3.5 months. Temperament seems to setting in hard and fast. Any tips.

[Hector]

Cane was never food motivated.

ice cream

 

[angelbears]

ice cream

LOL,, but he wouldn't perform for food. He might do it once on twice, then he would say Fu!

 

[Hector]

That's interesting, Leia is the least food motivated dog I've ever owned. I've tried a whole bunch of high value treats and while the best ones will get her to eat in the street (kibble, dog treats will be ignored even when placed in her mouth) they don't generate much excitement.




Basically looking for experience from others on how they taught their pup to distinguish threats from non threats. To take cues from you. I want to make sure that I can take Leia out on walks and that she will recognize when she needs to intimidate or defend and when she doesn't.

So far she is ok with being petted by strangers as long as I'm holding her or petting her myself. If I'm not actually touching her she'll try to avoid them and retreat to sit next to my leg.

Interesting. Well so far I've had people tell me that their dogs aren't food motivated or won't take food from strangers and so far they've all been wrong and I've always been able to work with them using food, but I'm not saying there aren't dogs that aren't food motivated. Choice of food, treat delivery, timing, environment all plays a role. If she doesn't seem interested in food, is she interested in praise?


Have you tried using a ration of her kibble to train basic obedience at home to build attention to you? So, what kinds of rewards do you use on her?

I think some dogs are naturally good at distinguishing threats. Some will react to everything because they are a bag of nerves. Some dogs have a temperament suited for protection work so you can actually train them to turn on or off. Some dogs can be trained through basic obedience and will learn from day to day such as told when to react (encouraged and praised by the owner), when to stop, etc, but it's all too young. I think the focus should be building a solid foundation of obedience and good listening skills.

Retreating from strangers and sitting by your leg is the dog's way of saying she is uncomfortable with the situation and is asking for your help, so start practicing on being an ass to anyone who wants to pet her because that's probably what will most likely happen. Honestly, I would not allow anyone to pet the dog. Having a non-reactive dog just sitting by my side when people walk by is plenty for me.

 

[Esand]

If she doesn't seem interested in food, is she interested in praise?

Yes, sort of, she reacts positively but there isn't much excitement. More of calm con tentment
Have you tried using a ration of her kibble to train basic obedience at home to build attention to you? So, what kinds of rewards do you use on her?[/quote]Yes, she won't eat it.

I think some dogs are naturally good at distinguishing threats. Some will react to everything because they are a bag of nerves. Some dogs have a temperament suited for protection work so you can actually train them to turn on or off. Some dogs can be trained through basic obedience and will learn from day to day such as told when to react (encouraged and praised by the owner), when to stop, etc, but it's all too young. I think the focus should be building a solid foundation of obedience and good listening skills.

I agree with about focusing on obedience.

Retreating from strangers and sitting by your leg is the dog's way of saying she is uncomfortable with the situation and is asking for your help,

The thing is she's gone from seeking affection from strangers (first month or so) to that avoiding and now (in about 3 days) to actually taking a few steps forward , turning her body 45 degrees or so and baring her teeth. So far a simple come or name call snaps her out of it.

I knew it was coming of course I'm just surprised how quickly it's coming on. Que to ramp up socialization

 

[Liz_M]

Fila have fascinated me since l met (from a distance!) several at a dog show, circa 1990. Pre-internet, so l bought Celia Kruel's book, somehow tracked down some breeder, even drove a couple hundred miles to meet a woman who ran a ranch, 100s of acres,and had three of them.

My take-away then was that these were really ranch or estate guardian dogs, and that a proper Fila could never be socialized into liking strangers (although with a lot of work they could be trained not to shred them, heh.) Since l have always been urban - suburban with somewhat of a social life (people coming and going) l decided this would be too much dog and liability. Some of my Rottweilers were hard enough, l applaud those of you who get Fila or other very serious dogs and do it right.

 

[angelbears]

Liz, they are wonderful dogs, as long as you understand them. I envy you, more than likely you saw what a real Fila is. Most Fila these days are nothing close to what we romanticize about. No matter what "club" you buy it from. Obedience training is the key, not getting them to let people pet them. That just creates a neurotic dog. Goes against their genetics. Would love to her more about your adventure.

 

[NYDDB]

I don't own a Fila, but believe it or not, there is one here in NYC that I run into every once in awhile...in fact, I saw her last week.

The owner rescued her and her brother from a horrid drug gang situation (the male did not survive), and since he has had many years of mastiff rescue (and has owned a Fila previously), he took her on.

Surprisingly, she has adapted (somewhat) to living in a city of over 8 million people. She is fine with other dogs, but there is a "bubble" around which you must stand before she shows signs of reacting. The owner told me that the only reason she was okay with us talking and standing so close together was because Mateo was between us.

Last week when I ran into them, we were on 46th Street, otherwise known as "Restaurant Row"- and a big tourist draw for overpriced eateries. People everywhere. We were chatting, Mateo was being an attention whore, rolling onto his back in the middle of the sidewalk...when a man walked behind the Fila owner and reached down and started to stroke his dog. Before his hand touched the fur, her owner whipped around and said, "Don't touch my dog- not friendly!"

