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4 nights ago my now ex had a very big fight with me, lots of arguing,raised voices and a hell of alot of banging and crashing (on his behalf)
now charlie was locked in a back room while this was going on but could hear the commotion and was trying to get out the room (he was sort of whinging) my ex then left and came back and smashed thru my window, charlie by this stage seemed highly agitated (still in the back room) and my ex started hitting me (sorry for all details) and by then charlie was i think headbutting the door to get out.
a few minutes later polics arrived kicking in my front door and lots more yelling and by then charlie was an absolute maniac trying to bust down the door and barking like a very "im going to eat you" growl/bark .
after everyone left charlie was crying and i let him out and paid as much attention to him as i could (i had to do police statements/photos)
since then charlie seems very sooky if he cant be near me, im gathering he is being more protective of me etc, but what i want to know is do you think he may have issues now with men??
he has become more "alert" at any noise now and crys if he is not with me at all times
i fully praise what i think was his efforts to protect me that night, he truly sounded like a full grown gaurd dog that was on a mission to protect me and the kids
should or could i do anything to re inforce i am there for him and i will not hurt him (he is also a little more nervy) i really dont know what to do
my ex is now in jail but is being released in 2 months and i dont want charlie to be agressive but i do want him to protect me and the kids and house so i dont want him being to friendly either...
does anyone think his temperment will change??
sorry for all the ?'s and if i revealed too much, but i want to know if there is anything i should be doing for charlie right now???
I won't address your personal situation but it screams restraining order to me! DO NOT let that man near you again...for your sake and for his...
Did you know that the Bullmastiff is ranked as the #1 Guard Dog by the AKC? Now, of course, we all have loveable babies, but do keep in mind what they were meant to do.
My breeder is consistantly reminding me of this fact. Right now Mack is just a big baby, but I do believe that if he actually perceived me to be in danger, he would throw himself into action.
So, with Charlie - YES! He needs a lot from his mom right now. He heard you in peril and wasn't able to help. Everyone will have different perceptions of this, but I think he needs reassurance right now and to know that you trust him as a protector.
thanks mack
i have been giving him as much attention as always but i dont want to "sook" him as i want him to remain protective..his response actually shocked me as he is only 17 weeks old
i also have the APBT and obviously everyone knows there apparent "agressivness" but she a hopeless guard dog and runs a mile if u raise your voice!!!!
i just dont want to turn him into a "nutter" by not socialising him outside my "circle"
as for the ex he is in jail for his actions with a very strict DVO in place he will NOT be back for the life of me
i honestly feel safe that at 17 weeks i believe he was protecting me so as he grows that wont change but as i said i dont want him being a complete physco (spl) thanks again mack
This is why if I forget to lock my door at night it's no skin of my a$$. A bullmastiff was bred to attack and pin an intruder/poacher . Just as a basset will follow his nose a bully will tackle a bad guy. Hundreds of years of genetics.
As far as the new fearfulness, that was a lot for a young bully to handle. (mentally) however, I would not give him any further attention on the subject. The very best thing to do when a dog acts fearful is to ignore it (and correct any unwanted behavior, such as crowding your space) the worst thing to do to a nervous/fearful dog is to soothe and comfort. Most dogs actually perceive it as you rewarding the behavior. Thus, they become more fearful.
Don't worry about him not protecting if you don't encourage it. It was bred in there. He'll do it. Bullmastiff is still a rather raw and primal breed. Only in the last 30 years or so have they gotten a little "cuddly-er". But it is still right underneath the surface on 98% of the breed. Most never see it simply because the situation never arises. Consider it a good piece of first hand (although hard won, and I'm sorry about that) information of what kind of dog breed you really have. (The BEST!)
Be aware of the fact that if Charlie see's this guy again he might show a side of himself that we Bullmastiff owner do not see that often. Please don't let that person near Charlie again. He might react and Charlie could be put down because of it. Sounds as if this guy could care less about you and would use your dog to hurt you even more. Good Luck and a court date can not come soon enough for you I am sure. I can tell you if a Bullmastiff does not like someone be very careful around that person, PLEASE!!!!!!
thanks clifford,i havent given charlie much more attention than usual and he strill gets corrected for any wrong behaviour so im not wrapping him in cotton wool in that sense i want to make sure my balance is right in regards to assuring him i wont hurt him and but i am still boss
and thanks jake, the court date was the next day he was remanded in custudy that night and sentenced to 8 months suspended after 2, so he will be free in 2 months i have no intentions what so ever of allowing him near me or my family and i will have sole custody of our kids so there is no need for him to return
charlie is hero in my eyes, i feel safer than i have in awhile all thanks to a pudgy pup with a cute face and a heart of gold!!! (and a bark that scared the bejesus outta me)
That is horrible. I am so sorry that you have to go thru this. Please make sure that you use all resources available to you. You need support now...whether its family or friends or some organization in your area...reach out for help.
With that said, I asked D's breeder one time if he thought he would protect me. He seemed a like a marshmallow, a little goofy and a little skittish, so I thought maybe he wouldn't figure it out. My breeder said, you will see a totally different dog if the need arises. I believe it now. He is suspicious of all strangers except little kids. If he doesnt' trust someone, he lets me know it. It was bred into them and its an instinct. They are called the peerless protector for a reason. That is what they do best.
On the other hand, one of my biggest fears is that someone will hurt Diesel when they are trying to get into the house. Being a doggy mama, that's one of my things...I can't help but be his protector.
I remember when I had my bulldog and my ex was yelling at me for something and the bulldog got right in between us and started growling and barking at him. He changed his mind and left when the dog started that.
Wow, sorry you had to go through that. I hope you and your family are okay now. Poor Charlie was frustrated because he heard his mom in need but was in another room and couldnt get out. I always wonder if my 2 would spring into action if need be because they are such big babies. I am sure they would, but still wonder in the back of my mind.
Take care of your family and Charlie - you have yourself a great dog there!
Remember Bullmastiffs will protect the smallest in the family and those they are devoted to. You are the main caregiver,so you win.
Your ex ever decides to enter into your home during the night, he'll be at the spot where Charlie knocked his butt down with a nice grip on his throat till you wait up or the police arrive to haul him out in cuffs.
Don't train for the guard dog behavior, that just come naturally to them. Let them be sweet and gentile and reward that behavior. At 5 mos. old, Jam kept our 3 yr. old neighbor girl from being abducted by 2 men. Pure instinct. If we were outside or inside the house she would place herself in a position to watch Jim and I.
I read a book on bullmastiffs when we first got Jam, and it told of a bullmastiff who broke through a door to get out and safe her puppies from a fire.
Treat Charlie as you did before all this happened and she will protect when the time comes.
I never thought that Tyson had a protective bone in his body he such a love and big baby until a dog at my office came after Emma & I. I had both of them at work with me cause we had a Therapy Dog event to go to anyway my boss had Tyson in her office well because he is her favorite and Emma wont stay with anyone but me. So we were walking and this dog from our sister company out back came running and snarling at Emma & I and all the sudden I saw a huge tan thing run past me and he was on it I have never saw him one move that fast or act like that he was a totally different boy. Needless to say that once the dog realized I messed with the wrong dogs he went running back to the office he belongs in. Then instantly Tyson went back to his normal shuffle foot self and took a nap.
So your boy will be there when you need him but please, please get some help!
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or act like that he was a totally different boy. Needless to say that once the dog realized I messed with the wrong dogs he went running back to the office he belongs in. Then instantly Tyson went back to his normal shuffle foot self and took a nap.