Bullmastiff - Stubborn

[Scott85]

Hey All,

I just bought a Bullmastiff from interstate, hes only 12 weeks old and so far has been a dream. I've had him for a few days now and he hasnt barked once and after playing with him or putting him to bed he will have a little whine for about 2 minutes then wander off and play or sleep and we dont hear from him so he has been a perfect puppy, (so far).

Problem is getting him to walk, as soon as the leesh is on him he wont budge. I can get him to walk around the entertaining area where its fenced off (i dont want him in the rest of the backyard yet) but as soon as we go out the front hes heart starts racing and he will sniff around a bit but as soon as he hears a noise he pauses then does the bolt back to the front door or under the car. So i decided to take baby steps and walk him in the back yard but on the side of the fence he doesnt stay during the day just so he knows hes close by so i can train him to walk, but he can see he's side of the fence and will just sit there looking in and gives me hes big sad face and i can get him to move.

Same goes when hes inside the house, he wont go near the front door when we let him wander around but he consitantly goes to the back door wanting to go outside, hes being doing this since the first day and its like all hes interested in is being outside where he stays.

Does anyone have any tips? Because trying to get him to move now is hard enough and i couldnt imagine when he weighs a tonne because i definitely wont be picking him up and taking him back inside then.

He hasnt really learnt he's name yet and still ignores us sometimes, but he was quick to pickup the sit command cause he knows he gets treats.

Anyway heres some pics of little Russ:

Edited September 17, 2010 by Scott85

[jemappelle]

Sorry I have no advice but just wanted to say that your puppy is gorgeous! And I love his name.

[aussielover]

Oh my, what a cutie

I'd be hopeless at trying to discipline him!

My puppy was a bit like that (though not as bad by the sounds it of!) until quite recently, like, 2 weeks ago (5 months old). Now she is great to walk- moves forward really nicely and deals with distraction very well 90% of the time. So maybe it is an age thing.

I wouldn't pick him up and take him back in (ie give him want he wants) until he does at least a few steps forward.

Can you bribe him forward with some yummy food or something?

I did a lot of leash work in the house and yard to try to overcome Mindy's stubborness. I would scatter distractions such as toys and when she went to stop and try and get them I gave her the command "leave it" and if she did, then a treat. If she didn't i'd give a short sharp tug on the leash and as soon as she moved forward again i'd treat her.

However, he may be too scared to listen to you? Maybe try in "his" area first where he feels comfortable. Are you going to a puppy school- they may be able to give you some tips. To get his confidence up, maybe try carrying him (if u can LOL) and just hold him outside for a bit while he figured things out?

I have also heard that bullmastiffs are a bit lazy! He may not really want to move at all

[Bullbreedlover]

aussielover

who told you bullmastiffs are a bit lazy

they totally misinformed you

Scott85. You say you got your baby at 12 weeks or there abouts.

Have you contacted the breeder to see if they had any problems with him before you got him. ie, hanging back alot, not playing with litter mates, not wanting to socialise.

He may be a little scared of the new changes to his surroundings.

Some dogs do not like being on a lead at all.

This can be overcome by givig treats and gaining trust

Personal message me if you like by clicking on my user name and select send me a message.

[persephone]

That is one very very gorgeous pup.!!! Russ is just lovely That 2nd pic... that is amazingly cute!

Doesn't sound stubborn- sounds to me - just from interpreting what you wrote .. as if he is a bit scared and hasn't been socialised very well . Agree with contacting his breeder and ask whay they havedone with him in regrads to socialising... he has only been with you a short time, too.. don't expect too much!

perhaps he has never had any leash training from the breeders- he may have just been outside in a pen ...

oh- and I do hope you do not leave that collar on him ...that loop can easily hook a leg, or something around the house ..and that could be nasty

Edited September 17, 2010 by persephone

[dancinbcs]

Don't just use treats to teach him to sit, use them to get him to move. Take him into the backyard and using treats encourage him to walk beside your left leg without a lead. Practice walking along just a few steps then step back and call him to come to you. The idea is to teach him to follow you around. Once he is doing this over a few days, attach the lead but do not put any pressure on it. Just let it hang loosely between you as you repeat what you have been doing without the lead. Once he walks along happily with the lead loose, just put a little pressure on the lead as you call him to you for a treat. Gradually increase the lead pressure at intervals and release the pressure as soon as he responds to it. Then practice in the front yard.

Keep all training sessions to less than 5 minutes, several times a day and use you voice to let him know when he is getting it right. Lots of praise every time he shows he is willing to follow you. He is not stubborn he just has no idea what you want him to do. The laws of physics always apply, if you pull in one direction he will pull in the other or stay still to resist the pull. A lead should only be needed to stop him wandering off and it can be used to give signals to the dog. Once a lead is tight and being pulled by either the dog or the owner it is useless as a training tool.

Edited September 17, 2010 by dancinbcs

[Adza]

How ADORABLE is he???! sorry just had to write that

[sas]

Many puppies put the breaks on with the lead.

You can get the dog more used to the lead and the resistance they feel on it by clipping on a light weight lesh anytime you are home and letting the puppy just drag it around.

As for if the dog puts on the breaks outside of the home, it really depends on what training method you're looking at using, you could use food or toys to get the puppy to move forward and then praise as it does or you could just keep walking and effectively give the puppy no other choice but to move and praise the puppy the moment it starts moving forward.

[Scott85]

Thanks for all the tips they are much appreciated and the kind comments of Russ.

I've figured out its not that hes wary of the leesh as he will walk around on it inside the house or out the back but its being near cars.

He had a 2 day journey interstate by dog transport and was in a cage between other dogs and it would have been quite frightening for him, so every time he gets near a car or goes towards the front door he knows its probably not going to be a "happy place". He rides in the car a few times a day with me and is happy but he still has some fear about going near one that ill have to train him to overcome.

Thankfully so far he has picked up commands pretty quick and i have been to the vet and hes happy and calm being around other animals and takes a liking to people instantly.

Oh and the collar in the pics was just temporary.

Edited September 18, 2010 by Scott85

[spottychick]

Och! He is a cutey! Sorry - no tips or advice! I'm dealing with a stubborn fella meself LOL

Good luck!

[Crysis]

I to am of the mind set that your boy hasn't been socialised right.

I would begin redoing all that you have done with treats.

Start from scratch and I really think he will conme on in leaps and bounds.

Oh yer he is one hell of a looker, I want one.

[Erinys]

He is very cute, I have my own Bull Mastiff puppy, his name is Eddie AKA Fast Eddie.

He is 10 weeks old and is getting very good on the lead, I take him to the corner of my street when it is home from school time and he associates the lead with lots of fun.

Good luck with Russ, he is awful cute but I must say Eddie is cuter.

[sas]

Cars can be scary to pups, our pup was like that and we used our older girl for him to follow on walks, can you do something similar with a dog friend?