Today the dogs (3 year old labradoodle and 4 month old English mastiff) were out front with me when my husband walked up to the neighbor's house. I was so pleased that they both listened to me and didn't leave the yard when he left, but the doodle did run up and greet him and walked back with him when she saw him coming back. Ozzie, however, sat in the yard with his tail wagging, and lifting his paw (looks like a high five) in anticipation as they came back. That was the good news. But later we were out back and he ran back to the 'lake' (with the drought there is barely a puddle back there, with lots of weeds growing up in it) and started splashing around in the weeds and drinking the water. I went down to the edge to get him and he ran away from me and kept wading and ignoring me. When I finally got him by the collar he flopped onto his back and proceeded to put four muddy paws all over me. I couldn't get him to get on his feet and cooperate until my husband came down to help. Mad as I was I did tell him he was a bad dog, but I had to deal with the practicalities so I had to hose him off and dry him the best I could. Then we put him in his crate because he was still wet enough that I didn't know what else to do with him. He has always been so cooperative I have no idea what got into him. I was going to ask what you all would have done, but I know the answer is taking him to puppy kindergarten. Sigh...
He is still young, be patient with him, he will get is soon if you stay consistent with him. You can also keep him on a short leash so instead of trying to go for his collar if he is not listening you can grab the leash. Mastiffs are very smart, but very stubborn and he is still very much puppy and likes to play.
I have 2 English Mastiffs a 1 and 2 year old that both at times do not do what they are supposed to but they do come around.
im listening too. i cant afford professional training(with the money for food and all) so any advice for training would be wonderful
Puppy K should be a consideration for everyone. Not only is it a chance for BOTH you and your puppy to learn... it's a great way to start socializing your little guy with other dogs, people, and situations. The one we took Yogi to was a Puppy K / Intro to Clicker Training class, and was fairly cheap... I think it was maybe $60, but absolutely worth it. Remember, real soon, your little guys are going to be very big powerful guys!... Your gonna want them to listen to you!
Now at almost a year old, we have just enrolled Yogi in a basic obedience / CGC-TDI set of classes (11 weeks total).
I agree, a basic obedience class is so important, especially if you've never taken one before. In the long run, it will be the best $50-$60 you'll ever spend.
"Come" is a command you would learn in puppy classes. It's so crucial, if they ever get loose and run toward traffic or an unfriendly dog...it's probably the most important command for them to learn and practice. Use treats. Make it positive. Every time you call him and he comes to you, he gets a reward. You don't have to use the word, either. Peabody comes if we whistle - if he hears us whistle any time anywhere, he comes bolting like his life depends on it (because he knows there will be a treat when he gets to us). We still practice at least once a day by calling him and then giving him a treat. As your puppy gets older, you can phase out the treats and just praise them, but be sure to use treats at least a portion of the time.
I think you could actually have a dog with good potential as an LGD. It would depend on the EM parent as well. Due to over breeding and lack of careful breeding, the EM is not as stable in temperament as it was a decade ago...
I am wanting to get a mastiff. I joined this forum to learn a little more about the breed from people who already have them. Are mastiffs easy to train? Would it be better to train them myself or take them to a trainer? Also I am skeptical about training classes because I don't want a trainer that uses negative techniques. Do you have any advise on how to determine if the trainer uses positive techniques?
(02-03-2011 12:09 PM)iwantamastiff Wrote: [ -> ]I am wanting to get a mastiff. I joined this forum to learn a little more about the breed from people who already have them. Are mastiffs easy to train? Would it be better to train them myself or take them to a trainer? Also I am skeptical about training classes because I don't want a trainer that uses negative techniques. Do you have any advise on how to determine if the trainer uses positive techniques?
Mastiffs are not "easy" to train. It takes time, hard work and patience. They are very sensitive and positive training works best. They should be socialized after completion of their "puppy" shots at about 4 months onward. You do NOT want an aggressive Mastiff as they are not easily controlled in that case.
We started Kahless in a positive reinforcement, basic puppy class at 4 months. Obviously, we did the training ourselves as homework. The classes are good because the trainer will see problem areas and help with specific techniques for your pup. Only certified trainers should be used. The puppy class is good because they get to meet and greet other people and dogs at an early age.
Since then we have been training him for the ring ourselves.
(02-03-2011 02:35 PM)robo21 Wrote: [ -> ] (02-03-2011 12:09 PM)iwantamastiff Wrote: [ -> ]I am wanting to get a mastiff. I joined this forum to learn a little more about the breed from people who already have them. Are mastiffs easy to train? Would it be better to train them myself or take them to a trainer? Also I am skeptical about training classes because I don't want a trainer that uses negative techniques. Do you have any advise on how to determine if the trainer uses positive techniques?
Mastiffs are not "easy" to train. It takes time, hard work and patience. They are very sensitive and positive training works best. They should be socialized after completion of their "puppy" shots at about 4 months onward. You do NOT want an aggressive Mastiff as they are not easily controlled in that case.
We started Kahless in a positive reinforcement, basic puppy class at 4 months. Obviously, we did the training ourselves as homework. The classes are good because the trainer will see problem areas and help with specific techniques for your pup. Only certified trainers should be used. The puppy class is good because they get to meet and greet other people and dogs at an early age.
