My 7 month old mastiff puppy still isn't protective! Problem or not?

[Ben McBrizzle]

I don't want my mastiff to be aggressive, but he isn't protective of the family, it seems at all. He's always welcoming every stranger and wants to be their friend. While I like that he is friendly, I'm wondering if I've trained him too much and now he seems to be denying what I thought was instinctive. Help???

 

[moose]

I would not worry, mastiff puppies go through behavioral stages plus they mature super slow. You will see your pups true colors as he starts coming into his own right around that one in a half two years. Keep his training up and keep socializing him, its very important to have that control and confidence when he does hit that 2 year mark.

 

[chris410]

He's still a puppy so no worries. Also, dogs know when it is time to protect and when it's ok to accept someone. Sounds like he is well socialized which is very good. If he senses you are worried or body language suggests something your dog does not like he will respond accordingly. I used to think my male rott would not ever protect me or my family (when I say protect I mean warning bark/growl...not jump into harm's way) I realized quickly is protective when a stranger came near my house once...out of the blue he stood in front of me and had his eyes locked on the stranger and let out a long growl...needless to say the person QUICKLY left my property. It took me off guard but also showed me that dogs know when to protect and when things are ok.

 

[Ben McBrizzle]

Thanks...this was helpful

 

[Cody]

I have to agree with Moose and Chris. Mastiff breeds take a while to mature.
The other factor is they are an intelligent dog, supposed to be able to distinguish a "true threat", from every day events. Your dog can be friendly with strangers as a pup, I would encourage that personally. As Moose said, the more you socialize and build up the dogs confidence, the better adjusted adult dog you will have.

 

[Ben McBrizzle]

Cool. He's pretty sociable and I guess that'll work to our advantage as he matures.

 

[morrigan05]

i think it differs per dog/puppy. my 5 month old mastiff is very friendly but not protective yet. my 6 1/2 old mastiff is friendly towards people she knows. to people she doesnt know, she is protective of me. she barks at them.

 

[Ralo]

In the same boat with my 7 month old Cane Corso

 

[Ben McBrizzle]

At almost 9 months, his protective nature has arrived. When people walk by the house close towards the stairs, He barks and runs to the gate standing tall.

 

[Fixer]

I have often told people about my super sweet Djouli's hoodlum meter. if a shady character comes anywhere near the yard, she has a very different bark than her usual announcing bark when the neighbors walking their dogs go by. skunks count in the hoodlum meter, fortunately she only got a small squirt on the side of her face once when she was paws up on the fence looking over.

 

[BradA1878]

The best (and most serious) guardians we've owned started guarding later in age, like 1.5 - 2 years old.

I've had guardians that "guard" at as early as 8 weeks old but grow into fearful nut cases.

I've also seen CO puppies guard (the whelping box) as early as 4 weeks but they will usually stop guarding around 7 weeks and not guard again until 1-2 years... Those pups usually turn out to be the most hectic, confident, and serious guardians I've ever met.

Luytiy is the most successful and predictable guard we own and he didn't start guarding our yard till he was over 2 years old - and he is a VERY serious dog now.

Point is, I think it's best when they mature slowly into a guardian role (gives more time for socialization, which helps build better judgment). In a perfect world, they'd all wait until social maturity to guard (tho with some mastiffs that would be a looooooooooong wait! lol).

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[Lorri monster]

i ahve to agree with the others.. my 3 .5 year ole english, Cash is very friendly and welcoming to pretty much anyone, Bella on the other hand the Cane Corso, not so much.. Cash is very protective over me more than anyone in the family, not in an aggressive way, but if i make a loud noice or wrestle with my son, he will get inbetween us and push my son away from me.. Also the size and the bark of my babies, i don't think any stranger would willing just walk into our home .. give it time

 

[mindyandy420]

My pup Tank is now 3.5 months old. He does not show any signs of guarding yet. Hes still very young. He does let out a bark when my son comes into the house at night.

 

[first english]

Our EM Gus is just over 10 months old he is a big lovable 170 pound baby that wants to say hello to everyone. The other day a Fed X truck came by the house with two guys in the truck my wife said it was the first time that she had seen Gus acting in a protective manner not being overly aggressive but enough for the guys in the truck to think twice about coming to the front door without asking are you sure that dog is friendly. Gus is still a baby in a great big body but I do feel that the closer he gets to a year in age the more protective he is becoming