Chicken Mastiff

[April J]

Hi Everyone!

I was hoping you could give some insight and pointers concerning some of our dogs behaviours...

Tigress is 5 months old and we have had her for almost 3 weeks now... she was still living with 4 of her brothers and sisters when we got her so she was very used to a puppy pack... she was already potty trained as she lived indoors with her family... (this was awesome!!! no potty training)

I love the temperment of English Mastiffs... she is wonderful and we love her. I understand that it was probably a shock for her to leave her family and that would effect some of her behaviours... Because of English Mastiffs general easy going manner, is it typical for them to dislike walks? She we will walk on leash, I do not pull her... the entire walk she walks with her tail between her legs???? I try to walk her everyday and think one day she will enjoy it??? She is very skiddish around strangers... also she poops every time we take her for a drive??? She is just a big lap dog and fits so great with our family but I want her to be a balanced dog... We have never owned a Mastiff... previously a German Shepherd mix and Cairn Terrier so this is doggie culture shock for us, as you can imagine!

Any ideas would be great!!!

 

[Barb]

I think Tigress may still be adapting to her new home. Have lots of patience with her. Don't force her into situations or going up to people. You could try giving visitors to your home a treat and letting Tigress go to them to take the treat.

 

[moose]

Yeah i agree she is prob still adapting. My EM puppy hemi was scared of everything when she was a pup didnt like to go far from home on walks, but she deff grew out of it and now she is very confident. Just have to remember that these guys mature very slowly, big babies. I would keep up with postive reinforcement and to gradually expose her to new things. I know with moose if he gets scared of something i go up to the object and pet it, sounds dumb but he comes up to it then and sees its no big deal. I also expose him to new things in the house, like ill flip the chair upside down, so that he will get use to seeing new things and that he can grow his confidence.