Since then we have been training him for the ring ourselves.
I have a St. Bernard, not a mastiff, but they're pretty similar in breed temperment. I would suggest starting earlier than four months with training, and definitely take them to a class, for the socialization. Mine is 3 months and already almost too big for me to pick up/control. I can't imagine how he would behave if he hadn't been trained. If you go to a good puppy school that monitors for illness and requires shot records, it should be safe for you to take him as soon as he has his second round of shots (around 10-12 weeks). Of course, you should start working with them at home before this even. You can talk to the trainer you are going to use and they can give you pointers. Also, walks are essential. They'll be short at first, but you need to get them going as soon as you get the dog. Cesar Milan's puppy book has great tips. I read it too late for some of the info. to apply, but it's a great book to read BEFORE getting a dog. And, most of all, be consistant.
(04-06-2011 10:42 AM)sydandandie Wrote: [ -> ] (02-03-2011 02:35 PM)robo21 Wrote: [ -> ] (02-03-2011 12:09 PM)iwantamastiff Wrote: [ -> ]I am wanting to get a mastiff. I joined this forum to learn a little more about the breed from people who already have them. Are mastiffs easy to train? Would it be better to train them myself or take them to a trainer? Also I am skeptical about training classes because I don't want a trainer that uses negative techniques. Do you have any advise on how to determine if the trainer uses positive techniques?
Mastiffs are not "easy" to train. It takes time, hard work and patience. They are very sensitive and positive training works best. They should be socialized after completion of their "puppy" shots at about 4 months onward. You do NOT want an aggressive Mastiff as they are not easily controlled in that case.
We started Kahless in a positive reinforcement, basic puppy class at 4 months. Obviously, we did the training ourselves as homework. The classes are good because the trainer will see problem areas and help with specific techniques for your pup. Only certified trainers should be used. The puppy class is good because they get to meet and greet other people and dogs at an early age.
Since then we have been training him for the ring ourselves.
I have a St. Bernard, not a mastiff, but they're pretty similar in breed temperment. I would suggest starting earlier than four months with training, and definitely take them to a class, for the socialization. Mine is 3 months and already almost too big for me to pick up/control. I can't imagine how he would behave if he hadn't been trained. If you go to a good puppy school that monitors for illness and requires shot records, it should be safe for you to take him as soon as he has his second round of shots (around 10-12 weeks). Of course, you should start working with them at home before this even. You can talk to the trainer you are going to use and they can give you pointers. Also, walks are essential. They'll be short at first, but you need to get them going as soon as you get the dog. Cesar Milan's puppy book has great tips. I read it too late for some of the info. to apply, but it's a great book to read BEFORE getting a dog. And, most of all, be consistant.
I agree and this was not our first puppy class so of course, we worked with him from 10 weeks onward, getting him used to the leash and socializing him with people. We were also careful not to allow him near our grumpy older Mastiff (or other scary situation) as any trauma at an early stage can last a lifetime.
Oh I have a stubborn 5 mo old English Mastiff male pup. He for the most part he is a typical puppy but still has some of his puppy teeth. We are having trouble with the mouthing and puppy biting. He gets started and wont stop. We hold him down, gve a firm "NO", hold his muzzle etc..... NOTHING works. He gets into like a crazy mode. usually I try to turn attention to a toy or put him outside to get him mind off of the situattion. So I know what you mean about NOT listening I wouldnt even think about taking him off leash. We have a privacy fench and he has full run. We are considering puppy classes, just working it into the schedule.
Any advice on the nipping and mouthing and will it stop.!
(06-27-2011 04:09 PM)Bears mom Wrote: [ -> ]Oh I have a stubborn 5 mo old English Mastiff male pup. He for the most part he is a typical puppy but still has some of his puppy teeth. We are having trouble with the mouthing and puppy biting. He gets started and wont stop. We hold him down, gve a firm "NO", hold his muzzle etc..... NOTHING works. He gets into like a crazy mode. usually I try to turn attention to a toy or put him outside to get him mind off of the situattion. So I know what you mean about NOT listening I wouldnt even think about taking him off leash. We have a privacy fench and he has full run. We are considering puppy classes, just working it into the schedule.
Any advice on the nipping and mouthing and will it stop.!
I would go with toy substitution and positive reinforcement puppy classes. Aversive training does not work as well in my experience with Mastiffs. It seems to make them more stubborn and less cooperative.
The positive puppy classes are good because they will teach him to listen and be more willing to please (after all - who doesn't want rewards?). It would be a HUGE mistake not to get him into puppy classes right away. First for the socialization, this is a great way to socialize him and help get him used to other dogs and people. Second, for the training, the last thing you want is a huge, untrained dog dragging you around or running your home.
We made the mistake of being too busy with running our business during our female's puppyhood and trained her late and we paid the price. It was so much harder to train her as an adult. Kahless is a dream compared to her. He went into puppy class at 4 months and he's amazing now. Same with our dear departed Samson - puppy class helped him be a wonderful companion.
Kahless starts conformation classes tonight. I will post the results some time later.
Good luck!
PS. Let me know if you need a referral to some good, positive reinforcement trainers in your area.