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Scared Mastiff puppy
My wife and I purchased a full blooded English Mastiff just yesterday,
he is 14 weeks old. My puppy was growing up with his two sisters and parents in a "run free" environment, and we have moved him to the suburbs. We have a decent sized fenced in yard, and plenty of room for him to explore. I know it takes time for an animal to adjust to his new owners, and environment, but he seems to be petrified of men, and is just now opening up to my wife. Is this behavior normal? How long does this behavior last? Not knowing if he sustained emotional/physical trauma by a man, will he ever open up to me? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. -- Posted at author's request, using moderated http://www.PetForumz.com interface Thread archive: http://www.PetForumz.com/Scared-Mast...pict72543.html |
#2
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Scared Mastiff puppy
"mike" wrote in message
news:471655_a1c747d155e5ed763d27d91caf674539@petfo rumz.com... My wife and I purchased a full blooded English Mastiff just yesterday, he is 14 weeks old. My puppy was growing up with his two sisters and parents in a "run free" environment, and we have moved him to the suburbs. We have a decent sized fenced in yard, and plenty of room for him to explore. I know it takes time for an animal to adjust to his new owners, and environment, but he seems to be petrified of men, and is just now opening up to my wife. Is this behavior normal? How long does this behavior last? Not knowing if he sustained emotional/physical trauma by a man, will he ever open up to me? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. What does your breeder say? Does she have any insight into this? Was there a problem when you visited the dogs and the puppies at the breeder's home? That said, he is a baby. I don't know what the traditional "fear period" is for English Mastiffs, but for many breeds it comes between 8 and 13 weeks. It's possible that something happened during that period that has created problems like you fear. But it is more likely that he is just a baby and is overwhelmed. What sort of behavior, specifically, are you seeing that has you concerned? And where is it happening? What sort of daily activities is the dog involved in? Is he inside with you? Do the problems happen when he is inside, outside, both? Judy |
#3
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Scared Mastiff puppy
In article 471655_a1c747d155e5ed763d27d91caf674539@petforumz .com,
mike wrote: My wife and I purchased a full blooded English Mastiff just yesterday, he is 14 weeks old. My puppy was growing up with his two sisters and parents in a "run free" environment, and we have moved him to the suburbs. We have a decent sized fenced in yard, and plenty of room for him to explore. I know it takes time for an animal to adjust to his new owners, and environment, but he seems to be petrified of men, and is just now opening up to my wife. Is this behavior normal? How long does this behavior last? Not knowing if he sustained emotional/physical trauma by a man, will he ever open up to me? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Are you prepared for a possible lifetime of fear issues? Puppies who stay with their litter past 12 weeks, who do not get good socialization off premises and with other people, often have huge fear issues. You can't make up for lack of early socialization. While you can work on the issues with diligence and training, you've missed a very big window. Why did the breeder have 3 puppies still at 14 weeks? Did the breeder indicate any socialization or training to you? How did you find this breeder and litter? How did you choose him from the litter? Was he terrified of both of you then? What was he breeder's explanation? What was your reasoning in bringing home a puppy who was not outgoing and confident? I know this may sound judgemental, but it's really more so about the breeder than you. A dog is a long commitment. Before you get too attached, you need to decide if you can live with a huge dog who is going to probably deal with fear issues for years to come. What does your contract say about returns? -- Janet Boss www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com |
#4
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Scared Mastiff puppy
"mike" wrote in message news:471655_a1c747d155e5ed763d27d91caf674539@petfo rumz.com... My wife and I purchased a full blooded English Mastiff just yesterday, he is 14 weeks old. My puppy was growing up with his two sisters and parents in a "run free" environment, and we have moved him to the suburbs. We have a decent sized fenced in yard, and plenty of room for him to explore. I know it takes time for an animal to adjust to his new owners, and environment, but he seems to be petrified of men, and is just now opening up to my wife. Is this behavior normal? How long does this behavior last? Not knowing if he sustained emotional/physical trauma by a man, will he ever open up to me? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Just yesterday? You seem to be expecting an awful lot from this puppy in just one day. Imagine how you would feel if you were taken away from the only family you've ever known, carried to a strange house, yard, neighbourhood and people. He's understandably nervous and upset. You say you know it takes time to adjust, but you haven't given him any time. Relax, and don't rush him. If he's treated gently and calmly by everyone he meets, he'll loosen up. Give him the time you know he needs. He doesn't know you're his forever family yet. -- Phyrie Kiba the Cav's Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phyrie/...758930/detail/ |
