So glad to find this forum!

[Earle's Family]

Our Neapolitan Mastiff, Earle, will celebrate his first birthday Wednesday. This has been the Year of Can't Believe:

Can't believe:
- how fast he grows
- what an enormous "presence" he is, not just physically
- how engaged he is with us
- how smart he is
- how much we love him
- and, how frustrating (and alarming) a recent behavior is.

That behavior has been biting - literally the family hand that feeds it. Happened once during a "leave it" command (learned from that one); yet once again last night when given a treat.

Naturally we've thought we'd been doing the right thing all along with him (socialization, firm yet loving discipline, consistency).

We're reading and talking and trying to sort this out, and have come to better understand some basics from Earle's perspective, mostly regarding personal space (his) and how he protects it.

We're also looking for a trainer who could come to our home and observe Earle, Earle's family, and how we interact.

Any input, advice, suggestions?

Many thanks!

 

[angelbears]

Welcome! We love pics. I think you are doing the right thing getting a trainer in. I think most dogs, like kids, go through a phase were they test authority. I don't think it is anything serious but if not handled correctly it could take a wrong turn.

 

[Smart_Family]

Welcome! We love pics. I think you are doing the right thing getting a trainer in. I think most dogs, like kids, go through a phase were they test authority. I don't think it is anything serious but if not handled correctly it could take a wrong turn.

Ditto! And welcome

 

[Tiger12490]

Angel bears hit it head on welcome we love pics

Tapd on my Skyrocket

 

[AKBull]

Welcome to the board!

 

[Sabrina]

Welcome!

Earle is in his teenage time...this is exactly the age when they start to challenge the pack structure to see what they can get away with. Be firm and consistent with him. If he's biting you to bite you, he needs a very strong correction or he will continue to test you. If you're not sure how to go about this, a trainer is the best choice.


Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Earle's Family]

Thanks so much, everyone.

All good thoughts. We can absolutely see the teenage in him lol. The pack mentality idea makes perfect sense. We're certain he wasn't biting just to bite; but those high adrenaline moments aren't fun - for the biter, or the bite-ee.

Now the mission to locate a good trainer in the central Finger Lakes of NY.

Earle (and his family) say Big Thanx.

 

[mightymastiffs]

Ok, I'll take the flip-side to this argument and add a little contrast. The consensus is to bring in a trainer because the dog is biting at food and protective of his personal space some?

At least before I commit to the right answer being a trainer I would need to know exactly what "biting" means. Is he using his mouth as many dogs do to get attention with a nip/snap or is he actually biting and holding? Is this real aggression or possibly a reaction? I would also need to know the what the owner does while all this is happening? (In that regard I think it 100% makes sense to bring in someone who can objectively see the setting and opine without bias).

If the fix here is as simple as continued strong correction to a problem, then I support 100% NOT bringing in a trainer. Breaking through things like this cements the bond of owner and k9, it also builds the necessary confidence that molosser owners need.

 

[Earle's Family]

mightymastiffs, you make good points.

although this (2nd) bite was a real one (vs. a nip), we understand that personal space was an issue, as was food. the first bite was different in that he was trying to hold on to something he shouldn't have taken; after the fact, the human admitted his error in handling the situation. same human, both times.

your last paragraph was quite insightful and well spoken. both human and mastiff are treating this as a learning opportunity.

we'll keep on the path and know he's worth the effort.

thanks.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Welcome to the board! And good luck with your boy!

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

Welcome!

 

[Bentley]

Welcome! Whilst I agree with MightyMastiffs I feel that you need to be aware of the situation and if you are not making headway then you may have to consider a trainer eventually.

 

[Jeri]

I'm not a trainer by any means. But I have my first Neo & since day one I have been working with him on the "drop" command so that if he has something in his mouth he'll drop it when I tell him to. As far as food. Every time I feed him I touch him while he's eating, stick my hands in his food, get him to stop eating & let me have the bowl, then give it back, make him wait to start eating until I tell him it's ok to eat.

I'm hoping to avoid the food aggression or any aggression as far as me taking something away from him. Think I'm on the right track??

 

[mightymastiffs]

I'm not a trainer by any means. But I have my first Neo & since day one I have been working with him on the "drop" command so that if he has something in his mouth he'll drop it when I tell him to. As far as food. Every time I feed him I touch him while he's eating, stick my hands in his food, get him to stop eating & let me have the bowl, then give it back, make him wait to start eating until I tell him it's ok to eat.

I'm hoping to avoid the food aggression or any aggression as far as me taking something away from him. Think I'm on the right track??

Yes! These are all great things to do. Just please keep what you do while he is letting go of his bowels to yourself please

 

[musicdeb]

Welcome aboard~

 

[Jeri]

LOL!!! Good one Mightymastiffs! He can be as aggressive as he wants to concerning his bowels,,,he'll get no arguement from me!! No need to work on that!

 

[Kelly]

Jeri one suggestion I would make, is that when you take his bowl away, put a super awesome treat in it before you give it back so that wow! it was a fabulous thing to do! Then he can look forward to getting that bowl back from you. You taking it away isn't going to just annoy him it will be an exciting thing to see whats in there when he gets it back.