From the Editors of The Dog Daily
You are quite right that fear can turn into aggression. In fact, recent studies on dog aggression show that some of the smallest dog breeds are actually the most notorious biters, since their tiny size makes them feel easily threatened by others. Although mastiffs, weighing more than 80 pounds, don’t fall into that category, it’s still important to quickly resolve this problem.
Keep in mind a couple of things. First, fear of people and a tendency to overreact to common stimuli are very common in mastiffs, so you’re not alone. Second, both fear and aggression can stem from the same root problem: antisocial behavior.
Try to spend at least an hour each day with your dog, exposing her to various social situations in a slow, gentle and non-threatening manner. You might find Dr. Patricia McConnell’s book The Cautious Canine to be of some help and guidance. Working with a professional dog trainer will yield the best results. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations and check out the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Web site for names of members in your area.