Seona90
Member
So, we just bought a English Mastiff recently. She has the most beautiful temperament inside around us, however we do have two cats. She has just turned two, so pretty young and still learning which we understand, appreciate and are working with. However she does have a tendency to chase them. If they're walking slow, by her she is fine, if they scarper she lunges ( 70 Kilos of lunge!).
We don't think she would hurt them, her nose has been pressed up against them, but we would like to stop the chase element. As she is so new, and we know little about her, the only motivator seems to pizza ( Yes- I know- a no no), she isn't eating her biscuits ( which were recommended by her previous owner) so is on chicken for now. She doesn't seem to have any other motivator for positive reinforcement. She doesn't chase balls, not interested in toys, and most treats she spits out- so she's a little hard to work with ( Although she is learning quick to "Leave").
We know very little about her, other than she lived with her mother and aunt, on biscuits and was "ok" with cats. We have been taking her out three-four times a day and she is incredibly nervous. She's been barked at by smaller dogs and jumps back away petrified. Walk over drains she jumps back terrified. She is lacking confidence out, but hasn't showed any aggression, so with this i've just been encouraging her to remain calm around strange noises.
It could be the settling in period, and new surroundings, but she seems very unfamiliar with the most basic things out door.
Is there any advise about how to reinforce good behaviour, boost a bit of confidence? She has so much potential but I know so little about her to know how to make her more comfortable. We've set up a routine for her which she seems to be enjoying
We don't think she would hurt them, her nose has been pressed up against them, but we would like to stop the chase element. As she is so new, and we know little about her, the only motivator seems to pizza ( Yes- I know- a no no), she isn't eating her biscuits ( which were recommended by her previous owner) so is on chicken for now. She doesn't seem to have any other motivator for positive reinforcement. She doesn't chase balls, not interested in toys, and most treats she spits out- so she's a little hard to work with ( Although she is learning quick to "Leave").
We know very little about her, other than she lived with her mother and aunt, on biscuits and was "ok" with cats. We have been taking her out three-four times a day and she is incredibly nervous. She's been barked at by smaller dogs and jumps back away petrified. Walk over drains she jumps back terrified. She is lacking confidence out, but hasn't showed any aggression, so with this i've just been encouraging her to remain calm around strange noises.
It could be the settling in period, and new surroundings, but she seems very unfamiliar with the most basic things out door.
Is there any advise about how to reinforce good behaviour, boost a bit of confidence? She has so much potential but I know so little about her to know how to make her more comfortable. We've set up a routine for her which she seems to be enjoying