Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Please help with some advice...I just purchased a new English Mastiff puppy and am having a hard time with her. She was great at the breeder's house, but now that she is home, she has digressed. I am quite familiar with crate training, and scheduled feedings, play-time, etc. But I don't know what is going on. She continues to deficate in her crate, is so shy she won't come out, hates her collar and leash, and no matter how long I have her outside to potty, she won't go. She waits until she is back inside and in her crate. It's a mess!! I'll spend over 15 minutes coaxing her out of her crate with treats and toys, then it's a battle outside as well. Food reward and toy reward mean nothing. Can anyone help? About 2 years ago I purchased an adult English Mastiff who was great, but died suddenly. I know they are not an extremely active breed, and the pup I purchased was neither the dominant, nor submissive type (at least not at the breeder's). Can someone help me?

>>Please help with some advice...I just purchased a new English Mastiff puppy and am having a hard time with her. She was great at the breeder's house, but now that she is home, she has digressed. I am quite familiar with crate training, and scheduled feedings, play-time, etc. But I don't know what is going on. She continues to deficate in her crate, is so shy she won't come out, hates her collar and leash, and no matter how long I have her outside to potty, she won't go. She waits until she is back inside and in her crate. It's a mess!! I'll spend over 15 minutes coaxing her out of her crate with treats and toys, then it's a battle outside as well. Food reward and toy reward mean nothing. Can anyone help? About 2 years ago I purchased an adult English Mastiff who was great, but died suddenly. I know they are not an extremely active breed, and the pup I purchased was neither the dominant, nor submissive type (at least not at the breeder's). Can someone help me?

>>>>>>..
Contact the breeder. You need to know the dog's routine, the type of food she was eating, and get the breeder's input into what could be going on. Then a vet. So many things happen with puppies. And when she's old enough, a puppy class. Your vet can help you find one.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

your pup may be used to going to the bathroom inside... your breeder probably had all the pups do that being it would be easier for her... your puppy is actually smart beacause to her, going in her crate is "the right thing to do".. she knows no other way.... have patience.. your puppy will get the idea.. keep doing what youre doing... bring her outside and when she goes..praise her! also.... be sure that her crate is not too big for her, she should be able to turn around and lay down... any extra room is just a place for her to "go"
good luck

Thank you all for your advice. I am trying to be very patient with her shyness, only having her in the house for short periods of time so as not to overwhelm her. She is SLOWLY comming out of it. And you are right scorpion, the area where her and her litter-mates were kept was big enough for her to "go" in one area and sleep in another. I hate when people do that. I also called the breeder to get some advice. She told me that she stops socializing with her pups at 4 weeks of age...no wonder. So we are slowly working with her, and hopefully by this time next year she'll be fine. I am still open to any suggestions anyone else might have!! Thanks again,