Jabear,
Bryce, our oldest, a big three
He will sometimes be sensitive to his surroundings while walking with him. He can sense something different on his usual routine. Every year for two years the boys have been walked up to the ball field at 5:00 am for the morning stroll. Same routine romp in the ball field chasing each other, then walk around the outside of the ball field on the path, then home. A few weeks ago, Bryce, the big boy would stop on the path and refuse to go further. In fact he would stop (no moving a Newf once they stop) turn and practically drag my husband to head home. The ball field didn't bother him, it was the trail around the ball field. Monty didn't sense anything, but Bryce would. This happened for about three or four days. THen he started the same routine again.
I think he sensed a bear. Bears will go to that area at times. Then they meander elsewhere. The ball field has a fence around it, so more than likely the bear did not venture into the field.
When he was younger (three to eight months old) I would walk him in the muskeg out the road, and he would literally stop, sniff the air, place himself in front of me so I could go no further, turn and drag me back. I was totally confused. I didn't pick him up and make him proceed. Instead I was curious enough, I had my husband check it out. One day my husband found bear scat when Bryce did this. Then he did it again another day. Again, bear signs. Then one time Bryce went ape jumping and bucking and jumped off the trail and began rolling and snorting. Again...bear signs. We always had him on leash thank god.
It was explained to me, by a few breeders and Newfie folks, that Newfies will often protect by using just their body mass. They just block you from the danger and will not let you proceed. And honestly, who can make a Newf do something once they decide they or you are going no further? Now that it was explained to me, I pay more attention to it. If he truly does not want to proceed and makes my husband or I stop or turn, we often obey
There is big a difference between, "I'm being a brat" and "Danger Will Rogers, Danger" We just learned to know and read his body language! It's a wonderful feeling really!!!
Luvmenewfs