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Mastiffs => American Mastiff Discussions & Pictures => : Softhug July 14, 2006, 09:22:34 AM

: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: Softhug July 14, 2006, 09:22:34 AM
Does anyone elses dog "talk back" at them?  We will tell Boudreaux "no" or to "be quiet" and he will look at us and BARK!  Like he is being defiant.  He is pawing too.  We haven't taught him to shake for this very reason.  But nonetheless, he is constantly pawing our legs when we are sitting down.  He doesn't have to go out, he has food, etc.  I will put my hand on top of his paw when he puts it up on my leg and he will pull it out and put it back on top.  Any ideas why he is doing this or what it means and HOW TO STOP IT?  When I tell him "no" and push his paw off my leg, you guessed it, he barks at me.  One big BARK! Argh!
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: doggylover July 14, 2006, 12:41:30 PM
ROFL Badger did all that really bad when he was a pup.  The barking is either an invitation to play, or a bad attitude (IMO) depending on the context.  The pawing is very dominant.  I think you should just keep working with him on OB, and never let him paw you, or lean on you, or sit on you (all cousins of pawing dominance).  I also wouldn't let him 'politely' rest his feet on you, since this is obviously his 'thing' he does for dominance.  Badger still does this, and if you put your hand on top of his, he will pull it out and put it on top again.  He knows now after all this time in our pack that he better cut it out when we scold him for it, then he gets all submissive. 
Weirdo dogs....
Personally, if the barking was dominant or 'back talking' I would have a water bottle near bye and say 'NO' and squirt him in the mouth, or if he likes that, aim for his eyes.  He will get the hint.  I have also found that when Badger gets like that, I can put my arms out so I look bigger, and sort of tower over him, and say 'NO'...I just don't have the wherewithall to always have a water bottle near me. 
 ;)
BTW, I think you must be talking about some other doggy, there is no way that cute little angel is doing these things....I just don't buy it. 
 :D
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: Imani's Mom July 14, 2006, 02:23:23 PM
Pawing and being mouthy are all typical traits of mastiffs.   Mastiffs need to be always in constant contact physically with their people.  It takes a while to get the message across, but if every single time he puts his paw on you, you turn around and walk away from him immediately- no eye contact, no talking, yelling, etc. and totally ignore him for a minute or two EVERY SINGLE TIME he will eventually get the message that putting his paw on you is not allowed.  "Talking back" isn't really what it seems to be.  Mastiffs are very vocal, and you can actually use it to your advantage.  When he barks or "roo"s at you, tell him "good speak" and give him attention or a treat, which will eventually teach him to speak on command, is the first step in teaching him when NOT to bark at you.  He has to know the "speak" behavior before you can teach him not to do it.  I can give you the info on training him to "hush" on command once you have taught him to "speak" on command, if you need it.  I have four of these monsterous guys in my home right now, and every one has been taught not to put their paw on me ever, for any reason.  They all also know how to "speak" and "whisper" on command.
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: Magnus July 24, 2006, 08:52:18 AM
thanks for that advice. Those paws are lethal arent they? I am going to pass this on to the folks at an AM site that are having the same issues.
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: karateblossom January 13, 2008, 05:54:13 PM
Imani's mom-glad I read your reply!  we have always liked the communication our boys uses and its great because he literally TELLS us when its time to potty, eat, his water is slimey or its time to pick up the youngest from the bus.
As for the pawing, odin only does it on occasion but I didn't know it was dominance.  Now I KNOW and will use your advice.  weve stopped many a potential prob by crossing our arms and walking away without a peep or eyecontact.  When we do this he usually goes to his pillow and curls up w/ muzzle flared out and sighs that "I'm such a doooo doooo head" sigh.  ;)  He's been a joy to have in our home and we learn from him everyday.   He leans on dad when he gets home but never me but he does a lot of rubbing on us before bed like a cat and is very cuddly.  then he lays down and goes into checked out phase til 8 am. 
thanks again!
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: maxsmom January 13, 2008, 07:29:42 PM
Max and Jake will only paw me, if I am petting them and stop.  Then they will paw me, until I pet them more, unless I say NO.  Then they will stop completely.  Is Sophie doing a puppy bow, when you refer to the down dog thing?  Jake does that and barks when he wants to play.  It is like an invitation to play.  That is how my boys signal to each other that they are ready to romp.  They also do it with my hubby and he runs at them and plays with them.  They don't do it me I guess because I don't play rough and tumble games with them.  All of them but Jake outweigh me and he is less than 10 lbs behind me.  Jake will take my husband's arm in his mouth and pull on it to initiate play.  Yesterday, he was coming in the house from the back yard and Jake grabbed his pants in his mouth and pulled him back out the door, trying to get him to play.  I have tried to tell him that as long as he is engaging with them on their level, he has to be prepared when he gets hurt from their rough play, but what do I know.
Kathy
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: diamienono January 13, 2008, 09:21:16 PM
Daisy does the same things.  Where did you all get your AM's from?  Just want to see how the other breeders are
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: Softhug January 24, 2008, 01:34:47 PM
Boudreaux came from FWF in Ohio.  He was from the  Valentine's Day litter of Grettel and Rufus. 
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: karateblossom January 24, 2008, 09:07:58 PM
odin came from a breeder in helotes, tx.  he was a product of an accidental litter where a 2 yo male jumped a 7 ft fence to get to their bitch when she was heat.  It was an accidental litter but the pups were still 'spensive!  Luckily, we got a $400 discount on him.  She wanted us to take the other pup too but we couldn't.  :(  They only bred when they had potential owners so this accidental litter threw a glitch in their life because mastiff people are tough to find.  Anyway, guess that was  long way around the pond! hehe
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: navarre1316 January 24, 2008, 10:09:50 PM
This is an old post but a good one!!!  I don't have mastiff's (yet), but both of my GSD's did/do both of these things!!!  Issy is constantly chuffing at me and if I ignore her she will then start to bark at me, but she does the same thing to Daphne.  I've realized Issy is going to be as vocal as Navarre was!!  For her it's because she's bored and wants to play!  I've almost got her off the pawing she doesn't do it as much anymore thank goodness!!
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: MagicM3 January 25, 2008, 03:48:12 AM
I have one that does the pawing thing.as well as the bark/talking back thing..

