|
|
|
|
Some tips on training your mastini pup... This is what has worked for us. Dogs are not cookie cutter and not all the same. Some pups respond to treats, some to praise. Find what works for you and your dog and run with it. It's not rocket science! For major problems, always consult a behaviorist who is familiar with molosser breeds!
Rule number one- get and use a crate! Crate training is simple, easy and works wonders! It is the easiest way to potty train your new puppy, as well as prevent him from chewing that new leather sofa. Puppy pee'd on the floor? Get a rolled up newspaper, roll it up real tight. Now, hit yourself over the head with it- cause it's YOUR fault. Pup prolly should have been in his crate. Don't get a monster sized crate- or if you must, get one with a divider panel. If the crate is too large, your smart puppy can pee in one side and sit in the other! Don't humanize pup and put a million blankets to make him more comfy- he can pee on the blanket and push it to one corner! He should be able to lay down a stretch out, but not much more. He should be able to stand up comfortably. We do a few simple things to make pups like their crate and be comfortable in the crate- Give them treats. A treat to go in and a treat for being quiet. If your pup is hollering and whining- Make sure the crate is in the room you most frequent. Start small and give him a treat for going in, even if you push him in. Treat after 10 seconds, but before he has time to cry. Let him out. Repeat. Repeat again. And again. The point is to make the crate a place he WANTS to go in. Close the door. Treat. 10 sec goes by without crying? Treat. 20 seconds? Treat. Work your way up!! It's not instant. Put good toys in the crate. One's he won't destroy or choke on when you aren't there to supervise. Kong's are great. Put a treat in a Kong so he has something to do! Rub peanut butter in the Kong for some entertainment! Don't feel bad if pup cries. Don't humanize your dog. He is a DOG. Socialization- An easy thing that every puppy needs. PetSmart is a great place for pups where people actually LIKE dogs. Everyone likes puppies. Use this to your advantage. Grocery store parking lots are great places for pups! Usually no grass to worry about diseases and lots of people going about their daily routine! Part of socialization is teaching your dog what 'normal' human behavior is. You want a big guardian breed? How is your dog eventually going to protect you if it doesn't have any idea of what AB-normal behavior is? Please take your pup out and let it experience things. Let it know what humans act like in normal situations. Take treats with you!!! Treat your dog for good reactions and proper behavior. Bite Inhibition- The normal pup learns bite inhibition from it's littermates. Sometimes this doesn't happen and you have to do it. It's not hard, nor does it take a long time. I sit on the floor with the little offender- and start to play. Play so you are just asking him to bite you. When he does bite you, yell like you are hurt. Scream like a baby. Do it again. If he bites the second time, push him away. Push him hard. Do it again. If he bites a third time, Yell, push him away, and get up and leave. Don't let him follow. Go back after a few minutes and do it all over again. Keep repeating till he gets the message. Usually it only takes a few times of his beloved master leaving him lonely to really get the idea! Please take your pup to formal classes-The classes help YOU and your puppy. They help your pup learn that strangers are not bad, other dogs are not bad and that they can have a good time actually listening to you. They teach you how your dog learns. Dogs respond to different methods of training. If you find one really isn't right for your dog- move on. Find a class and a trainer that does work. But KEEP GOING. To have a mastini fit in in today's society, he needs obedience training. Please you yourself, your dog, and your neighbors a favor- train your dogs. |
|
|
