11 month old bullmastiff trying to attack every dog in sight!!!

[Tom.davenport12]

Hi, if anyone could have any tip or insight into my situation I would be very appreciative. So I have a male bullmastiff, he started off nervous around dogs as a pup, hit 6 month and lifted his leg on que, every dog was his friend and play buddy. Then hit 8 months and unprovoked attacked other dogs, has some bad experiences so seeked out a professional behaviourist. Has just got worse to the point of lunging for dogs across the road! Anyone ever heard of this? His energy is crazy high wherever we go, thanks

 

[BattleDax]

Hi.

My 6 month old isn't a Bullmastiff but I have had concerns about him and other dogs. This is because due to this breed makeup he may not get along with other dogs once he is mature, and he is likely to be highly territorial.

He started out very timid about other dogs – crossing paths with them, or even hearing them bark in the distance. This surprised and disappointed me.

Lately, because we have been socializing him in the form of play times with dogs that we trust are hopefully not going to be overly aggressive with him, he has really become a lot more confident with dogs and his love of play has come out.

The reason I have worked hard to get him to be around other dogs is that I don't want him to actually be dangerous to other dogs when he is mature. I am okay if he does not get along with dogs but I don't want him to think he has to attack or kill them.

Have you thought about trying to gradually socialize your Bullmastiff with other dogs, and work toward having him getting used to playing with them or at least coexisting with them?

The other factor would be for you to make sure you are training him and getting him to see you as Alpha. This should cause him to defer to you for how to act when encountering another dog. Typically, if a dog does not respect its owner it takes charge of encounters with other dogs. It may feel it needs to protect the owner from the other dogs. Also, even if a dog does respect its owner, if the owner does not take charge, for instance by issuing the command to be quiet / to not lunge, or by putting the dog on a heel command or a sit-stay or something the dog may default to taking charge of the situation by barking/lunging.

 

[Tom.davenport12]

Hi, thanks you for this response it’s really helpful. Unfortunately since writing that we had a bad incident of him but 2 dogs on separate occasions, had to cut short a camping holiday and have cancelled all plans until we get him sorted. It’s funny, your beginning sounds exactly the same as mine. On really digging into getting answers to this I do think it’s a leader of the pack situation so have taken it back to basics and showing him I’m in charge with heel walking etc, so no dogs until I drill this into him. I really hope this works. I have booked him in to Southend dog training as they seem to get a grip on these situations, I wish I knew what I know now but hope time is still on my side, thank you again good luck with yours it sounds like you’ve got it

 

[glen]

Hi, if anyone could have any tip or insight into my situation I would be very appreciative. So I have a male bullmastiff, he started off nervous around dogs as a pup, hit 6 month and lifted his leg on que, every dog was his friend and play buddy. Then hit 8 months and unprovoked attacked other dogs, has some bad experiences so seeked out a professional behaviourist. Has just got worse to the point of lunging for dogs across the road! Anyone ever heard of this? His energy is crazy high wherever we go, thanks

Iv read your reply also,
Your doing right going back to basics, also what lead are you using, if hes able to pull and lunge he will feel hes got the power.
Is he anxious or stressed with any other situations.

 

[Creedkip]

Just for basic walking I’d recommend a herm sprenger prong collar. I have a cane corso 150lbs will walk past all types of dogs with different energy levels and just ignore them because he knows if he lunges or pulls he will feel a pinch. I don’t yank him a small tug and he’s like ok I’m not doing what I’m supposed to. I will also go on a bike ride and have him run aside of me takes a little bit of practice but possible with a prong collar. I always think if you tire them enough they won’t waste their energy trying to attack or go after some other dog. A walk isn’t going to get a dog tired especially a young one. Of your not tired most likely the dog won’t be either.