Can You Trust Your Mastiff With Other Animals?
As a general rule, if a Mastiff is well socialized as a
puppy, then it will get along well with other dogs as an
adult. It should be as calm and patient with other dogs as
it is with children. In fact, most Mastiffs love playing
with small dogs. The Mastiff is peaceful and tolerant, and
usually will just turn its back even if attacked. It will
rarely fight unless it has to in order to protect itself or
a member of the family.

If your Mastiff was unlucky and not well socialized as a
puppy, then it may be aggressive toward other dogs. In this
case, it is best not to place such a dog in the same family
as another dog of the same sex. When your puppy matures,
the two dogs will fight for dominance – it is just in their
nature to behave this way.

If you are find that your Mastiff is overly aggressive, you
have several options:

- Consult a professional trainer to see whether your dog
can be retrained – Have your veterinarian check for
physical problems that can affect behavior, especially
hormone problems such as hypothyroidism – Consider having
your dog spayed or neutered, which will reduce its
tendencies to fight or dominate another dog – Change to a
food that is lower in protein — no more than 18%
protein

One thing you should never do is get between fighting dogs.
If your Mastiff does get into a fight, the best option is
for the respective owners to grab each dog by the rear legs
and drag them away from each other. Do not try this with
any large dog you do not know. When you have separated
them, do not let them see each other or the fight may start
again.

The Mastiff dog breed will normally will live peaceably
with other animals, even though his ancestors may have been
hunters. That’s not to say that your Mastiff won’t chase a
rabbit, squirrel, or cat if given the chance. However, it
will quickly learn the difference and distinguish between a
squirrel in the back yard and a fellow pet in its own
household.

A Mastiff’s reaction to other animals depends largely on
how well socialized the Mastiff was as a puppy. Also,
Mastiffs vary individually in their reactions to other
animals — some may love to chase cats; others
tolerate or ignore them. A Mastiff who grows up around
other animals, whether a cat in an apartment or a chicken
on a farm, will likely get along well with all other
animals.

The advice for anyone thinking of getting a Mastiff puppy
is to expose the youngster to other dogs and a variety of
other animals as early and as often as possible. If you are
buying a mature dog from a mastiff kennels, or perhaps a
mastiff rescue, go to great lengths to check that he has
been well socialized as a puppy – insist on seeing how he
behaves in the presence of dogs and animals, not just those
in his own household. Good Mastiff breeders will understand
your concern.

Remember, if your Mastiff is going to spend much time out
in public, then you must be reassured before purchase that
he will not be a danger to any stranger or other animal.

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For more tips about socializing and caring for your Mastiff
dog, visit http://www.mastiffsbible.com
And why not grab the free course on looking after your
mastiff – perfect reading for all the Phentermine
family.