1st TM coming home tomorrow

[Sengler]

I am bringing my first TM puppy home tomrrow eveinging. Anyone have any secrets that would help me out? Now that the time has gotten closer for my puppy to come home everyone is telling me how my house is going to be destroyed... hoping I'm not just in denial about that and they aren't worse than any other dog?

 

[Penelope's Mom]

Welcome, Sengler. I really don't know much about TM's, but I hope you'll post lots of puppy pics.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Hi Sengler!

Can you tell us more about yourself, and your dog experience, and where you're getting the pup from? It'll help us figure out how and what to tell you.

 

[Smart_Family]

Welcome!

 

[Sengler]

I have never had a mastiff but did have a Saint Bernard for 7 years. I have wanted a TM since the first time I saw one (almost 15 years ago) and finally found someone close enough for me to get one. I am getting her from Northstar's Tibetan Mastiff's in WI.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Ah, not a breeder I'm familier with, though that doesn't mean much, since I hardly know everyone. They list a litter due this past January, is this pup from that litter or did they have one of the rare spring litters?

When it comes to destruction I don't know that they're potentially worse than other giant breeds, any giant breed has the potential to destroy your house given a chance. The bigger issue is how stubborn they can be about being redirected. Are you prepared for a dog who is outright positive they know better than you?

 

[Sengler]

She is from the January litter.

I think I am as prepared as I will ever be. I'm pretty sure I have done more reading on TMs in the last 6 months than I have about anything else ever.

What about the agression towards other dogs and people? I would never say my Saint was agressive but she definetly kept her eye on anyone who came to the house, I know every dog is going to be diffent but some sites make it sound like TMs will attack anyone they haven't met before. We will also be walking the dog park often since she is still young will she get use to other dogs running around and trying to play or should I plan to keep her leashed all the time?

 

[ruthcatrin]

It depends on the dog. The hardest tempered TMs are outright stranger aggressive. But you don't see many of those in the USA, and since your breeder shows I can't imagine her dogs are that hard tempered.

Once she's out of the puppy stages the chances of her being outright FRIENDLY towards strange humans is small. But assuming you socialize her well she shouldn't be aggressive unless she percieves threat. Mind, they perceive threat differently than we do. You'll learn to read her signals. She won't give much, they're subtle dogs, but you'll learn to read her. And once she perceives threat she WILL deal with it.

With dogs it varies again, but off the home property MOST TMs are reasonably friendly with most dogs. Again however she will likely decide otherwise for reasons you don't perceive, and she WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. On the home property many TMs have same sex aggression problems, usually with other big dogs.

I don't recommend off leash dog parks for TMs. Some folks do ok with them, but its a risk. For the above listed reasons where she'll potentially decide she doens't like this dog, and when she's off leash your chances of stopping her are nill. For the reason that if the TM decides the dog park is theirs they WILL protect it. And for the reason that most TMs have horrid recall, and frankly an off leash dog-park isn't a place for a dog with horrid recall.

Now using a dog park as a training tool while the dog is ON leash, I have no problem with, but you do need to be extra wary of off leash dogs approaching.

 

[Gregory5]

Welcome! Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[Sengler]

Oh good!! I wasn't concerned until everyone else started questioning it... then secretly I got a bit worried but feel much better and am SO exicited to bring my new family member home tomorrow

 

[ELB81]

Welcome to the joys of being ignored lol they are a joy to have

 

[looby73]

Welcome!
We have 2 TM's....a 17 month old and a 5 month old, both boys, and am very much still learning.
We previously had an Akita who we never had any chewing problems with but the TM's are something else if you dont keep an eye on them!

Both my TM's are very different in temperament so far too. Our first, Zeus, has been pretty laid back right from the start. Never had a problem with strangers and was slightly 'over-friendly' for a TM. Our 2nd, Hades, however is a different kettle of fish. We haven't done anything different with him but fromt the offset he was not stranger friendly at all. We've been doing a lot of socializing with him and he is starting to get better in that he's not as snappy at strangers trying to touch him, but I doubt he'll ever be a fuss pot with anyone other than us.
Zeus seems to be going through a bit of a hormonal stage at the moment too. He's always been exceedingly giddy when he saw another dog, wanting to play. Now, more with other larger dogs, he's started barking at them. He is wagging his tail (which I know doesn't always mean they're happy) but I do think it's mainly all for show, that he's wanting to let them know he's there and wont stand any trouble.

