Bullmastiff getting more afraid

Hi..

So i got a 7 month old male Bullmastiff who is getting more afraid of unknown people

We had him since 12 week old and he never had any moments in his life where he had a bad experience with strangers

He has always been a little nervous from cars and things he never seen before, but never from people.

We go to the dog park 4-5 times a week ever since we got him and he loves other dogs, and as soon as we get to the park he is the most brave dog there is, even with people.

But when we get home and i walk him at night he's a different dog

Now i read that its a normal thing with the mastiff bread that they have a period where they are like that, but never any things we can try to help the "problem"

Any advice ?

I can't really give advice but my recent personal experience may help.

Like yours, ours was a confident dog. He was happy go off lead even even in the pitch black at night. But the fireworks around Guy Fawkes night - 5th Novemger - has chsnged that.

He is now reluctant to go out at night but will with a lead on. And now get gets nervous with loud and particularly percussive noises.

Maybe your dog had some kind of similar experience that triggered the change

I grew up with a Bullmastiff, gorgeous dog. They are generally very confident and fearless but that comes with Socialisation, they need to be introduced to everything in life the good the bad and the ugly, that way you acquire a friendly, outgoing dog. They are naturally protective of their surroundings but it's up to you to teach him not to be scared of anything in life. The only way to do that is to ensure he has positive meetings with people in all sorts of clothes, hats, with bags, umbrellas etc etc. He should have been doing this from a very young age, it'll be harder now but not impossible. Lots of positive contact with rewards is what's required cos you really don't want a dog that size being reactive.

thank you for the advice..

Regarding fireworks, he don't seem to care to much about it.. new year is coming a kids are already starting to use fireworks.. The first times he was really unsure what to do with it and only wanted to get home.. now he is looking but that's about it.. But off cause we don't know what will happen the closer we get to new year night..

regarding socialisation, the first 4-5 month he had no problem with other people,, but the last 2 month he has held more back.. I take him with me to work, and i talk in a shop with customers coming and going.. so he is used to see new people everyday, and almost all want to say hi to him

But i think maybe it's i should take him to crowded places?? i'm just afraid it will make him more scared of people?

I'd get him used to individuals, then small groups of people, moving on to larger groups before crowds, too much too soon could just overwhelm him, just keep it fun.

The fireworks was just an example of how external events can trigger a change in behaviour.

He's going through a fear period (usually between 5-9 months). Don't flood him with crowds. Far better to make the meetings he has with people fun. Give them a treat to give him or a favourite toy to throw for him. Similarly with going out in the dark. Try to make it fun for him and be as upbeat as you can in both situations so that he doesn't pick up any worries from you.

I have had English Mastiffs and also love the Bull Mastiffs. The one thing you don't want is a large dog like that being afraid of people. One thing you can do is always carry a handful of side treats. When a stranger comes over or at a park give the stranger the treat to give him. Often this will break them out of their fear of people and look at them as a good thing. Good luck

They have fear stages as they grow, generally ignoring them or distracting helps them work through it.

i have tried the "giving strangers treats" thing.. did not work.. he will still not approach them

If i'm with a customer he will slowly go to them as long as they ignore him