Have You Adopted An Adorable New Mastiff Puppy?
Well the next step is training this gorgeous new bundle of joy! So keep reading for some fantastic tips on just how to train a Mastiff puppy!
Remember to Begin Early
You should ideally start training your Mastiff puppy right from the moment they enter your home.
Rewards:
You cannot forget rewards when learning how to train a Mastiff puppy. They are a great way to encourage your Mastiff so that they repeat good behavior in the future. Rewards can be anything from a yummy treat to lots of praise and cuddles.
Stay Calm:
Sometimes Mastiff puppy training can get a little frustrating. But no matter how frustrated you get, it’s important not to lash out at your Mastiff. This means never yelling at your Mastiff and never hitting them. If you do this, then your Mastiff may become scared and anxious which will just prolong the puppy training. However, if you do need to tell your Mastiff puppy off then do so by saying in a calm, yet firm voice “no”.
Repeat, Repeat and Repeat:
Repetition is so important when learning how to train a Mastiff puppy. Remember, your Mastiff puppy will not pick up everything straight away. They are only little and it will take time. Therefore, you will need to repeat things numerous times before they will learn what they need to do.
Be Consistent:
Consistency is key when Mastiff puppy training. If you are inconsistent then you will only confuse your Mastiff which will detriment the training. For example you need to stick to your rules. If you choose a rule where your Mastiff is not allowed in the bedroom then stick to this. Do not break this rule by letting your Mastiff into the bedroom as a special treat. A second example is to stick to your chosen commands. If you choose a command such as “down” then stick to this. Do not change the command to “down now” later on. So remember – be consistent!
Keep Sessions Short:
Your Mastiff is only a puppy and doesn’t have a large attention span so keep sessions short. Ideally they should be no longer than five to ten minutes in length. However, you can have a few of these shorter sessions throughout the day.
Start Easy:
As previously mentioned, your Mastiff puppy is only young so begin on easy things before moving onto more complicated tasks. For example start with the basic commands such as “sit”, “stay” and down” before teaching your Mastiff more complicated commands.
1: Potty Training:
When learning how to train a Mastiff puppy you cannot forget toilet training. Firstly, you need to choose an area where your Mastiff is to go toilet such as a corner in your yard. The next step is to keep a look out for any sign that your Mastiff puppy is about to go potty such as your Mastiff puppy sniffing the ground. If you notice anything then quickly pick them up and take them to this set toilet area. If they go to the toilet correctly, reward them with a little treat. The thing to remember is that there will be some accidents on your clean floors so be prepared and try not to get frustrated at your Mastiff puppy if this does happen.
Mastiff puppy training does not need to be seen as a daunting task. Instead it should be seen as a fun experience and a chance for you to bond with your new Mastiff puppy. Here are some tips below on how to train a Mastiff puppy and start today!
Patience
Patience is a must when Mastiff potty training. You need to understand that your Mastiff will not be potty trained straight away so you should expect that there will be some accidents on your nice clean floor.
Designated Potty Spot
The first thing you need to do is pick out an area where your Mastiff is to go potty (or go to the toilet). A great place would be a corner of your back yard.
Schedule
To prevent accidents, it’s a good idea to set up a schedule and take your Mastiff to potty at set times. For example you could choose to take your Mastiff to their designated potty spot after they have had a nap and also once they have finished eating their food.
Pick a Command
It’s a good idea to pick out a command to use when you want your Mastiff to go potty. Such command could be “go potty”. Repeat this command every single time you take your Mastiff to their designated potty location. Overtime your Mastiff will learn what this command means and will go potty when they hear it.
Look for Signs
It’s vital to stay alert when Mastiff potty training. This means looking out for any signs that your Mastiff may be about to go potty on your nice clean floors. Some signs to look for include your Mastiff sniffing the ground. A second sign could be your Mastiff moving around in a circular movement. If you notice any of these signs then quickly take your Mastiff to their set potty spot.
Rewards
Rewards are a great tool to use when Mastiff potty training. They will encourage your Mastiff to keep going potty in the correct area. Rewards could be anything from a little treat to just lots of cuddles and praise. So every time your Mastiff does go potty in their designated area, reward them with one of these things.
Stay Calm
It’s important to never get angry at your Mastiff if they do have an accident on your nice clean floors. This means never hitting your Mastiff and never yelling at them. If you do either of these things then it will just make your Mastiff anxious and will prolong the potty training process. Instead, if there is an accident, stay calm and clean up the mess quietly. Make sure you remove any lingering smells so that your Mastiff will not try to go potty in the same place again in the future.
Remember, Mastiff potty training will take time. So stay patient and also stay alert. However you patience and time will be well wroth it when your Mastiff is fully potty trained. So don’t delay – take the above Mastiff potty training advice and put it into practice today.
