advice on my rescue mastiff

[mike357]

hi all. about 3 months ago i rescued a year and a half old mastiff that came from a place where the people were mean to her, she had never been inside, never been shown any love. needless to say she hasn't been the biggest fan of people, but she has really came along way with me and my brother. when we first brought her home i had my doubts, it took some getting used to for her. but since then she has really grown to trust us and has really become one of the best dogs and family members that i have ever had. she really seems comfortable around us now and trusts us. she has come so far but there are a few issues i am having. first off, she doesn't like anybody but my brother and i, and she refuses to be on a leash in any way. i understand her not liking people and she has probably had bad experiences with leashes in her past, but i would really like to take her to my vet. we adopted a puppy from the same place at the same time and the pup is fine (too young to remember her rough start i guess) and has been to the vet several times. my vet told me to keep their ears clean or they are prone to ear mites. i believe she has ear mites already. constantly scratching them, and an odor. what would you suggest i do. my vet makes house calls, but i don't want to corner my 225lb. dog. i don't think she would bite, but i don't want that on my conscience. anybody delt with a dog that they couldn't get to the vet? she will absolutley not let me clean her ears myself either. she is not having anybody clean her ears. is there something i can just squirt in her ears for cleaning and be done with it?
basically, i have a big, anti social dog, that does not like anybody but my household, that i need to get to the vet without biting someone, and she won't do the leash thing. should i just man up and throw her in the jeep and make her go? i don't wanna set her back with our trust. do i get a home visit from vet and hope all goes well? (i vaguely mentioned it to my vet, and she acted like i just need to get her there) but easier said than done. that is my first issue. second, what can i do to slowly get her to walk on a leash. is there steps i can take to make her more social? she is just starting to warm up to my mom who always brings her treats. she is a great dog and we have years to look forward to, but i would like to help her be a bit more social, at least to the point i can take her to my vet. i know she is never going to like when strangers come to the house, or be a dog that is going to like to be around a lot of people, which is cool with me. it's just us here. but i would like to be able to clean her ears and take her to get the veterinary attention she deserves without someone gettin chomped. this is not near all the ?'s i have, but are the most pressing. any experiences with big mastiffs that havnt had the best start in life would be appreciated. these are just a couple things i need help with. these are my first mastiffs, and i couldnt be happier, they are so sweet. just had a rough start to life and trying to get on track. if you have any advice, of any kind, about my babies please respond. thanks.

cookie

 

[mike357]

im sorry that was a long rambaling thread. i have more ?s than i can get out, sorry.

 

[AKBull]

She's a beautiful looking dog and good on you for taking a chance with her. Needless to say, you're going to have your hands full for quite some time.

The only treatment I'm aware of for treating ear issues is a liquid that comes out of a dropper. But you're going to need to work it. And she's not going to be very happy with you squirting it in there. Best advice is to do it outside or some place you don't mind getting funked up.

For leash, put it on her and let her drag it around. Keep an eye on her though.

If you can get the vet to visit, you could always muzzle the dog.

With a dog this big and anti social, you might need to call a trainer.

Good luck!

 

[Marrowshard]

I'm in agreement with AKBull. We've got a rescued EM now and had a BM rescue.
There is stuff that you can dribble into their ears that loosens up wax and debris, but you still have to clean it out with a cotton ball or a lot of q-tips. The idea is that once it's all loosened, the dog shakes their head and gunk flies out. Even then, there will be clumps to dig out. The odor you're smelling is probably a yeast infection. Our BM had chronic ear infections with both yeast and staph and they could smell pretty bad. It took a solid schedule of twice-weekly cleanings and antibiotics to set her straight.
I would say the dog definitely needs to get to vet. If not for the ears, then definitely to get on a vaccine schedule and to check for heartworm, dental health, etc. They do make lightweight cloth web muzzles that are good for "just in case", although on a fearful dog that might exacerbate things.
I may have missed it, but I don't think you mentioned what your dog DOES do when faced with a leash. Bites it? Runs off? Fights? Lays down and won't move? A fearful dog that WONT take a leash and WONT let you administer medical treatment is a liability.
I've never seen a vet office that DIDN'T stock tasty treats to help reinforce a positive experience for its "patients", and they should be very accumstomed to handling dogs that don't really want to be there, but i also very much doubt they'd appreciate a 200+ lb. animal that can't be controlled. Treats + praise will work wonders, but AKBull is right you have a long road ahead.

~Marrow

 

[mike357]

thanks alot guys. i think with some more work and patience i can get there. she's a great dog.

 

[stephanieb]

Yes, you have a long road ahead of you, but.... 3 months isn't really a long time. That she now trusts yourself and your brother and is getting there with your mother is definately progress in my mind. The vet is a necessity and I can't help there, but it sounds like you are doing a great job with her. Hang in!

 

[Cody]

I would like to second the question about her reaction to the leash.
What does she do when on it?
I have had an extremely skittish Corso, it is hard work and demands a huge amount of patience and dedication.
Mine had plenty of physical issues as well so was forced to spend time at the vet, like it or not.
I suggest getting a trainer with experience in fearful dogs and starting one on one training with her.
Working on building confidence.
The worst thing you can do is pander to their fear and pity them, you need to ignore it and correct it. Don't worry about her past life, it is over and she will be fine.

 

[mike357]

well she basically heads for the hills when i have the leash. if i am close to her and bring it out she will just make a break fo it. i put the leash on her and let her drag it around. that doean't seem to be too bad on her. and i have been working with her and her ears. last nite i was able to clean her ears pretty good. i know i have to get her to the vet. she will almost follow me better without the leash, but i hate to try to take her without one. i made a vet appntmt for a week out, if she wont go i will just make her. i want to be responsiblein taking care of her and i am afraid she is just going to have to deal with it.

---------- Post added at 03:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 AM ----------

i can get her to go to the back of the jeep from my house and i can get a leash on her from the jeep so i may just have to put it on her weather she likes it or not

 

[mike357]

i can get her to go to the back of the jeep from my house and i can get a leash on her from the jeep so i may just have to put it on her weather she likes it or not