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Epic Battle : Mastiff VS.Clean Freak
in Pets
I need some advice on how to correct my mastiff's behavior. In an effort to keep my house a little neater I am trying to let the dog be a dog and go play outside. The problem is that we have never been able to do this because he has terrible separation anxiety and howls if we leave or even if we go in to a part of the house where he can't see me. He's really huge so his howling and crying is very disturbing and our neighbors have even politely mentioned it. I have tried ignoring it, I have tried making him "feel better" about the back yard by playing with him grooming and even drinking my coffee on the porch while he does his morning thing. I am a student so I'm home most of the day its not like he's ignored. I just dont know what I can do to break him of it. His apparent distress leaves me clenching my jaw while I'm trying to study because I feel bad, but at the same time I know he's being ridiculous! Any suggesttions? He's the first dog I've had that hates being outside and doesn't know how to entertain himself when I need to get things done.
Re: Epic Battle : Mastiff VS.Clean Freak
Well, dogs are social creatures. They want to be with their families. Most dogs don't entertain themselves when they are outside alone.
What is he doing to make your house dirty?
Having such a big dog is quite a chore we signed up for. He doesn't get on the furniture or jump up on counters but since he is so tall he is able to effortlessly drag his slobbery mouth along the counter tops as I cook or along the sofa. It isn't his fault so in an effort to not "nag" him for a behavior that isn't really wrong or his fault I put him outside during these times. He is always a part of the family always inside or if outside we throw the ball for him and play with him but there has to be some type of separation between dog and human. For one example I put him outside when we have certain company. His size makes him kind of a hazard to have around kids or elderly. He can easily knock them over or trip them even if he is not being rough, or guests who come over in nice clothes (for thanksgiving for example) don't always want to get slobbered on, but the howling starts right away and makes it impossible for me to hold a conversation with my guests. This behavior is not normal some thing seems wrong with him. I have had everything from yorkies, labs, shepherds, you name it and have never had a problem with putting them in the yard to go play for awhile. I think being able to run outside and get fresh air is a healthy thing for a dog but he just hates it. I thought of getting another dog for company but feeding and caring for a 160lb dog is a large expense and adding another pet would not be fair to anyone. I have tried the separation anxiety tip of not making a huge deal of leaving and telling him goodbye and its also been suggested to not make a big deal about coming home either but it's not working. Are there any other suggestions anyone has? Another reason he goes outside is we don't like crating him. If some one breaks in he would be defensless locked away like that. So the back yard seems the best choice. He can play, do his doggie thing and get to his water bowl where as in a crate he can't do any of that but the neighbors have said (very nicely so far) that he howls the whole time we are gone to the store or out to dinner and I really don't want him to disturb them.
I used to have a mastiff and it actually does sound pretty normal. They are VERY social dogs and to be locked outside while there family is inside is pure torture to them. I would absolutely use a crate when you have to...its no meaner then locking him outside when he's so obviously miserable out there. And as far as making him defenseless if someone was to break in he would also be defenseless if locked in the backyard and they are going through the house.
I totally get it I have what the shelter thought was a mastiff cross right now. He doesn't like spending time outside by himself either. It would be much easier if I could have him outside while I cook dinner etc. I have two kids so sometimes I can get the three of them outside while I cook dinner and he's fine out there as long as he's not alone. When we have guests over (such as my grandparents etc) he has to stay on a leash with us or go in a crate. Sometimes a kong with peanut butter will keep him entertained and from underfoot for awhile. My dog is also a puppy still so he's destructive as well. If I leave him alone in the house he will eat something if I leave him alone outside and he's not jumping on the window screens and ripping them in an attempt to let me know he wants to come back in...he's chewing my deck and ruining it. Drives. me. nuts.
Overall if your neighbors have said something you have to change something. I have always had dogs but there is nothing more annoying then a neighbors dog howling/barking throughout the day! Especially if they have young kids or work nights etc. I was on left side only bedrest for two months with my oldest son essentially could not move off my left side. The neighbors dog barked all freaking day while he was at work and he left the dog outside. It drove me insane the only thing I had to look forward to at that point was meals and naps and the dog prevented those naps, ha. I wanted to sleep away those two months!
You should never leave a dog outside unattended. If you need to confine him, I would definitely crate train him. You are actually potentially putting him in harms way by leaving him alone outside. What if a neighbor get sick of his whining, howling, barking and decides to poison him?
We have an american bulldog and he hates being seperated from us. He whines and paces. He is usually content just being in the same room with us. He is a drooling beast, especially in the summer. We cover our couches and just have to wipe down walls and counters more often. A pain? Yes but it what we signed up for when we got him.
I agree with the PPs -- crating is infinitely safer than putting your dog outside unattended.
Even if someone were to break into your home, your dog would be much safer crated -- the intruder is less likely to harm your dog.
Ha! Thank you SO much for your story! It makes me feel better knowing this is not just my dog. This is the only mastiff I've ever owned so I'm a newbie as far as comparing his behavior to others. He definitely cares about us and what we're doing more than any other breed I've owned! He watches my every move and it's actually kind of flattering at times. The kong is an excellent idea. I usually give him bones but he just likes to hide them if "strangers" are around. Its hilarious that these dogs are so huge but they are the most loving, cuddly, needy little things ever ha! I guess I'll just have to crate him when I'm gone because you are right about the neighbors. I just can't have him disturbing them any longer, but honestly i think my mastiff will be totally happy with that! It's not that I think crates are bad I just figured he might like outside more. With all of my dogs I've always done a combination of both outside and crating. It can get dangerously hot where I live in the summer and if the house isn't dog proofed I will crate. I guess mastiffs are just truly unique. They really meant what they said when I read they are couch potatoes! They are worse than couch potatoes! They are just flat out lazy and LOVE the indoors ha! Good luck with your puppy! I have some really cool deck chairs that didn't make it through my mastiff's destructive stage
Luckily he was a little over a year old when we rescued him so it didn't last long.
If you work on making the crate a happy, secure place, he shouldn't mind it too much.
My pittie was terrified of his crate, so we started feeding him all his meals in there, and he'd get a Kong stuffed with mashed bananas and peanut butter whenever we had to put him in there. He started to associate the crate with the yummy treats and started hanging out in there (with the door open) even when we were home.
Your welcome
I am a neat freak as well, and have ocd, but mastiffs are my true breed of choice. Thankfully my first two mastiffs didn't drool too much, but the shedding! But there is seriously nothing like a mastiff, they truly love their owners and really just want to be with them. This time around I wanted to go the rescue route so I looked for a mastiff mix. I really hope he ends up with the mastiff personality!
We have our puppy in daycare two days a week now and its helped immensely! In our case he's still a puppy, so energetic and destructive. When tired he acts like a mastiff, just wants to be with us, sleeping in the room we are in. Good luck
I know how frustrating it is, but they are so worth it!