Advice needed. I am afraid that I may have to put my dog down.

Winewaiter

Hi, looking for some helpful advice please. We have a cross bull mastif/boxer aged 4 years. We have always kept dogs and would consider us as responsible owners. He has recently started to become aggressive (barking, growling) to anyone who comes into the house (even if he knows them - he was fine before). We no longer have many visitors. I now make sure he securely placed in another room before I open the door to anyone. Recently he actually bit the electricity man who came to read the meter because I had totally forgot to do this before I let him in the house. He is not neutered but I am looking into doing this in the next few days. I bought him a muzzle specifically for mastifs off the internet and that helps when we walk him. Now the other day I left him tied up outside a shop for a few minutes with his muzzle on. Whilst I was in there, a drunken man approached him egged on by his drunken friend and started to taunt him (putting his face very close up to the dogs). The dog snapped!!! his lead and jumped on the man, pinning him down. Thank god we had the muzzle but I was so alarmed and ashamed as everyone came out of the shops to see what the commotion was. He is the most lovable dog at home with us and I cannot understand what the change in behaviour is all about. Now since this last incident, I am too worried to take him out even though we have bought a very strong lead since. My husband therefore takes him out but as he works he only can do this once, maybe twice a day . We do have a garden so that helps as well. I am so afraid as to what will happen to the dog as I do not wish to give him away for fear he will be put down or treated badly by others.

hethmar

How long have you owned him?

Do you have pet insurance which includes behavioural cover?

Winewaiter

We've had him since he was 8 weeks old. We do have insurance but not sure about behavioural cover. Will check that. I am about to book him in for neuturing and was going to ask the vet about recommended dog behaviourists. So worried though that this cannot be reversed. He is a big dog.

Winewaiter

Has anyone had experienced something like this which has been successfully sorted?

picklepick

Where abouts do you live winewaiter?
Have you looked into hiring a behaviourist?

Winewaiter

I am about to do this, but so afraid he won't change now. I read up about the breed before we got him. It did say that they are wary of strangers. I thought I could cope but now not too sure.

gottodothis_2

I have a friend who has a mastiff.............She was a lovely dog then suddenly took exception to strangers and became very possesive of her house.

I don't want to say it is typical of the breed as i own a staffie and they have a label!

I think the muzzle is a good idea for some situations but the cause of this change needs to be looked into. Is he in any pain? Has something changed in the house however small?

Neutering is a good idea, consulting a behaviourist is excellent also.

Also I would never leave any animal tied up outside a shop, it could get stolen/ ransom and i know of a couple of incidences where the animal was taken and tourtured by kids

Winewaiter

Do you think behaviourists work with this type of problem? I am afraid that by keeping him away from people and people away from the house that I am reinforcing the situation and will just make it worse. However, I am not about to test him with others!

picklepick

If you post where you live someone may be able to recommend a behaviourist for you?

Winewaiter

Thanks I live in Liverpool

picklepick

I've sent you a private message!