Mastiff Mix...HELP!

[Gracey Lou]

I have just recently adopted a Bullmastiff Mix from my local humane society. This is my third day with her. Gracey Lou is a year and half old, 115 lbs mastiff mix, or so they tell me. When I got her they told me she had no training and that she had biten a child in it's previous home. OMG what am I doing I thought? Well turns out she has had some sort of training. She knows all the general commands like "sit', "down", "no", "out", "go pee". When I put her out on the chain to do her business she immediately sits when she comes in the house so I can remove the chain. She also won't go off the deck or come back up on the deck until I tell her it's ok. I have not attempted to walk her yet as she weighs as much as I do and it was quite the chore to get her to the car but once at the car she wanted in. She is head strong sometimes I have to tell her 3-4 times to sit and before she does she lets out one loud bark at me and then immediately and rather quickly she does it.
Today when I get home I want to start trying to walk her just around my yard in case she gets away from me she can't just run off. Due to her size I was wondering what type of collar to use, a standard choker or one of those pinch collars. I am only asking because it was recommended by someone who was watching me try to get her to the car they commented that the standard choker was not affecting her at all. I've also added the only pic i have of her right now in hopes someone may be able to tell me what she is mixed with.

[Monkey]

well, maybe one reason why she does not follow you is cause the choker is making her uncomfortable. Try a normal collar and see if you follows you better. Do this where you feel safe with her though and nothing can happen if she breaks loose.

and about what she is, she looks lovely but Id say MORE PICTURES, body, head, full figure etc. That picture there, it can be rottie, lab, shar pei, pitbull, CC, Presa, pretty much anything with big head and muzzle. ;)

She's VERY cute however... I love the big dogs so MORE PICS please :)

[blunder paws]

i no this sounds silly but what is a pinch collar i never heard of that. :confused:

[Yellow Dog]

Pinch Collar: http://www.3cdog.com/images/pinch-collar.jpg

I think you should try using a regular collar, and see if it makes any difference.

[brunosmom]

Not knowing the back ground with your dog you might wanna start off with a regular collar.....in an aggressive dog the pinch collar might back fire and the dog may attack you............She has a beautiful face and I would really enjoy seeing some more pictures of her as I love the big dawgs!!!! Welcome to the forum by the way.......

[KatzNK9]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Great to have you with us. Congratulations on your new family member. Looks like you've got your hands full. I love mastiffs ... awesome dogs!

I a big advocate of the prong (pinch) collar. Some discussions (along with extreme differences of opinion) regarding various tools can be found on these threads:

Inner Spikes->ChokeChain->Harness Q? (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=4911)

Will NOT stop pulling on lead (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=6103)

The Gentle Leader Collar (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=6867)

Lead issues (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=5866)

Dogmatic head collar (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=5623)

Type of Training Collar (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=7074&highlight=prong+collar)

Dogs that pull on walks (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=11451&highlight=prong+collar)

How do you use a prong? (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=11200&highlight=prong+collar)

Pulling on Lead! Please Help (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?p=109536#post109536)

I suggest you look for a good obedience school in your area & sign up for classes. Prong collars are easy to learn to fit & use properly so don't let their appearance scare you away from them. They are very safe, gentle, and quite effective when used properly.

Socialization is very important. As soon as you've got relative control of your dog, I suggest you take her to every place you can to get more contact with other dogs, humans, and new environments.

[KatzNK9]

Not knowing the back ground with your dog you might wanna start off with a regular collar.....in an aggressive dog the pinch collar might back fire and the dog may attack you............

I have to disagree with this. Sorry. A properly used prong collar can be used as a gentle correction. The tugging/pulling of any other training collar (a correction firm enough for a mastiff to even notice) is more likely to cause an attack response as it is likely going to require some major arm strength & movement. You can make a good collar correction with the flick of your wrist with a prong. It really is a misunderstood device — a shame really that they look so scary.

[brunosmom]

I have to disagree with this. Sorry. A properly used prong collar can be used as a gentle correction. The tugging/pulling of any other training collar (a correction firm enough for a mastiff to even notice) is more likely to cause an attack response as it is likely going to require some major arm strength & movement. You can make a good collar correction with the flick of your wrist with a prong. It really is a misunderstood device — a shame really that they look so scary.



No need to appologise Katz...but when I had my Boxer he was being corrected with the pinch collar by my dog trainer...she gave him a correction and he turned on her to bite her....after a few more attempts with the same results by myself and her....she switched him to a Gentle Leader. The behaviorist that was also working with us said that using the prong on an animal that has shown aggression and is trying to be the dominate dog is like working with a time bomb. My boxer took the "pinch" from the collar as a attack which put him in his defence mood.

[eb4i]

No need to appologise Katz...but when I had my Boxer he was being corrected with the pinch collar by my dog trainer...she gave him a correction and he turned on her to bite her....after a few more attempts with the same results by myself and her....she switched him to a Gentle Leader. The behaviorist that was also working with us said that using the prong on an animal that has shown aggression and is trying to be the dominate dog is like working with a time bomb. My boxer took the "pinch" from the collar as a attack which put him in his defence mood.

But that's what you WANT... how can you correct the behaviour if the behaviour never happens?

