Our female Bullmastiff was a rescue (she was also approx 1 year old at the time), that was removed from her previous houshold due to domestic violence. In your discription of George, I see a lot of how she was when we first got her. She was extremely friendly and sociable, however she did not like people making a lot of fast hand movements around her face or being around people carrying sticks etc. After moving into our houshold she quickly got over those fears. However, to this day (we have had her a year and a half) she does not like to be near a tape measure (I figure she must have been whipped with one) and she does not like to be around cursing. The cursing phobia is actually quite cute. This dog is like a 115 lb tail that follows us everywhere, however if someone starts cussing in our house, she will get up, give us one of those sad looks, that only a mastiff or a bully breed can give, and simply walk out of the room. At first I had to put her on a leash to get her to come back into the room with us and back to normal (she loves walks). Now all I have to do is call her back (in a cheerful mannor) and she will gladly come back in to get some affection. Hang in there with George and give him plenty of positive reinforcement. 8) The first few weeks we had our girl I was worried that any abuse that she may have had might have damaged her temperment. However, in this last year and one half, I have seen that she is one of the most cheerful, stable, and trustworthy dogs I have ever been around...Even if she is a prude... :wink: From what I've read here, I'd bet George can do the same.. 8)