#5
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Scared Mastiff puppy
In article ,
"Phyrie" wrote: Just yesterday? You seem to be expecting an awful lot from this puppy in just one day. Give him the time you know he needs. He doesn't know you're his forever family yet. I *SO* disagree. A well raised puppy should be inquisitive and seek humans when unsure, not fear them. Fears of unknown things (traffic, tvs', whatever), if the home is a very different environment, but the people? It's one thing to take a neglected puppy off the street and work with them, but when buying from a breeder, this kind of temperament is not excusable IMO. -- Janet Boss www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com |
#6
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Scared Mastiff puppy
Janet Boss spoke these words of wisdom in
: In article , "Phyrie" wrote: Just yesterday? You seem to be expecting an awful lot from this puppy in just one day. Give him the time you know he needs. He doesn't know you're his forever family yet. I *SO* disagree. A well raised puppy should be inquisitive and seek humans when unsure, not fear them. Fears of unknown things (traffic, tvs', whatever), if the home is a very different environment, but the people? It's one thing to take a neglected puppy off the street and work with them, but when buying from a breeder, this kind of temperament is not excusable IMO. Phyrie, Janet is right. |
#7
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Scared Mastiff puppy
On Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:22:07 -0500, mike wrote:
My wife and I purchased a full blooded English Mastiff just yesterday, he is 14 weeks old. My puppy was growing up with his two sisters and parents in a "run free" environment, What does that mean exactly, Mike? "Run free" environment. Was the puppy obtained from a responsible breeder, or just someone who somehow managed to breed his mastiff(s)? I know it takes time for an animal to adjust to his new owners, and environment, but he seems to be petrified of men, and is just now opening up to my wife. That depends. A puppy should never be fearful or shy, if properly bred and then properly socialized. Is this behavior normal? No, not really. How long does this behavior last? It could last the dog's entire life, especially if the pup's fear/shyness has been *inherited* from its parents. If it's poor *socialization*, it may or may not last forever, provided how much more socialization you can manage to get in during the next few weeks (an extremely CRITICAL period), and then keep at it. Not knowing if he sustained emotional/physical trauma by a man, will he ever open up to me? Can't say. But your breeder (hopefully) is an excellent source of information regarding your new pup. Good luck! -- Handsome Jack Morrison If this doesn't scare the **** out of you, you might be a fascist. http://volokh.com/posts/1220243277.shtml Drill! Drill! Drill! http://www.popularmechanics.com/scie...h/4279775.html Obama wants U.S. to be more like China! CHINA! What a maroon. http://www.riehlworldview.com/carniv...bama-just.html Why Obama's Red Mentor Is News. http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/...r_is_news.html Obama Played by Chicago Rules. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1219...comment aries The danger of global warming alarmism. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf....climatechange If the editors of the NY Times were high school students, they would flunk. http://www.powerlineblog.com/archive.../08/021245.php Want to help prevent America from committing economic suicide? Don't vote for a Democrat. http://reason.com/news/show/128096.html The Law of Unintended Consequences. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...l=7&thispage=1 There Are Old People and Fat People, But Few Old Fat People (the same holds true for dogs). http://www.fightaging.org/archives/001540.php Under the leadership of the Democratic Party, the United States continues to be the only country in the world that is deliberately devastating its own economy by refusing to develop its energy resources. http://www.powerlineblog.com/archive.../08/021214.php John "Silky Pony" Edwards, the consummate phony. http://www.nypost.com/seven/08092008...661.htm?page=0 Where the women are women and the men are too. http://drhelen.blogspot.com/2008/08/...ings-gone.html |
#8
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Scared Mastiff puppy
mike wrote:
