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Not receptive of other dogs

gnomad

Member
Anyone have any other issues w this? Puca is only 5 months but when I take him to the dog park he just doesn't want to be around other dogs. Other dogs come up to him and he is very obviously stressed and stand-off-ish. He'll tolerate them but will snap if they are too nosy. Poor thing. I just don't get it. He loves people. He'll gladly sit for love and attention from the other owners but doesn't want anything to do w their dogs. :/ He hasn't encountered an aggressive dog yet.
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
My lil dog does not interact with any dogs at all. He will sniff new dogs (dogs we know) that are free in a secured yard, but after that, that's it. It's very strange, but I like it. There's a lot of things I don't have to worry about and I love it.

My suggestion would be that if he doesn't care for other dogs, then interact with your dog. Take the opportunity to train, engage, bond, have fun.
 
Puca is still very young. Could be he's a bit scared and untrusting of the other dogs.

What type of energy are these dogs giving off(as you perceive it)? Is he on the leash while the other dogs are free? How do you feel about the other dogs as they are approaching?

Tolerating while trying to back up or get away sounds like fear. The snapping when the dogs get nosey sounds like he's a bit insecure and is giving them a warning that he doesn't like their actions.

Socialization doesn't feel very social if the other dogs are making him uncomfortable. If he hasn't had time to build confidence in meeting other dogs that are calm, meeting ones trying to "play" immediately with no "introduction" can be terrifying. If he's scared and these other dogs are already trying to jump, mouth, paw, and get nosey its going to be a bad experience.

Try and get some of the owners that can control their dogs to have them sit or even better lay down and then just walk him around them (not to close). Make his introductions and second, third even interactions comfortable and positive. Never let other dogs play rough with him or at all for that matter if it's something he doesn't like. Try walking around outside of the fence if there is one and allow him to interact with others behind a safety net first.
 

gnomad

Member
Just happens when I take him to the dog park. When new dogs come into our home, he has no issue. Will sometimes even try to play. But at the park he has a picnic table to hide under and try to guard. Maybe it would be different if it were just an open field. When I take him to the other end of the park and dogs run up and sniff him it's much less stressful for him. I think he's just trying to guard the picnic table. Of course it doesn't help that almost no one is at the park ever. I'll sit and wait for half an hour before one person shows up and then they'll leave before us. I think I have to just face the fact that my dog doesn't like the dog park. lol.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
5 months is a bit young to be at a dog park - especially if your puppy doesn't appreciate all the excitement that's normally abounding at those kinds of places.
It's not always about 'aggressive' energy... sometimes it's the over-excitement that puppies and dogs don't agree with.

Mastiffs can also be independent souls, and many grow up to not enjoy the company of non-family dogs, so Puca may fit that description already.

You might try finding a low-energy puppy group - maybe a trainer in the area runs some puppy-play-groups? He might find dogs his own age are easier to get along with, and not quite so scary.

If your dog is not enjoying the dog park... I would not take him there. That's a recipe for disaster if he decides to snap at the other dogs to keep them away - which he might (even happy ones, looking to play) if he has a very large personal space bubble that he'd like to maintain.

Another option - when you go to the dog park, just sit outside the entrance at a distance Puca finds comfortable... the other dogs should be on-leash at that point, and just passing by. Puca will hopefully not feel pressured to interact, but you can reinforce good behaviors (i.e. calm curiosity). Once Puca is comfortable outside the park, you can start to venture in. Let Puca take the lead, so he's not feeling pressured (which can lead to stress and anxiety). If he wants to go home... I'd go home, or maybe visit a park on leash without other dogs in his face, and just enjoy each other's company.

I wrote that before your last post... so... yeah, could be a picnic table thing... or just crazy smells all over the place that he's finding a bit overwhelming?
 

gnomad

Member
I think you're imagining some big dog park with lots of dogs buzzing around and everyone being in everyone's business. Sadly, that is not the case. As I said, it's pretty dead. I'll get there and we will be alone in this large fenced in area. And then one dog will show up. And then that one dog will leave. I'm leaning more toward the conclusion that we get there and he thinks it's his space. He has a picnic table that he claims. And then one dog will show up and they'll sniff, but Puca will be guarded and irritated.

I'm doing all I can to socialize him with other dogs.

At the beach, other dogs pass and he pays them no mind. I think he just doesn't particularly notice or care for other dogs. Which is fine w me. I'm just concerned that he's so young and already being reactive.

The other night he was on the porch snoozing (long after dark) and suddenly I heard him go crazy. He was barking like mad. So I walk over to the door and see nothing. I step outside w him, and right as I do, some strange dog runs up the stairs to us on the porch. Immediately after it made eye contact w me it ran away. It was such a strange incident.

I think he's just disinterested in other dogs. Oh well!
 

trulytheone30

Well-Known Member
My DDB was that way but with females dogs. She was like a silent biter. She would give me no indication that she was unhappy until they got to close and she snapped! I was told socialization is important..
IT WAS PRODUCTIVE FOR US! Gigi is now 1 1/2 she is cool. Don't get me wrong I am still very cautious especially with new people because she is very much a Watcher.
Starting at 3 months old I hired a trainer and we took a group obedience course & PASSED!
Good luck!

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trulytheone30

Well-Known Member
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Gigi

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