Mastiffs

We have a one year old female English Mastiff. We just moved into a new neighborhood and all of our neighbors are afraid of our dog and won't let their kids play with our kids in our yard. But, for good reason...everytime any of the neighbors attempt to come in our yard to talk with us, our mastiff barks, jumps at them, the hair on her back stands straight up. We tried to bring them over to show to her they were ok and our friend and Maggie wouldn't even let them pet her she barked and jumped at them as if she was going to attack them. Please help me figure out how I can get Maggie to like my neighbors.

moving can be very difficult on any dog. It's very stressful and confusing because you're taking the dog away from what's familiar and putting it in a new place with completely different sights and smells. It sounds like she is trying to make sure that your neighbors understand that the new house is part of her territory.

Has your dog had any obedience classes? I think yoru best bet is to start taking your dog on regular walks so she can get away from her yard, and you have the opportunity to expose her to the rest of the neighborhood in a way that reduces her need/instinct to show she is protecting her new territory. Also, she's liable to be far more receptive to people she meets away from her territory as well, as she won't see them as threatening her personal space.

I second the obedience training. The dog needs to learn that her behaviour is not appropriate in a neighborhood situation. She needs to tolerate your childrens friends more than she is now.

Good luck and be careful, there are so many people that are sue happy these days. You may have to build her a sturdy outdoor kennel and keep her confined when the children are playing together.

Basset_Lover