Help! 6 month old Brazilian Mastiff......

[SouthernBlue]

I need some help. I was very active and fit when I got my puppy. I was also pregnant. His training was going great until I had to be put on bedrest for preterm labor. I had a traumatic labor (this is my 3rd) and have had a very slow recovery. He was pretty much just loved on and fed for 3 months. I am 5 wks post postpartum and am starting to feel more like my old self.

I think my pup has forgotten everything! All he will do now is show respect at (his) mealtime and sit half the time.

I am really discouraged.

I shouldn't have got a puppy when I did. {I had been wanting one ever since I got married (almost 7 years ago) and followed/talked to his breeder for 2 1/2 years and this was his Mama's last litter (he was the cream of the crop). So I am committed.}

I am no quitter.

My husband was working both of our jobs during my bedrest and taking care of our other 2 kiddos. So he didn't have time to train my pup.

• So my pup is now about 60+ lbs. And is uncontrollable.

• My kids can't play with him now because he jumps on them and knocks them down.

• He tries to nip my ankles.

• He drags me around on the leash.

• He doesn't care where he poops.

• He tries to dominate by throwing himself down on his back on my feet.

How do I get my teenager under control again??
I bought a prong collar but am not positive on how it is supposed to work? I am trying to introduce it slowly and positively with food and praise. But he acts stupid and won't sit still to put it on.

• I want a walking/jogging buddy.
• I want a dog that loves my kids and their kisses.
• I want a dog that is protective of my kids (there was 3 people arrested next door this year).

Obviously, I need to start with basics but he is so big!
Can someone point me to some tried and true resources for adult dogs?

~Thanks!, N.

 

[irina]

I would say if you are so overwhelmed, look for a good trainer first, who will work with you and your dog, show you how to use a prong and so on. At 6 months he is by no means an adult yet, so you have time, but you have to start at 0.

 

[Hector]

Him being big shouldn't be an issue with foundation work. Go back to basics. Make sure you invest the patience and time to train all of these: sit, down, stay, crate, recall, and loose leash walking. Filas are usually very food motivated. If I were you, I'd go back to basics and teach every command with lots of motivation with food. Do hundreds of repetition. Train around different distractions. Understand the 3 D's in training: duration, distance, distractions. Always start in an area with the least amount of distractions. Start implementing rules at doorways. Start working on lots of impulse control around food: leave its, drop its. If he is toy motivated, integrate that into training. If you play tug, make sure you teach him the rules: out, get it, leave it, and also throw in some basics for him to earn that.

Keep him leashed in the house and when he goes potty in the yard. That way you always have control over him and also allows you to reach him if he doesn't recall after going potty or in the yard. If you can't supervise him, put him in a crate.

Him not caring where he poops sounds to me like he is not potty trained.

Him nipping at ankles might be bullying behavior. I've seen my dog do the leg grabbing with the other dog that he tries to bully. Maybe your dog thinks it's a game with the ankle biting.

Leash dragging is normal. You have not done enough leash work with him. Once you start teaching/reinforcing behaviors you want, he will catch on. Remember to always have structure and rules and follow through with them. He will get away with as much as you let him get away with.

Here's a feeding exercise you can do
[video=youtube;K3re_5xEMfw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3re_5xEMfw[/video]

Here are leash pressure exercises that you should start on - all these have the same concept using different tools

(there's a part 2 if you want to look it up)

[video=youtube;xZarFGdcj8s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZarFGdcj8s[/video]

[video=youtube;eB8dhKNichw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB8dhKNichw[/video]

[video=youtube;s8q2AJ4uxBw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8q2AJ4uxBw[/video]

A prong collar is easy to use. There are tons of videos you can learn from. If you don't feel confident, then find someone that knows how. Here's a couple of videos that might help you out.

[video=youtube;23zEy-e6Khg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23zEy-e6Khg[/video]

[video=youtube;nVvy6fztL2Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVvy6fztL2Q[/video]


Remember, don't get too caught up on how big he is, how old he is - it's all about you. You need to put in the effort. You need to do your research. You need to remain calm and consistent. You need to understand your dog's strengths and weaknesses. You need to find ways to communicate effectively. You need to be your dog's teacher.

 

[BAMCB]

I was in a somewhat same situation. My EM pup was 150lbs and pulled me down on the leash(which was the last straw). I had 2 toddlers in the house(which he never showed aggression!) but was not fully aware of his size. No manners, jumped on people etc. After the leash pulling incident I called a professional trainer to come to my home. She taught me how to properly use a prong collar, use humane but firm corrections and much about dog behavior in general. The fact that he lifted his leg and peed on my couch was an outright defiance(which he had done) and some other bad behaviors he was developing. Best investment ever! After only 3 sessions I had the confidence to carry on myself. He was the most gentle, well behaved, pleasant dog after. Extremely protective(as I found out when someone entered my apartment in the middle of the night) and in general an all around awesome dog. Well worth the time put in and money spent for the one on one training. I think I will always take this approach if the need should ever arise.

A bit off topic but congrats on your new baby! My third was a very traumatic csection at 32 weeks. I'm glad to hear you are recovering well and hopefully having your dream pup trained will help with the healing process. I know my pups saw me through lots of tears when recovering.

GL, he will be well worth your investment.

 

[SouthernBlue]

Thank ya'll so much! I really appreciate the advice and videos. I found some small treat food that doesn't have Soy in it and have been working with him. He seems to have settled down quite a bit already. The kids have got to play with him the past two days. Improvement already! Baby and Mama are doing good. Thank you again! God bless!