English Mastiff almost 2yrs Old has Behavior problem.?

We have had our English Mastiff for 2 years now, since a puppy, full AKC Paper work and a great specimen for his breed. However he is very nervous around new people. He growls and will nip at someone if they try to pet him with a sudden movement.. And even sometimes if they are cautious when they try.

Now with a friend of mine who loves animals comes over, he doesn't let Saint (my dog) intimidate him and Saint actually takes to him very fast. So I know he's capable of making good relationships.

However I need help figuring out how to make him excited to see new people and eager to please and be petted. I want him to be that normal every day friendly dog that I know Mastiffs are supposed to be.

A mastiff is supposed to be a guard dog - that means he doesn't form instant friendships with new people. He's doing his job. However, I'm not sure that you know quite how to handle this dog. Why not take him to obedience classes with a qualified trainer (no Petsmart classes), to help with his socialization, plus his confidence level will go up as he learns new things and succeeds. Don't expect him to be excited and eager to meet new people - he needs to be allowed to warm up to people when he's ready.

What is wrong with Petsmart obedience classes? Report It

Sounds like the dog is not well socialized and is looking for leadership. Without the leadership he's frightened and trying his best to fulfill that leadership role which he's not well-suited for. I'd have your friend work with you on how to provide the leadership Saint is looking for or talk with an animal behaviorist in your area.

From the way you describe it, your dog is starting to show dominance problems. What are you doing to encourage them? When your friend comes over, the dog instinctively knows that he will not put up with crap, and he mellows out. His behavior was started at home by people doing things, without knowing, sometimes, to encourage this sort of behavior. And what is it with the idea that people have to pet your dog? He is your dog, and when others are allowed to touch him and gush over him, he becomes confused. Why are people out of his pack treating him this way? Look at it from the dogs point of view. He is a pack animal that lives and dies by pack rules. Please go to leerburg.com and listen to Ed talk about dealing with dominant dogs and petting other peoples dogs. Follow his advice and help your dog live a happy healthy life. Oh, and as a closing statement, most people will tell you to let everyone and their brother touch your dog to socialize him, NOT. Do not believe it.

I had a bullmastiff which was much more relaxed than a typical mastif but they are reknowned for being territorial & protective of those they love.
check out this page to see if it helps
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1914...
or englishmastiff.org.uk

The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia has an animal behavior department. Maybe they could help you

All dogs, regardless the breed will want to meet any visitor. The visitor should totally ignore the dog and allow the dog to smell the visitor at their leisure. The visitor should definitely not pet, speak to or make eye contact until the dog relaxes and goes into a calm and submissive state.
For a dog this age, they should not be allowed to answer the door when someone arrives but wait until the visitor enters before checking out the visitor. Only after being satisfied with the newcomer and actually losing interest should the visitor acknowledge the dog's presence.
Dogs should NOT be excited when visitors come but calm and submissive. An excited dog will bite, bark and growl.