Please Do Not Berate Me.

[Winterspring]

Can you please post some pictures of him. Filas are very unique as you will find out. A fila loves its family it's owner and that's it, if you want it to TOLERATE your friends they have to be introduced as much as possible at a very young age.

Do not give hard correction and never let another person that is not part of your household handle it. The dog wouldn't appreciate it and its an accident waiting to happen soo i don't think hiring a trainer is a good idea. Even when socializing dont let other people touch the dog talk from a distance and gage your dogs reaction don't discourage and don't encourage let the dog absorb the interaction let him be the judge they are smart they are not stupid he will catch on soon enough

I will warn her not to handle Taurus, and I will post pictures as soon as I figure out what I'm doing on that score.

 

[Winterspring]

And yes, Cindy, he's my first dog. I picked a doozy, but I wouldn't trade him for anything.

 

[Winterspring]

 

[Hector]

4) Don't know if you encourage him to play more other than giving him different toys. If he likes using his nose, you can give him treats wrapped in a towel or treat toy. Use treats that are smelly. Or hide treats in different areas of your house and he will eventually seek them out (if he's a food hog).

It took about Hector a week before he was comfortable in our house. Once he was comfortable, the zoomies came out at the weirdest times. Best thing about it, he can entertain himself for a long time with the right toy (rubber squishable ball or mr piggy). When he wants you to play, you will know. He will constantly use his big nose and nudge you really hard (showing affection) with a toy in his mouth.

5) At this point, sounds like he is trainable as it sounds like he's only nipped and not actually attacked. The degree of his ojeriza will probably depend part from his genetics, part how much work you put in training/socializing him right off the bat since he is already 1 yrs old. You need to make sure people understand how to approach a dog. Works best if they don't act stupid and just ignore him. He's not going to allow any "strangers" to touch him. He has no reason to. His job is to protect his family. And going with what's already been mentioned, he will need a lot of socialization (exposure) not talking dog parks or petting parties either. They are just not that type of dog. I agree with a lot of the advice already stated.

Sounds like he is in good hands and they are truly a special breed.

 

[allsierra123]

I was once like you got Delilah as a much younger puppy. She is about the same age now. She has been hugely socialized since she was a baby. She has since snarled snapped and tried to bite lots of people. So socialization will probably never make him the kind of dog people can pet. Last month she attacked a guy from the power company that walked out my back door into her yard. So never let your guard down at times they seem very docile. they have been people she has no reaction to. or what appears to be no reaction. Could just be she is calm because they don't seem an immediate threat. Are they like a loaded gun in a way yes. Except he doesn't need you to pull the trigger he will do that on his own.

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[chuckorlando]

There more like a box of bullets in a fire. ahahahahahaha. You know theres 1000 rounds, you know any whee between 1 time and 1000 times they are going to go off, you dont know when or where this might happen.

Hell I'm low hanging fruit in the fila world. Most all these fine fila folk have more experience and time in the breed then me.

Looks like you got you a good old mongrel. ahahahaha. Do some reading i the fila threads and you will get that joke. ahahahha. No worries, most us have mongrels. ahahahaha

At this point I think your main worry will be his temp. It could be he's young and aint full on in his temp, could be he was never bonded to the other folks, or could be a bit softer temp wise. If he is the last one, a bit softer, that can be harder to handle then full on dislike. Simply because you may let your guard down. Oh he's so sweet, never hurt no one, I think he will be fine.... Then someone gets bit. To me, besides weak nerves, softer temp is the hard one to own. Hard dogs you already know. Softer dogs can fool us. Dont be fooled. Even a nice fila has a hard fila in there. Even if it only comes out one time

 

[musicdeb]

I have to say that once again the forum members totally rock! You guys helped a new member who thought she was in over head with a Fila and gave her valuable tips, suggestions, and warnings.

