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Melwillett

New Member
Well hello from Kansas. I've been browsing this site for a few months and finally decided to join. We will be the proud new owners of an 8week old English Mastiff mid April. We intend to train our girl/boy to be a service dog for our Autistic son. Our pup comes from a dad who is a service dog for the breeders autistic son, and a good friend is in the process of training her female from the first litter for a therapy dog. I've been around the breed when I worked at the vets office (they were the office pets and vets dogs) but will be my first time owning one. I grew up with coonhounds and vizsla, so only dog training I've done is hunting dogs so this a new world for me. So advice is always welcome and encouraged. We did a lot of research before making our decision and many factors in regards to my sons sensory issues and comfort level went into our decision so I feel comfortable we made the right decision even with all the skeptical looks and comments we have gotten.
 
TWW

TWW

Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum.
Best advise I could give is to start working on training the day your pup comes home, also to socialize your pup well.
EM's are great with children and the elderly as long as there trained well.
I can personally say, mines daddys boy, but he watches after the wife since her medical issues like a hawk
 
angelbears

angelbears

Well-Known Member
Welcome and congrats! I would just add, remember training doesn't happen over night. The pup will go through different stages for the first couple of years that may test your patience. Also, read up on all the health concerns with an English Mastiff. Their growth plates don't fully close/develop for 2 to 3 years. It is not unusual for our dogs to develop debilitating joint issues. Read up on bloat. I only mention this because if your son bonds with the new pup you are going to want to keep him healthy as long as possible. The giants are wonderful dogs with the down side being they are not with us as long as most other breeds. Good luck!
 
B

BAMCB

Well-Known Member
Welcome!! Our experience is a bit different but along the same lines. We had 2 JRTs from the time my daughter was 4 yrs old. She had such a bond with the male. He could comfort her no matter what was happening or how anxious/angry she had become. Fast forward to her late diagnosis of Aspergers at 15 yrs and it made more sense. That dog had such personality but when it came to her needing to calm down he would lay with her for hours! We lost them last winter at 15 yrs old. When she moved out last August we got her a cat. I think she will always have a pet due to the comfort they've brought to her:)

But now she's moving back home in July and we will have to find a way to integrate a cat with the dogs, not looking forward to that! Lol
 
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