To build obedience in a puppy, a good level of obedience must be developed on the basis of a strong attachment to the owner and through strict introductory training.
The training method is as follows. Step one: get the puppy used to wearing a collar. First choose a light and soft small leather collar. Before feeding or free play, gently put the collar on the dog. Once the collar is on, immediately feed the dog or let it run and play. In this way, even if the dog initially feels uncomfortable about the new stimulus, it quickly forgets because food and play follow right away. Putting the collar on while the dog is eating also works well and does not make the dog fearful or uneasy. After about two to three days, the dog will be fully used to the collar, and then the next stage of training can begin.
Step two: get the dog used to walking on a lead. The method is this: before taking the dog out to play, fasten on the leash and then lead the dog outside for free exercise. At first some puppies feel constrained and struggle. At that time, the owner can lead the dog along step by step with a mild degree of compulsion. Once the dog is able to follow for a few steps, it should be rewarded properly with tasty food. Through patient guidance like this, the puppy will get used to the leash quickly. Another method is to attach the leash but not lead the dog immediately. Instead, let the dog drag the lead on its own. If the puppy refuses to move, the owner can tempt it forward with food. When the puppy comes forward, give it the food and reward it with praise and touch. After repeating this once or twice, the puppy usually adapts. Then, when the dog is led properly, it will no longer struggle or refuse to walk.
Step three: use a long line to control the puppy’s recall. In earlier attachment training, the “come” command was introduced mainly through luring and teasing. However, this method alone cannot fully build obedience. To truly improve obedience, a long line must be used. First, start by controlling the dog with the normal lead. While leading the dog during play or free exercise, the owner intentionally lets the dog move slightly ahead, then gives the command “come,” followed by a light pull on the lead. When the dog turns back, the owner steps backward while repeating “come” and “good,” encouraging the dog to come closer. Once the dog does so, it should immediately receive food and praise, and the session can end. The key to this method is the force used when pulling the dog’s attention back. Because the puppy is still young and has limited tolerance, the pull should be very gentle. After the dog has built some foundation through repeated practice, the difficulty can be increased by switching to a longer line. The long line here only needs to be somewhat longer than a standard lead, usually about five to ten meters. The method is to attach the long line, shorten it to roughly leash length at first, and walk the dog while playing and exercising. During free movement, the owner intentionally drops the line and lets the dog play freely. If the dog runs too far away or does not respond when called, the owner gently tugs the line to bring the dog back. Once the dog returns, it should be rewarded well. After repeated training, the puppy stops running off at random, keeps more attention focused on the owner, and follows as soon as it senses that the owner is moving. That is when the puppy has become more obedient.
Training a Tibetan Mastiff is much harder than training most breeds. In recent years, there have indeed been many reports of Tibetan Mastiffs biting their owners. But in many cases, this happens because the dog and owner are not truly familiar with each other. Tibetan Mastiffs have a very strong instinct to protect their people, and in general they show aggression mainly toward strangers, so owners should not lose confidence in the breed.