My wife and I purchased a full blooded English Mastiff just yesterday, he is 14 weeks old. My puppy was growing up with his two sisters and parents in a "run free" environment, and we have moved him to the suburbs. We have a decent sized fenced in yard, and plenty of room for him to explore. I know it takes time for an animal to adjust to his new owners, and environment, but he seems to be petrified of men, and is just now opening up to my wife. Is this behavior normal? How long does this behavior last? Not knowing if he sustained emotional/physical trauma by a man, will he ever open up to me? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. When you say he seems petrified of men, what does he do exactly to communicate fear? I ask because it is possible that his body language is communicating something else, something that you interpret as fear. Has he shown the fear with other men, or just with you? For example, if your puppy doesn't run up to you and play but stays frozen in one spot, he might be afraid, but he might also be seeing something behind you, might be feeling overstimulated, might not feel like playing with you. The advice to check with his breeder is good advice. Was his breeder male or female? In the mean time, the best way to help him get over his fear is to help him see you as the bringer of good things. You should be giving him his meals. You should be interacting with him in a calm, steady, upbeat manner. If you want to pet him (who wouldn't want to pet a 14 week old puppy?), do so with confidence. He should be getting used to walks outside on a leash, so give him upbeat fun walks. Make sure you're confident and happy, not jerky or unpredictable. Puppies often respond to women's high pitched voices, so speak to him in a falsetto. Sleep in the same room with him. The more he gets used to you, the less frightened he'll be, and sleeping is actually a good time to do this. He'll get used to the idea that he can spend hours and hours with you and he never gets hurt. And let us know what happens whatever the case. --Lia |
#9
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Scared Mastiff puppy
"diddy" none wrote in message . .. Janet Boss spoke these words of wisdom in : In article , "Phyrie" wrote: Just yesterday? You seem to be expecting an awful lot from this puppy in just one day. Give him the time you know he needs. He doesn't know you're his forever family yet. I *SO* disagree. A well raised puppy should be inquisitive and seek humans when unsure, not fear them. Fears of unknown things (traffic, tvs', whatever), if the home is a very different environment, but the people? It's one thing to take a neglected puppy off the street and work with them, but when buying from a breeder, this kind of temperament is not excusable IMO. Phyrie, Janet is right. OK, I'm happy to give way to much more experienced dog owners. But I can't help but relate this to Kiba: his breeder would NOT allow him to come home before 12 weeks. He travelled well in a crate all the way home, sleeping most of the way, about 4 hours. When I got him home, I brought the crate into the house and just left it open on the living room floor. He hadn't seen my husband since he was 6 weeks. He wouldn't come out of the crate for almost an hour. We didn't rush him, and my husband spent a great deal of time down on the floor, making soothing noises, turning his head away when the puppy peeped out, yawning widely, and in general offering all the calming signals he could. I have this on video which I may one day get up on YouTube. Kiba was not frightened, but tentative. He came to me a little easier, but I had spent the last 6 or 7 hours with him, a couple of those hours at the breeders, finishing up our business and general visiting. We made a dreadful mistake and introduced our cat to him that same day, and virtually forced the cat to hate him. She's never recovered having this horrible creature move into her house, and takes every opportunity to show her displeasure. Kiba loves the cat and thinks they are best friends. *sigh* Kiba certainly got over any timidity or shyness, but he was a little unsure at first. We simply didn't press him, gave him space, and within a day or so he was a delight. It just took a bit of time, very little in the larger scheme of things. -- Phyrie Kiba the Cav's Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phyrie/...758930/detail/ |
#10
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Scared Mastiff puppy
In article ,
"Phyrie" wrote: Kiba certainly got over any timidity or shyness, but he was a little unsure at first. We simply didn't press him, gave him space, and within a day or so he was a delight. Well, I wouldn't have left him in the crate. First thing home is out to the yard to potty! Sure, I have social breeds, but you do too. I collected Marcie from the airport. She was there, in her zip-tied crate and while the baggage guy offered to wheel her to my car for me, I wanted her OUT. He couldn't cut those damn zip ties fast enough for me. I took her RIGHT to the grass to pee. She had just been in a crate for 4 hours after all! As SOON as I took her out of the crate, she was all wiggles and kisses - as it SHOULD be. I wouldn't have expected differently. When we got home She met the big dogs IMMEDIATELY and the cats soon after. A love affair all the way around. I've had a lot of puppies join this household (many were just fosters) and a few cats/kittens as well. They came from all sorts of backgrounds - good breeders, the street, shelters, nice people who found a pregnant cat and let it have kittens. NONE of them was ever afraid of me. Not because they had never met me before nor seen me in weeks, but because I was the human - the safe haven. A few of my foster puppies have had some fear issues. Shadows, that kind of thing. Perhaps not the boldest or most outgoing dogs (one reason they didn't get adopted by me), but afraid of their people? Not even close. -- Janet Boss www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com |
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