Now Falkor our Collie 2 yrs old next month..paws.ta lks .sits on and generally does what he wants with my hubby..and they both seem perfectly happy with the arragement..

He Falkor does not do those things with me because I won't let him..but the talking back..barking thing he does..

I have tried to teach him to speak on command in order to teach him quiet on command but with little to no success..Any suggestions..
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: diamienono February 12, 2008, 10:04:28 AM
I just saw on another site a woman that adopted a 9 month old AM from FW and has to take her back.  she is showing unprovolked agression with no warning.  She is also very fearful and petrified of loud noises.
Daisy is a very sensative dog and hides for at least 30 minutes after I am done vacuuming.  She has started the submissive peeing.  She did it everytime I talked to her yesterday. 
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: Nina February 12, 2008, 12:34:08 PM
Harley does the "talking back" thing. It is usually when she has to potty.

Nina
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: karateblossom February 12, 2008, 03:43:21 PM
Odie talks when he has to potty too.  He is like.........e rrrrrrrrrwurrr rrrrerrrrrwuuu urrrrrrrrr and tilts his head from side to side.  I'm like, ok gotta go peeeeeeeeee?  His tail goes berzerk and then we make him sit......wait. ........wait (door opens) wait.....ok.  and off he trots!  pees on the hosta, the bird tree, the jute, the deer pee, the neighbor's dogs pee then into the field to poo!  why he won't poo in our yard, I do not know but I do not argue either.

Odin doesn't much like the ole bissell either but I am a mean mom and have made him lay/stay while i'm vaccuuming and over time, he has gotten to where he is able to tolerate being near the vaccuum without total freaking out.  However, I cannot expect him to let me get within 3 ft with it on.  This took 3 years to accomplish!  :)  Food for thoght.  At 9 months he would freak out and just about climb the walls and furniture to get as far away from the evil dog sucker!   
: Re: "Talking Back" & Pawing issues
: marinafb February 12, 2008, 04:27:55 PM


Bryce does this and he has knocked me down by pawing me he thinks it is funny as he bounces away from me!Grrrrrrrrrrr