The Neapolitan Mastiff is a large, powerful dog that can be difficult to train. If you’re the owner of a Neapolitan Mastiff or are thinking of becoming one, it’s important to learn how to train this breed properly. So, how do you train a Neapolitan Mastiff?
Neapolitan Mastiffs need to be trained early on as puppies, to include house training, obedience training, and behavioral training. Using consistent routines, along with command words and positive reinforcement will help make the training efforts more effective.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best ways to train your Neapolitan Mastiff. We’ll also provide some tips on how to handle potential behavior problems.
How to Housetrain a Neapolitan Mastiff?
Since this dog is large and strong, it is important to be consistent with house training from the very beginning. Be sure to take your Neapolitan Mastiff outside frequently, especially after meals and naps.
If you see your dog sniffing around or circling, that is a sign that he needs to go out. Praise your dog when he goes potty outside. If your dog has an accident in the house, do not punish him. Just clean up the mess and continue to take him out frequently.
With patience and consistency, your Neapolitan Mastiff will be housetrained in no time.
Obedience Training a Neapolitan Mastiff
Start training your Neapolitan Mastiff as early as possible. Puppies have short attention spans but they are also eager to please, so start with basic commands such as sit, down, stay, come, and leave it.
Be consistent with your commands and rewards, and soon your dog will be obeying you effortlessly. As your dog gets older, you can incorporate more advanced training techniques such as agility training or fetch.
Neapolitan Mastiffs are intelligent dogs and they love to learn, so be sure to keep training interesting and enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Exercise for a Neapolitan Mastiff
Despite their large size, Neapolitan Mastiffs are relatively inactive indoors. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, which can be in the form of a walk, run, or playtime in the yard.
If possible, take your dog to a park or open space where he can run free. This breed loves to explore, so be sure to keep an eye on him at all times. Neapolitan Mastiffs are also prone to obesity, so it is important to make sure they get enough exercise and eat a healthy diet.
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Feeding a Neapolitan Mastiff
It is important to feed your Neapolitan Mastiff high-quality dog food that is rich in protein and nutrients. This breed is prone to bloat, so it is best to avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates or fats.
Neapolitan Mastiffs need two to three meals per day, depending on their age and activity level. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for your dog at all times.
Grooming a Neapolitan Mastiff
The thick, loose skin of the Neapolitan Mastiff needs to be cleaned and groomed on a regular basis. This breed sheds moderate amounts of fur, so brushing once or twice per week will help to keep the shedding under control.
In addition, the wrinkled skin should be cleaned and dried to prevent infection. The Neapolitan Mastiff does not need to be bathed often, but it is important to do so when necessary.
Behavioral Training
Digging
One of the most common problems with dogs is digging. If your dog is digging holes in your yard, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior. First, provide your dog with his own dig area that is designated just for him.
This can be a small sandbox or a section of the yard that is fenced off. You can also try training your dog with the command “leave it” when he starts to dig. If you catch him in the act, say “leave it” in a firm voice and give him a treat if he stops.
Jumping
Jumping is another common behavior problem in dogs. If your dog jumps on you or other people, it is important to nip this behavior in the bud.
Start by teaching your dog the “sit” command. When he sits down, praise him and give him a treat. If he starts to jump, say “no” in a firm voice and ignore him. Once he stops jumping, praise him and give him a treat.
Barking
Barking is one of the most common behavior problems in dogs, although not really a big issue with Neapolitan Mastiffs. In the event your Mastiff decides to bark excessively, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior.
First, make sure that he has plenty of exercise. A tired dog is less likely to bark than one who is full of energy.
You can also try training your dog with the command “quiet.” When he starts to bark, say “quiet” in a firm voice and give him a treat if he stops. Employing these methods will help you in training your dog to bark less.
Chewing
Chewing is another common behavior problem with Neapolitan Mastiffs. If your dog is chewing on furniture or other objects, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior. Start by providing your dog with plenty of chew toys.
When he starts to chew on something else, say “no” in a firm voice and give him one of his toys. You can also try using a bitter spray on objects that you don’t want him to chew. By using these tactics you can train your dog not to chew on things that he shouldn’t.
Leash Manners
One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to teach him good leash manners. This means teaching him to walk politely on a leash without pulling or lunging.
Start by taking your dog for short walks around the block. If he starts to pull, stop walking and make him sit down. Once he sits quietly, start walking again.
Biting
Biting is a serious behavior problem in dogs and should be addressed immediately. If your dog bites you or someone else, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior.
Start by teaching your dog the “leave it” command. When he starts to bite, say “leave it” in a firm voice and give him a treat if he stops. You can also try using a bitter spray on your skin to deter him from biting.
Resource Guarding
Resource guarding is a serious behavior problem in dogs. If your dog guards food, toys, or other objects, he may become aggressive if someone tries to take them away from him.
Start by teaching your dog the “drop it” command. When he has something in his mouth, say “drop it” in a firm voice and give him a treat if he drops it. You can also try using a Kong toy filled with food to distract him from whatever he’s guarding.
Stranger Danger
One of the most important things you can do for your Neapolitan Mastiff is to teach him stranger danger. This means teaching him to be wary of strangers and not to approach them.
Start by socializing your dog with people he knows. When you’re out walking, have friends or family members approach you and give your dog a treat if he remains calm. If he starts to bark or lunge at someone, say “no” in a firm voice and walk away.
Early Socialization
One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to socialize him. This means exposing him to different people, places, and situations so that he will be comfortable with them.
Start by taking your dog for short walks around the neighborhood. Gradually introduce him to new people, dogs, and environments.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is one of the most important tools you can use when training your dog. This means rewarding your dog for good behavior, instead of punishing him for bad behavior.
Start by praising and offering treats when your dog does something you want him to do. For example, if he sits down when you ask him to, praise him and give him a treat. If he starts to jump, say “no” in a firm voice and ignore him. Once he stops jumping, praise him and give him a treat.
Negative reinforcement is also an important tool you can use when training your dog. This does not mean abuse or any other type of behavior that will harm your dog.
Negative reinforcement means punishing your dog for bad behavior in a firm and fair manner, instead of rewarding him for good behavior. Start by using a collar and leash to correct your dog’s bad behaviors.
For example, if he jumps up on you, say “no” in a firm voice and give him a light tug on the leash. If he bites you, say “no” in a firm voice and give him a sharp tap on the nose.
Reward and praise your Neapolitan Mastiff
Rewards and praise are very important when you are looking to train a Neapolitan Mastiff. Dogs love treats, so make sure to have plenty on hand to give him when he does something you want him to do.
You should also praise him in a happy voice when he does something you want him to do. For example, if he sits down when you ask him to, say “good boy!” in a happy voice and give him a treat.
