with, or approaching you, with stress and fear, hence his defensive/aggresive patterns.

If this is the case, I would advise you seek out a professional trainer with experience in large-dog aggression issues. It can be a simple thing to retrain a dog to accept comfortable, "healthy" strangers, but best not done by a novice trainer.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

I would definitely ask the vet if he/she can recommend a good trainer you could talk to about this. I am sure it is comforting to know your doggie will come through for you.

Also, though, I wanted to address your comment of not being able to cause a scene with the kid around. It concerns me because you are teaching your child to stand by when someone is threatening him/her and allow verbal abuse. You should really discuss why you didn't react. It is a safety issue. Anyway, I wasn't trying to lecture you, just wanted to point out that you might be unintentionally sending your child a message about how to react to a threatening stranger.

Answer 4

Your dog sensed that you, the pack leader, did not want this guy around. He took steps to protect you and your kid (his pack) even though the guy had made 'friends' with him. I imagine that you felt rather shaky and uneasy until you got home (which again he picked up on) and he got aggressive with the other two people, again to protect you.

This is what mastiffs have been bred to do and I think he acted admirably. Once you stop being shaky about the incident he will calm down too.

Now if he continues to have aggression issues (which I doubt) I would talk to a professional trainer about what you can do to restore his calm.
Give him a cookie from me and a hug from me.

Answer 5

Your mastiff knew full well you were scared , The mastiff did the right thing , My mastiff Skippy who has a temperament test certification a canine good neighbour and a canine good citizen certification . and he loves Every one he meets. BUT one night I pulled my car over to the side of the road, I was looking for the dog show grounds in an unfamiliar city. It was dark and I had the interior light on in the car and was looking at a map , when suddenly my mastiff lunged from a laying down position on the back of the van and right, half way out the front passenger window , I heard a man scream and seen him run off . What was someone doing sneaking up on my van at night ,,, dogs just sometimes know when people are up to no good ,,, and for the record Skippy never again ever lunged at another person. give him a big hug for me ,,
here is my skippy
http://www.englishmastiff2.com/skippy/
since you love mastiffs here is my mastiff poetry and story page http://www.englishmastiff2.com/mastiffblog/

ADD ON : SINCE HE IS OVER REACTING NOW, PLEASE GET HIM SOME PROFESIONAL HELP

Answer 6

Having a big dog is the same as owning a big gun. The dog was reacting the way a good dog would react. He was defending his leader, his family, his domain. You can not walk around with a big gun in your hand because it will scare people and big dogs can do the same thing and people have more rights than dogs. My beautiful German Shepherd was recently killed by a neighbor because the dog had gotten out of my yard and was just walking around the neighbor hood. Big dogs will take a big part of your heart when you lose them. Get you dog well trained. He will have to overcome his natural instincts to defend his family and do not hope that other people will trust him.

Answer 7

The dog was picking up on your fear and reacting to protect you. If you were still agitated and fearful when you met the other people then the dog was still in a defensive mode. This is normal, but you need to establish your dominance with your dog so that when you say no, it means no. You need to practice at home using a calm but commanding voice to teach the dog to respond to your voice and remain calm when you tell it to. You do not want your dog to accidentally hurt someone because it thinks they are trying to hurt you.

Answer 8

*Your dog is great ! he reacted to the drunk appropriately, because he sensed you needed him.

*to help with future people contacts:
always remain calm and assertive, be the leader. your dog has taken the leadership role and thinks this is how to act now, to all people.
to take back the role, walk him daily, and take the lead. do not let him in front of you, always at your side, or behind you.
he is still in the alert mode, and thinks this is his role now.
by walking him this way, you are taking back the leadership role. do this daily.
when people approach, place him in sit or rest, and do not allow him to be infront of you. him in front means he is theboss. always be calm and assertive. inform people to approach calm and slow. he will then relax,, when you do.

I bet that guy thinks twice before coming at you again! good dog!!

for more tips, visit cesar milan's website or watch him on the national geographic channel

Answer 9

He is protecting you. He is probably still afraid someone might hurt you. Even if they are talking gently to you. I believe it will take him a while to get over it. And not to metion if someone tries to hurt you again when hes there you dog might jump at him/her. He did the right thing to protect you.