Bullmastiffs are not typically aggressive dogs. They are always alert, curious, and energetic, making them ideal for family life. However, just like any other breed of dog, if they are not properly trained or cared for, they can become aggressive or destructive. So, when do Bullmastiffs get aggressive?
There are many reasons why a Bullmastiff might become aggressive. They can become aggressive in a number of situations, including when they are in pain, if they feel threatened, or if someone approaches them from behind, to name a few.
For a complete list of reasons why a Bullmastiff might get aggressive, be sure to stick around and read until the end!
When do Bullmastiffs Get Aggressive?
Since dogs are creatures that can be hard to understand in some cases, it is impossible to create a straightforward list of the only times a Bullmastiff can become aggressive.
However, we have compiled the most common reasons a Bullmastiff becomes aggressive, and here they are!
Fear
Bullmastiffs may become aggressive when they are in fear. This may be due to a lack of socialization, poor training, or mistreatment.
It’s essential to train your dog to get along with other dogs and humans from a young age and provide them with plenty of socialization. This will help to prevent them from becoming fearful and aggressive.
However, they may also become aggressive in other situations that cause them to be afraid, such as thunderstorms.
Being Territorial
A Bullmastiff may also become aggressive if they are being territorial; for example, if they feel like another dog or person is encroaching on their territory.
It’s essential to train your dog not to be aggressive when it feels like this by socializing them and teaching them that people and other dogs are not a danger.
Dogs can be territorial of their home, their property, and in public places such as dog parks.
Therefore, you should teach your dog that they have to share their territory with others; otherwise, they can become aggressive and potentially injure someone.
Frustration
Bullmastiffs may also become aggressive when they are feeling frustrated. For example, if they are not getting enough attention or playtime or their needs are not being met.
It’s essential to give your dog plenty of attention, exercise, and playtime. You should also give your dog some privacy so that he feels less stressed.
Of course, these are just a few general ideas of things that may frustrate your dog. However, there are many others, such as another animal wanting to play while your Bullmastiff is trying to sleep or if someone pets them when they do not want to be pet.
To avoid aggression, always keep an eye out for signs of frustration in your dog to react accordingly.
Showing Dominance
It’s not uncommon for Bullmastiffs to show dominance by growling, snapping, and biting. When a dog tries to protect its territory and resources, it may become aggressive and resort to fight or flight. This is especially true with smaller dogs.
If you find that your Bullmastiff is often aggressive around small dogs, they are likely trying to show the small dog that they are the boss and dominate the small dog.
It’s essential to correct this behavior and make sure your Bullmastiff knows that he is not the alpha dog. This can be done with proper training.
Anxiety
Bullmastiffs may also have anxiety. This may be due to a lack of socialization, poor training, or mistreatment.
It’s essential to train your dog to get along with other dogs and humans from a young age and provide them with plenty of socialization. This will help to prevent them from becoming anxious and aggressive.
That being said, if a situation or environment makes your dog uncomfortable, they may become anxious, and their natural reaction to this will be to become suddenly aggressive.
For example, if a Bullmastiff is in an unknown place with lots of people and noise, they may become anxious and aggressive as a way to protect themselves.
Injury or Illness
A few different things can cause a Bullmastiff to become aggressive, such as injury or illness. If the Bullmastiff is in pain, he may become defensive and act aggressively to try and protect himself.
If he is ill, he may also become aggressive to defend himself and his territory.
It’s essential to pay attention to your dog’s behavior and look for any changes that may indicate that he is not feeling well.
If you notice any changes, take him to the vet right away, not only to prevent aggression but also because your dog may need medical assistance.
Are Bullmastiffs Aggressive Towards Humans?
Bullmastiffs are not typically aggressive. However, if not properly cared for, they can be aggressive or destructive.
Bullmastiffs get their name from their resemblance to medieval war dogs known as “bullen mastiffs”. They were used in warfare due to their massive size and fighting ability.
