SnowSpirits Tibetan Mastiffs

05/11/2025

05/01/2025

Excellent insight. I recommend Pamela for help with dog behavior and especially Tibetan Mastiff and Himalayan Mountain Dogs.

As a result of a query below I thought it might be helpful to pop up this short guide:-

🐕 “My Tibetan Mastiff growls at strangers – what should I do?”
It’s a question I get asked a lot, and it’s a really important one—especially when you’re living with a breed that’s as instinctive and strong-willed as a TM.

🔹 1. It’s not bad behaviour – it’s communication.
When a TM growls, they’re not being difficult or trying to take over—they’re saying, “I’m uncomfortable, and I’m not sure you’ve got this.” That deserves thoughtful attention, not correction or dismissal.

🔹 2. Guarding is part of who they are, being a guardian is in the dna. It has been their purpose for thousands of years, but without proper support, they may feel like they always need to step in—even when it’s not appropriate. That can create a cycle of tension for both dog and human.

🔹 3. I’m not trying to ‘train out’ their instincts.
TMs don’t need to be “fixed.” They need help understanding when to step forward and when they can rely on you to deal with things. It’s not about suppression—it’s about trust.

🔹 4. Obedience won’t get you where you want to be.
You can’t manage this kind of behaviour by just giving more commands, you might at best suppress it temporarily and at worst make it worse. Tibetan Mastiffs aren’t wired to respond to instruction for its own sake—they respond to calm, kind and consistent leadership they trust. That’s why I use the MUTT method: Mutual Understanding and Trust Training—which focuses on relationships, not rigid training routines.

🔹 5. A few things you can try right nowi if you dog is not good around strangers :
✅ Don’t let strangers approach them directly—create calm space
✅ Step in early and lead them away with confidence if needs be
✅ Stay neutral—your own emotional state matters more than you think
✅ Use consistent routines to reduce stress and make life predictable

🔹 6. Behaviour change happens at both ends of the lead.
Your TM won’t fully hand over their role—and nor should they. However they can learn to share the responsibility if they feel safe enough doing so. That means working on your responses just as much as theirs in relevant situations.

If any of this resonates and you’d like to chat about what’s going on with your own TM, feel free to message me. I offer a short initial call (free of charge) to help you explore whether a consultation might be useful.

🛈 Please note: This is general guidance only. Every dog is different, and responsible advice always starts with a proper assessment. MUTT begins with listening, not assumptions.