Caring for Your Mastiff

Welcome

Congratulations on welcoming an English Mastiff puppy into your home. Mastiffs are known for their gentle temperament, loyalty, and impressive size. These tips are designed to help you confidently care for your puppy during their critical early months and beyond.

English Mastiffs grow rapidly and require thoughtful nutrition, proper exercise, early training, and consistent veterinary care to ensure lifelong health and sound development.

Training, Socialization & Emotional Well‑Being

Train Your Mastiff Puppy Up

Training Tips for Mastiff Puppies

Start Early:
Begin training as soon as your puppy comes home. Early lessons help establish good habits and prevent unwanted behaviors as your Mastiff grows.

Use Positive Reinforcement:
Reward-based training works best for Mastiffs. Use treats, praise, and affection to reinforce desired behaviors. Avoid harsh corrections—Mastiffs are sensitive and respond better to gentle guidance.

Be Consistent:
Use the same commands and routines every day. Consistency helps your puppy understand expectations and builds confidence.

Focus on Basic Commands:
Teach essential commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “down,” and “leave it.” These are important for safety and daily life with a large dog.

Short, Fun Sessions:
Keep training sessions brief (5–10 minutes) and positive. Mastiff puppies have short attention spans, so end on a high note with a reward.

Socialization:
Expose your puppy to a variety of people, pets, sounds, and environments. Positive socialization reduces fearfulness and helps your Mastiff become a well-mannered adult.

Leash Training:
Start leash training early. Use a sturdy collar or harness and teach your puppy to walk calmly beside you. This is especially important for large breeds.

Discourage Jumping and Mouthing:
Redirect jumping or mouthing to appropriate behaviors, such as sitting for attention or chewing on toys.

Patience and Gentleness:
Mastiffs are intelligent but can be stubborn or slow to mature. Be patient, gentle, and encouraging—never use force or intimidation.

Enroll in Puppy Classes:
Consider enrolling in a puppy kindergarten or basic obedience class. Professional trainers can provide guidance and help with socialization.

Prevent Resource Guarding:
Practice handling your puppy’s food, toys, and chews from an early age to prevent possessive behaviors.

Set Boundaries:
Establish household rules and boundaries early. Use baby gates or closed doors to manage your puppy’s access to certain areas.

Monitor Growth and Activity:
Because Mastiffs grow rapidly, avoid strenuous exercise or activities that could stress developing joints. Focus on mental stimulation and gentle play.

Essential Tips for Socializing Your Mastiff

Start Early and Be Consistent:

  • The critical socialization window for Mastiff puppies is between 3 and 14 weeks of age. Begin introducing your puppy to new experiences, people, and environments as soon as possible. Consistency is key—continue socialization throughout their life.

Expose to a Variety of People and Animals:

  • Introduce your Mastiff to people of all ages, appearances, and backgrounds (children, seniors, people with hats, sunglasses, uniforms, etc.).

  • Arrange playdates with well-behaved, vaccinated dogs of different sizes and temperaments. Controlled, positive interactions help prevent fear and aggression.

Gradual Exposure to New Environments:

  • Take your Mastiff to different places: parks, pet-friendly stores, busy streets, quiet trails, and more. Let them experience various sights, sounds, and smells.

  • Gradually increase the complexity of environments as your dog becomes more confident.

Use Positive Reinforcement:

  • Reward calm and friendly behavior with treats, praise, or toys. Positive experiences build confidence and help your Mastiff associate new situations with good outcomes.

Controlled, Calm Introductions:

  • Start with low-distraction environments before progressing to busier settings.

  • Let your Mastiff approach new people and animals at their own pace. Avoid forcing interactions—respect their signals and boundaries.

Familiarize with Household Noises and Handling:

  • Gradually expose your Mastiff to household sounds (vacuum, doorbell, washing machine) and gentle handling (paws, ears, mouth). This prepares them for vet visits and grooming.

Enroll in Puppy Socialization Classes:

  • Structured classes provide supervised interactions with other puppies and people, teaching essential skills and building confidence.

Monitor for Signs of Stress:

  • Watch for signs like pinned ears, tucked tail, lip licking, or freezing. If your Mastiff appears frightened, calmly remove them from the situation and try again later.

Encourage Independence:

  • Allow your Mastiff to explore and understand their surroundings. This nurtures confidence and reduces over-dependence.

Socialization Is a Lifelong Process: Continue exposing your Mastiff to new experiences, people, and animals throughout their life to reinforce positive social behaviors.

Understanding Separation Anxiety in Mastiffs

Separation anxiety is a stress response that occurs when a Mastiff is left alone or separated from their bonded person. Signs include barking, whining, destructive behavior, pacing, drooling, accidents, and attempts to escape. Mastiffs are especially prone to this due to their strong attachment to family.

Practical Steps to Help Your Mastiff

Create a Safe, Cozy Space:

  • Designate a quiet area with your Mastiff’s bed, favorite toys, and an item with your scent (like a worn t-shirt).

  • Consider crate training if your Mastiff finds comfort in a den-like space, but ensure the crate is always a positive, inviting place.

