Stubborn Mastiff issues!!

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yhanni

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Hi, I would be very grateful for some advice. We have a 10 month old Mastiff X, Percy. He is generally a biddable, amiable chap but the most stubborn dog I have ever had dealings with and I thought the Bull Terrier was challenging! He has been to puppy classes and was fine although I was warned that if he didn't want to do anything, he wouldn't so only to ask him when there was a fair chance he was up for it. Our problem is when we get back to the car from a walk, he either runs off into the adjoining field (if we're at the livery yard) or lies down and flops onto his side. He weighs over 9 stone so there's no manhandling him!! He gets a treat for putting his front feet up onto the back of the car and I have raised the treat 'value' so he is now getting sausages or pieces of cheese instead of ordinary dog treats. Not cutting the mustard though! Help please!
 
Put a lead on him well in advance of returning to the car to stop him legging it.

How does he get in to the car? Is he asked to jump in or offered a ramp?
 
Even with the lead on, he just lies down and flops onto his side. I ask him to put his front feet up and then lift his back end. I don't think it hurts him and he is more than happy to get in the car when we're on the way out. He can get in himself perfectly easily although I'm conscious of his joints so I'd rather he just put his front feet up and be lifted .... for now anyway!
 
I'd be looking for a step or a ramp long-term and agree, don't *let* him run off.

If it's a stubbornness issue rather than a pain issue, then for me, he wouldn't eat at all until he returns to the car. A few bits of kibble that he can't reach unless he is in the car. Then the rest at home. His decision. If a pain response is ruled out, then you have to make it worth his while to get in and go home.
I wouldn't be breaking out the big guns of sausage and cheese now, especially if he has already eaten.
 
Thank you. The training classes were very treat orientated which is not how I used to train my dogs previously so I feel a bit confused tbh. I probably need to be a bit tougher with him. I have got a ramp that I use for my ancient Rottie but I would just end up dragging Percy up it I think! He also does the lying down thing at home when I want him to come in from the garden because I'm going to work. As soon as he sees I'm in my uniform, he sods off and throws himself down. He's clever!
 
Some dogs are clever, you just have to be cleverer! I would bring him in from the garden before putting your uniform on - those extra few minutes won't make much difference to his well-being. And as CC says, put some food in the car, that he can see put can only get when he is in the car, to encourage him to jump in. Otherwise, wait him out, take a book and when he flops down, open your book and read it, taking no apparent notice of him. Let him get fed up before you do.
 
I don't train with treats, I train with the dog's daily allowance of food and I would definitely be hand feeding this dog ;) all the food should come from you, not a bowl, it'll soon smarten him up. It might mean giving up a morning coffee or a bit of a telly programme in the evening, but you will have a more switched-on dog.
 
If possible, stop using the car for walks until you've cracked the issue. Take a few days to retrain him into believing getting into the car means Good Things. Use a ramp. Put a treat under a towel, so he can't get it without being in the car. Repeat until he's forgotten his objections.
Incidentally, does he find the back of the car too hot ? It's surprising that while the drivers seat may feel cool and airy, the boot area may be much warmer for a dog.
 
I have a friend with 2 Tibetan Mastiffs. The older one was quite good about recall up to about 18 months then nothing. She wasn't remotely treat or toy orientated so was kept on a long line to give her some freedom and only let off where she couldn't run off. Her favourite ploy if asked to do something she didn't want to do was to throw herself on the floor. Caused a lot of amusement from passers by at times. Now at 13 she is more amenable. She is just too intelligent for her own good. Doesn't do anything unless it is on her terms. The young one is not quite so stubborn, she will come back most times eventually but has her own tricks which are equally difficult to cope with. Gorgeous friendly dogs but not for the fainthearted.
I suspect stubborness is a mastiff trait.
 
Sounds like he is really taking the mick :p rule out the pain and if problems still I would be keeping his attention on me whilst walking to the car, as soon as you see his attention lead else where call him back and reward, keep him waiting for that next reward. Keep it fast paced too don't let him have the time to think or wander else where.

I also like CC advice about hand feeding. Food is the way to your dogs heart.
 
Errin Paddywack said:
I have a friend with 2 Tibetan Mastiffs. The older one was quite good about recall up to about 18 months then nothing. She wasn't remotely treat or toy orientated so was kept on a long line to give her some freedom and only let off where she couldn't run off. Her favourite ploy if asked to do something she didn't want to do was to throw herself on the floor. Caused a lot of amusement from passers by at times. Now at 13 she is more amenable. She is just too intelligent for her own good. Doesn't do anything unless it is on her terms. The young one is not quite so stubborn, she will come back most times eventually but has her own tricks which are equally difficult to cope with. Gorgeous friendly dogs but not for the fainthearted.
I suspect stubborness is a mastiff trait.
Click to expand...
13!!😮😮
 
Hi, thank you all for your replies. I will give them much consideration. Other half walked him today and, as instructed, put Percy's lead on 50 yards from the car. Percy immediately realised what was happening & threw himself on the ground!! OH had to leave him to put the EBT in the car then went back for Percy, who eventually got up. I will have to rethink the whole scenario. He does get 'educational' walks by himself 4 days a week & running around like a lunatic with the EBT walks the other 3 days. I have had dogs all my life & he is straining my brain! A bigger, soppier lump you'd be pushed to find though! 😃😃
 
He's not that bothered about his breakfast unfortunately. I don't think it would make any difference. He was really good this evening. I took him somewhere different so he was a little anxious (drool+++!) and he put his feet straight up on the car when he was asked. I might take him by himself 90% of the time rather than have them both together when they're concentrating on each other rather than me. Thank you everybody. I wish i could put a photo on - hes very handsome 😍
 
One of mine pulls this trick, but only when we get home. He plonks himself down in the boot and won’t get up. He’s under 25kg, so I can hoick him up. I worked out that he does it when he thinks he’s not had a long enough walk. Absolute monkey!
 
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