How to Introduce an American Bulldog to a Bull Mastiff

American bulldogs and bull mastiffs are two dog breeds that are dominant and can be aggressive. When you already have a dog, such as an American bulldog, and you are getting another large, dominant dog, like a bull mastiff, it is important to introduce them to each other properly. This is also true if you are simply introducing your dog to a friend's dominant dog or even a strange dog from a dog park. An improper introduction could result in one dog feeling dominant over the other, or even worse, a fight.

Things You'll Need

  • American bulldog
  • Bull mastiff
  • Two collars
  • Two leashes
  • Muzzles
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place collars and leashes on both the American bulldog and the bull mastiff while they are still separated. The leashes will allow you to let the dogs be close to each other, but to control their actions.

    • 2

      Place muzzles over the mouths of the dogs. This is an optional step, as introducing dogs to each other rarely involves a fight. However, if one or more of the dogs is known to have fought with dogs in the past, or has tried to snap at a dog before, a muzzle is a good preventative step that will ensure neither dog is injured, even if a fight breaks out.

    • 3

      Take both the dogs to a neutral site, such as a park or a neighbor's yard. Recruit a friend to help you with this step if you are introducing a new dog to a dog you already own. Taking the dogs to a neutral spot is important, because if you brought a new dog into another dog's home or territory, the dog might naturally become more dominant or protective.

    • 4

      Begin the introduction by simply walking the dogs on the leash parallel to each other. Keep them on the outside of yours and your friend's bodies so that they are not close enough to completely meet each other, but can smell each other and get used to the presence. Keep the dogs about 20 or 30 feet apart in the beginning and gradually walk closer together. The time it takes you to get closer depends on the dogs' reactions. Some dogs might feel comfortable together and you can decrease the distance quickly. For others, it could take much longer. Watch for signs of fear, such as a tucked tail, or signs of aggression, such as alert ears or fur standing on end.

    • 5

      Allow the dogs to come close together and smell each other when it is clear that they are comfortable being together. Look for signs like wagging tails, excited barks and wiggles. Keep the dogs on the leashes for now and watch for any signs that the dogs are changing their feelings toward each other, such as snarls or alert tails. Immediately separate them if you see these signs. When you are holding the leash, leave some slack in it, because if you have tension in the leash it can transfer to the dog and make it feel more uneasy. The dogs will stop smelling each other when they are satisfied, which usually takes a couple minutes.

    • 6

      Unclip the leashes and let the dogs play together if the sniff session goes well. You will be able to tell if the dogs are eager to play. Their tails will wag, their tail-ends might be wiggling, they may bow to each other with their front legs or generally look happy. These are safe signs that the dogs can play together without danger. Keep a close eye on them, however, to make sure that nothing happens. If the dogs still seem wary after they smell each other, leave them on the leashes until they are more comfortable.