How to Tips for Caring for an English Mastiff Puppy

The English mastiff is a massive, powerful, muscular dog. That being said, the breed is known for producing quiet, family-oriented, nonaggressive guard dogs. Self-assured and observant of their surroundings, mastiffs are patient, intelligent, calm and docile creatures that require firm, consistent, gentle training. Beginning with puppyhood, the owner needs to communicate with his mastiff with an air of raw authority to thwart any inborn dominance and gain control before the animal grows to an adult of approximately 200 pounds.

Things You'll Need

  • Ample space
  • Collar and leash
  • Fresh water
  • Food and water dishes
  • Giant breed puppy food
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Instructions

  1. House Training

    • 1

      Take your time house training your new puppy. English mastiff puppies are not like most puppies in that they are typically very calm and easy to handle. Mastiffs tend to learn quickly if they are taught in a loving and understanding manner. This is a sensitive breed that doesn't deal with yelling or harsh treatment very well.

    • 2

      Remain with the mastiff puppy until it feels safe in its home environment. Until this happens, it will not feel safe without someone near it. Once the puppy has demonstrated a sense of security, begin spending time out of the house alone and returning after several minutes. During this training, it is important that any whining, barking or crying not be rewarded.

    • 3

      Build the puppy's confidence slowly until you have established a mutual trust. Eventually you can increase this to small trips away from home without the puppy. This reinforces confidence that, although you left, you will return.

    Resting

    • 4

      Avoid the temptation to give your English mastiff puppy constant stimulation and attention. These puppies require a lot of sleep in addition to affection and companionship.

    • 5

      Create a comfortable place specifically for your puppy where it can relax without disturbance. This area should be big enough for the Mastiff to remain into adulthood without being located too far from its family.

    • 6

      Teach children not to wake the puppy to prevent it from becoming nervous or restless.

    Socialization

    • 7

      Allow your English mastiff to mingle with other dogs as it grows. Dog parks are a good place to perform supervised socialization that helps reduce dominance and lessens aggression.

    • 8

      Take your mastiff on short, slow daily walks.

    • 9

      Keep in mind that mastiffs double in weight several times during the first nine months and should not be walked or exercised so excessively that it causes muscle, hip and joint damage.

    Diet

    • 10

      Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

    • 11

      Avoid overfeeding an English mastiff puppy, as this can cause serious bone disease. Offer appropriate amounts of high-quality giant breed puppy food, according to your veterinarian's instructions. Giant breed puppy foods are lower in fat and protein to allow English mastiffs to grow at a slower rate, decreasing the likelihood of developing joint and bone troubles.

    • 12

      Feed English mastiff puppies small meals three times per day for the first four months to avoid bloat, a life threatening gastric condition.