I then noticed that she had a small banner attached to her leash that said, "DO NOT PET"- but it was hidden; many would miss it.

Also, a previous time we ran into each other, some kids were getting too close and she did react- letting lose some seious warning barks...then after he told their parents that she wasn't friendly and the kids walked away, she literally melted into the side of his leg, looking up at him...with ultimate devotion.
So...this Fila lives in a very crowded, social environment. She has adjusted. The owner is a calm, confident guy who understands her temperament, and appears to have things under control. But, who knows how stressed out the dog is, having to live in a very public environment.

I don't know if this is helpful at all--- maybe just showing a picture of a Fila who is able to be out and about around people...and who undoubtably has a milder "temp."

 

[Liz_M]

Liz, they are wonderful dogs, as long as you understand them. I envy you, more than likely you saw what a real Fila is. Most Fila these days are nothing close to what we romanticize about. No matter what "club" you buy it from. Obedience training is the key, not getting them to let people pet them. That just creates a neurotic dog. Goes against their genetics. Would love to her more about your adventure.

Long time ago so probably the Plum Creek show in Colorado, which eventually led me to the woman in Wyoming, with the ranch. She was great, and I was like WTF, I cannot even get near your dogs? Nope, I could not. Allrighty then. But I really respected that and was so intrigued!
More recently I know someone with an Ovcharka; she has a Llama ranch here in Michigan and this import bitch is serious a serious LGD apparently, and the owner is dog-cool...and the dog recquires a very formal introduction with anyone new. Again, I am impressed but this is totally not a dog for my lifestyle now or then. But they are amazing and I hate to read about dilution of any breed traits, such as softening LGDs.

 

[DennasMom]

I don't own a Fila... and my guardian breeds have still been fairly social beasts...so... this is coming from someone who was preparing for a mastiff (EM) to become anti-social, but never had to work through the issue (not yet, anyway).

At 3.5 months, I would be working on a cue with the puppy... a "leave it" and "I'll take care of it" kind of cue, so you can let your puppy know that you have heard his request (make the stranger go away), and that YOU will decide what to do next. I wouldn't correct him for growling, I would acknowledge it, and then redirect him to something else... a "sit and watch" or "focus on me" kind of activity, versus focusing on the stranger too much.
This might work for a while - as long as the stranger stays a safe distance away - but I'd be getting prepared for full-on-Fila mode, which sounds like it might be coming early for this one!

 

[Ivan]

they hate strangers so you have to fit your social live to your dog

 

[fila4me]

I have had this breed for 21 yes.
My 2nd started showing her temp. at 3 months, she was not fearful by Amy means and never tolerated those not in our close circle near her. She was never food or treat motivated. She was trained on and off leash by 8 mos. with hand signals. She was socialized to the point she was bomb proof. But I never let strangers touch or approach my dogs. I live in the city and can take them anywhere. I am a bitch and never afraid to tell adults or kids to get the hell away from my dogs.
At 4 mos. the fila bob and weave can start, my girls have all done this, it is not fear or lack of confidence in them. Their natural instincts are starting to kick in and they are trying to avoid being touched. Imo this is fine. I have this breed because of their temp. personality and devotion. If not I would get a different breed. Obedience builds their confidence and bond. My kids are the trainers for our 2yro Maddie. The kids are 5 & 11 and can walk them anywhere on a leash, of course I am right there just in case the idiots are running rampant.
To me socialization is exposing them to any and everything. While we do this, they are worked in obedience learning to focus on us. I have never had any that were raging lunatics on the end of the leash. Filas are very confident dogs, this leads them to trust our judgement for the most part and for them to also know a threat or not. They should not be idiots. Mine and the ones I have been around can be in a group with no issues unless some idiot steps in their imaginary circle. Usually the length of their leash.
Just be consistent, vigilant and always aware of your surroundings and all should govwell. Knowing how to read your dog is key. One signal from them and it is time to leave

 

[GOTPIT]

I am a huge advocate of socializing your dog. Its just my opinion based on my experience.. We have one fila and I go out of my way to take him everywhere I can. I have put him in every possible uncomfortable situation I can and always been vigilant with strangers educating them and Samson on what I expect. Samson goes to work with me, into stores and over to friends houses. He gets to decide when someone gets to touch him, but after a few moments of interaction with people he gains the confidence to not lash out and lets down his guard a little and will even tolerate a quick pet. My one golden rule with everyone, even my adult children who dont live at home is do not put your face in his, this above everything else will trigger him and im not fast enough anymore to stop what happens next. You cant stop stupid from happening though, all you can do is be forever vigilant with this breed and take every precaution necessary for their safety and others, a firm and confident person is a requirement to be owned by this dog, cause lets face it, you are this dogs property now and they will do whats necessary to keep you safe.