a question for dog people
 

my dog, an OEM, has timidity... it's an hereditary trait in some lines of the breed it's pretty bad... runs and hides from pretty everything except coyotes for some reason... the guys chases down coyotes in a heart beat...
so any way I think I've had it with the 'cowardly lion'... to at the entrance to the park for an early morning the walk... my dog turned around and ran home... at this point I'm going to petsmart when they open and drop the dog off for adoption.... after 4 years I don't think I can take any more... I really want a dog that acts like a fucking dog... you know? :mad:

thoughts????

from a breeder

Fascinating subject because I often hear myself telling people who are asking me about Mastiffs that shyness is almost endemic in the breed. Using the word "genetic" to describe it could be a stretch but I do think personality traits are heritable just as they are in humans so, possibly, it's accurate enough.



Would I breed a Mastiff with a tendency toward shyness? Yes, though I would make every attempt to breed it to one that displayed greater confidence. At this point, I'm afraid if we took every Mastiff with a tentative nature out of the breeding pool, there would be much left. I have seen some that are virtually crippled with shyness and fear that can't be explained by their upbringing and those I would certainly not advocate breeding.




My concern over shyness is that it could potentially lead to defensiveness which could manifest itself in aggressive behavior and, with a breed as large as a Mastiff, that's a very dangerous scenario.

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Karen K.

just found this

Mastiffs can be timid at 10 weeks as you say, but in some cases they can be bold at ten weeks and turn timid, even neurotic, at 10 months. It seems somewhat like the phenomenon that I have heard about in pet wolves, who of course did not have this behaviour bred into them, but did not have it bred out through centuries of domestication, like many breeds.

At some level Mastiffs are not entirely "in the home" dogs, but have a heritage of being bandogs and war dogs. They mostly are sweet, but can reach very ancient depths. The Mastiff of even 200 years ago was not a pet, and even though today it is the best-natured of the mastiff breeds, is still not always a giant lap dog. I actually don't recommend the Mastiff for anyone who is looking for a big cuddly toy. They are emotionally complex, and in 28 years of owning the breed, I have never had two alike.

okay.. this helps.. this mastiff is NOT like any other dog I've ever been around... think this might be the clue : The Mastiff of even 200 years ago was not a pet :2 cents:

Can you join him up to doggie day care where he can be with a more confident pack?

Seems like he needs to be around more confident dogs to show him there's nothing to be afraid of, as well as a leader with more confidence.

Your dog sounds lucky to have you.

I had a dog years ago that was scared of strange men and would run home from the park and be sat on the doorstep when I got back. Once she started doing it the only way I found of going for a decent length walk was to go out in the evening as it was getting dark while nobody else would be in the park.

Out of interest, what made you pick a Mastiff when you were choosing a puppy?

I like big dogs....so I'll adopt his ass out or just accept the fact that my big ass dog is really just a big baby

yes that always helps, I had sorta forgotten but it's about $200 a week... think I'll do that when I'm back to work... thanks

it's amazing what a bitter hateful person you are, have fun with that :1orglaugh

brassdonkey has a lot of doggs, he will give you the best advice

It shouldn't be $200.00 a week. You don't have to take him every day. It should be about $15.00 for the day. Maybe $20.00.

He could go 2 days a week. Might help. Good luck.

sarcasm aside, i imagine the vast majority of those who consider themselves as 'dog people' would be appalled at the thought of how a dog owner could be so self-absorbed and heartless (not to mention clueless) in deciding not only to get rid of his dog for such a superficial reason as 'shyness' and proceeding to post hoc rationalize the decision as having been made at least in part due to safety concerns in citing that shyness can sometimes be an indicator of possible future aggressiveness but to wait the equivalent of 33 human years for a mastiff before making the decision.

But since none of the above will resonate with you because you are too dumb, my suggestion to you is to do what many have suggested to you many times in the past as being the best course of action in dealing with your vast myriad of issues, kill yourself. But beforehand you need to guesstimate how long it will be before someone finds your body, then leave out enough food and water for the dog.

Have luck! :thumbsup

Bit more elegant bit more intelligent same bitter hateful stuff. Congratulations to the winner!

I live in a pretty upscale area and everything costs just a few bucks more till its 43 bucks a day for daycare unless I want to drive 20 miles however I am going to do what you have suggested and put him down there a couple days a week it always helps them to get reacclimated over at my house is just me shooting all day and fucking girls I guess he needs a little be around dogs or something

I didn't mean me fucking girls lol I just meant a house filled with fucking girls

Hey guys thanks a lot this really helped. those of you that emailed me thank you very much and me and killer are going to work it out

This :thumbsup