Newly Adopted Bullmastiff Barking to go out several times a night....

[NatalieRose]

Place isn't punishment....I use it all the time with Solo....watch the vid I posted and it will help with how to go about it. I separate place from crate....As far as size goes...you can be 3 feet tall....size doesn't matter to a dog...energy does.

I just meant I don't have a very deep voice. But I just need to show more authoritative energy with him I guess. I will work on the place command with him tonight and update.

Thank you again for the guidance.

 

[NatalieRose]

Any advice for when he barks when I leave the room?

I can't tell him No or place because I'm not there...

and going back to correct him seems like I'm letting him win because he barked because he didn't want to be alone.

 

[DennasMom]

What I saw in the video (I only watched the first minute or two), was a dog that may have been bored or uncertain (he seemed to be pacing a bit), and wanted to go outside... and when told "NO"... was, like "But... Ma???? I want to go outside!"... after the second "No", he did turn around and start to come back to you - at which point, I would have given him a "good boy" and also a "come here and lay down". Then, if he did as you asked, LOTS of praise.

He's new to your house, he's trying what used to work... and now it's not working... he needs guidance one what you WANT not just what you DON'T want. Having a crate and some beds around the house that you can point to and say "go lay down" is a great thing. I would also be giving lots of praise, pets and/or treats to let him know when he's doing something you LIKE. SO... if he's just laying there doing nothing, give him a calm "good boy" to let him now he's doing good by doing nothing. Basically random acts of kindness throughout the day to let him know he's home now, and he's in a good place. Even if the rules about barking and being outside have changed.

You have to teach him the new rules in a firm, but kind and generous manner. Just saying "NO" all the time will get very frustrating for BOTH of you (I think he recognized your "no" as you said it, your tone and energy seemed right on point, to me). Find something you can say "yes" to, and see if you can build on that.

I'd also make sure he is getting enough outside time and exercise. He might need more during his first few weeks or months with you, as he's getting to learn his new routines.

And... Kudos for taking in an older dog with medical problems!! He looks like a calm, sweet dog. I hope you have a many happy years together!

 

[DennasMom]

Any advice for when he barks when I leave the room?

I can't tell him No or place because I'm not there...

and going back to correct him seems like I'm letting him win because he barked because he didn't want to be alone.

I would probably say "No" from the other room, and then call him to come and be in the room with you. So, you're not going to him, you're telling him to come to you. If/When he does come to you, praise him for the come, then have him lay down in the room with you - and get more praise and/or a treat to keep him occupied for a few minutes.

If you can anticipate when the bark might be coming... head him off first! As you leave the room and you see him heading for the door... call him to come with you to the other room... and, of course, praise him for doing as asked. I'm big on praise and love for the little things (if you hadn't guessed).

 

[NatalieRose]

What I saw in the video (I only watched the first minute or two), was a dog that may have been bored or uncertain (he seemed to be pacing a bit), and wanted to go outside... and when told "NO"... was, like "But... Ma???? I want to go outside!"... after the second "No", he did turn around and start to come back to you - at which point, I would have given him a "good boy" and also a "come here and lay down". Then, if he did as you asked, LOTS of praise.

He's new to your house, he's trying what used to work... and now it's not working... he needs guidance one what you WANT not just what you DON'T want. Having a crate and some beds around the house that you can point to and say "go lay down" is a great thing. I would also be giving lots of praise, pets and/or treats to let him know when he's doing something you LIKE. SO... if he's just laying there doing nothing, give him a calm "good boy" to let him now he's doing good by doing nothing. Basically random acts of kindness throughout the day to let him know he's home now, and he's in a good place. Even if the rules about barking and being outside have changed.

You have to teach him the new rules in a firm, but kind and generous manner. Just saying "NO" all the time will get very frustrating for BOTH of you (I think he recognized your "no" as you said it, your tone and energy seemed right on point, to me). Find something you can say "yes" to, and see if you can build on that.

I'd also make sure he is getting enough outside time and exercise. He might need more during his first few weeks or months with you, as he's getting to learn his new routines.

And... Kudos for taking in an older dog with medical problems!! He looks like a calm, sweet dog. I hope you have a many happy years together!

Thank you! I'll keep working with him this is new for both of us. I actually made arrangements with a trainer to help too. she wants to wait til after his vet visit Friday to make sure he's not in any pain ect to ensure his behavior is all by choice not medically caused. So next week we'll start sessions with a trainer. Then in July he's signed up for a group obedience class.

He's an amazing dog. His age and condition didn't bother me at all. I didn't have time for a puppy and the medical condition is manageable.

Also this sounds corny- But I think the universe set it up. The day my work took a tour of the local humane society he was there - had been dropped off earlier that day. It was also free senior adoption weekend- so he was also free to adopt. Sometimes things line up

 

[karennj]

I didn't read the other comments but here are my observations.

