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Question On Ojeriza

Bobson

New Member
So here's the story. My brother and his wife (who live in a different state) just got a Fila puppy. I'm not sure on the exact age of the pup but I'm guessing about 8 weeks or so. They've had him less than a week now. I'm not a Fila owner, but I've done a bit of reading on Ojeriza specifically. From what I've read, Ojeriza develops/matures throughout the first year of life, but can start to be manifested as early as just a few months.

My question is, how often does a young puppy need to be around a person in order to know/accept that person - and how late in the dog's life can it be? I know that will vary a bit from pup to pup; I'm just hoping for a rough generalization based on the experience of members here.

My wife and I have two kids (a 4 year old and a 9 month old) and we know we're moving to a new state in a couple years (after I finish school), and we're seriously considering the state my brother lives in. If we do end up moving there, we'd like to be able to visit them (obviously) at various times, and it would suck pretty badly - for everyone - if one of their dogs (they have two older dogs we already know) had to be put in a crate every time we're around. It's not difficult to imagine that it might get to the point where we just don't visit because their dog goes "defense mode" every time we're in their home. As the pet owners, they wouldn't want that; as parents of young kids, we wouldn't want that... it would just be a lousy situation all around.

We were planning on visiting them in June next year, but now we're looking at trying to make it over Spring Break (March). If the pup is 8 weeks now, then he'll already be five months old in March...

Is there even a CHANCE that if we spend 2-3 days with them in March, and then visit again in the Summer, that their pup will accept us in the future after his Ojeriza is matured?

Obviously not an end-of-the-world sort of thing, but I really want to try and do what I can to preserve a friendly visiting atmosphere if at all possible.

Thanks a bunch.
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Here's a post from a Fila owner, ChuckOrlando, a forum member that perfectly sums is up for you regarding Filas. I have his permission to post this from 2012.



Fila's are one family dogs. The extent of who the dog see's as family will depend on who's around the dog. It's completely possible to introduce new people to the dog. But to be honest, I myself would'nt trust the dog after only 3wks. Your technicly a stranger to the dog. But I also have the belief that if a Fila has'nt found their family, they may be easier to get close to as they have no one or nothing to protect yet. No facts to support that just a little logic.

Lets start with your house. Your fila must be secure at all times. They can jump pretty damn high from a stand still, motivated to jump even worse, running start they could clear a 6ft fence. So your yard either needs a secure and tall fence, or the dogs never to be out without a restraint. They've been known to go through windows when motivated by a stranger in the yard. Keep in mind motivated means they seen a stranger. No provoking needed here because thats what these dogs are bread for. So keep that in mind with furniture placement and such. I dont think is a huge problem with most filas. But when it's a problem it's a huge one.

You need to be in control. The dogs needs to know your the boss. Call it what you want to, but you need to be the top dog. If not your in for even more issues when they get wound up. I suggest you make the dog work for food and such. Kona has to sit, I set down her food, then see must look at me untill I say good girl. They need constant training. If you want sit, you dont let up till the dog sit's. You say it you need to mean it. You give an inch they take a mile. You also can not be heavy handed with a fila. They are very sensitive animals and only hope to make you happy. Hitting the dog will truely hurt their feelings and can ruin the dogs temp. Not to say you cant give em a smack on the ass. But I can play with kona 10x as hard as I can spank her. It's all about the tone with her. If you dont want the dog in a room, dont ever let the dog in there. Or have what ever rules you have for the room, like only with you, but be like that all the time.

Far as new people.... Well it's possible. But it aint easy. If I was you I would start right now while everyone is new. Keep the dog on a leash. I like to use a leash to a thick collar and another to a harness with a handle. Hold the handle with one hand and keep the leash wrapped tight in the other. Muzzles would be good at this point to. Now you probly want to start introducing them in a park or something where no one else is around and the dogs not in their home. Do not let any one mess with the dog. Just ignore it. The dog aint there. Now repeat this till the dog seems use to them. You'll know typicly soon as they see them as the dog should turn on. Watch for very subtle tells. Head drops level to the body, all business look on their face, not looking away from the target. The tells are there.

Once the dog seems use to them, try going to the house and hanging in the yard. Same rules. Work up to being in the house. The problem is gonna be in the frequency of the visits. If that dogs gonna excpet them as family they need to be around ALOT.

Another huge issue is the dogs age. Your past the socialize, socialize, socialize stage. I would honestly make a practice of not taking the dog around people. Least not to you know where that temp is at. These dogs are light switch protective. If your stahding there all alone on a path and a person rounds the corner, BAM their on. This breed is no joke. I've said time and again they are very easy dogs to own if your realistic about what you have. THEY DONT LIKE STRANGERS AND YOU WILL NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER TRAIN A REAL FILA TO LIKE STRANGERS. Especialy an grown one. You can widen their family with alot of work. But again they need to be around alot. Random friends will never be cool.

I would also suggest you crate train the dog or train the dog to stay in one room with the door closed. That way when you have people over your able to remove the problem all together.

I would also say that when your introducing family, this aint a one day deal. It could take a very long time. And a ton of caution. Your really between a rock and a hard spot. You have a dog that you dont know yet. That works for and against you. It works for you cause everyone is new right now. I figure that would make it easier to introduce people. On the other hand you dont know the dog. You dont know the tells how hard or soft the temp is, if it fear bites sneak attacks, or goes full on bear.

I would proceed with alot of caution

I dont care what ya do with it. hahahaha. But honestly I would'nt suggest people try to introduce folks to their fila if they are just getting into one. I'm a firm believer it's possible. But not what I suggest to most. This just seems diffrent being they have only known the dog a few weeks.
 

aceoutdoor

Well-Known Member
It varies from dog to dog. Some dogs will bite you as young as 5 months and unless you move in permanently and acclimate yourself they will always despise you. Others after a proper introduction will trust the owners judgment and tolerate you in their home so long as you do nothing they see as a threat. Since kids are involved that changes things also.
 

Tubarao'smom

Well-Known Member
Yes depends on the dog. My mother was here for 3 months when my male was about 8 months old. She took care of him quite a bit. She left, went back to NY. Did not come back here until he was 18 months old and he wanted to maul her. So, for him he did not remember her and viewed her as a stranger and she spent a solid 8 months with him. I would venture to guess that most likely you would have to make frequent visits, as in at least once a week but again this will vary by dog.