As long as you've a good understanding of what you're letting yourself in for I'm sure you'll be fine. But, as Ruth has already said, they have a definite stubborn streak, think they know better and can be downright ignorant when it comes to recall. But they are great fun too!

Can't wait to see some photos

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Welcome from another TM nutcase. You have got soooo much fun ahead of you! :lolbangtable:

 

[Catia]

LOL I'm not sure if I should respond here or not--As my Tessa is awaiting DNA results to see if she is a TM mix.

I was not trying to adopt a TM, I adopted a rottie-retriever mix, & I have experience with rotties, danes, shepherds & various big mixes of the same.

However, I've never had any experience with an independent breed, let alone a TM, I am used to big velcro-people pleasing dogs.

My girl is super mellow, & her temperament was so strange for a puppy, I was sure there was something wrong with her.
Ended up here because another member saw a pic & suggested I learn about TM'd because she looks TM & acts like one too.

My pooch was born in January as well, & I adopted her at 11.5 weeks old.

She was like an old dog, not much puppy play or puppy enthusiasm, not much interest in toys, did not engage me for play until recently.
But--she has the patience of no dog I have ever experienced.
I mean she is so different, if she ends up not being TM, I'm gonna be at a total loss for what to think, because so far, everything the TM members have described is just like my girl.

Stubborn is an understatement. I've never had to redirect on the same issue so many times with any pooch, puppy or adult.
She is *not* stupid, far far from it, she knows every single thing I have taught her, but chooses to do other things.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the independent thinking aspect, this is the most difficult for me.
They also get bored-easily.

As far as destructive, well all large breeds are destructive when they are teething & jaw is settling, so I was prepared for that.
What is different for Tessa is that I have a hard time finding things she enjoys chewing, she gets bored even with things she likes & also this leads to her being destructive--it's different than just teething & chewing for the sake of chewing to relieve the pressure.
I have to keep an eye on her more than any pooch I've ever had due to the boredom factor.
She can not be trusted for a 2 minutes alone, in a baby gated room, so even if I have to pee, she's gotta come with me, & well, they have a habit of laying down & not wanting to get up-so it's frustrating if you gotta go pee & there's 50-60 pound of pup who doesn't want to move.

Outside of the house, she's a total angel, which is the polar opposite of how things worked with any other pooch I've had.

 

[ruthcatrin]

As far as destructive, well all large breeds are destructive when they are teething & jaw is settling, so I was prepared for that.
What is different for Tessa is that I have a hard time finding things she enjoys chewing, she gets bored even with things she likes & also this leads to her being destructive--it's different than just teething & chewing for the sake of chewing to relieve the pressure.
I have to keep an eye on her more than any pooch I've ever had due to the boredom factor.
She can not be trusted for a 2 minutes alone, in a baby gated room, so even if I have to pee, she's gotta come with me, & well, they have a habit of laying down & not wanting to get up-so it's frustrating if you gotta go pee & there's 50-60 pound of pup who doesn't want to move.

Catia, thats a good description for it, there are very few chews that will hold Apollo's attention for extended periods, even when he was teething. He'd get bored and move onto something else. Drove us nuts for a bit. And if she ends up not a TM, or maybe Pyr, mix I'm not going to know what to think either!

 

[Catia]

LOL Ruth--honest to god, only here does anyone understand what i describe when I'm talking about oddness & boredom factor.
If she winds up some regular common breed mix, I'm going to need my head examined, because Tessa beats to a different drum.

The toy/chew thing--even with bones. A bit like an ADD child--interest initially & just when you think it's ok to relax a minute, she's got her mouth on something else she's *not* supposed to have-
Funny thing is most times now Tessa snitches on herself!!!
-she can so quietly steal something off the counter-while I am right there-she KNOWS where my eyes are-she waits & calculates-but then she brings it to me LOL
So, fetch was a great thing to teach her!!!

And I *know* she knows every command I've taught her-because she listens perfectly outside of the house!!!

I got to see her be 'aloof' with a stranger last night-she's so open to most & loves pets from everyone--so i thought--but this guy, she just kept turning her back on him & moving away-just ignoring him-she didn't want to be bothered by him.
He kept trying to get her to engage--& I'm standing there thinking "dude-she's just not that into you" LOL