Mastiff Dogs - 8 Really Handy Tips

Mastiff dogs make great pets. They are affectionate, protective without being aggressive, loving and a lot of fun. Before you get a mastiff, you should find out more about this breed. Here are some useful tips on looking after mastiff dogs and mastiff puppies.

1. As soon as you get your new dog, you need to take it to a veterinarian for a check up. The breeder should have told you about worming information and which vaccinations the dog has had already. Your puppy will need a series of shots to protect him from disease.
2. Find out from the breeder which food your mastiff has been eating and continue with it. If you want to change his diet, you will need to do it gradually. This means add some of food B (the new food) to food A (what he is used to). The next day, add some more. Finally he should have a plateful of food B only and be used to it. The process should take 5 to 7 days. Changing a mastiff's diet suddenly can result in painful intestinal problems. Don't feed him table scraps because this can cause intestinal problems too.
3. Make sure your mastiff doesn't have access to poisonous substances. This includes household detergents, insecticides and household plants. Philodendron, English ivy and dieffenbachia are all toxic plants so don't let mastiff dogs near them. Spinach and tomato vines are toxic, as are peach and apricot pits. If in doubt, your vet can advise you which plants are hazardous. Some mastiff dogs like to nibble on grass. This is harmless unless he eats an excessive amount.
4. Young mastiff dogs need rest so keep playtime and handling to a minimum. Never pick the dog up by its neck or front legs and make sure your children know this is dangerous.
5. Keep string, sewing needles, pins and any other sharp objects away from mastiff dogs. A dog swallowing anything like this can damage his internal organs and mouth.
6. Keep your toilet lid down because young mastiff dogs often like to play with the water. Toilet cleanser can be dangerous if your mastiff swallows some.
7. If you notice any strange changes in your dog's behavior, make sure you take him to the veterinarian. These changes include listlessness, a lack of appetite, a marked change in his behavior and a dog which appears to be in pain. It is always better to get such things checked out, since it is always better to be safe than sorry.
8. To leash train your dog, start off with a collar. When he is used to this, you can attach a leash and let him drag it around the house. Next, take him to and from his toilet area on the leash. Most dogs can be leash trained with ease. The leash means your dog is going to be taken outside which he loves, so once he realizes this, you shouldn't have any problems.

Mastiffs are very rewarding pets. If you are patient and consistent with mastiff dogs, they will provide you with companionship and unconditional love for life.