The modern-day Bullmastiff is still very loyal, strong, and protective, just as their ancestors were. However, they are typically very calm unless danger is present.
When the proper owner trains them to be alert rather than aggressive, they make ideal family pets that rarely show aggression towards humans or at all.
Are Bullmastiffs Aggressive Towards Other Animals?
Bullmastiffs have been bred for centuries as guard dogs in Great Britain. However, despite their size and strength, they’re not typically aggressive toward other animals.
This, of course, depends on whether they are provoked or trained to be aggressive.
However, just like any creature, if you ignore its needs, you will find it destructive or aggressive in return. Therefore, you should ensure your Bullmastiff has all it needs to live a happy, healthy life.
Symptoms of Aggression in Bullmastiffs
Symptoms of aggression in Bullmastiffs may include growling, snapping, snarling, barking, and biting.
Aggressive dogs are also often fearful. When a dog is being attacked or feels threatened by someone, they are likely to show aggression.
When a dog has anxiety or fear of people or other dogs, it may also become aggressive. This is why it’s essential to socialize them with familiar people and other dogs early on.
Other signs of aggression in your Bullmastiff include:
- Fears and phobias
- Protection
- Territorial aggression or guarding
- Pain-induced aggression or startle reaction
If you notice any of these behaviors frequently in your dog, it may have an aggression problem. This may require the expertise of a professional dog trainer.
Preventing Aggression in Bullmastiffs
One of the best ways to prevent canine aggression is to socialize your Bullmastiff puppy early. This can occur at around 8-12 weeks old because that’s the most impressionable stage for any training and development.
If he’s not adequately socialized at that age, his instincts will take over, and there won’t be much you can do later to change it, even if you start him on a training program.
There’s really no need for aggression at all. Still, it can be a matter of safety if your dog is naturally protective. This typically includes guarding their territory and family members from others, especially if danger is present.
In those cases, you would want to train them more precisely so they don’t get too aggressive with other dogs/bully breeds during playtime outside of the home.
However, this doesn’t mean that you have to let them fight or go around attacking people & pets just because they’re protecting their owners – that wouldn’t be acceptable either.
It would help if you taught your Bullmastiff puppy early on that he’s not allowed to attack people or other individuals without first trying to communicate with them calmly and rationally.
Can You Train Your Bullmastiff Not to Be Aggressive?
Yes, it is possible to train a Bullmastiff not to be aggressive. However, it’s essential to start preparing the dog early on to understand how to behave around people and other animals.
To train your Bullmastiff not to be aggressive, it’s essential to understand what triggers aggressive behavior in this breed. Using the list of aggression triggers provided earlier in the article, you can know what causes your Bullmastiff’s aggression.
You can then get them to feel more comfortable in the specific situation or environment that causes their aggression.
For example, if a particular part of the house causes them anxiety, you can bring them there more often and remain in the room next to them the whole time so that they start understanding that they are safe in that part of the home.
Importance of Early Socialization
There is an ongoing debate about whether it is important to socialize dogs when they are young.
Some people believe that it is crucial for dogs to be around different people, animals, and situations. Others think that it is better to wait until dogs are older and more mature so they are not scared or overwhelmed by new things.
Recent studies suggest that taking puppies outside and exposing them to new experiences can help them control their impulses better than if they were stuck at home with only toys.
“Puppies need to interact with other dogs and people to learn how to socialize, which makes them better-adjusted adults.”
Socializing your young puppy can also help reduce their chances of becoming aggressive when they are grown.
So, if you have a puppy, it’s a good idea to expose them to new people, animals, and situations as much as possible.
This will help them learn important social skills and make them better pets in the future.
Final thoughts
While Bullmastiffs are not overly aggressive dogs (although there are some cases of severe Bullmastiff aggression), certain situations can cause them to become aggressive. We hope this article has explained when Bullmastiffs get aggressive! Thanks for reading.