BRAVO to all of you! *clapping hands*

 

[angelbears]

Thank you Deb, I have seen you do the same with new rescues. So I'm sending the clap back atcha. LOL

 

[chuckorlando]

What she dont know, is the education only just started. The fun lessons begin when we all get in the same thread together. ahahahahahaha. Oh the joy's to be found in fila threads. Aint many subjects can go 200 pages and over 20k in views with under 15 folks posting. ahahahaha

 

[ruthcatrin]

View attachment 27026View attachment 27027

Handsome boy!

 

[angelbears]

So true Chuck!

The true education begins when you have that Oh Shit moment and we all have had them. Never believe that your dog is okay with someone other than the people it lives with. They may accept certain people outside of the family circle but one false move and your Fila could nail that person that has been allowed in your home numerous times.

How long have you had Taurus? If it hasn't been long your dog has not truly bonded with you yet. Once the bond is set I wouldn't be surprised to see the temperament harden even more. Also, at a year old and with his changing homes I doubt he has the confidence yet, to truly take charge, hence the nipping and not biting .

Taurus should be as soft as butter when it comes to those that he lives with. The exception maybe when you and your boyfriend argue. I have no experience with that. Hopefully, others will chime in.

 

[Al and Julie]

Hi just wanted to say welcome and that all these guys are great and have very good tips and knowledge.

 

[chuckorlando]

Far as I can tell, how the dog act's during a fight with mom and dad, is just depending on the dog. This is in one of the fila threads. This question was asked and most of us replied. It seemed it was just random. Only thing in common wa the dog aint gonna attack anyone I believe

 

[angelbears]

Far as I can tell, how the dog act's during a fight with mom and dad, is just depending on the dog. This is in one of the fila threads. This question was asked and most of us replied. It seemed it was just random. Only thing in common wa the dog aint gonna attack anyone I believe

I agree Chuck but I think I read where the pup has already nipped at the boyfriend. If I was the bf I would proceed with caution until I was 100% sure that dog had bonded with me also! LOL

 

[Winterspring]

I agree Chuck but I think I read where the pup has already nipped at the boyfriend. If I was the bf I would proceed with caution until I was 100% sure that dog had bonded with me also! LOL

That was when we first got him. Like, a day or two after. And Taurus was growling at the time. I told my boyfriend he was a dunce. You just don't pet a growling dog, never mind put your face next to its muzzle. You don't do that with any Mastiff, you don't do that with a Lhasa Apso. Hell, I don't even do that with my cats. Teeth are teeth.

And thank you, ruth! ^_^ We bought the king-size bed just to accommodate him so he could sleep with us! We're still dreaming of the day when we wake up with him and the three cats covering us in a layer of shedding madness. And we bought sheets that would compliment his coat. He looks quite dashing lounging across the comforter.

 

[chuckorlando]

Yea no doubt AB. I agree 100%. I mean more after the dog is bonded to them both. He wil have a person, but everyone is family. So how the dog will react in a find between family will vary depending on a dog. 130lb hanging off your face hurts no matter what breed does the bitting. ahahaha

 

[fila4me]

thanks Deb,back at ya!!

we are a crazy bunch,but, we love our breed and will do and help a newbie how ever we can.

your boy is gorgeous!!!!

 

[Winterspring]

your boy is gorgeous!!!!

Thank you so much! I'm so proud of him. He's such a beauty (in my eyes). He looks black, but he's this pretty dark sable color with this peppery look around his neck and shoulders. Though I am a bit envious of those of you with brindles. I adore brindle dogs. Still, he's my sweetie and when he looks at me with those big, yellow eyes, with one ear folded inside out, I can't help but turn to goo.

 

[raechiemay]

I have nothing to add other than you're in good hands. Your boy is very handsome. And I think most mastiff owners would agree, a lot of time is spent returning the ears to their "factory setting".

 

[angelbears]

I have nothing to add other than you're in good hands. Your boy is very handsome. And I think most mastiff owners would agree, a lot of time is spent returning the ears to their "factory setting".

:lolbangtable: