u/HawaiianMana

Does anyone have any experience with puppy (or dog) that is not motivated? Not food motivated, not play, not affection. Is this a phase he needs to grow out of or is this just his personality?

He’s 14.5 weeks old. And puppy teeth are still coming in. He just likes to do his own thing. I was hoping he’s become more motivated as his teeth came in, but no, no real change. Tried beef liver, hot dogs, steak, chicken, all the foods I know I usually super high value. He likes affection, but doesn’t want to work for it. And he doesn’t really play, almost like he gets bored with it quickly.

Does anyone have any experience with Boerboel puppy (or dog) that is not motivated? Not food motivated, not play, not affection. Is this a phase he needs to grow out of or is this just his personality?

He’s 14.5 weeks old. And puppy teeth are still coming in. He just likes to do his own thing. I was hoping he’s become more motivated as his teeth came in, but no, no real change. He likes affection, but doesn’t want to work for it. And he doesn’t really play, almost like he gets bored with it quickly.

I have recently crossed paths with a few trainers that categorize themselves as Balanced Trainers, with force free and R+ training (expired certification).

I asked them what that means and basically it comes down to education and knowledge. They have earned their Fear Free certification but chose not to renew it. They are educated and knowledgeable in the theory and practices of Fear free, force free, R+ only, and will use those strategies majority of the time. But being a LIMA trainer, they will use aversive methods if needed and the owners supports it. But they do not default to it and will try non-aversive methods first.

Personally, I think it’s a great idea and there’s nothing wrong with having a robust toolkit. Just because you know how to do something (use aversive methods) doesn’t mean you always employ those strategies. But you’re knowledgeable enough to do so when needed.

Thoughts on a trainer saying force free trained/ knowledgeable (not certified) and will use aversive if necessary and owner supported?

Recently got a mastiff puppy, 12 weeks now. He’s my 5th mastiff type that I’ve gotten as a puppy, 2nd boerboel. Has anyone else noticed a significant difference in how slowly they mentally mature compared to smaller breeds? I’ve definitely noticed that they don’t seem to catch on as quickly and act more flippant at a young age and for a longer period of time. But this guy is really on the slow track.

As a comparison, I have a 6 month old Rottweiler that caught on to training and general behavior in a couple days. I’ve been helping a friend train her retriever that seems to have caught on in the same time period of a few days to a couple weeks. My 12 week old mastiff is still acting like he’s a 7/8 week old puppy with no signs that he’s catching on.

I’m very cognizant of general puppy behavior and realize that he’s acting like a puppy. But I would expect to have some glimmers of clarity or short spurts of understanding. I also know they catch up around then 12-18 month mark mentally. Mastiffs are just different. Slow progress physically and mentally, but most gentle of giants.

I recently helped a client pick a new puppy. Litter was 14, but one didn’t make it. One of the last few puppies got stuck and doc needed to do emergency section to get the other puppies - mom didn’t make it.

Puppies are now 10 weeks old, all appear healthy with 2nd round of vaccines. All bottle fed until could eat the mush. Littermates were raised together.

I was concerned about antibodies, health, potty training, bite inhibition because mom wasn’t around. But the puppies all seem strong and healthy, they play rough, but do know when to back down and when it’s too much. Puppy seems to be responding really well to potty training, puppy biting and having a soft mouth.

Besides being clingy and separation anxiety (normal for puppies) what else do you think developmentally or even physically the pups may have missed without mom being around in the crucial first weeks? We have noticed the puppies, when separated from the pack, are stage 4 clingers.