What's new
Mastiff Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Welcome back!

    We decided to spruce things up and fix some things under the hood. If you notice any issues, feel free to contact us as we're sure there are a few things here or there that we might have missed in our upgrade.

Reading dogs, body language

Sawsealady

Well-Known Member
Screenshot_20180502-163452.pngAnybody want to enlighten me on basic dog body language? I am a beginner and really would love the insight. Kind of vague I know but I want to do my best in raising our new dog and thought that there is a lot I'm probably missing as far as this goes. I have a lot to learn, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Ruger has the sweetest temperament so I'm not worried but with that I don't want to overlook something very basic that would help me be a better owner for him and us. As always your input is not wasted and much appreciated!
 

trg

Well-Known Member
View attachment 60703Anybody want to enlighten me on basic dog body language? I am a beginner and really would love the insight. Kind of vague I know but I want to do my best in raising our new dog and thought that there is a lot I'm probably missing as far as this goes. I have a lot to learn, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Ruger has the sweetest temperament so I'm not worried but with that I don't want to overlook something very basic that would help me be a better owner for him and us. As always your input is not wasted and much appreciated!
My Mastiff sits by something if he wants it, sits by the place we store his food if hungry, sits by door if he wants out, scratches if he want in.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Was there anything specific you were wondering about? There are a lot charts available online, some of them better than others.

Here are a few
k9behavior_wholebody.jpg 7.jpg f1974dc831bb2014075459f5437cd03a.png

If you're really interested, there's a book by Brenda Aloff called Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog. It has real photos of dogs rather than drawings.
https://smile.amazon.com/Canine-Bod...preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
Ruger is still young, so in the next 3-6 months I think you might start noticing a bit of a change in his demeanor regarding strangers. Your once, never hurt a fly pup, might be more willing to go head on with the creepy dude that eyeballs you a little too much. Just a heads up since you say this is your first mastiff. C C can be very territorial, and protective. But if you socialize him a lot, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. But I do think you will notice a huge difference in him soon. :)

We have been taking Logan to the park nearly everyday now that he has had his shots. It's a huge park. Lots of different people walking and playing. He sits and watches. I took him to the grocery store and let him watch all the people walking in and out. He does great with it... But already he is protective of his yard. He is starting to bark and growl at certain people that get to close, which I am pleased with...

So my advice is get him out and about socializing now, ( if you haven't already) cause in a few months it will probably be a lot more difficult....

And don't think something's wrong with him when he starts to be somewhat aloof with strangers, and perhaps even people he's seen a dozen times. It's just him maturing. A lot of people are quite shocked when their loveable puppy starts wanting to lunge and bark at people. It just means it's time to kick obedience training into high gear! So in all, I guess one body language that is easy to identify is the hackles up. To me that means "warning."


Oh and yes, they love using their big ol' paws to ask for everything. I think it's soo cute!

And what a nice picture :)
 

marke

Well-Known Member
i'm sure you can find lots of videos like the ones below ...... the bottom one where the cops dog bites the reporter , at 58 seconds he looks at the handler , when he looks back at the reporter he's thinking about biting the guy , not that it wasn't on his mind even before that ..... the handler got some story about the reporter leaning over the dog , the dog was going to bite that guy long before he leaned in , the dog obviously wasn't liking the guy from the get go ? if you can see the dogs anxiety , you can see more than the dogs handler ..........


 

Pastor Dave

Well-Known Member
Thanks, April. Our female black lab, Ebony, entered eternity at 8 years of age, and I often thought that I didn't pay enough attention to her. You know the old saying, "On our death bed, we never say, 'I should have spent more time at the office.'" Anyway, I really do appreciate our present doggies Coal and Chev. Coal is a bit more stand-offish....he prefers to be in the same room with us, but not "next to" us. Chev, on the other hand, is right beside me most of the time....an affection sponge. He almost seems "needy"--but then, who among us isn't needy. I pray you are having a great Memorial Day down there in Alabama; did I get that right? I should have, for you are a well-known member. Have a great week, all. Pictures: Ebony showing off her teeth, and yours truly with all the hair and Ebby.DSC06045.JPG me.jpg DSC06045.JPG
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
Hope your having a great day in Pennsylvania as well :) I'm in Louisiana, but Alabama is close enough ;)
Ebby is a beauty. And mastiffs love being w there people !
 

Pastor Dave

Well-Known Member
Hi, Louisiana Girl.....I'll bet it is hot and sticky down there in the land of rain, blue hair, and gators !!
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
It is ridiculously humid! Feels like a jungle, not that I've been to a jungle, but, could imagine this is what it feels like. And we have been been moving non stop for 48 hours. We are finally done, Thank God

Blue hair?? ;)
 

Pastor Dave

Well-Known Member
Actually, the rejected license plate motto for Florida was: "Blue hair in the rain." I remember the rejected license plate for Minnesota: "1 million lakes and 49 billion mosquitos". Anyway, yes, blue hair...I guess the older ladies ??
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
Actually, the rejected license plate motto for Florida was: "Blue hair in the rain." I remember the rejected license plate for Minnesota: "1 million lakes and 49 billion mosquitos". Anyway, yes, blue hair...I guess the older ladies ??

Funny, we have a strange trend here of the older ladies (50+) having different color hair like pink , green, blue, purple... etc.. It's strange. You see them from the back and u think its a teen or something, then they turn around and startle you. So yes, the old ladies have blue hair, only this time it's on purpose ;)