Rescue Fila fear and anxiety aggression with other dogs

[amylcrill]

Good evening,

We very recently adopted a Fila/Brazilian Mastiff, Baracus, from a shelter West of Los Angeles. He's 2, about 120lbs, snores to the heavens and drools all over us. He's a handful but I've owned and come from a large dog background in the UK so we knew what to expect.

They didn't warn us about any behavioural problems however we've noticed that he doesn't get on very well with other dogs, he leaped and growled at two little ones in the morning. And stood his ground, and shivered at another this evening but then got used to him being a fair distance whilst we told him to sit and gave him treats. He's calm in the house, eats when he eats and drinks a tonne of water, no issues with me near his food whilst he's eating or treats. Wags his tail at the both of us and a handful of other people we know.

He's fairly good around people, has snapped at one without notice who he's been introduced to a few times, afterwards he was fine with him, but I understand he's been through a stressful month or two he was in the shelter (his previous owner surrendered him). And also protecting us and I imagine it's down to anxiety and fear due to the shivering.

Is there anything you can suggest that might help us? I have looked at various behaviourists here in California though can't seem to find anyone substantial other than a behaviourist who uses his own dogs to make other dogs feel more confident through introducing them to his pack of dogs and fear, though good reviews all around about him.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Worst comes to worst and if we can't help him, we would very much like to find him a home where he wouldn't be around other dogs and would just be around his family most of the time, BUT THIS IS LAST RESORT, as we REALLY would like to keep him here. We don't have a very social outside life, but it's making day to day activities like getting coffee very strenuous on both us and Baracus.

Thank you so much
Amy

 

[Hector]

Hello - you might want to look at the Good Dog Training & Rehab center in LA. Yes I believe he is in LA.

Safety first with a dog like this. Don't be afraid to use management tools like crates, gates, keeping him on leash, muzzles, etc. You have to start with basics. Build a solid foundation. Know how to socialize him to the outside world, people, dogs. Understand where punishment plays into training. A dog like this needs lots of structure, guidance, boundaries, and will always be a work in progress.

1. Tag wag does not equal happy/trusting. In fact with a dog like this, it can be the very opposite. Please re-evaluate your ability to read/train/handle a dog like this.

2. A scardey dog like him is trying to protect himself, not anyone else.

I truly think he was surrendered because of the owner's inability to handle a dog like him. A big, reactive, defensive, poorly socialized dog is very dangerous. Throw in some weak nerves, you truly have a time bomb on your hands that can do a lot of damage. One wrong move by someone can lead to a bite.

BUT it's not to say all hope is lost, but it will take a lot of work and understand he is a huge responsibility.

 

[marke]

being around other mature well adjusted dogs helps , I'm not sure how well it works when they're not with them , but I've gotten some pretty neurotic dogs and when I put them with mine it pretty much cured most all their problems ............

 

[7121548]

Hi! I also adopted a mastiff from a shelter in Los Angeles that was human and dog aggressive, completely untrained and unsocialized too. After he bit someone (and me also), I sent him to the Good Dog Training in Chatsworth for a 4 week board and train, and now his behavior is much more manageable. He's still not perfect, and he will never be able to have dog friends, but he's made vast improvements in his behavior and obedience. I would recommend the Good Dog Training to anyone having problems with aggressive or reactive dogs. After using two positive trainers that didn't really help much, I've found that balanced training was really the only thing that helped my big boy.

 

[DennasMom]

You said Fila??
Have you read up on the Fila temperament?

Can you find a Fila breeder in the area that might be able to give you a professional temperament test for the dog? A true Fila person hopefully would have some good resources for you locally, too.

I would work on personal bonding with the dog, and then teach a lot of control commands - "wait", "sit", "stay", "stop" and a rock-solid recall... as much as can be done with a Fila, anyway.
Then, I'd also work on making sure the dog was comfortable wearing a basket muzzle in all places.

Also realize he's still "in transition"... he's feeling out the new territory before he decides how to respond... he could very easily get MORE protective and anti-social as he determines the boundaries of his new property (you included). It can take a re-homed dog 6-24 months to settle in and reveal their true character in a new environment.

Make sure you are very consistent with the rules, and don't let him get away with "small" infractions, just to be nice.

Many Filas just don't want to leave their home territory; they're too protective and have a need to stay where they can guard their 'stuff'. So if taking him on a morning walk to the local coffee shop is a requirement, this might not be the right dog for you. If you're happy to have a big, protective lug of a dog home waiting for you - keeping an eye on things when you're gone - I bet he'd be happy to be your dog!

I'm not trying to scare you into giving up your dog... just want you to be prepared for anything that might come along.

 

[fila4me]

Great response!
Couldn't have said it better myself.

Please contact Carlos with Granada Filas, he is in Ca. He can help.

 

[fila4me]

I have had Filas forever, they are not dog "aggressive" per say, but they do not tolerate high strung dogs and lots of times dogs not in their family circle.

They hate strangers and the more comfortable he gets with you, the more his temp and protectiveness will show itself. They are in no way social butterflies. They would rather be at home or in the car.

No amount of training or socialization will change their genetics. Yes, you can and want to socialize enough so they are not raging lunatics and know the difference between friendly and not friendly strangers. Of course none of this means they need or will allow anyone to touch them.

I always tell others....my Filas have enough friends 2 and 4 legged and they don't want anymore