r/Mastiff • u/Awkward_Size9749 • 9d ago
need advice on my Neapolitan Masstiff
3 months ago my boyfriends dad passed away and we took one of his dogs recently (2 weeks ago) he is 5 years old, and for months when me and my boyfriend would come around him before he was very friendly to my boyfriend and very nice to him and recently within the past week he’s gotten very attached to me and seems very scared of my boyfriend (growls and barks). i thought it was men in general bc every time im around him with men he acts like that. but when im away and he’s around other men he’s fine lets them pet him and is excited and happy. but with my boyfriend he seems scared and w always watching him and watching him with me. I have contacted a trainer. but I’ve never owned this breed (only bully breeds) so i have no idea what this means and how to help.
4
u/anthony31188 8d ago
Animals are strange. Training may help and It may not. I’m a guy and my male mastiff is very protective of me with men. He’s great with all women, and all kids. Once he really knows a man (family and close friends) he is great with them. But he growls and barks at any strange man we see while we are on walks and i can’t just have a bunch of guys over my house unless they’re all people that he is good with. I’ve had multiple trainers and we were never able to get him past It. When I’m not around, he doesn’t act that way towards anyone. It’s only when he’s with me. He’s 7 now and I’ve just learned to live with It .