New to it all!

[rothsg]

Hi all,

The information on this forum has been so helpful, but now I have some worries of my own.

I am a first time English Mastiff AND puppy owner. I got nine week old Giles on Monday night. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. He is doing very well with his crate training, but I am having a really difficult time with potty training. I have been bringing him out about every two hours (after playing, taking him out of his crate, etc) and a couple times he won't pee outside, but will come back inside. Needless to say, I am feeling like the worst owner.

Also, for when he is not in the crate does anyone have any recommendations on how we play together? I am finding myself just too on edge about another accident occurring inside. However, we are both really enjoying playing tug-o-war and taking naps together .

I feel so lucky to be apart of the EM world and I look forward to reading more great advice!

 

[riffy]

Welcome.

I would do potty training every 30 mins to an hour in the first few days. 2 hours seems like a lot! Walking around usually helps them want to pee when you're outside. Some catch on faster than others. Just keep an eye on him. Starts sniffing around... time to go outside quick! Then lots of praise and the potty command while he's going. I felt really stupid doing it the first time I potty trained but it paid off. Nothing beats "go potty" before they get into the car. Same stuff goes for poopy too.

As for playing... same as any other puppy. I personally NEVER picked mine up knowing he'd get to a weight that I couldn't pick him up later. Nothing like a 200 lb dog wanting to be picked up later in life. Games like tug-o-war I avoided with my EM too. I knew I'd never win later. Over 2 years of trying to play fetch and we're STILL trying to get that one right. LOL Just keep in mind he could be a big boy later, what might be cute as a 40lb puppy, might not be as a 200lb dog.

 

[CeeCee]

Welcome!!!

Sorry, I got nothing on the potty training, mine came to me at 6 mos and housebroken.

As for play...
Be careful on the tug of war, I tried this once with Zeke and he moved his neck in a way that caused him to cry out in pain.
Beyond playing together with toys, one of our favorites it "find it." When they can sit and stay (or for a little one you can have someone hold them) let them see you "hiding" little treats or kibble and then let them go and tell them to "find it."

As they get older, you can have them sit and stay in one room, you hide the kibble and then tell them to find it. You can also vary it by hiding yourself and calling them to you.

This is a great rainy day game we play.

 

[Bigdaddyjak]

Hi! Agreed on taking him out more often. You really have to watch him. Eventually he will realize why you are putting him out and will go every time. Shortly after that he will learn to alert you when he needs to go out. Max is 14 weeks now and is doing really well - goes to the door and if we don't notice him there he will make noise. they are smart puppies! Do you have a place to play outside? Then you wouldn't worry as much about an accident. Have fun with your new baby!

 

[DennasMom]

Also... when you take him out (more often), just stand there and watch... calmly... maybe walk around a little... act nonchalant... wait for it.... wait for it... then when he start peeing, say "potty, potty, potty, potty" (as long as the stream lasts), and as soon as he's done... "GOOD POTTY!!!" PARTY TIME!!! Get excited, play, run around, chase/be-chased... so, no fun until potty... then ALL fun. That's worked well for us. Potty is the first event when ever Denna steps outside - then we can get down to party business.

One of our past trainers had us do it this way - so the word "potty" starts to have a muscle-memory-response. But be careful when you say the word if you get it that good!

We also like tug around here - but it's a "managed" game. If Denna gets over-excited or starts whipping her head around to hard, I drop the rope and the game is over. As long as she's playing nice, we tug for a while, I ask for a "drop" (or 'release' or whatever name you want to give it), and stop playing (but don't let go) until she let's go (you can use a treat to help the process). Once she let's go - "GOOD DROP!" and I offer the rope back and we can tug (nicely) some more. So... it's a game, but with rules. As long as the human is in charge, and the puppy follows the rules, play is good.

Other games... like mentioned above - 'find it', 'fetch', 'chase-me' (I wouldn't run after the puppy -that be a bad habit to encourage, but enticing the puppy to chase you is good). Denna likes to chase bubbles, so I blow bubbles for her a lot.

YouTube has all sorts of suggestions on 'learning games'... one called "it's yer choice" is a good one to start with. I also watched one that taught a really, really good "drop", leading up to 'fetch'. Wish I had the time and patience to work Denna like that! Don't worry about the age of the dogs in the videos... just keep "organized" play sessions short and fun (5-10 minutes, max), and build day-to-day. Baby steps!

--and Have Fun!-- Naps are a great bonding tool. We do lots of those around here, too.

Here are the links for those:
[video=youtube;ipT5k1gaXhc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipT5k1gaXhc[/video]
[video=youtube;ndTiVOCNY4M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndTiVOCNY4M[/video]

 

[VentiandMe]

Congrats on your new EM! My EM was a breeze when he was a little puppy (and still is for the most part) besides the late night potty breaks, which he should pick up fairly quickly with consistency. If you can divide his crate (you might need a bigger crate), you should...That will allow him to go in his crate on a pee pad or one of those fake grass things and still have a place to sleep while you are out. I'd say he can't hold it for much longer than 2 hours as a puppy, nor would he try to.

My EM has become more aggressive towards other dogs over the past 2-months (He is almost 11 months), especially towards other dogs that bark at him, even from a distance. I was told by our trainer to STOP playing tug of war and NO wrestling with him, even though it seems like play, it only re-enforces the aggressive behavior. So might want to think about that now for the future. Good luck with your new EM and post a pic!

 

[Iymala]

I have an EM puppy that is the same age. I watch his water consumption...anytime after a nap we immediately go potty...if the starts to sniff we go potty...if he looks like he wants to go outside..I.e. heading towards the door..we go potty. For us its less about time and more about his signals. Some times its 30 mins or an hour ... if hes napping sometimes an hour and a half. I am at home all day with him so it makes it much easier.

As far as games... we do a few 5 to 10min training sessions a day. This is his 3rd day home and he has mastered sit and is close to mastering lay down. I make it fun with low sodium chicken hotdogs cut in small pieces... very small. This also gives me a chance to inadvertently teach "come" by repositioning myself during the sessions. He picks up fast on what I want of him, but he is a bit bull headed and at this age their attention span is very short.

When we are outside he loves to romp around in the grass and has a blast just following me around or playing chase. Does not take much to tire him out. It also gives me a chance to reinforce him not tugging on pants to play. I use "ah..ah" probably more than "no" but he is learning both.

We also do lots of naps. He is growing constantly and it wears him out. He spends most of the asleep next to me.

 

[musicdeb]

Welcome aboard~

 

[Robtouw]

You aren't a bad owner, just a newbie! Your pup will take advantage of you any time possible, esp males. You have to establish a leadership role early. Create a schedule, be specific and stick to the times, make a routine and do not deviate from it and your pup will naturally begin to follow without issues. At first schedule the elimination breaks about 2 hrs apart and over the course of two weeks gradually increase the times between outings. If he eliminates indoors, do not allow him to watch you clean it up, make a loud fuss then put him outdoors for a bit or in a different room. Mastiffs are emotional dogs they want more than anything to please you and they find it frustrating when they can't so use that to your advantage.

Your pup is developing and his muscles are not strong enough yet to have much control, so be patient. When you take him out to eliminate do just that, no playing. Always keep play time separate. Make training sessions short and fun, put loads of praise and energy into it and he will want to do it!

 

[Harrygto]

welcome