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First Mastiff puppy

My wife and I recently got a mastiff puppy and a beagle puppy. We have had many dogs over the years; to include a rescued St Bernard. The St Bernard was 2.5 years old when we rescued him. We are familiar with the giant breed dogs as an adult and have had several puppies over the years. However a giant breed puppy is new to us. I have read through several of the posts and books talking about mastiff puppies. The puppies get along very well. They play well together and even take naps laying with one another. The beagle obviously has more energy than the mastiff and the mastiff usually lets us know when he is done playing. When he does one of us separates them; one holds the mastiff and the other plays with the beagle until he tires out. We set aside time to play and train each dog individually as well as working with each other. We separate them at feeding time and let the mastiff rest in his kennel for about an hour after eating. I was wondering if anyone has any pointers to raising a mastiff and small puppy at the same time. Also is there anything in specific I need to know about raising a mastiff that I may have not taken into consideration. Any pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Welcome! It sounds like you are making a good start of it.

The best advice I can give is NILF. If you aren't doing it already look it up on youtube. "nothing in life is free" is a training method that I have found to be very useful.

Others here will have lots of great advice to share as well.

Also be sure to share photos and stories please.
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
One thing to remember is that he is going to be big. If there is anything you don't want him doing once grown make sure you don't allow it now even if it is cute. One example I have is that my Dad thought it was nice to have the puppy sit in his lap despite my insisting that it was a bad idea. Five and a half years later Kryten still wants to curl up in his lap. Not quite as cute as he is now 190 lbs.
 

glen

Super Moderator
Staff member
Oh my what an adorable pup your on a good start, great advice given. My advice is keep him lean and i dont feed puppy food i found an all stage food and kept them on that im from uk so if you need advice on food otger members will help.
Enjoy the puppy stage they sure grow quick. And keep the pics coming
 
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DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Sweet! Sounds like you have your hands full, too!

One thing I'll add, is that both puppies are paying attention to what you're doing - what makes you happy, what makes you mad and what gets your attention - ALL THE TIME.
SO... remember to be overly-happy and attention-providing when they do something you WANT, and put on your unhappy face and/or ignore the puppy when he does something you DON'T want. Just remember - any attention can be a "good" thing for a puppy!

Working with two at a time could pose some extra challenges... how to show one you're happy and ignore the other without causing jealousy issues would be one I'd worry about.
When the mastiff gets tired - give him a stuffed kong or other 'treat' in his crate, so he WANTS to go be alone for a bit while you keep working with the beagle.

And, if you haven't started working on impulse control... that would be another one I'd recommend. Watch the youtube video "It's Yer Choice" for some tips on how to teach it. "Wait" is another word we taught early and often... it helps with impulse control as well.

And don't forget to come back here to the forum often to post PICTURES - of both puppies, please!!!
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Sweet! Sounds like you have your hands full, too!

One thing I'll add, is that both puppies are paying attention to what you're doing - what makes you happy, what makes you mad and what gets your attention - ALL THE TIME.
SO... remember to be overly-happy and attention-providing when they do something you WANT, and put on your unhappy face and/or ignore the puppy when he does something you DON'T want. Just remember - any attention can be a "good" thing for a puppy!

Working with two at a time could pose some extra challenges... how to show one you're happy and ignore the other without causing jealousy issues would be one I'd worry about.
When the mastiff gets tired - give him a stuffed kong or other 'treat' in his crate, so he WANTS to go be alone for a bit while you keep working with the beagle.

And, if you haven't started working on impulse control... that would be another one I'd recommend. Watch the youtube video "It's Yer Choice" for some tips on how to teach it. "Wait" is another word we taught early and often... it helps with impulse control as well.

And don't forget to come back here to the forum often to post PICTURES - of both puppies, please!!!

Oh the jealousy is real and a constant challenge at dealing with. Though in our house it is mostly that there is always one toy or one bone that is "better" even if they are identical. But making sure they both get individual love and attention is huge. And making sure you never let one get away with disobeying even if it means standing and waiting minutes and minutes for that sit before putting the food down... because if the other sees you relent for the one you now have an uphill battle with both as they believe that means commands are optional. And yes I did learn that one the hard way by being lazy just once. Just once giving in is all it takes. We are back on track now but I will not make that mistake again.
 
Thanks for all the advice. On top of having two puppies we have just moved to a new home. We are almost settled in and will be able to give our little fury babies all our attention. We have already started the NILIF technique. The pups have became the best of friends. They are inseparable. And like Nik said the toy the other pup has is always better.

The little beagle eats his food much faster than the Mastiff so we feed them in separate rooms. And make both of them sit before eating. Then we give the Mastiff his favorite toys for his after meal time in his kennel. As of today both pups are making huge improvements on potty training.l. We are trying to teach them to ring a bell when they want to go potty. The beagle terrorizes the bell and the Mastiff is a little weary of it. Raising these two is going to be a challenge but definitely worth it. These two are so full of love.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
We are oohing and aaahing here...Oh, Puppy Love. Beagles can be Honorary Mastiffs, so we will need pics of each! And Lots Of Them! Oh, the joy of the puppy days, but all days at all stages are precious.

Oh, and having the experience of having a Beagle (lovely dogs) they are piglets - Oink - and they must be managed due to their voracious appetites...otherwise you will have a very fat Beagle. Also, don't trust them off the leash...they are slaves to their noses and will not return until whatever they are hunting has been sent to ground. Still, such lovely beasts, and so loving to their families. I wrote a poem that I think I posted here long ago... "I Miss My Dog." It was about our Beagle....we had 14 good years with him....and 14 was too short ...too very short for such a fine family member. I grieve him still.

Your little one is so very beautiful...so very, very beautiful. I miss the puppy days...Glen is right, it passes so fast. Enjoy every day, and photos...photos...photos. When your "pup" tips the scale at 120...140+, you'll look back and yearn for the puppy days, BUT you'll exhault in the adolescent days...your house will be full of love and, knowing Beagles, MISCHIEF! You Are Blessed! Pics, Pics, Pics....it's our drug of choice...seeing all the pups and watching them grow.
 
We had a female beagle for almost 17 years. She was mischievous and full of love. I couldn't imagine life without a little beagle in it. Bailey's mom you are absolutely right about their eating. I honestly believe a beagle will eat until it passes out. Lol. We are happy our boys get along so well. It's adorable to see the beagle (Odin) sleeping on the Mastiff (Declan). We have had the beagle for about a month the and the Mastiff for a week now. And even though they are a handful; I cannot imagine not having them both.
 

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