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Timid Shy 2 year old

BrookeTee

Member
Timid Shy 2 year old

I've had my English mastiff for about a year and a half now. We got her when she was 6 months old. She was playful at the breeder and very friendly, but when we brought her home she turned into a shy scared pup. We thought it was to do with her settling in with the other dog. When she is with just the family she is fine but as soon as someone comes to the house she runs the other way and hides.

She also hates going for walks and refuses to walk down the driveway unless my car is open and then she jumps straight in there refusing to get out unless we are back at home again.

Does anyone have any tips to help or been in a similar situation?
 

Smart_Family

Dog Food Guru
Re: Timid Shy 2 year old

Hi I don't have any advice but please only post one thread about a topic. Thanks! I hope you get some advice!
 

jcook

Well-Known Member
Re: Timid Shy 2 year old

I just want to clarify, has this shyness been going on for a year?
 

BrookeTee

Member
Re: Timid Shy 2 year old

Yeah it has we would take her out to socialise like you are meant too but she would poo herself if someone came up to her and she would hide under our legs. She isn't as bad but still very scared
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Re: Timid Shy 2 year old

It sounds like to me that she needs to go back to basics and there is fear.

In regards to the leash issues, have her wear the leash in the house to get used to it. Teach her to go out of the door by rewarding her when she's leaves the house. You go out first and stand outside the door. Ask her to come to you and treat her when she does it.

In regards to people entering the house. If you have a crate, put her into the crate when someone comes into the house. Do not make a big deal of the person entering the home. Tell them to ignore the pup completely. After a little bit, bring her out of the crate on a leash. Let her approach them and if she remains calm and does not urinate, reward her.

Let her know what behavior you WANT not the behavior you DO NOT WANT.

Mastiffs can be very stubborn. Consistency in training and LOTS of patience.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Re: Timid Shy 2 year old

Also - be sure you don't try and tell her "it's OK" when she's acting fearful... that will reinforce her fearful state and have the opposite effect of what you're after. When our puppy showed some shy/fear at things, I would have her back up a little and ask her to sit... then we would "go check it out" together. I didn't drag her to the object, but if I went to go check the item out and interact with it... she normally had to come see what I was doing. Once she did come with me to 'check it out' she'd get a 'good girl' to reinforce her exploratory behavior and give her some confidence. It will take some work and patience on your part, but once she figures out that hiding is not rewarded (just ignore it) and investigating does get rewarded, she'll come around.