Talk to me about ojeriza...

[vrod]

My girl seems to have it as strangers elicit growls and hackles; however, exactly two people who do not live here are granted happy access--my mother and my grown son. Could that be the OEM side of her? Back story, husband inadvertently adopted a Fila/OEM cross from the pound. Best mistake ever.

 

[angelbears]

How often are your mother and son around? Cane accepts our son even though he doesn't live here and didn't when we brought Cane home at 9 weeks. My son was at the house when we brought Cane home and visited a couple times a week for the first month or so. Daniel can come and go as he pleases. No-one else can.

 

[vrod]

My mom is over once a week and on holidays. My son was still living at home when we brought her home.

 

[Hector]

What are your concerns?

 

[vrod]

None really. I just found the exception for those two curious and intriguing and thought real Fila people might have more insight. I am so hooked on this breed.

 

[Hector]

Oh - well from my observations - not that I have a really good fila - is that they have excellent memory. Hector accepts my bf's side of the family that he has met when he was a puppy. He has no negative feelings towards kids (this includes new kids - maybe because they are more his height?). I have seen him accept new people too, but he is much more cautious of them, but nothing like I'm going to maul you type of deal. However, I would never trust a fila free roaming with guests in the house. I can't trust the dog nor can I trust the humans. I usually have the dog leashed until he is comfortable and then let him roam under supervision. If neither of us (me or bf) can watch him, then he is crated.

If we are on our walks - no one can touch him - no one. He won't have any of that. If we go through the drive thrus - you better not stare at him and give him the "oh you're so cute" nonsense. If anyone is close to the car and we are in the car, he will growl and bark.

I don't know if you've seen this, but here is a great article on ojeriza that was posted on this forum:

http://www.sombraultrajantefilas.com/documents/dowdyarticle.pdf

 

[vrod]

Our girl behaves like group one. We've, simply, quit having guests. It's not worth the stress on us or Kass. I'm don't like having guests anyway; so, it gives me an excuse.

 

[vrod]

Our girl behaves like group one. We've, simply, quit having guests. It's not worth the stress on us or Kass. I'm don't like having guests anyway; so, it gives me an excuse.

 

[broccolini]

If we are on our walks - no one can touch him - no one. He won't have any of that. If we go through the drive thrus - you better not stare at him and give him the "oh you're so cute" nonsense. If anyone is close to the car and we are in the car, he will growl and bark.

I think Athena has ojeriza.

 

[Hector]

I think Athena has ojeriza.

My old female mutt has more ojeriza than anything I've seen in real life.

 

[Sunduri]

Do Filas need alot of exercise? I take my Boerboel to daycare and walk him daily, where we cross paths with people and other dogs. If I couldn't walk my dog or take him to daycare, he'd chew up everything in the house. I'm wondering how Fila owners provide their dogs with enough exercise and mental stimulation, given the dog's propensity toward ojeriza. Do you all just spend alot of time in the back yard playing with the dogs?

 

[angelbears]

Couch potatoes here. Mine get very little exercise. I found most dogs adjust to your level of activity. However, I am home with them so they don't get a chance to chew up anything in the house.

 

[haroldo_psf]

We made sure to socialize Otis since he was a little puppy, taking him literally everywhere (shopping, eating out, family gatherings, beach, hiking, etc). This morning we just took him for a walk to Starbucks, sat outside (far away from anyone our any dog). We take him for long hikes (6 miles) once a week where there is a lake where he swims, and he gets walked twice a day around our house. Anytime there is a family get together with three people he knows, we take him too.

 

[haroldo_psf]

I forgot, we also take him wine tasting when we go to Mendocino our Napa valley. When we go snowboarding in three winter we plan on taking him too

 

[haroldo_psf]

Last one . I don't mean to say it's easy... We are always watching out fort other dogs (hee is intolerant of any other dog other than a few he grew up with), and we have to make sure people don't approach him or us. He doesn't mind people around as long as they don't engage us. It's a lot of work on the beginning when you're not used to the ojeriza thing, but once you get used to it, it's worth it. He's worth it.

 

[Tosa]

My mastiff mix started showing her temperament with the first heat. She is great with dogs, and she will accept our guests, but after a good bark. And yes, no stranger can touch her and come closer than few meters. Of course, while taking private classes (as i was sure it was a problem with socialisation) i found out about ojeriza and thought - omg, that's exactly her!!

With months of training, we did manage to make her a bit easier on meeting new people but she just doesn't love making new friends and you can see it very clearly.

They told me she is Staff/Rott/Tosa/Presa mix, so no Fila as far as i know.

It made me feel a bit weird in the beginning, not being able to let my friends pet her. With time I got used to it and started to respect that part of her. I can now clearly understand why Filas are so special.

 

[angelbears]

It made me feel a bit weird in the beginning, not being able to let my friends pet her. With time I got used to it and started to respect that part of her. I can now clearly understand why Filas are so special.

^^^^
Well said!