Mastiff: Taming The Dinosaur Dog

Tags: dogs, pets, training, mastiff

Dinosaur dog was added to the title to not only make it more attractive, but in someway projects the “oldness” of the Mastiff breed. They've been around for a very long time, studies say 1500 B.C. - very one of the oldest dog breeds in existence. And just like the dinosaur, they too are big; they can weigh up 200 pounds and stand as tall as 33 inches.

The build of this “monster pooch” is very muscular, has thick bones, and usually loose and dense skin. It has been used for several jobs requiring such a build, such as fighting with others pets and vicious animals, or playing guard dog for its owner. Delivering messages during times of war was also required for some members of the giant family.

But those days are gone, and now it has found its place in the loving homes of average families across the globe. If you're considering one as a pet, you have to undergo “mental preparation”, because there will be changes. The Mastiff breed isn't like the other pooches out there, they have the tendency to move slow and be lazy, so dog training can be hard.

The best way to go about that its to get it as a puppy; at this stage, it'll be able to “grow with you” and get used to who you are. You'll also be able to establish your superiority over it, making it respect you. It's a gradual process, also known as the “getting acquainted” phase.

You can't just step up to it and expect it to do what it has to right away. Doing so would make it think “is this guy for real?” or “I ain't listenin to you, yah dumb lummox?” - and many other similar thoughts. Basically it won't have any respect for you and find something better to do.

That's how important the “getting acquainted” phase is. After you've established the kind of relationship you want with it (you being in-charge), set rules – these are the things that it can't do, such as biting or peeing on the carpet. The best way to do that is to give it canine behavioral lessons, and housebreak it.

If you're an experienced pet owner, then you should know the basic methods to use on how to go about the process. If not, then you're going to have to start learning now. During dog training routines, never ever hit or scream at it – this not only doesn't work, but it'll make it do the opposite of whatever you ask it to do, only because it doesn't respect you anymore.

The “learning environment” must be fair, fun, and with minimized distractions. What you want to happen is its attention is kept 100% on you, and nothing else. Using doggy treats is also effective, but giving it at the wrong time can cause it to be spoiled, which wouldn't work in your favor.

Another thing thing to always remember is to give it a canine nutritional diet – keeping it healthy is very important for training and exercise. A 200 pound giant will need to eat a lot, so do some research on how much to feed it, or ask a veterinarian. The Mastiff makes a great pet for many types of people of different lifestyles, but if you feel that it's too much dog for you, then forget you read this article.

About the author

Alex De La Cruz is a successful Dog Trainer who has been advising and coaching dog owners for many years. Alex now decided to share his knowledge through this site, Doggyweb.info. You can sign up for his free weekly newsletter and learn how to keep your dog healthy and happy.

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