I've got a year old Bullmastiff x French Mastiff who I "sort of" rescued (she came from a home where she was hit for not walking on a lead when she was never taught how to, etc).

Anyway, she's a great dog, absolutely loves me and my family. However recently she has started going through a dominant stage with the other dogs in the house. It started out with her just growling around food which we sorted by feeding her seperately. However tonight I heard yelping and found her with my little old lady pinned underneath her feet. I yelled at her and grabbed Missy who had slobber all over her body - but no bites, blood, etc.

She's never done anything like this yet and I've had her just over 6 months. There was a bone outside which is the only motive I can see for her acting in this way.

I really do not want to have to find her a new home, but if this can't be sorted out that will be what I end up doing as I'm not having Missy hurt in any way. I would really love some advice on how I can work on this. Anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou so much,

Stacey

[german sheep]

Hello Stacey,

what your young bitch doesn't know is that she has a dependency to the human. She has the feeling that several things belong to her and so she has to defend them.

Your job is to show her, that everything is yours and that all things you give the dogs are given from you.
Let her work for the food she gets from you. Take her on the leash inside and outside as long as she is under your control.
Do it three days long and don't let the dogs sort out things for themselves.

Every contact without supervision from your side is unacceptable. Only then she can understand that you are the "alpha".
Remind yourself that having two dogs doesn't mean you have a familar pack. It is a forced living together and makes a lot of stress, for everyone including the dogs.

LG
gs

As you probably know, dogs from time to time try to establish their status in the pack, not only who is the leader but also between themselves and she is at the age when they try to do it for the first time. I agree with german sheep - you have to show her that you are the leader. If you can't manage the situation yourself and the issue worsens, I would suggest that you train her for obedience. A well trained dog means less hassle and problems.

I agree that it is really important to make sure that you establish yourself as the dominant member of the household. That should help curb the mastiff's aggression.

[lil mutt]

I agree with the other posters... You must correct this kind of behavior in order to avoid any future problems with your dog.