9 month old ddb doesn't like men

[Aronus]

I have a french mastiff that is 9 months old and is very stand offish towards men. I know how the breed is. I live out in the country on 5 acres and he doesn't ever see anything or anybody except for my wife and children. He is very good with children but as for men....different story. Any suggestions?

 

[Kujo]

Was he socialized with anyone outside of your family as a puppy?

Personally, if I lived in the country where there isn't any foot traffic, I would prefer my dog to be stand offish with most people. But that's just me...

And your pup will naturally be accepting of kids, they smell like puppies so your dog will instinctively accept and protect them. Those instincts do not extend to full grown men, that has to be taught through socializing.

 

[Aronus]

He has been around certain men at a younger age but not recently. Well he was but wouldn't let them touch him! I agree about being standoffish but don't want him aggressive.

 

[Kujo]

that picture is awesome!!!

The big question here is what are you after? Do you want him to be accepting of all men? Do you want him to be accepting of only men you approve? Or do you want a guard dog who will always question everyone who approaches your home that isn't family?

What he's doing now is purely instinctual, and is really spot on for the breed.

If you had socialized every day of his puppyhood and he met a large variety of people in a large variety of situations, chances are he would still be stand offish at first, but would warm up quickly with your approval of the guest. It sounds like he's not behaving aggressively, but cautiously of new men, if he ever shows aggressive behavior is when you should worry. But these guys aren't naturally aggressive, they are naturally defensive.

Is he standoffish at home as well as in public? Or just at home?

 

[Aronus]

Very good words..thank you! You are right ! I want a companion and a watch dog! How old is your mastiff? And how much does he weigh?

 

[DDSK]

My CC Zoey is very standoffish with men.
She loves Kids and likes women who arent too tall, but she is very wary of men she doesn't know.
She does good with my friends and my sons friends who she knows.
I love it it keeps strangers away.

 

[zbarry]

My DDB has always been standoffish with men as well. Now she is great with all of my friends and extended family. But it did take time. But I like her to be on her game with strangers.

 

[musicdeb]

Titan does not like men at all. Know your pups body language and know when he's going to react to a man. I know when Titan is going to lunge and take necessary steps to prevent the lunge. Keep the pup on leash while introducing the pup to a man. Tell the man, "No look, no touch, no talk" and let the pup approach him while on leash. Watch the pup's body language. If the pup starts to lunge, bring the pup back to you and turn the pup around from facing the man. Tell the pup to sit and look at you. Tell the pup, "it's ok." If you are afraid or the man becomes afraid, take a deep breath before talking to the pup. With shoulders back and with confidence, tell the pup it's ok. And do the exercise again. If the pup continues to lunge, crate the pup for the pup's safety.

 

[musicdeb]

I forgot to mention, the pup is in the fear stage and possibly has entered the teenage stage.

 

[zbarry]

So now I'm interested to know why its men that get these babies to react. I honestly thought it was just mine.

 

[Aronus]

Fear stage?? If mine sees his own shadow he barks and runs like the boggie man is after him!! Also if he hears a noise outside instead of going to see he comes and sits next to me!?

 

[cinnamon roll]

Men are bigger more intimidating than a woman or a child. Deeper voice etc

Or could be a history of some trauma that happened. Abused etc

So now I'm interested to know why its men that get these babies to react. I honestly thought it was just mine.

 

[Kujo]

Very good words..thank you! You are right ! I want a companion and a watch dog! How old is your mastiff? And how much does he weigh?

My boy is 16 months and 96 pounds. It's weird, he hasn't gained a pound in 6 months! *shrug*

We socialized like crazy when he was young, as a result, he loves everyone he meets in public. At home...if he has never met the person who is visiting, he will hold his ground and give very menacing growls and barks until either me or my bf comes up and "hugs" the visitor. Once he sees that we accept the visitor, he instantly is all tail wags and insisting on pets lol. Once he's met someone, he never forgets either, we've had friends come over that he met once as a puppy, and he'll charge the door, hair standing straight up, menacing growls, then once he smells them he remembers and is all tail wags and insisting on pets lol.

 

[musicdeb]

Like CR said, it could be history related or the size and deep voice of a man. Titan doesn't like any man that he doesn't know but he was hit by his last owner and never socialized or trained.

 

[CeeCee]

My 20 mos old EM doesn't usually like men either - they make him nervous, but if the man has a softer energy or has a disability, they don't make him nervous.

I continue to socialize him like crazy, have men ignore him (no look, no touch, no talking) while treating him. He's making slow progress, but he is making progress.