2. Leash Training in 3 Steps
- It’s a great idea to keep your Mastiff on a leash when out and about in public. Not only will this keep your Mastiff safe, but it will also stop them running away. The below Mastiff leash training tips and advice will help you get started.
- Start Early: It’s important to start Mastiff leash training early on. Ideally, you should begin leash training as soon as your Mastiff enters your home.
Leash Length: When starting out, try not to use a leash that is longer than two meters in length.
Patience: It’s so important to be patient when Mastiff leash training. Remember, your Mastiff will not become leash trained straight away but with time they will.
Stay Calm: Try not to get frustrated with Mastiff leash training. If you get frustrated and lash out by hitting your Mastiff or yelling at them then this can actually make your Mastiff anxious and upset. And in turn it will make the leash training process a lot harder. So remember, stay calm and in control when Mastiff leash training.
Limit Distractions: You Mastiff will not be able to concentrate on leash training if there are lots of distractions around. Therefore remove any tempting toys or other animals that may distract your Mastiff during leash training.- Tire Your Mastiff Out: If your Mastiff is very excited and full of energy then they may be difficult to leash train. If this is the case then do some things to tire your Mastiff out such as playing fetch in your yard. Once your Mastiff is a little calmer, then you can get on with leash training.
- Now comes the fun part, teaching your Mastiff to walk on the lead! The following steps will help you begin.
Step 1
Place the collar and leash on your Mastiff while they are eating. This will associate something they enjoy, such as eating, with wearing a leash and collar.
After a few days have past, pick up their leash and start following them around your house for a short period of time.
Slowly start to increase the amount of time you do this until your Mastiff seems comfortable with you holding the leash. - Step 2
Once you have completed Step 1, you can now take your Mastiff outdoors. Choose a quite, safe area such as your back yard.
Allow your Mastiff to wander around your back yard while dragging their leash. Walk slowly behind them.
Let some time pass and then pick up their leash in one of your hands. In your other hand place a treat for your Mastiff. Use this treat to get your Mastiff to walk alongside you. - Step 3
Has your Mastiff now started to pull on their leash? If this occurs, move in a clockwise direction and keep walking. This will move your Mastiffs head so that they have to continue walking next to you. - Repeat this step until your Mastiff walks with you without pulling on their leash.
- Reward for good leash behavior.
- Remember, keeping your Mastiff on a leash is a fantastic was to keep your beloved pet safe when out and about. So what are you waiting for? Take the above Mastiff leash training tips and put them into play today!
3. Stopping Mastiff Aggression
- What Causes It?
- There are a number of causes to Mastiff aggression including the following:
1. Your Mastiff may be trying to become the alpha leader of your pack or family. - 2. Your Mastiff may not have been socialized properly and they now use aggression as a way to defend themselves when they come across new people or animals.
- Your Mastiff may be unwell or have an injury without you realizing.
- Your Mastiff may have a form of anxiety
As you can see, there are many reasons as to why your Mastiff may be acting aggressively. But no matter the cause, it’s important to get the situation under control as soon as possible. So, take the following tips and stop Mastiff aggression today. Luckily there are a number of things you can do to help stop Mastiff aggression.
Alpha Leader: As mentioned above, your Mastiff may be using aggression as a means to become the alpha leader of your household. If this is the case, then it’s important that you become the alpha leader instead. The sooner your Mastiff sees you in the charge, the sooner their aggressive behavior will stop. There are a couple of ways you can show your Mastiff that you are the alpha leader. One being always eating before your Mastiff and secondly always walking through a doorway before them.
Emotion: All dogs, including Mastiffs can sense human feelings. Therefore if you are upset or scared then your Mastiff may start acting aggressively as a means to protect you. This is okay if a burglar is in your house. But if you’re in a public situation then it’s not ideal. Therefore, try to control your emotions if possible when around your Mastiff.
Stop Acting Aggressive: If you act aggressively towards your Mastiff then they will likely act aggressively back. Therefore, never hit your Mastiff or yell at them. Instead, if they do something naughty be firm yet calm but don’t lash out.
Aggression Towards Other Dogs: It can be a frightening situation if your Mastiff starts acting aggressively towards another dog. The important thing in this situation is to stay as calm as you can. If safe, separate your Mastiff from the situation and take them somewhere quite. In a calm, firm voice say “no”. This will show your Mastiff that you are the one in charge and that they are not allowed to act aggressively towards other animals.
Aggression Towards People: Mastiff aggression towards people is very serious. In fact, your Mastiff may end up really hurting somebody. The best way to deal with this situation is to get help from a professional dog trainer. They would be able to come to your house to help you get your Mastiff aggression under control. And it’s best to do this sooner rather than later – for the safety of those around you.
If your Mastiff is acting aggressively then this is very serious. So don’t delay in getting the situation under control – take the above tips and stop your Mastiff aggression as soon as possible! The safety of those around you depends on it.
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