Earle's Family
Member
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?
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?
