4yo male EM is sketchy around people

[Lorene0072]

Our family mastiff Alfred is a major home body. Incredible guard dog and amazing with all family members. Highly protective. He prefers to only go outside when he has to use the bathroom but then wants to come right back in. He is sketchy around any house guests-males, females and kids. Even with us right with him he has snapped towards guests. I would like to think he would never bite but we cant take the chance so he gets sent to our bedroom or his crate when we have company. This makes it tough to go out of town obviously. We put him in a kennel once years ago and never since because all he did was refuse to eat and try and get out. He is the most wonderful chill family dog but my question is- are other english mastiffs like this and can we do anything to make him more relaxed around people besides us? Thank you! (We have had him since 6mo old and he came from a mastiff breeder).

 

[musicdeb]

Sounds like he's had little socialization. Socialization is key to a healthy mastiff.

You are right in putting him in a safe place away from guests in your home because he may bite.

He needs to learn that guests in your home is ok which is going to require some consistent training and lots of patience. Find what motivates him, i.e. food/treat/toy and use that as a motivational reward for training.

When guest come into the house, while Alfred is on leash and I would recommend muzzled, tell the guests "no look, no talk, no touch." Alfred must remain by your side at all times until you see he is relaxed, therefore, learn his body language. Know when he's going into the zone that he is going to lunge. A pup that snaps without a growl/warning, can be a pup that is going to bite.

Once he's relaxed, the guests should have the motivational reward and throw those at Alfred so he knows the guests = good rewards. Again, remind them, "no look, no talk, no touch."

Keep Alfred on leash and muzzled until he has proven that he will be relaxed and accepting of the guests. He may not be "lab like" around them, but he can accept them and ignore them, if he so chooses. But, he should not be allowed to growl or snap at guests, this is what he needs to be taught. Teach him what you want him to do.

I would walk him, regardless that he doesn't like to walk. It's great exercise for him (an exercised pup is a good pup) and great socialization. Do not allow people/other pups to approach him until you've done your thing to make sure he's relaxed. Tell people who approach your pup is in training and they need to remain away from your pup. When someone runs up to me and Titan, I put up my hand signal meaning stop. I tell them that he is in training and to not approach him. Titan dislikes men and I've been working on that issue with him. Most men stay away but a brave one will walk up to us. I know Titan's body language and I can tell he's getting ready to lunge. I put up my "stop" hand and tell the man to stop because my pup is guarding me and will lunge at him. The man walks away.

Training is a lifetime commitment and pups require structure. Consistency and patience is key. If you become frustrated, Alfred will feel it and stop listening.

Hope this helps and keep us posted on Alfred's progress. If you do not nip this in the bud or keep Alfred in a separate room/crate with guests, it appears he may bite someone.

 

[DennasMom]

I agree with Deb - you need to expand his world a little bit at a time - good walks around the neighborhood, maybe take a group class in obedience, agility, scent work, or something else you find interesting - just for the social aspect of getting out and working together (having a trainer around is always a plus, too).

You need to work with him so he will take cues from you on who is an allowed person in the home, and who is not. Does he have a safe place, like a rug or bed in the family room that you can send him to when guests are around? Does he have a rock-solid 'stay'? You could put him in a "stay" on the bed and get him to ignore guests (make sure guests also ignore him, or it will be too difficult of an activity) - then you can toss treats to him randomly, and/or have the guests randomly toss him treats.

I have a "go say Hi" command for Denna, so she knows I have approved of the 'stranger', and I'd like her to allow them to pet her. She's a major social-bug, though... she loves just about everybody.

A good class to check out might be the Canine Good Citizen prep class - one of the activities you have to complete is a meet & greet with strangers - with the dog remaining calm and polite. Trainers might be able to give you ideas on things to practice if your pup doesn't want to do it the first time (which is not unusual).

 

[TWW]

The above advise Is perfect.

Just sounds like he had very little socialization, growing up, as a adult it will take a good bit of time and high value treats, but should be completely doable.

 

[Dreadz]

With visitors coming to the house it can help to meet outside, on your drive, front garden or even better go for a walk together. Keep Alfred on a lead and follow the whole no talk, touch or eye contact routine and get your visitors to toss tasty treats. A
When you're all ready allow your visitors to enter the house first to get settled and then bring the dog in still on a lead and continue with the no talk, touch or eye contact and tossing treats. Allow Alfred to sniff and approach calmly but watch for signs of getting tense or ready to snap.
There's no quick fix but in time you will create a positive association that visitors are a good thing.