Reserved Bullmastiff puppy

[jojnr]

:confused: We have a Bullmastiff pup who is 9 weeks old and has now been with us a week. I love him to bits but he seems to be generally quite detached from both me and his 'dad'. He likes to play but needs to be coaxed into standing up! He seems to show very little excitement when we return to him after leaving him in his pen for any length of time - is this normal? I'm not sure if he's generally just reserved or if he's a bit depressed or upset with us, perhaps because we use a puppy pen. On the other hand he seems generally robust to any attempts to discourage him from doing something he wants to, so perhaps he's not that sensitive? We use food titbits to train him as our praise alone seems to mean little to him! Any ideas?

[Doberman's]

Welcome to Dogforum.org. :)

Your pup is still very young. Has he been to the vet to rule out any sickness ? If not I woud get him to the vet.

[jojnr]

Thanks for your response. I was thinking it may just be while he sizes us up, I also think he is genuinely just quite a passive dog, I've never know a dog that liked to sit so much! He had recently been checked by the Kennel club vet before we colleted him and he actually has another appointment tomorrow for his second set of vaccinations. I'll mention to the vet that he seems a bit withdrawn at times and see if he can offer some reassurances. I'll let you know if he springs into action!

Thanks again
:)

[mysterydog1]

Maybe he misses his littermates? Did your breeder give you a blanket for him with his mates' scent on it?

[Kaos]

Of all the puppies I have come through my puppy class I have found that the bullmastiffs are the most reserved and laid back of all the breeds. This is great for the owners in some respects - they don't tend to get overexcited at the sight of the other puppies, don't pull on the lead or bark and jump around. On the other hand, they can be more tricky to motivate than your average border collie!

I think you are on the right track with the food rewards. You might want to check out a book written by an expert on working with independent breeds.She has put multiple obedience titles on bull dogs. It is called So Your Dog's Not Lassie: Tips for Training Difficult Dogs and Independent Breeds

[KCat]

there may be some depression. Was just talking about this re: Yao Ming today. the first week or two I wondered if he was really lazy or reserved. Well, he is lazy. But after a couple of weeks and getting used to the new home, he started coming out of his shell. He was 9 months when he came to us. He certainly isn't a hyperactive dog, but he does get very excited when we come home or in the morning for breakfast and so forth.

We are not sure, but one guess as to Ming's partial parentage is Mastiff.

[jojnr]

Thanks to everybody who has offered their advice and experience, it's much appreciated. I noted a slight wagging of the tail last night when I came home, so maybe he's just beginning to open up a bit. We did not get a blanket from the breeder and I think it is inevitable that he will miss the company of his litter mates and the other dogs in his first home. He's certainly independent minded! On reflection I think we've actually had relative success in using food to motivate training, having previously had a very eager to please Border collie I think its just a case of me adapting my expectations – I'll definitely look into the book recommended by Kaos. I also think we're unlucky that we're attempting the house train him when the weather is so wet – he really doesn't like the rain!

Thanks again to all.

[Macgyver]

hi jojnr

After just going thu this type of thing I can understand, it was a good week before Sprockett starting wagging his tail, and was TOTALLY not interested in treats. he would accept them, then spit them on the floor. Sasha loved it when he was like that. He now is just as happy running around the house as Sasha, is tail is not quite up to speed yet but he is getting there, Sasha wags hers so fast you cannot see it. just the little bum jiggle :-)

[Kaos]

Oh poor you - I have always found house training is much easier and quicker when the weather is nice. Also more appealing for the owner to stand outside and wait in the middle of summer.

I am sure what you describe is a combination of the process that all new puppies go through finding their feet with their new human family, as well as adjusting to the vast differences in type between a mastiff and a border collie - they are about as different as any two breeds you could possibly work with :)

ps - where are the photos please????

[jojnr]

Unfortunately I'm technologically behind the times and am yet to get a digital camera, I am however intent on buying one next week (I say this most weeks!) and will post a picture of the little fella as soon as possible!

Thanks again to all

[Chuy's dad]

When Chuy first came home he did nothing much other than sleep, eat, and poop for a couple of weeks. That still seems to be his method of dealing with a new situation, he goes to sleep. It could be like you said that he is just sizing things up to figure out his new situation.

[brunosmom]

Hi jojnr...welcome to the forum.....congratulations on you new pup!!!

[jojnr]

Hi all, I just wanted to post an update to let you know how Otto is progressing. As many of you suggested, I think it was juts an initial period of adjustment as he is now far more excitable and seems to have more of an attachment to us – as relayed through a definite improvement in tail wagging! He's still very keen on sitting and sleeping but he's a puppy, and I think a lazy one at that!

Thanks to everybody for their reassurances.
:)

[kw_5kids]

Hi there Welcome to you and Otto :o)

Glad he's come around for ya, I know how worried one can get when you have a new babe ;o)