Dog got very aggressive, not sure how to handle?

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I love brindles. I would probably do more OB with her to let her know your in charge, IMO.

 

[seo]

Thanks so much for all the help. After reading everyone's responses I'm breathing a lot easier now! She's been a good girl since, and I am hoping she's going to adjust and calm it down a bit. I'm still on her, and will continue to be. She's too big not to be in control of, and that's irresponsible! Thank you all for saying she's pretty- she is a looker, isn't she? I've always loved fawn mastiffs more, but this brindle gal is starting to really grow on me! HA!

And funny thing- I ordered a new collar for her online and ordered an extra large. They screwed up and sent me an extra small. I took it out and grinned. Not even at birth would this had fit her! HA! Tea cup size all the way! Got a good chuckle out of that!

 

[Marrowshard]

You said in an earlier post you were getting her spayed ... not in the immediate future, I hope. Six months is awfully young to be spaying an EM. Others more experienced with the time frame might have more accurate numbers (we've always rescued, so they're already fixed).

~Marrow

 

[Augustus]

Hello, I am new to the site and this is my first posting. I have an 16 month old English Mastiff. He has been socialized since we got him at 8 weeks old. At 9 months he seem to suddenly flip out and get aggressive with the family. He snapped at my husband and I immediately had him evaluated by a vet and trainer. It seems as though he is going through a phase. Our once sweet and loving pup becomes aggressive at times and growls. I now see that he is fearful of things more and does not like his face touched..it scares him. We continue to work through the behavior issues and I keep a close eye on him (we have three boys in the house). He is still lovable but I know that he is easily scared so I am guarded. I hope this phase ends soon. We continue to walk him but I am careful and take precaution when children and strangers are around. I would appreciate any suggestions about fear phases as well from anyone on this site.

 

[seo]

Hi Augustus- no help here as I first posted this! HA! But, I wanted to say that's pretty scary and I'll be watching to see what other more experienced folks have to say about it. So it started at 9m and is still continuing at 16m? That's a long phase, and I'm sorry you're going through that! Are your boys younger or older? We had a few people over to dinner last night (my parents, which Creepy knows well) and my brother. She was not scared at all and very calm the entire evening. But, she snapped (not a hard snap, but enough to make my son cry) at my son and bit his head- when I say bit, there were no marks and I don't think she full made contact. Still though, VERY concerned. It's like 1 step forward and 3 back with this dog! Then she came to lay by me (I was sitting on the floor) and had her bone and barked at me aggressively, like she thought I was going to take her bone. I gave her a firm NO and then did take the bone until she calmed down and then gave it right back to her. I don't want her thinking she can have the upper hand and get aggressive towards me or anyone else. I'm not overly concerned about the "bite" because I really don't think it was a bite, but if she shows her teeth and I truly think she might bite my son, she's out. I will not have a dog who bites my child (or anyone else's) in the home. I'm anxious to hear if anyone has anything to say about this, and about your phase. With a dog this large and a 3 year old, I'm really concerned she'll do damage, and I cannot have that.

Welcome to the board by the way! I've found folks here have been MOST helpful!

 

[chuckorlando]

Yea that does seem like a long phase to me. I would think the dog should trust you by this point. But I wont go into issues I have not delt with. I will say I hope the folks here can offer some solid advice.

As far as the bite goes.... Would it be possible the pup was playing? All my dogs have tried to bite in the face as pups. All learnt a swift leason that the face is off limits always. That was the end of that. Pups bite, chew, growl, and play rough. Thats part of the fun. But they do need to learn how far is enough. But regardless of play or not, face biting aint gonna get it around here. I dont care how made my dog is, you aint biting my face. In fact, you aint biting me hard period. And I play very rough with my dogs. Thats a line the dog needs to know regardless.

 

[allsierra123]

From experience if they snap they will bite. she gave him a warning that time but if she feels it will take more she will give him more to get her point across. We had a male american bulldog that stated doing that with my son around 13 months or so. We eventually had to place him with another family. I just did not trust him anymore. But in my IMHO it sounds like she has a bit of an issue with kids.

