- 1). Assert your dominance over your mastiff by walking ahead of it through doors and up and down stairs, eating before you allow the dog to do so, and never moving out of your Mastiff's way---make the dog move out of yours. Most Mastiffs are independent, stubborn and have strong personalities that often want to take charge of their owners, which can lead to an unruly and often aggressive Mastiff. If you establish your dominance over the dog and it learns you are the boss, you can prevent these behaviors from occurring.
- 2). Exercise your Mastiff at least once a day. As puppies, Mastiffs are full of energy and need an outlet for which to let that energy burn. If your Mastiff isn't able to exert the energy, it can become frustrated, unruly and unwilling to learn. Walk, run, jog or play with your dog daily to keep its body and mind active and occupied.
- 3). Socialize your Mastiff while it is young to help it become used to other dogs and people. Some Mastiffs will become shy or even aggressive around other dogs and humans because of a lack of exposure to them while they are young. Allow your Mastiff to interact with other dogs and people so that it will become comfortable with them and lessen the chances of shyness or aggression.
- 4). Touch your Mastiff's feet, face and ears and clean its facial skin folds on a daily basis when it is young to get it used to the process. Many Mastiffs require daily cleaning and maintenance to prevent irritation and material build-up, and unless your dog is familiar with these techniques, it may object to them and become difficult as a result. If you get your dog comfortable with having its face, feet and ears manipulated while it is young, it will likely not have much of a problem with it as an adult.
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