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[jcoppersmith]

I am new here I have one Fila her name is Kenda and she is 7 months old. I am here trying to find some help with her she has been very well socialized but she goes after everyone that comes to our house even though most people are here everyday and I just don't know what to do with her cause now if someone comes over I have to put her up in her cage away from everyone.

[Brasileirokid]

I did alot of socialization as well and my bitch is still the same way, well for the folks she sees everyday not really. We still put her away when people come over. This may just be something you may have to live with when you own a fila unless you start doing some really extensive obedience classes and even then you should never leave your dog unattended with folks she doesnt consider family.

Welcome to the board and good luck!

Juan

[angelbears]

Welcome,

Your fila is just being a fila. Not trying to be mean but did anyone explain to you the tempermant of a fila? I would discuss this with my breeder. Most breeders are more than willing to try and walk you through training issues. If you can find a good trainer it is well worth the investment.

I'm a weak handler so anytime someone comes to the house Cane is put up, for his safety as well as any guest. However, there are many fila owners that are excellent handlers, work with their dogs extensively and house guest are not a problem. Please always remember if people are over your fila should be supervised no matter how much training you do.

Good Luck and keep us posted!
Debra

[stonefree78]

how many month olds that your fila start acting like this?? is there any problem when bring her out ??mine now is great with people but now she just only 3 month olds. but can notice that at some point she trying to challenge me.like when i try to pet her some time she don't like it , she not biting but just push my hand away with her gentle bite. is this normal?? what to expect when she reach 5 month old??? cause the only respone i get from dog trainer here is that" oh, fila. a very fierce dog"

[Brasileirokid]

mine started at around 3 mths as well and progressively got better/worse (which ever way you want to look at it) with age and confidence. the only way to really help your situation is through desensitization. What I did is walk he for very long distances with lots of different distractions..ie a park with people jogging, playing basketball etc. While this probably will not make it go away completely (mine hasn't) it will make her "tolerate" people up to a decent distance. This wont happen overnight (I have worked and continuously work with my bitch for a few years. Did you not know that a fila is suppose to do this? it is bred into them, it is called ojeriza and because of this they are not suppose to "like" strangers". A stranger to your dog is pretty much someone who does not live in the house or at the least comes over VERY frequently. The fila does not care whether or not you consider the person a stranger or not. Some people have had some "success" (if you want to call it that) with behavior modification training but unless you are skilled at this it should be left to a professional that is familiar with the breed. It is unfortunate that you did not do enough research on this breed prior to getting her, it would have made it alot easier if you knew what to expect. The thing is she's still very young you could still mold her and it really should not be too difficult. I for one am not in favor of attempting to make a fila into a Labrador retriever, because if someone really wanted a lab they probably should have gotten a lab.
Good Luck and let us know how it is going with her periodically. BTW I still have to put my fila away in her crate or outside when someone comes over and she is just about 5 yrs old.

[stonefree78]

now she is bout 4 month old, have successful training he to walk and run 2gather side by side. but as for other command, for example "sit" it is very difficult to exercute the command out side of the house. cause she really easy to get distracted . even try it to train her with food, the percentage is very low too. if at home she respone very good to basic command. every weekend i bring her out to join kennel club for so that she can socialize with other dog, at 1st have no problem but this few week she just play too rough other dog. now only a few doberman pup that almost the same age wana play with her.as for older and larger dog , she just make them go crazy every time cause when ever she see aldult dog she just charge toward them. i don;t know how to describe, she is not naughty but she just in most of the time when out side she make her own decision except for walking with leash.

[stonefree78]

if compair to other dog , every time i feel like that she will not act or respone to training command like other dog. i know it and i love her for that but is fila really that different from other breed? i have contact an owner from other state in malaysia,he say " after u own a fila u will lost intrest at other breed. and will not even think of own other breed again , rottie, doberman, golden gsd, belgium sherpard and..... are just not in the same class "

[girldogue]

Really well explained, Juan

Suzy


mine started at around 3 mths as well and progressively got better/worse (which ever way you want to look at it) with age and confidence. the only way to really help your situation is through desensitization. What I did is walk he for very long distances with lots of different distractions..ie a park with people jogging, playing basketball etc. While this probably will not make it go away completely (mine hasn't) it will make her "tolerate" people up to a decent distance. This wont happen overnight (I have worked and continuously work with my bitch for a few years. Did you not know that a fila is suppose to do this? it is bred into them, it is called ojeriza and because of this they are not suppose to "like" strangers". A stranger to your dog is pretty much someone who does not live in the house or at the least comes over VERY frequently. The fila does not care whether or not you consider the person a stranger or not. Some people have had some "success" (if you want to call it that) with behavior modification training but unless you are skilled at this it should be left to a professional that is familiar with the breed. It is unfortunate that you did not do enough research on this breed prior to getting her, it would have made it alot easier if you knew what to expect. The thing is she's still very young you could still mold her and it really should not be too difficult. I for one am not in favor of attempting to make a fila into a Labrador retriever, because if someone really wanted a lab they probably should have gotten a lab.
Good Luck and let us know how it is going with her periodically. BTW I still have to put my fila away in her crate or outside when someone comes over and she is just about 5 yrs old.