Overprotective behaviour

[Bella’s Mum]

Hi there,
I need some help. I am new to this breed and have a beautiful 2 year old pure bred English Mastiff. She’s very loving and affectionate but I fear her protective nature has recently gone into overdrive. We’ve had her since she was a 12 weeks old puppy. Just recently our girl has become aggressive to visitors who come into our home. Especially if they knock and then let themselves in. Just lately she’s even doing it to those who we have granted entry to. She will bark and lunge at them and then be very sketchy and growls from that moment on. There is no changing her mind once she’s formed this ‘opinion’ of someone either. I’m really worried because this behaviour is not right. She’s even displayed this behaviour to kids. She has good obedience and we’ve taken her to doggy school in the past. We don’t walk her as often as we would like and she doesn’t see many other dogs. I feel that she may need more socialising but is it too late? I seperate her now when we have visitors but it’s not a long term solution. Has anyone else had this experience and are there any suggestions as to what I can do?

 

[Nik]

Hi there,
I need some help. I am new to this breed and have a beautiful 2 year old pure bred English Mastiff. She’s very loving and affectionate but I fear her protective nature has recently gone into overdrive. We’ve had her since she was a 12 weeks old puppy. Just recently our girl has become aggressive to visitors who come into our home. Especially if they knock and then let themselves in. Just lately she’s even doing it to those who we have granted entry to. She will bark and lunge at them and then be very sketchy and growls from that moment on. There is no changing her mind once she’s formed this ‘opinion’ of someone either. I’m really worried because this behaviour is not right. She’s even displayed this behaviour to kids. She has good obedience and we’ve taken her to doggy school in the past. We don’t walk her as often as we would like and she doesn’t see many other dogs. I feel that she may need more socialising but is it too late? I seperate her now when we have visitors but it’s not a long term solution. Has anyone else had this experience and are there any suggestions as to what I can do?

I can tell you that my diesel is a gentle giant and will never harm invited guests. That said I don't think he would respond well if someone simply let themselves into the house. He would assume they are an intruder and as a guardian breed he isn't wrong in that assumption. Does your dog respond differently when someone is invited in by you then when they just let themselves in? Can you make it a habit to always open the door for guests and make sure the dog sees you greeting them as an invited guest. With my dogs it makes all the difference. Then again my door is always locked and nobody ever has a chance to let themselves in. My Diesel is extra protective of me when it comes to adult males so i make sure that I always personally approach adult male visitors and greet and even touch them before turning to him and introducing him and letting him know they are a friend. This works out well with him and sends a clear message that I have inspected the visitor and approved them as safe.

 

[Hector]

Find a trainer that can show u how to control your dog when people come into the house. Don't let anyone come in the house uninvited. That's asking for trouble. Also dont let her have free access to the front door entrance spaces. A competent trainer is needed and continual training, training scenarios, and responsible management.

 

[Smokeycat]

Find a trainer that can show u how to control your dog when people come into the house. Don't let anyone come in the house uninvited. That's asking for trouble. Also dont let her have free access to the front door entrance spaces. A competent trainer is needed and continual training, training scenarios, and responsible management.

This.
My EM will not let anyone enter the house uninvited, with one exception. He has backed known and liked people into a corner and kept them there until I got upstairs to see what was going on. The first time it happened we weren't sure what caused him to react like that. The second time was the last time we told anyone that they could just come in when they got here as it was clear that he wasn't going to be ok with that. The unknown man that opened the door got the full force of Mastiff upset, thankfully he ran faster than the dog, so I'm ok with Kryten not wanting people to just open the door.

 

[DennasMom]

It's never too late to socialize, socialize, socialize.
Take her out - lots of walks in new places. New stuff to smell, see and observe. Exercise should help relax her mind, as well.
Realize that socializing her at this point may very well mean NOT with strange dogs - other than to see them from afar, and learn to not react in their presence.

She's being protective, but you want her to trust YOU to let her know when she should "stand down" and relax. Getting too close to 'triggers' (strange people or dogs) would not be a good idea... in addition to new parks or trails, take her to busy, loud, noisy places (like strip malls or ballparks), but stay far enough away that she can stay relaxed... treat & praise her for staying calm and relaxed. If she tenses up, tell her to 'leave it' and then walk away to get back to a comfortable (for her) distance. Let her know you hear her concerns, and YOU will take action to keep everyone safe.

Around the house, anytime there's someone at the door, send her to her 'place' to observe. Give her a "stay" command while you deal with the people. Do NOT let her off her place. If she needs to be leashed or gated to stay away from the door - do it, for the safety of everyone in the house - until she can learn to take her cues from YOU and not feel like she needs to protect you from yourself.

I might also say for a 2 year old "always sweet and friendly" dog to suddenly become aggressive to strangers is not what I would consider 'normal'.
There are dogs that don't like strangers, but these tendencies tend to show themselves in small actions all along the way, and the 'switch' will normally occur a bit earlier - around 8-14 months when strangers just aren't allowed around anymore.
I would make sure she's had a full vet evaluation and that there's nothing medically causing her to be more concerned with strangers.... losing eyesight or hearing, or being in pain, etc. can all make a dog more reactive.