[brunosmom]

Eb...he never was able to be corrected....his aggression got worse and he was euthanised because of it

[KatzNK9]

My boxer took the "pinch" from the collar as a attack which put him in his defence mood.

Hmmmm, that's perplexing. It leads me to questions. Did the dog understand what was being asked of him? Did the handler have the dog's attention? Was the dog fearful & trying to retreat from her directly before the correction? Was it a particularly strong correction? It sounds like it must have been way too firm a correction to me.

[sheplovr]

She admits the dogs weighs more than she does, this is dangerous to try a normal collar to train one of these huge beast. I have seen a friend with her two and one of my pups, they do not respect if they decide it is going to be my way so to speak. I believe in prong and pinch collars only when no other recourse is available. It would be like murder to try a normal collar when it is dragging her now with one.??
She should try a normal choke under some guidance of somebody that knows Obedience well or this breed. If that does not work try the pinch. Gino my male will not do a darn thing in a nylon normal collar, soon as I put a small choke on and use one finger to fuss, walk on slow, fast, setz, he does it all just fine. No pulling, no hurting my fingers. Before taking this big one to an open Obedience class she should pay somebody to go to the home and help her first. At least I would, common sense tells me this as the breed is known to do as it pleases at times. It has already bitten a child, GOD knows what else it might have in mind if angry.? Just my personal opinion from being bitten many times myself through trying methods not working. Hope all goes well for they are pretty dogs, can be gentle giants, but must be trained just the right way, no force, no firmness too often, but somebody that knows what they are doing so the dog knows also. It is like handling a horse this breed of dog. Powerful ones.!!!!

[eb4i]

Eb...he never was able to be corrected....his aggression got worse and he was euthanised because of it


That's a shame. I wish I had known this dog....

Deepest sympathies.

[brunosmom]

This happened while we were in class....and Louie (Boxer) was starring down the other dogs.....the trainer took him from me and made him walk past these other dogs....when he started to make an attempt to go near the dogs ...she corrected him...I think the correction was fine but he obviously turned his aggression toward her. There were serveral other times when I myself corrected him with the prong collar and could see him go into the that state of mind......and yes, I became afraid of him while using this and the regular chock collars too......

[sheplovr]

I had a nice Boxer named Boo, he got really mean if he did not get his way. He died of cancer tumors all through his stomach with no symptons till day he dropped. ten years old.

[brunosmom]

Pat I'm sorry about Boo .....at least he didn't show any signs that he was in any pain

Katz don't get me wrong....prong or pinch collars work great. I have used them with fast fantasic results......but some dogs...aggressive ones or dogs that you don't know their background....I wouldn't recommend it until you know the dog and its behavior

[KatzNK9]

Katz don't get me wrong....prong or pinch collars work great. I have used them with fast fantasic results......but some dogs...aggressive ones or dogs that you don't know their background....I wouldn't recommend it until you know the dog and its behavior

Oh, I know how you feel about them, you've said that before.:) I just question how (and very likely when) that prong was used by the handler. I probably wouldn't have the dog in classes until I had a good feel for the dog so I have to agree with you that he was likely not well-suited for it at that time.

[lilpantz]

Gracey Lou... I highly recommend you finding a professional (as the others have suggested) who can help you with training and the proper use of a prong or pinch collar.

You got yourself a wonderful doggie there... but you wanna make sure with a dog of that size that YOU are in control.

My friend's Am. Bulldog that I watch every other weekend is huge!!! (160#) and would be a huge problem to walk if he weren't trained.

[montanagal]

Your dog looks to be very handsome from his picture. I recommend an obedience class. Even if the dog knows several commands a "refresher" course is always helpful. Plus you will be able to socialize your dog in a controled environment.

[shadowfacedanes]

Firstly, I would contact a behaviorist who can help you with specific issues.
Also a trainer who can help Gracey Lou with some refresher courses in basic obedience.

This dog has obviously been through some fairly unstable situations in her life. A good trainer and behaviorist can help you work through the things that frighten her, the things that entice her to react aggressively, and most importantly, help her build confidence in herself.

I notice some are replying as if a pinch collar is the only option...it's not. I've managed in 13 years of dane ownership to walk dogs that outweighed me by 75 plus pounds, including dog aggressive danes, without using one. I'm not knocking those that choose to use them, just saying, it's not your only option.

Good luck, she's gorgeous.

[likwid]

OH MY GOSH. I can't believe it.
We are now the owners of Gracey Lou. Got her on Monday as she was re surrendered to the humane society.
She is doing really well here. We have begun training and socializing her, as she gets really high strung when she is around other dogs.

[likwid]

And she mixed with St. Bernard.
One of the workers at the humane society knows the home Gracey Lou's brother is in. And that owner knew the mix when he got him.

[Owned_by_Cai!]

Best of luck with her she looks like a lovley dog :)

[likwid]

Best of luck with her she looks like a lovley dog :)

Thanks! She is getting along great here.
I see her improve daily. Just the occasional jumping up now, something that she did like crazy when we got her.
She is even doing better being away from us. She doesn't have to be stuck to our hip while we are home.
Got a better picture of her now too...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/LiKwid/HolidaysandNewYears223.jpg

[Owned_by_Cai!]

She is gorgeous, glad that shes doing ell for you, can reall see the st bernard face in her in that picture :)