“Can gentle giants be taught tricks? Let’s uncover an untold tale about Bullmastiffs, a dog breed known less for its agility and more for its unyielding loyalty and mammoth strength. You may know Bullmastiffs for their courageous assistance in the British Army or their heartwarming role as family dogs, yet people rarely mention their trainability. If you’re contemplating bringing a Bullmastiff into your home and heart, read on.
Undeniably formidable in appearance, Bullmastiffs are a unique amalgamation of 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. British gamekeepers originally bred them in the 19th century as protection against poachers. A pivotal fact often overshadowed is that Bullmastiffs are surprisingly intelligent under their robust physique. Alongside their unabridged devotion and powerful instincts, these dogs can be trained according to your needs, all with the right techniques of course!
Although Bullmastiffs have a proclivity for independence, they also possess an intense eagerness to please their owners. When it comes to training Bullmastiffs, these inherent traits make the process relatively low-difficulty than perceived. This certainly doesn’t imply that your Bullmastiff would fetch your morning newspaper the day he steps his paw in your house—it simply means that with consistent and tailored training, anyone can cultivate a well-behaved Bullmastiff.
So you might ask, what exactly are these “right techniques”?
Number one rule in the Bullmastiff training manual is patience. Like all good things, shaping a well-trained and disciplined Bullmastiff takes time. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Number two is positive reinforcement. Bullmastiffs, with their deep longing for approval from their guardians, respond best to positive reinforcement techniques. Reward your Bullmastiff with treats, praises, or a little extra playtime every time he responds to your command or behaves well. Punitive methods might backfire as these dogs, sensitive at heart, could develop distress or aggression.
Also, Bullmastiffs are house dogs and that’s a tick in the box for potential dog parents in urban settings. They adjust quite easily to smaller spaces and are not hyperactive dogs that require constant exercise. In tune with their cooperative nature, Bullmastiffs tend to learn house rules quite fast too. However, if you live in a tiny apartment, be prepared for the possible ‘tail accidents’. These dogs have strong wagging tails that can easily knock off stuff from coffee tables.
Delving further into specific training modules, obedience training emerges as elementary. Start early! The hulk-like puppy is only going to get bigger with time and you wouldn’t want a rowdy 100 pounder on your hands. The emphasis of obedience training lies in making the Bullmastiff understand commands like ‘Sit’, ‘Stay’, ‘Come’, and ‘Leave it’. However, always remember to keep these sessions short and engaging, as these dogs can get distracted pretty quickly.
Next up is socialization. Early exposure to varied environments, different sounds, people, and other animals is crucial. This reiterates to your Bullmastiff that the outside world is not a threat to them or their cherished humans. They are, after all, bred as guard dogs and are naturally inclined to protect. Excessive guarding can lead to aggression which makes socialization training especially significant.
Bullmastiffs drool, a lot. And they often release gas too. If you aren’t ready for some slobber or farts, perhaps Bullmastiffs aren’t your perfect match. Unfortunately, no amount of training can change the inevitable, drooling and gas are just part of their genetic makeup.
Lastly, leash training is essential. This breed hosts significant strength and can easily overwhelm you if not leash trained. They also have a tendency to chase, hence harnessing their prey drive and leash manners early can save you from future confrontational strolls.
So, to sum up, Bullmastiffs are not exactly a cinch to train but neither are they an insurmountable challenge. Their behavior can be molded and customized with the right approach, consistent practice, and abundance of patient affection, not to forget treats!
To answer the question “Is Bullmastiff easy to train?”, I’d say it does require effort and time on your part but isn’t that what makes the bond with our fur babies special and rewarding?”
Welcoming a Bullmastiff into your life equates to not just gaining a loyal partner but also an obedient pupil ready to learn and please. Temper their raw strength and instincts with patient guidance, and you’re set to have a protective, lovable, and disciplined Bullmastiff making your life a tad bit more enriching and a whole lot more entertaining.