1. Was your house really warm or was he just running around before the video? I ask because he is panting the whole time and panting out of context can be a sign of stress. If he is stressed you need to get him calmed down a bit before you start getting too firm with him.

2. You say "no" a lot but don't give him much guidance. Remember, he does not speak English. You can say "no barking" 1000 times but if he does not know what no barking means then its all just gibberish. No is a very vague word. He has to understand what exactly you are saying no to in order to comply. You need to teach him a quiet command first and use that to shut him off when he barks. Much better to teach the behavior you want instead of just saying no or giving corrections.

3. You give a lot of correction but not much praise. Every time he is standing at the door not barking you should be praising the quiet. When he re-directs to focus on you, praise him. It is kind of like kids, catch them being good and make a big deal about it. Eventually they figure out on their own to offer the good behavior.

4. Competing behaviors are your friend. If a dog is doing something you don't like, offer a competing behavior. So when he goes to the door to bark. Instead of waiting for him to bark and saying no, give him something else to do like a come, watch, touch, place, etc. Head him off before he gets the chance to bark. Standing at the door is a habit. You need to teach him a new habit for attention or to go out. If your not around then block the front door or somehow limit his access to that space. Every time he can stand at the door and bark he is reinforcing that bad habit.

 

[babyjoemurphy]

Wtg for bringing this boy home. Awesome on you!

I am a 2x mastiff adopter. My first was near 3 and spoiled rotten. It takes a bit of time for both of you to adjust that's for sure. He is not to sure on what the heck is happening/rules/people and new surroundings.
Excersize is key. Not going out by himself to chase leaves or squirels but excersize with you for body and brain. A bored dog is like having an unruly 2 yr old.
I didn't watch the video because just reading the posts gave me an idea. I had trainers come in with Murphy and it simply came down to me not doing it right.
Positive reinforment is so very important especially with mastiffs. They seem to respond better. Less words is better use body language when possible.
With my boy now NO doesn't always work. If he has his mind set on something all bets are off so I trained him to "stop" when I say stop he freezes in place and looks at me for direction. I have only had to use it a few times thank god.
Make sure that he really doesn't have to go to the bathroom. It's a stressful time for him and stress does do strange things to ours and their bodies.
I have taken a little piece of the help offered here and used it with both dogs. Everyone on this forum are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Heaven sent if you ask me.

And most important is be calm. You can be assertive and calm at the same time. Mastiffs truly feel your emotions more so then any other breed I have ever had or met. If your frustrated they will feel it. Breath and relax.

Nothing is better then life with these guys

Good luck!

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[NatalieRose]

Thank you guys for the input.

He is doing pretty well overall I think. I walked him last night before bed but not as long as the day before...and we went to bed at 11. At 12 he woke me up to go out. I took him out and he peed then ran back to the door. Well an hour later he barked again ....I corrected him sent him to his bed and he did but seemed reluctant...well a little later I woke up to a mastiff in my face (so no bark which was good) and then he trotted over to the door and looked at me like "mom i tried to go to bed..but seriously!" So I took him into the back yard and he immediately went #2. Woops- Guess I should have kept him out longer the first time.

He has never gone #2 while on a leash- He will only seem to do it in the yard.

I'm also having a hard time timing it out with walks. If he eats dinner at 6 he still doesn't have to go #2 by his last walk around 10pm. Any suggestions here? I'm thinking of feeding later so he'll hold it for morning walk?

He barks whenever I leave too- but only 3-5 times. I bought him a few puzzle toys online that will arrive tomorrow. I think keeping him busy when I go may help.

He also has his dinner/ water in his crate. And I had an old auto cat feeder that rotates through 6 little compartments for small meals. Well I put 1 of those tiny training treats in each compartment and set it to rotate every 2 hours. It's in his crate today. I'm hoping he'll desire to stay in his crate if he associates it with a treat every so often through the day.

 

[season]

Just keep to whatever routine you set. I feed Solo once a day at around 4-5. He's a year and a half old but I can predict his poops by the clock. I take him out in the morning...poop and pee. I get home at noon.....poop and pee....after school (summer time off) feed him and by six or 7 he poops again. That's the routine, and that's what you'll start to figure out once you establish that. I don't take Solo out on walks so he can poop and pee. Walks are for walks. I wouldn't get those two things mixed up if I were you. Structure and routine are key and even more so in your situation.

 

[NatalieRose]

Just keep to whatever routine you set. I feed Solo once a day at around 4-5. He's a year and a half old but I can predict his poops by the clock. I take him out in the morning...poop and pee. I get home at noon.....poop and pee....after school (summer time off) feed him and by six or 7 he poops again. That's the routine, and that's what you'll start to figure out once you establish that. I don't take Solo out on walks so he can poop and pee. Walks are for walks. I wouldn't get those two things mixed up if I were you. Structure and routine are key and even more so in your situation.

