How do you train a Tibetan Mastiff not to bite? The Tibetan Mastiff is a highly aggressive breed. As the so-called king among dogs, its fighting power hardly needs explanation. Even so, when raising a Tibetan Mastiff, owners still need to use training to make the dog more obedient and controllable.
At what age should Tibetan Mastiff training begin, and what should be paid attention to?
As the king among dogs, the Tibetan Mastiff has a very high sense of pride and is one of the few breeds that does not easily fear harsh force. Once a young Tibetan Mastiff is weaned, it enters a stage of strong learning ability. Training and discipline during this time can bring especially good results and greatly influence the formation of its personality.
The ideal age to begin training a Tibetan Mastiff is around four and a half months old, which is roughly one and a half months earlier than the usual starting point for wolfdogs such as the German Shepherd. The main reason is that Tibetan Mastiffs develop more quickly, so the training age should also be earlier. To train an excellent Tibetan Mastiff, choosing the right puppy is very important. A good puppy should be lively and excitable, have a good appetite and courage, and show strong inborn chasing ability, with a love for running and jumping. If training begins too early, the puppy may not yet have formed a relatively stable temperament. It may be timid and weak, or overly active and restless, with poor focus, making training difficult. If training begins too late, the Tibetan Mastiff will already have formed its own courage and personality, and because the breed is naturally stubborn, it then becomes much harder to discipline and train.
Some Tibetan Mastiff owners love their dogs so much that they cannot bear to tether them, allowing young puppies to run wild freely. By the time they realize the dog must eventually become accustomed to a collar or chain, the process may already be difficult. A young Tibetan Mastiff does not understand why the owner suddenly puts a collar or chain on it and limits its movement. It may jump, struggle, and bark. In mild cases, it breaks free from the collar or chain; in more serious cases, the chain may wrap around its body, and an enraged Tibetan Mastiff may only tighten it further, easily injuring itself. If this kind of bad experience happens even once, tether training becomes much harder in the future. A practical way to begin is to tie the puppy before feeding. Once it is tied, give it food. At first it may feel uncomfortable, but the desire to eat will reduce the stress. After two or three days of this, the puppy usually becomes more accustomed to tethering.
In addition, the following points should be noted when giving an obedience foundation to a young Tibetan Mastiff:
1. Build emotional connection: The first step in training is to form a close bond with the puppy. The owner should often go near the puppy, gently stroke it, pat its head, scratch it lightly, and make it feel satisfied and secure.
2. Heel training: The owner can hold a light chain and combine guidance with mild compulsion, leading the puppy step by step. When the puppy manages to walk a few steps alongside the owner, praise or a small food reward should be given immediately.
3. Recall training: Once the puppy can be led about casually, recall training can begin. At this stage, lengthen the lead somewhat, call the puppy by name, and guide it to come near the owner. At first, the puppy may come not because it understands the command, but simply because of its natural attachment to the owner. Even so, whenever it comes close, reward it immediately with gentle touching and praise. With repeated practice, the young Tibetan Mastiff will soon learn to respond to the owner’s call.