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Care of your Mastiff Puppy

THE MAIN THING TO REMEMBER AT ALL TIMES IS THAT AS BIG AS HE IS, HE IS STILL JUST A BABY.  YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT A TWO-MONTH OLD HUMAN BABY TO BE POTTY TRAINED AND YOU WOULD NOT PLAY WITH YOUR BABY TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU WOULD EXHAUST HIM.   IN ADDITION, ALL BABIES NEED A LOT OF SLEEP. 

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME DO’S AND DON’TS THAT MAY HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROPERLY CARE FOR YOUR PUPPY 

• Do not raise your puppy on any slippery surface such as tile.  This would encourage the development of dislocated hips or pulled shoulders.  Large size rubber-back bathroom carpeting is ideal and easily machine-washed. 

• Do use an x-pen or dog crate inside your home if you must leave your puppy unattended.  Make sure the area is large enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around in.

• At bedtime, a child’s playpen beside your pen is the perfect enclosure for the puppy.  He will feel close to you, yet is confined in a specific area.  He will not wish to soil his sleeping area and will soon learn to be taken outside. If you are willing to get up a few times during the night you can house train your puppy in a matter of weeks. 

• Don’t ever allow your puppy to jump or on or over things until he is at least one year old.  This could cripple him. 

• Do not allow your puppy to run up and down stairs, as this will damage his legs.  He will carry heavy weight on puppy bones.

• Don’t ever put any weight on his back.  He is not a horse.

• Don’t ever feed him before or after exercise.

• Don’t ever let him drink before or after exercise.  Offer him ice cubes often because he needs to learn to like them.  In hot weather ice is better for him than gulping water.

• Don’t ever force him to exercise while he is under one year old.

• Don’t ever give bones to dogs in the same enclosure.

• Don’t ever give your Mastiff puppy anything but large beef bones.

• Don’t ever attempt to attack train your Mastiff.  He does not have the temperament for it.

• Don’t ever tie up or stake out your Mastiff.  The Mastiff does not do well as a “yard dog” but requires the loving attention of his owners.  He should always be a house pet.

• Don’t ever allow your Mastiff to run loose.  Tragedies often happen this way.

• Don’t encourage your Mastiff to fight with other dogs.  Unprovoked growling or aggression towards other dogs should be severely penalized at once.

• Don’t be lax about disciplining your Mastiff.  Striking or hitting is not necessary.  The Mastiff is very sensitive and a firm “NO” can work wonders – they love to please.

• Don’t encourage your Mastiff to jump on you.  However, if he voluntarily stands up on his hind legs, remember that this will help strengthen his rear. 

• Don’t leave temptation around your puppy.

• Do remember to have regular vet check-ups.

• Don’t forget your puppy’s daily heartworm pill.

• Do remember that your Mastiff is a housedog and should be taught to live in your house without damaging it from the beginning.

• Do cut your dog’s nails once per week.  Be firm about this, as it must be done and it doesn’t hurt if you are careful.

• Do take your puppy to obedience class – but no jumping and no rough handling.

• If you plan to enter your dog in shows, immediately begin light training and try to make it fun for your puppy . . . not work.  Place him in a natural stand and lightly rub his belly.  Have him hold the “stand” a few seconds and continue this daily, gradually increasing the length of the time he stands.  If he moves his feet or tries to sit, tell him “NO” and replace his feet or stand him back up and tell him “STAY”.  Reward him afterwards.
   
• Never hand-feed your puppy while he is sitting.  Have him “stand” to receive treats.

• Do call your vet immediately if you suspect a problem.

• Do feed your puppy two to three times a day until he is six months of age.

• Do remember to have regular worm checks at your vet.

• Do give your puppy lots of milk every day.  Powdered milk is good and can be mixed in with his food.

• Do brush your puppy on a regular basis.

• Do remember that your Mastiff will not be fully mature until he is three years old.

• Do take your puppy for walk – it’s great exercise and will help in leash training.

• Do give your puppy lots of fresh, clean water at all times.

• Do take your puppy for car rides from puppy hood on – this will make traveling with him easier later on.  Be careful of leaving your puppy in the car unattended – he could become too hot or too cold – always leave the windows open and check on him often and BEWARE OF DOG-NAPPERS! 

• Don’t allow your dog to touch noses or mingle with strange dogs.

• Don’t encourage your puppy to become overly hot – it can kill him.

• Don’t ever tie your dog in the car and don’t ever leave a leash on him in the car – if you open the door and he jumps out while the leash is hooked on something, it can hang him.
   
• Don’t ever leave your puppy in an area where there are things he can hurt himself on, such as:

Electric Wires

Lawn Fertilizers

Rat & Weed Killers

Glass

Light Bulbs

Garbage

Poisonous Plants

Paint

Etc., etc. 

• Do remember that all the love you give your Mastiff puppy will be given back to you ten-fold.  Take pride in the fact that you now own an exceptional animal. Your puppy will grow up and give you such loyalty, as you have never experienced with any other animal.