I considered switching to single feedings- Do you have a reason for 1 vs 2 daily feedings?

Ya I very much like the idea of his walks being for exercise and going out in the yard being for potty. I just don't want him to mix up yard to go potty with play time.

Right now Major eats at 630 am and 630pm 2 cups per meal. He also gets his medicine at those times as well.

Does it seems like if he eats at 630 he should poop by 10pm? I'm used to our cairn terrier who poops like 1 hour after she eats lol I didn't consider how much slower Major's metabolism would be than a little terrier.

 

[maryl]

Most large/giant breed owners feed twice a day to help protect their dogs from bloat. Also no strenuous exercise 1 hr. before and 1 hr. after feeding and let him have a drink after eating but don't let him drain the bowl.

 

[karennj]

I feed my one dog 2x a day (8am and 8pm) and my dane 3x a day (8am, 4pm ish, bedtime). I personally would hate to eat only one time a day so I cannot do that to my dog. Also, I have big dogs so for the amount of food I have to feed, if I did it all at one time that is a lot of food sitting in the stomach. Also, some dogs get empty stomach puke (my swissy does). If she does not eat 12hrs apart she throws up. A bloat study found a good portion of bloat cases occurred overnight on a empty stomach so I try to feed a later feeding. Bear gets his last feeding pretty late (11:30pm). I give him a bowl of food when he goes into his crate so he really looks forward to crate time.

 

[babyjoemurphy]

Linc gets fed 2x a day. He would chase me and lick me all night if he didn't eat twice. Yes that's what he does if I'm late on dinner......he licks the heck out of my arms.
Linc is an odd one. He eats at around 630-7pm but doesn't poop till after he eats half his breakfast at 730-8 am. He will eat half go poo then finish eating.
We lost a dog to bloat and he eat 2 times a day. Everything we do is to just try and help prevent it. Nothing is 100%
Trial and error will be you and him for a bit. Just remember he is learning right along with you

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[NatalieRose]

Again- Awesome advice thank you guys.

I'm thinking I may have to move his dinner to later. I can work on it as I crate train him. Feed him dinner around 8 when I'd like to go up to bed so then he's crated and then he can hopefully wait til morning to poop instead of at 2 am.

 

[karennj]

mine eat after 8pm and poop in the morning. A good walk in the evening should move anything else on it's way out before bed.

 

[NatalieRose]

I have kind of a dumb follow up.....

When it comes to potty schedule how much can I enforce before he's crate trained?

Right now he's not in the crate overnight I'm still working with him on staying in there longer and getting comfortable

So he's not confined so there isn't that added "will hold it because he doesn't want to potty where hes confined"

So for now if he has to potty during the night and barks once he's quiet do I take him out? or...

Does that make sense?

Right now what I've been doing is :

AM:

530 am -20 min walk for exercise/ stimulation then lose in the yard til he poops
7 am - Give him breakfast as I'm leaving for work

I also put the treat timer in the crate so every couple hours he gets a treat in the crate....

Then he's loose in a living room/ spare room until I'm home at 6pm

6pm - 20 min walk and then lose in the yard to poop / play for a while
830 pm- Dinner
930- Back in the yard for last potty break before I go to bed

So that's the current plan...like I said he's not ready to be in a crate overnight yet so if he wakes me up at ...3am (like last night) to go out and poo what I can really do about that? Seems like I can't enforce that holding it during the night schedule until he's ready to stay in the crate

Also- I have a papasan chair he normally sleeps on. Turns out it's like aperfect mastiff bed....but I know that the crate should be his main option for a comfy place to sleep so he WANTS to go there....but it's only his 3rd day here I don't want to stress him or change too much too soon.

 

[karennj]

so while your at work he is loose and does not have accidents? Is he going 11hrs during the day alone?

 

[NatalieRose]

so while your at work he is loose and does not have accidents? Is he going 11hrs during the day alone?

Yes right now he is not in a crate - but confined to a large living room and a spare room.

No accidents. My Brother leaves at 830 so he is alone from 830am-6pm.

 

[season]

Sounds like a good routine...at the end of the day, you have to do what works for you and your schedule. If he can be trusted while you're gone then no real reason to crate.

As far as the feeding question you asked. I fed Solo twice a day until he was a year old and then switched to once a day.

 

[season]

There will be some people who may chime in and say it's mean to leave the dog alone for 10 hrs. Some people have the luxury of staying at home all day etc....I'll tell you this, if it helps. I've seen people who have dogs, who don't work or barely work and don't regularly exercise their dogs or meet the dog's needs other than feeding it. To me that's worse than any amount of time you may need to be away for work.