Training an English Mastiff for walks??? Need help!

leo25 · 09-03-2008, 09:31 PM

We have an English Mastiff that we've had for almost two years. He does not do well in the Las Vegas heat and so we have not been able to be consistent in walking him. When we first got him we lived in a rural area that we could walk him in with no problems, but this last year, we have been in the heat/city.

We got him from an abusive situation and granted the past, he's a WONDERFUL dog. However, he was locked in a kennel and never walked. He's great with people and small dogs, but sometimes shows aggression towards other animals if the kids are with us and another dog is nearby. Mostly just hair standing up on his back and barking/pulling the leash. He's never bit another dog, but I honestly do not know if he will. In the past, our neighbors brought their small dog over and other than suffocating him with sniffing, it was fine because the other dog really liked him. He is neutered by the way.

My concern is that I really want to start walking him on a regular basis, however, I CAN NOT control him when he sees someone else walking down the street as he pulls so hard that I can't stop him. He LOVES people, but they literally freak out at his size and start yelling at me when he moves towards him. I've tried bringing a squirt bottle with me and squirting him because at home when he used to jump on us, I used it to stop him (recommended by a dog trainer) and it worked, but he gets so focused on the person or dog, that he doesn't care I am squirting him. Any ideas on what I can do or could this situation be so far gone that I won't be able to walk him?

Thanks for positive input.

Pepper · 09-03-2008, 10:37 PM

You could try a gentle leader, a harness that goes around the face, or a prong collar.

I'm sure some of the mastiff owners on this site will chime in =D

leo25 · 09-03-2008, 10:39 PM

I was just reading about the gentle leader....what has others experience been with that? I can imagine him kind of freaking out having it around his mouth....any input or tips on that?

Thank you!
April

Pepper · 09-03-2008, 11:09 PM

I actually use it on my dog, although she's only like 10 pounds lol, it stops the problems she has (she is very reactive towards dogs when on leash and will bark and pull towards them) But I have used a gentle leader on a very large pitbull I used to have a few years ago.

The main thing is make it fun, give them a treat and put it on, give them another treat, take it off and repeat. Give them something good like chicken or jerky, something they really love. Let them wear it around the house, yes they will paw at it, but when you walk them outside they usually fergot about it.

When he see's a person, don't let him start to stare at them, you can correct him by tugging on the leash and it will automatically turn his head, and if he tries to pull towards them, he can't because he can't pull sideways lol.

leo25 · 09-03-2008, 11:14 PM

That sounds like just what I need! I hate using the squirt bottle....I feel like I'm being hostile. It did stop him from knocking the kids down which was becoming a hazard, so I'm thankful that it worked, but he's so sweet and well behaved (other than publicly LOL) that I really want to steer from using the water trick. Thanks so much for your input!

Kathyy · 09-04-2008, 11:13 PM

Somebody posted this great link a while back. I haven't looked through all of them but it is a great resource - the people in the videos are the best of the best with animals. Down the page check out Jean Donaldson's Conditioning an Emotional Response. It is about introducing a GL. The next two directly address the issues you are having.

leo25 · 09-04-2008, 11:24 PM

I'll try searching for that link....thanks!

Kathyy · 09-06-2008, 12:27 AM

http://abrionline.org/videos.php

Well HERE is the link. What did I do yesterday?

I met a beautiful mastiff/bloodhound puppy today. What a job to train him! His owner said he did jump on people but he was a good boy with me, good thing.