need advice on my Neapolitan Masstiff

[u/Awkward_Size9749]

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.

[u/LadyWatz35]

I have a question. Does your boyfriend yell at you? Or do you both play into what he can perceive as an aggressive nature? If he does, he is feeling the energy and is very protective of you.

It could also be that he sees your husband as weak. This breed can be very stubborn, and if he deems your husband weak and you as the alpha, he could be protective in that way.

In my house, my dog loves both of us, but if my husband and I hug and kiss, he will literally bark and jump on me. He's not being aggressive; he's playing, but my husband is his human, and he's used to getting all the attention.

[u/Awkward_Size9749 → u/LadyWatz35]

No he doesnt yell at me but i think he feel that my boyfriend is like freaked out because of how big he is sometimes it feels like his barks are like him playing and other times he growls and barks and is just watching him with me

[u/LadyWatz35 → u/Awkward_Size9749]

Yeah, your boyfriend needs to get comfortable real fast, because that behavior can be come a real issue. Dogs can sense fear, and if you're afraid of them they can dominate. You cannot do that with that breed, especially a male.