The Mastiff is patient, calm, and affectionate. With the proper training, the Mastiff can be the perfect family dog. Here is a general overview of how to train your Mastiff.
The Mastiff, a working breed, is the heaviest dog breed in the world and males can weigh anywhere from 180 to 220 pounds or more. They were descended from the Tibetan Mastiff that was introduced into Europe by the Phoenicians. The Romans used this massive animal as a war dog and it fought just as bravely as any soldier. As a fighting dog it was used to fight lions, bears, tigers, and human gladiators: all for the benefit of the nobility.
This animal is no longer used to fight wars or other animals. Today, the Mastiff is bred for its patient, calm, and affectionate personality. It rarely barks and is great with children. With proper training, the Mastiff can be the perfect family dog. Below is a general overview of how to train your Mastiff.
Mastiffs aren't geniuses in the obedience class and are not great at agility or tracking, although they can learn. The problem with Mastiffs in obedience classes is that they are just too relaxed and laid back to give quick results. Mastiffs are very intelligent in their own way and they have a natural desire to please their owner. If you train your Mastiff at home as well as an obedience class you will give your dog the chance to bond with you and have the one on one attention that he needs.
Training offers much needed exercise both physically and mentally. Mastiffs that are bored and don't get enough exercise can become very destructive. The Mastiff is a working dog and needs to have training that includes tasks to accomplish. Make training fun by using rewards such as treats and lots of love and hugs. Make training the highlight of the Mastiff's day so that he associates it with something that he looks forward to. Take training in small chunks of about 10-15 minutes at a time a few times a day. Set small goals that can be taken as steps towards training and won't be too overwhelming for your Mastiff. Always be firm in your training but never violent or aggressive. Mastiffs tend to be quite sensitive and usually need no more than a firm "No!" to change their behavior quickly. After telling him "No!" and offering no reward, simply lead him back into position and start again. Yelling and hitting is never needed and can actually scare and confuse them. To help the Mastiff understand a command quickly, use hands signals as well as voiced commands. Always praise good behavior. The more confident you make your Mastiff feel, the more he will learn advanced tricks and commands in the future. Building a good foundation with your Mastiff, built on trust, not fear, can produce results that lead to a great relationship for a lifetime.
Rewards are very important when training your Mastiff. How you present your rewards can make or break your training efforts. Some trainers are completely against using food as a reward in training but this decision is totally up to you. If you choose to use food as a reward, be sure to praise good behavior verbally before you give a treat; this way your Mastiff won't think he is being rewarded for eating the treat instead of doing what was asked of him. It is best to use food in the starting phases of your training only and not to give food each time or his behavior may depend on a treat. You certainly can't carry treats in your pocket for the rest of your dog's life.
Socialization should be a very important part of your dog's training. A Mastiff that isn't well socialized can become very timid, shy, or difficult to handle. Socialize your Mastiff with other dogs, big and little, as well as other humans.
This article has given you an overview of how to train your Mastiff, keeping in mind the breed's special needs and size. To obtain information on specific commands or tricks, specialty books can be found in bookstores, your local library, or on the Internet. Contact your local dog club, a breeder, or a veterinarian to get information on obedience classes in your area.