Practice Gradual Departures:

  • Start by leaving your Mastiff alone for just a few seconds, then return calmly. Gradually increase the time you’re away.

  • Repeat these short departures often, so your Mastiff learns that you always come back.

Desensitize Departure Cues:

  • Pick up your keys, put on your coat, or perform other “leaving” routines without actually leaving. This helps break the association between these cues and your absence.

Stick to a Routine:

  • Feed, walk, and play with your Mastiff at consistent times each day. Predictability helps reduce anxiety.

Provide Mental Stimulation:

  • Use interactive toys, puzzle feeders, or treat-dispensing toys to keep your Mastiff engaged while you’re gone.

  • Rotate toys to keep things interesting and prevent boredom.

Exercise Before Leaving:

  • A tired Mastiff is less likely to become anxious or destructive. Schedule a walk or play session before you leave.

Background Noise:

  • Leave a radio, TV, or white noise machine on to provide comforting sounds and mask outside noises.

Keep Departures and Arrivals Low-Key:

  • Avoid making a big fuss when leaving or returning home. Calm, neutral greetings help your Mastiff stay relaxed.

Consider Calming Products:

  • Calming supplements like L-theanine, melatonin, or hemp chews, pheromone diffusers, pressure wraps, and lick mats can help some dogs feel more secure.

  • Always consult your veterinarian before starting new supplements or products.

Seek Professional Help if Needed:

  • If your Mastiff’s anxiety is severe, consult a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist. They can design a behavior modification plan and discuss medication if appropriate.

Additional Tips

  • Use pet cameras to monitor your Mastiff’s behavior and progress.

  • Avoid punishment—this increases anxiety and damages trust.

  • Be patient; improvement takes time and consistency.

Nutrition & Supplementation

Nutrition & Growth for Mastiffs

For pet-only Mastiff homes, controlled growth and lifelong joint health are the highest priorities. Rapid growth can increase the risk of orthopedic issues common in giant breeds. Feed a high-quality large-breed puppy formula and avoid supplements, raw diets, or high-calorie foods unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian. Maintaining a lean body condition is essential for your Mastiff’s comfort, mobility, and longevity.

Choosing the Right Food

English Mastiffs are a giant breed and should always be fed a large-breed puppy formula to support controlled growth and joint health.

Key nutrition guidelines:

  • High-quality protein

  • Controlled calcium and phosphorus

  • No rapid-growth formulas

  • No grain-free diets unless recommended by a veterinarian

Feeding Schedule

  • 8–12 weeks: 3 meals per day

  • 3–6 months: 3 meals per day

  • 6–18 months: 2 meals per day

Avoid free-feeding. Scheduled meals help prevent obesity and reduce the risk of bloat.

Important Tip: Always transition foods gradually over 7–10 days to prevent digestive upset.

How to Introduce New Supplements to Your Mastiff

Check out these tips based on veterinary best practices and expert advice, ensuring your Mastiff experiences a safe and effective transition when starting new supplements.

Consult Your Veterinarian First:

Before introducing any new supplement, it’s important to talk with your vet. They can suggest the right products and dosages while checking for potential interactions with medications or existing health issues.

Start Slowly:

Begin by adding a small amount of the supplement, often half the recommended dose, and gradually increase to the full dose over several days. This gentle approach helps your Mastiff’s digestive system adapt and gives you time to watch for any unwanted reactions.

Mix with Food:

Supplements are typically easiest to give when mixed into your Mastiff’s regular meals. If your dog is selective, try disguising the supplement in a favorite treat or use a paste like Pill Butter to make it more appealing.

Monitor for Side Effects:

Keep an eye out for changes in appetite, stool, energy, or signs of discomfort. Mild digestive issues are common, but if you notice vomiting, diarrhea, or allergic reactions, discontinue the supplement and contact your vet.

Keep a Log:

Record when you started the supplement, the dosage, and any observations. This tracking helps you and your veterinarian assess its effectiveness and catch potential issues early.

Use Only High-Quality, Vet-Recommended Products:

Choose supplements from trusted brands that clearly list their ingredients and provide dosing instructions. For Mastiffs, look for products specially formulated for large breeds and seniors.

Avoid Over-Supplementation:

Don’t use multiple supplements that contain similar ingredients, like several joint products with glucosamine, unless your vet recommends it. Excess amounts of certain nutrients can cause harm.

Be Patient:

Some supplements, like those for joint support, may take several weeks before you notice improvements. It’s important to remain consistent.

Tip: If your Mastiff refuses a supplement, consult your veterinarian about alternative forms such as chews, liquids, powders, or different flavors.

Disclosure: The posts on this site contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Products We Recommend

We at English Mastiff Haven recommend DocRoy’s Canine supplements. I use them for my English Mastiffs — they help joints, skin, coat, and overall energy. Simple formulas, easy to give, and dogs take them well. For large-breed puppies and adults, regular use helps keep mobility and vitality. Follow the dosing instructions and check with your veterinarian before starting, especially if your dog has health issues or takes medications.