DDB Socialization

[MooseBear]

Hey guys,
So I'm a new French Mastiff owner, and I was just wondering where are some good places to socialize and build confidence in my 5 month old male Douge de Bourdeaux puppy. He is very timid, and is scared easily, I'm worried that if his confidence isn't built and he doesn't have any positive experiences with other dogs that it might make him fear aggresive later in his life.

He is a sweet heart and the biggest goof ever. The only dogs he's got to meet up close don't really want to play with a silly mastiff puppy (we own a 12 year old Rottie who doesn't tolerate playing, ha!). So if you guys have any good ideas about where to take my puppy so he can meet other dogs and strange situations, I would appreciate the help and advice.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Welcome to the board and to the wonderful world of mastiffs.

We socialize any place we might end up taking them as adults. Parks, town/stores, kids sporting events, shows, family events, friend's houses, beach, etc. We stay away from heavily traveled dog areas until they have completed their vaccine regieme but after that it is a free for all and they are pretty much with us where ever we go. Obedience class is great for teaching manners to your puppy for dealing with other dogs as well as teaching them to work with distractions and the correct way of greeting other dogs. I would just make sure that the class is used to mastiff or large working dogs as some with less experience see some behaviours as aggression that aren't.

 

[MooseBear]

Thank you very much, I left a message for a puppy obdience class in my area. It'll be fun to take him to that

 

[moose]

I take moose with me everywhere, a puppy class is a great start!

 

[PuppyPaws]

Puppy classes would be good. Visits to PetSmart or PetCo. I also think most Lowe's allow you to bring your dog. There may be a size requirement, though? I am in MS but often see people pushing their dogs around the building in the shopping buggy. Beaches, walks, set some play dates with any of your friends that may have a social dog. Try to make every experience a positive one for the dog. One bad encounter can make a significant impact on your dog and requires many, many, many more positive experiences to counterbalance the damage done by one bad experience. Choose the dogs you allow your dog to socialize with very carefully. Good Luck!

 

[Dogue]

Hi PuppyPaws,
Congratulations on your DDB. I would enroll your DDB in basic obedience classes at Petsmart. Also, there's a great book (Dogue De Bordeaux: A Comprehensive Guide, by Joseph Janish) on DDB's that devotes a couple of chapters on DDB puppies. It also goes into fearful stages, which will give you a template to why your DDB may be fearful. Miel was the same way, too. Now she's arrogant and overly confident . . . a perfect dogue, lol.

 

[Dogue]

My mistake . . . congratulations moosebear!