7121548
Well-Known Member
In the past month or so, my Neapolitan Mastiff, Dozer, has started lunging and barking at people when I take him outside. He's always done it with other dogs, but only recently started doing it with people. I'm not sure if he thinks he's protecting me, if he's scared, or whatever else. He doesn't bark at all people--only some, but there's no common feature among the people he chooses to bark or lunge at. If someone approaches him and he doesn't bark, he'll gladly take a pat on the head from them.
I've been having a private trainer come over and we're working on his impulse control, leave it, etc., and he does fine when we're inside at home. But until I'm able to fully trust him around strangers, I try to only take him out when it's not so busy outside (I live downtown in a large city, and there are always people walking around my building) because I'm afraid of him lunging or biting someone.
Well today when I was taking him back inside the condo, he bit one of the neighbors who was holding the door open for us at the top of the stairs. No growl or warning, just a swift nip to the guy's stomach after sniffing him for like 2 seconds. I wasn't sure if it was an aggressive bite, because he also tends to nip when he gets really excited. Fortunately it wasn't bleeding, but there's likely to be some bruising at the very least. I felt horrible and offered to pay for any medical attention if necessary, and now I can expect a nasty letter from the HOA. Is there anything else I should be doing? I'm still a little shaken up.
I'm also worried and frustrated because I'm not sure what to do at this point. The last time he went to the vet (a little over a month ago?), he was fine, and nothing seems to be bothering him physically. We already have a trainer coming over. What more can I do--get a muzzle? I'm not sure if should be keeping him away from strangers, or trying to get him more used to them. As background, I rescued him from a shelter 3 months ago and they didn't really have any history on him. He's about 3.5 years old (so I was told).
Can anyone provide any insight on this situation? Thanks!!!
I've been having a private trainer come over and we're working on his impulse control, leave it, etc., and he does fine when we're inside at home. But until I'm able to fully trust him around strangers, I try to only take him out when it's not so busy outside (I live downtown in a large city, and there are always people walking around my building) because I'm afraid of him lunging or biting someone.
Well today when I was taking him back inside the condo, he bit one of the neighbors who was holding the door open for us at the top of the stairs. No growl or warning, just a swift nip to the guy's stomach after sniffing him for like 2 seconds. I wasn't sure if it was an aggressive bite, because he also tends to nip when he gets really excited. Fortunately it wasn't bleeding, but there's likely to be some bruising at the very least. I felt horrible and offered to pay for any medical attention if necessary, and now I can expect a nasty letter from the HOA. Is there anything else I should be doing? I'm still a little shaken up.
I'm also worried and frustrated because I'm not sure what to do at this point. The last time he went to the vet (a little over a month ago?), he was fine, and nothing seems to be bothering him physically. We already have a trainer coming over. What more can I do--get a muzzle? I'm not sure if should be keeping him away from strangers, or trying to get him more used to them. As background, I rescued him from a shelter 3 months ago and they didn't really have any history on him. He's about 3.5 years old (so I was told).
Can anyone provide any insight on this situation? Thanks!!!