Any tips on bringing up a large dog to be friendly.?

Question

My son has just bought an 8wk old french mastiff pup. He is gorgeous, but I know how big he will grow. We had an English Mastiff before and although she was great with the family she would bite anyone else which made it very difficult to look after her, I don't want the same problems again - so any tips please.

Answer 1

Actually it depends on the breeding! If the parts were friendly then if the pup has been in a loving environment then the dog will be friendly. We learned this the hard way. If a dog is unfriendly they should never be permitted to breed.

Answer 2

I just got a mastiff pup about a month or so ago. I reccoment getting him out and about as much as possible. The more they are exposed to new experiences, people and other dogs, the less fearful/agressive they will be. I enrolled my puppy in a puppy class at pet smart, and we go to petsmart other times just so he can walk around and meet other people and dogs. At first he seemed a bit shy, but now he is great with everyone, especially the little kids who want to pet him. The more you can socialize your pup the better, and get him in an obidience class as soon as he is old enough. You should be able to contoll him very well, and a class will show you how to do that in a fun waywhich is positive for the dog and you, and makes for a much happier relationship long term. Good Luck!!

Answer 3

I have an English Mastiff who is 3 years old. There have only been 2 people that she didn't like, who were strangers to her. Although she didn't bite she wouldn't let them in the house. I found a lot has to do with the background of the parents. If the parents are mean the puppy often will be mean. Lots of love and disipline. Basic command training is very helpful. Mastiffs are known to protect their home and don't like strangers coming in. (Ours doesn't like the cable man so she goes out in the yard which should be fenced) when he comes. Good luck and enjoy the puppy. They can get to be really big babies. Dogluvr

Answer 4

With any dog but especially large breeds, it's very important right from the beginning to establish that every human in the dog's life is his pack leader! You need to be calm assertive and always be consistent in your rules. The dog's primary need is for a leader and there can be no doubt that all people are it.

Make sure the dog always get lots of exercise, establish rules and be consistent in enforcing them, give lots of praise for everything the puppy does you want him to do. Don't lose your temper or yell.

If you find yourself losing control of this dog like you did the last one, seek help sooner rather than later (I mean from a behaviourist, not obedience classes). Good luck with this one.

Answer 5

Socialize the animal while she's young. Take her for walks and encourage people to pet her and get her around other animals. Have friends come over often and let her know that it's okay for them to be there. It's not to say that she be allowed to jump on them.
The other dog was protecting her 'turf' and acting as any alpha would. Watch the new puppy closely and should she display the same behavior, bring her under control quickly.
.

Answer 6

Make sure your puppy is well socialized. Bring people over and introduce them to your puppy. Have your puppy meet lots of other dogs. If you can, find a puppy play group. This allows your puppy to be around other dogs and learn how to interact with them. Just remember, like babies puppies need rest too. When he is around others if he starts to get fussy let him go and be by himself so he can process everything. We have a Bull Mastiff ourselves, and we have found this to be the best way to make him friendly.

Answer 7

as you are raising your pup to adult life, the people outside your family that you wish your adult dog to be friendly should be around your pup while still young so the pup can accept them also.........all dogs are protective of their owners and loved ones [that will never change]

but one can show love and kindness to the dog..
also, when your dog is an adult and you want new friends to meet your dog, it is a good idea to have your friend greet your dog by you taking your friend by the hand and both quietly and calmly walk up to your dog, take your hand and friends hand towards the dog and tell your dog, this is joe, and let the dog sniff your friend, [by doing this your dog smells you and your friend together and that lets the dog know it it ok] [ in raising the dog the words ok and no should be used as much as possible]
this also can be done introducing new pets to older pets] try it it works for me everytime

Answer 8

ANY dog will become friendlier to the public if he is exposed to them
from a young age and can be
taught to be comfortable with a variety of persons/situations. Like us, they have to learn social skills.. NEVER EVER HIT YOUR DOG to Discipline him. Dogs are intelligent and will learn if you simply take pet ownership with the responsibility , time and effort it takes to teach them the sort of behaviors which you want from them in the correct way. They have feelings and can be emotionally damaged by neglect, or abuse. Treat them as you would a loved family member..Because THATS what they SHOULD be. Sorry if this sounded alittle "soapboxy". Just one of my PET ( no pun intended heheh) peeves..
Blessed Be~

Answer 9

Now is the time to act, while they are young and impressionable. I was able to turn my Rhodesian Ridgeback pup into one of the gentlest adult dogs around - but he can also be quite ferocious when required. How?

When he was a pup of about 8 weeks, I gave him food, stuff he really liked, such as a strip of bacon. I then took it out of his mouth, getting him used to the fact that anything I gave him, I could take away from him. Often times dogs will be very protective of their food. He is now nearly 7 years old, and I am able to put my hand in his food bowl (while he is eating), pet him while he is eating, and even remove food from his mouth. This let him know that I am the boss, and also, if he ever gets ahold of anything toxic, I can safely take it away from him.

Next - learn to read your dog's aggressive behavior. Negatively reinforce the behavior. If you see him being "not so nice" scold him. I don't allow my dog to growl at people. As soon as I say his name, he knows he is not allowed to growl. He did his job by warning me that there is something nearby that is upsetting him - now my job is to handle it.

I also suggest playing rough. Large dogs like to play hard, so play hard with them, but at the same time, let them know when to stop - when enough is enough. I wrestle with my dog all the time, and as soon as I have had enough (he is VERY strong) I tell him to stop, and he does. He just wants to play, and it is strange, but he knows when to play, and completely understands when to stop.

Bottom Line: Get to know your puppy before he grows to big to handle. Never let him intimidate you - you must assert yourself as the Alpha. Don't use physical violence to accomplish this - EVER! Use your voice inflection, you animal only wants to please you. Dogs are very intelligent, and will be gentle if you treat them gently or mean if you treat them cruelly.

Answer 10

just give the dog lots of attention and play with him a whole lot and the most important is to take him out in to public alot like to the park and if have any kind of town square take him there when ever there is a event its called socialize and dogs need that it wil help thats what i do with my boxers good luck