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Momma's Girl

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
With Willow only being 15 weeks old, I have to say I've spoiled her something rotten. I'm getting a bit nervous in regards to my actions. Our family is large, both people and pets. Willow spends most of her time with me as I work a part time job. I've noticed that I have a tendency to get defensive when my fiancee reprimands her. Sometimes she has a tendency to be directly underfoot when he's cooking dinner, other times she refuses to leave the kitties alone, things that I feel are normal puppy behaviors. Sometimes I can admit that she's acting just like a stubborn child that doesnt want to listen lol. My concern is that my lack of discipline and my coddling is going to result in a spoiled little girl that won't listen nor respect me and with her doggie daddy weighing in at 200lbs and her doggie mommy being 180lbs, Willow is most definitely going to be on the larger side of the mastiff spectrum lol. I've purchased a How to train your puppy book and have also done tons of research online but it all seems so black and white, if that makes sense. There are so many suggestions for a lot of the same trainings, its confusing on trying to decide which one is right, which one will work and which one is just crap or a waste of time. Willow has been "potty trained" since the day we brought her home. She's been one of the fastest taught puppies I've ever owned thats for sure. It amazes me at how much she did that first week home. She has potty accidents on occasion but its human error, not noticing her cues. I have so many worries lol. My biggest concern is training her the "wrong way." Is there a wrong way? I type this post with Willow curled up in my lap, napping. I've owned several dogs in the past, most when I was just a kid and wasn't responsible enough to bother training a dog so I've never really had the whole training a puppy experience. There is just something about this little girl that means so much to me. To express the love I feel for her is impossible. I cried when she got her first shots, I cried the first time I had to leave her a few hours at the vet. I love this incredible feeling she has made me feel. I just want to do right by her, to the best of my abilities :)
 

Robtouw

Well-Known Member
Yes, she sounds like a true mastiff puppy! There are wrong ways to teach, technique makes all the difference in the world in how your pup trusts and respects you! She is also going to have accidents for a while, her muscles are developing and at 15 weeks she does not have full control of her bladder just yet, be patient!

I do suggest a few things, have your spouse do some leash training indoors or out just to establish his role. At 15 weeks your pup will absorb everything easily, teach as much as you can before she hits the 6 month mark because she will start testing you at that age. Once you have sit, her name and come taught an easy way to help your spouse get her attention is to leash her indoors and walk up and down the hall, having her sit each time you stop and praise.

Another extremely important thing to do is routinely take things out of her mouth, treats, toys, etc. Just walk over and take it and walk away. You can give it back in a few minutes with alot of praise & petting. Have your hubby doe it as well. The goal is to make sure you can remove objects or dangerous foods without being threatened by her, this has been something that has helped us in a few bad situations over the years! You will find the more you teach her the better your bond becomes and she's going to grow more & more loving and impressive! Let us know if you need any training tips! I've owned mastiffs for over 20 years and love them more than any other breed I've owned or met!
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
I'd also add in that you should back up the commands your spouse is giving her, too... You need to be a leadership team. Otherwise, Willow might learn that she only has to do what YOU say, and she can ignore your Dear Hubby - and that could lead to her protecting you from DH... not good for doggie manners or marital bliss issues, either. LOL.

I work at home, so I normally become the doggie-mom, too... and my DH is often more "manly" in his training process (more deep-voiced commands and less praise). So, I offer suggestions on how he can get Denna to do what he wants (happy baby talk and treats) - and when it works, he's more apt to try it my way the next time. :) We're on our third puppy together (after 20 years of marriage), so we're getting it down pretty well, now.

Other than that - we're learning more about the mastiffs as a breed... they are pack oriented and very sensitive! Do what you can with positive training, and avoid physical punishment methods (I don't rule them out, but use as a last resort). You want to build up the bond so the puppy looks to you for guidance, and then offers the behaviors you want (which you can then praise and give love for). The most severe punishment needed for these guys is separation from the pack. If the puppy is doing something you don't like, remove them from your location for a few minutes... once they see that bad behavior gets them 'alone' time... that's normally enough for them to stop doing it. (works for biting, jumping, over-excitement-type issues).

Enjoy lap time while you can! They get too big and heavy quick!
 

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
Thank you both so much for the wonderful information. It really has been such a wonderful and exciting experience having Willow a part of our family. Her personality, sense of humor and the look of accomplishment on her face when she does what was asked of her is priceless.
I never thought I'd own a big dog cause all I could see was the drool and the huge amount of food they may eat. When I actually took the time to research the mastiff breed and well as several other breeds I came to the conclusion that the best dog to fit in with our family and our lifestyle would be the mastiff.
In all honesty, I dont believe I'd ever own any other breed of dog. What does make me sad is the shorter lifespan of these beautiful creatures. The breeder I got Willow from still owns Willow's grandma, who is 18 years old. I wouldnt have believed it if I didnt see it with my own eyes. Willow's mom is 2 and her dad is 5. The temperament of Willow's doggie family is fantastic. I was just so amazed that such big dogs can be so calm, gentle and so family oriented.
My hubby was teasing me cause when Willow first came home I'd let her curl up in my arms, holding her like a baby. She's now just about 30lbs and she trys so hard to get me to hold her this same way. Doesnt really work but I try to accommodate lol.
Hubby and I do try to be on the same page when it comes to her training. He says I tend to be a push over and let her get away with more, but with our kids I'm the opposite. I tend to be more disciplinarian with them, I expect more. Ive just always been a softy when it comes to my 4 legged kids lol. Hubby also is the one that wrestles with Willow. He gets down on the floor and growls with her and she barks and nips at him. If she nips too hard, he stops playing with her for a bit and tells her Ouch, Not so hard.
As far as taking things from her mouth, yeah I dont have a problem with that. For some reason, this little princess tended to love eating non food items, such as twist ties. I've had to fish for them several times in her mouth. She doesnt swallow them, just feels the need to chew them and spit them out, very weird.
I am uncertain, however on weather or not to give her raw hide chews. I've heard both good and bad views on these. She's had some all natural pork twists, dried chicken jerky, and dried pork sausages but I havent attempted raw hide, kinda makes me nervous cause I dont know much about them.
Sorry for the long winded post. Every time I think I've finished what I have to say I remember something else. Thank you again for taking the time to educate me with the ways of a mastiff :)
 

joshuagough

Well-Known Member
There's nothing like a EM, they are simply priceless companions.

I would highly recommend a trainer to work with her for a few months, it's well worth the money & time invested. Most don't pay for trainers until there's a problem, if you set a sound base the issue's that come along are minimal and a lot easier to correct.

There's no one size fits all for training, you can take all of them and throw them in a bowl and use different aspects of each.
 

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
Willow's Mom is an English Mastiff and her Dad is an American. I feel like I have the best of both worlds :)
 

Kelly

Well-Known Member
ok im a little confused here... Willows grandma is 18? is that a typo? and her mom is 2....grandma was bred at 16? maybe its Friday and my brain is fried?
 

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
Willows grandma is 18 and she is the mother of willows dad who is 5 lol. and yes that means she was bred at 13. it truly made no sense to be..disturbing actually, now that i think about it..maybe i misunderstood..i was kinda in puppy love with all 10 pups running around lol. only half listening..hmmm....
 

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
OK so I was off...its the great grandma thats 18. They had to put grandma down at 7, which was last summer due to cancer :( But grandma had willow's dad when she was 2 and dad is currently 5 and cancer free. ok now that makes sense...
 

Kelly

Well-Known Member
yeah thats a little better. 18 wow...id love to keep Tess that long, in good health