Mastiff Behavior

[mastiffmastiffmastiff]

Hi, I have a year and a half old Mastiff mix. He is half Cane Corso and half Neopolitan Mastiff (the breeder wasn't really upfront with me about it). I've been having some issues recently because I found out he has hip dysplasia and I myself have a serious back injury, so it's harder to walk him. Based on his age he still has a lot of energy, but I can't really exercise him as much as I used to (he comes back from the dog park with a limp even though he's on medication). Also, I've noticed that he doesn't really seem interested in toys unless they're food related. How can I take care of his excess energy while he has hip dysplasia and can't exercise as much?

Also, with my back it's problematic because I can't walk him per my physical therapy instructions. So my boyfriend who I live with has helped me walk him and I walk along with them, but I really got this dog to be independent. Sometimes I'll hire a dog walker, but my dog is territorial and doesn't really like strangers. He kept jumping on my last dog walker and bit her coat jacket sleeve and today at the dog park he was biting on my jacket and pulled it off. Is this normal? How do I get him to be better with new people that I introduce him to?

I try to make excuses for him like he's still a puppy and has a lot of energy but I have to watch what I wear around him. For example, when he was younger I specifically had dog walking clothing and shoes because he would shred my clothing while we were on walks (and frequently bite/attack my feet). He's much better now in that aspect for the most part, but I feel like I shouldn't have to wear specific clothes while walking my dog. What am I doing wrong?

Also, I've noticed that with my dog we will be cuddling in bed and then suddenly he'll just stop and change and start biting me and objects in bed kind of out of nowhere. I don't know if this is because he's in pain or what is causing this? Excess energy? Does this mean he has an unstable temperament?

In the area where I live there aren't a lot of good dog trainers, so I have had problems with that (and this is my first dog although I've had other pets). And I have one dog trainer lined up within the next week or so, so I'm hoping that helps. Also, I plan on moving into a house with a yard so I don't have to worry about walking him anymore.

But I guess I'm just wondering, is this normal? I have heard that mastiffs calm down between 2-3 years in age. And things were going really well for us before my back problems and the hip dysplasia. But recently he's been barking a lot and being destructive inside my apartment (the walls have scratches). So I know the dog trainer should help (this is my fourth dog trainer), but is he going to grow out of this stuff? Is he unstable? How do I deal with his excess energy at this age while he has hip dysplasia? Also, will moving into a place with a yard compensate for going on daily walks?

 

[Nik]

We have a few members who have experience with hip dysplesia on the forum so hopefully some of them will chime in soon.

As for tiring him out without long walks work on at home training sessions. Tiring out his brain is just as important as tiring out his body. Let him do a treasure hunt where you hide things for him to find. Mental at home games will help. Having a yard will help though I am not sure you should allow a lot of activity given his hip.

I had dog clothes when Diesel was younger (and my dog before him). It took time for him to calm down and not have to worry about him getting over excited and jumping on me with muddy paws (time and training... lots of training). Look up nilf (nothing in life is free) training on youtube. You can work a lot on your own in addition to working with the new trainer.

As for whether your dog is unstable I doubt that is the case. If you can video some of the behavior it might be easier for members to provide more specific advise.

 

[Smokeycat]

My EM has elbow dysplasia. I found that mental training can go a great way to tire out a puppy that can't do as much physically. Things such as leave it and wait/stay are mentally tough and by making them work against their natural instinct tires them out faster than long run can. Also even a short walk can be tiring when combined with training such as heal. Good luck.

 

[marke]

what was just said about mentally tired is good advice ..... did you ever drive for 10 hrs ? when your done your exhausted and you've done absolutely nothing physical ......... how was his hd diagnosed ? what was the reason for the diagnoses of hip dysplasia ? usually even dogs that are pretty badly dysplastic at 18 months are doing pretty well with minimal to no symptoms ...........

 

[DennasMom]

The biting is normal puppy behavior BUT by one-year, it should be getting very minimal... Denna was very 'mouthy' until about 8 months of age, and she FINALLY figured out how much we didn't like her grabbing at us.

1a. Any time he grabs at your clothes, STOP moving, say OUCH! (yelp like a puppy) if he grabs again, follow that up with "NO" - teach him a "Leave it" command and use that, also - and then just WAIT for him to calm down. If you need to enforce him using a leash and more harsh words or actions... I'd say go for it. He needs to know this is NOT a game. If he runs around like a nut after getting the "NO" correction... calmly walk away from him... go into the house or another room, shut the door and leave him isolated from you (that's a major punishment for a mastiff). If you're at the dog park, I'd leash him up and put him in a "down" to settle... or as soon as he grabs, use that as the cue for "We're Done and Going Home". If he starts connecting grabbing you with unhappy activities (like leaving the park), he'll quickly stop grabbing.

1b. You can also redirect the grabby biting puppy to bite a rope toy instead of clothes... then engage with him and the rope, so... biting rope = FUN, biting clothes = NO fun.

2. On the bed, when he is suddenly "done" with snuggles... it could be pain, but it could be he's just a brat. I would instantly tell him to get "OFF". So he learns when he's done with cuddles, he can leave and go to his own bed. You do want to make sure you can poke and prod him for pain and not have him bite at you, too... so poke gently and see if you get reactions to certain points - if it's his hip, maybe you can ask for better pain meds from the vet. There are videos on dog massage that can help alleviate pain, too, which might be helpful for him (maybe you can get a masseuse for your back, too!)

And, back yards are nice for some off-leash fun, but they don't really replace the adventures of walks. The back yard can get boring... which means bad behaviors can start, like digging, escaping, barking, etc. So a yard definitely HELPS, but it's not a complete replacement for getting out of the house. I'd say a lot of the bad behaviors you're seeing in the apartment now are a boredom thing, too... more mental work like mentioned by others above, will hopefully help with that.