 

[natsan6]

Seo & Augustus I think you should both get trainers in your homes to observe the behavior and help with advice...you both have kids in your homes and coming from someone with 6...if you want to keep your furry friends this is going to be necessary. All of us can give you advice on corrections and training advice but without actually observing the behavior in person it is difficult to call body language of the animal. It is normal for a pup to "play bite" (even toward the face) but this should have been nipped in the bud even younger than 6 mos IMHO. Augustus I don't think that is a phase it is to long of a period of time. There are thyroid panels your vet can do to see if that is the reason for the behavior. I really hope you both consider getting a trainer experienced in handling EMs and let them watch your families interact, they can tell you right away if it is an aggression issue or not. It really will make a world of difference and make you both feel better

 

[chuckorlando]

Agreed on all counts

 

[seo]

I'm at the point where I've had it and am looking for a trainer first thing Monday morning. If this isn't something that can be nipped, we need to look at other options for her. No, nipping, biting, what have you simply can't be tolerated by a dog that large around a small child (or anyone!) I think so far it's simply play, but we've been lucky and she's showing signs that need to be corrected asap! A trainer is my next step because I'd dearly love to keep her, she's so good when she's good, but when she's bad, she's too big not to be a threat. Any advice on how/where to find a trainer? Do I just google trainers or go through a petsmart or something? Any advice on how to find someone who can help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dpenning]

Where are you located?

 

[seo]

Indiana, specifically Indianapolis.

 

[natsan6]

Seo a few steps I would take to find a good trainer for your em would be to talk to a few EM breeders in your area. I am sure they would be able to direct you to someone. If you hit a blank there I would talk to your vet and call a few well trusted rescue organizations both of them should be able to help you with someone. I always google if you do however find one that way don't be shy about asking for references if they are a good trainer they should welcome you talking to a family they have helped. Good Luck don't give up and keep us posted your doing the right thing.

---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:50 PM ----------

- www.apdt.com

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

www.dogpro.org
International Association of Canine Professionals

Here are a few websites that could help get you started....but remember no matter where you get the contact from ask for references!

 

[natsan6]

- www.apdt.com

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

www.dogpro.org
International Association of Canine Professionals

Here are a few websites that could help get you started....but remember no matter where you get the contact from ask for references!

 

[LadyDogLover]

Augustus,

Are there children in your home?

---------- Post added at 06:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:32 PM ----------

Hi seo,

...not seeing my post where I apologized to you...I did a speed thru of your post and totally missed the part regarding
dog trying to bite you. I originally thought the dog may have been a Fila cross coming into temperament (ojeriza), but
then Fila's don't turn on their owner's...hence the quote "faithful as a Fila".

 

[LadyDogLover]

Hi seo,

...not seeing my post where I apologized to you...I did a speed thru of your post and totally missed the part regarding
dog trying to bite you. I originally thought the dog may have been a Fila cross coming into temperament (ojeriza), but
then Fila's don't turn on their owner's...hence the quote "faithful as a Fila".

 

[LadyDogLover]

Deleted by author...

 

[Cody]

I'm not overly concerned about the "bite" because I really don't think it was a bite, but if she shows her teeth and I truly think she might bite my son, she's out.

I would be VERY concerned about the bite on your child's head, regardless of whether or not it left a mark. The action is enough for me. This is a VERY serious issue and I highly suggest that if you intend on keeping the dog, she is leashed when in the house at ALL times. The very act of aggression for me against a child is intolerable. I have a 0 tolerance for that in my home. No dog is worth a child's life or a child being scarred or seriously injured, I know you feel the same. At times we excuse our dogs warning signs, but I believe that is what your dog did give you. Hopefully there is no next time, but that is a risk I do not think I would personally take.
However, if you do decide not to keep her, please let the rescue agency know EVERYTHING. Full disclosure id imperative.

 

[allsierra123]

thats how it went with us and our amderican bulldog he came from a rescue and the foster home had children. Im not sure if there were some bonding or abandanment issues but after about a month he had my son pinned to the floor warning him for waling to close. I was there to witness it it was scary to say the least. But you can never know for sure the histpry on a pup you got from someone or what will trigger it.

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

Seo: I didn't realize you live so close. I live about an hour south of the airport. I am not sure what area you are in but look up Sensible K9, they are very flexible in training styles and do home consultations. You can also contact the ABC college, they may be able to give some good references for the specific type of trainer you are interested in.