The Bullmastiff is not known for their agility, but that doesn’t mean that training them doesn’t help them out. They are unlikely to win many competitions, but they can still learn and gain a lot more agility than they are born with.
While Bullmastiffs are not very agile, they do need exercise. Agility training is a fun, helpful way to get most dog breeds up and about. They can learn a lot from the training, plus improve their agility, confidence, and other aspects of their health.
With Bullmastiffs, in particular, there are a number of health concerns relating to their joints that affect how they can be trained.
Learn about the benefits and pitfalls of agility training for them by reading on.
Are Bullmastiffs built for agility?
Not exactly. Bullmastiffs have a bulkier build that generally doesn’t work well for agility. In addition, Bullmastiffs have been said to have two speeds: slow and nap.
That doesn’t mean you can’t train them to be more agile, keeping them happy and healthy. Of course, they aren’t likely to win any competitions, but if they are into agility activities, it can be an excellent exercise source.
Bullmastiffs carry a lot of bulk in their upper bodies, and while they can run up to 25 mph (40 kph), they usually don’t push themselves to that speed.
Due to their build, they are better at walking and jogging than sprinting. However, even walking a long distance can be exhausting for them.
Their health is dependent on getting some exercise, but too much can hurt their joints, especially when they are puppies.
At what age should a Bullmastiff start agility?
Full agility training should not be started until 18 months to guarantee safety. Groundwork can be started earlier, but jumping and going up and down ramps can put severe pressure on your Bullmastiff’s joints.
They are naturally slower and lazier dogs, so getting them excited about trying out the agility course might take a bit.
But if they seem to enjoy it, it can be a great source of exercise for them.
If they don’t seem to enjoy it, Bullmastiffs tend to like playing with toys for their exercise.
So it’s really up to the individual dog what will work best, but don’t discount agility training just because they are not traditionally good at it.
“The groundwork aspects of agility, including the tunnel and weave, can be started as early as three to six months.“
This will also allow you to train them in obedience and learn general commands.
Remember that when they are still growing, though, their leg joints are still a big concern. Even if they aren’t jumping, overworking them can be harmful.
For optimal safety, don’t start jumping training until they’re at least 18 months. This is because their bones and joints are fully developed at this point.
Is agility training good for Bullmastiffs?
Agility training is great for all dog breeds, but some take to it better than others. Unfortunately, Bullmastiffs are not known as one of the better agility breeds, so they are unlikely to be winning any competitions.
However, if they enjoy it, nothing is stopping you from training them in agility anyway. They’ll be happier, healthier, and more stimulated than if you didn’t.
“They don’t tend to do so well because their bodies are not built for agility.”
They also tend to move a bit slower and have a low overall amount of energy. Together, these attributes make agility a bit tough for them.
Since they are a bit lazy and low energy, exercise can become quite a sore point. It’s important to find some activities they enjoy so that they do get the exercise they need.
One of those can be training for agility. Their long-term health will be better for it.
Besides exercise, agility training can have quite a few other benefits too. You have an opportunity to train their attention and listening skills, build confidence in their abilities, and socialize them with other dogs and dog owners if you go to competitions.
All of these things can be very healthy for your Bullmastiff.
Is there anything that can slow down my bullmastiff’s agility?
Some things can slow them down; however, expectations should be set low. A Bullmastiff’s build will always make it difficult for them to reach the heights of other dog breeds. This is because they carry a lot of excess bulk on their upper torso. With that in mind, there are still some things you can do.
First, make sure their diet and exercise are well-rounded. A protein-rich diet and a healthy amount of food intake daily will help them stay in the best possible shape.
Second, training in groundwork at an early age (from three to six months) will allow you to instill a good sense of commands and obedience training from a young age.
This will help immensely in later, more rigorous agility training.
Does agility training build confidence in Bullmastiffs?
Agility training builds confidence in all dog breeds. Especially if your Bullmastiff gets to socialize with other dogs, whether at training or competitions, this can be a massive boost to their confidence.
The reason is, even if they aren’t great at agility itself, confidence comes from understanding their role and what they should be doing.
With some good training and interactions with others over time, your Bullmastiff will understand what will get them praise and treats and feel more and more confident in doing it.
What’s important here is that the training is done well. So they should get lots of praise and positive reinforcement, even if they aren’t always doing the obstacles perfectly.
Negative reinforcement has been shown to have bad long-term effects and should be avoided. Even if you are frustrated with your Bullmastiffs’ progress, mixing positive and negative reinforcements tends to confuse them and create a lack of confidence.
How to train your Bullmastiff to be agile?
Training can be done at a dedicated training facility or with a trainer at home by yourself.
The same training for other breeds will also work for a Bullmastiff, but they often won’t do as well as other breeds and need to take things slower.
Training usually begins with basic commands and building up control and confidence in your dog. For Bullmastiffs under 18 months, it is recommended you don’t train past groundwork. That means no jumps.
There are easy-to-set-up kits you can purchase online to set up in your backyard. Once set up, make sure to use lots of positive language and treats to help your Bullmastiff understand what is good to do.
Point and show them how and what they are supposed to do and praise them whenever they do it right.
What type of Agility Equipment should your Bullmastiff use?
The tunnel, jumps, and weave poles are the main agility equipment for training at home.
Use the tunnel, weave poles, and other groundwork pieces for puppies and start them off easily. Don’t overdo the amount of time you train them either. If they are starting to look exhausted, wait until the next day to keep going.
Height, going up and down, and jumps are always going to be tough for a Bullmastiff.
Firstly, it will hurt their joints, and that’s why they should not be trained before they are fully grown.
And secondly, their bodies aren’t built to perform these moves well.
Make sure that there are soft landing areas for your Bullmastiff when attempting these parts of the course.
Be extra careful to watch their comfort level when training these, and if they look uncomfortable, do not force it on them.
Exercise is still great for them, but you have to be a bit more considerate than other dog breeds.
How can I Teach my Bullmastiff Agility at home?
The best way to start is to purchase an agility competition equipment kit to set up in your backyard.
Use lots of treats and positive reinforcement to encourage them as you begin the training. For the most part, the early stages should be taken up with learning basic commands and understanding the basics of the obstacles.
“Since treats can get overdone, it can also be a good idea to move into clicker training or a similar technique.“
Throughout the training, try to remember that it’s for the benefit of your Bullmastiff and not to set expectations too high. They are getting a considerable amount of benefits out of exercise and mental stimulation. Slow and steady is an excellent pace for them.
Beyond exercise, they’ll also be learning to increase their attention span, how to listen to you better, and depending on how far it goes, might even learn some socialization.
Final thoughts
So, we know it’s unlikely your Bullmastiff will be winning any agility competitions. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of other benefits to training them. They’ll be getting lots of exercise, training, and other benefits that will last their whole life.
Just be careful not to expect too much and not to push their joints too hard. These are the risks of training your Bullmastiff in agility training. As long as you avoid these pitfalls, you should be all set.
