Ursa Major Bullmastiffs

Here are a few tips concerning dog behavior.

Many problem behaviors in dogs are natural dog behaviors that have been misunderstood and/or mismanaged by humans. Barking, digging, jumping up and chewing are normal dog behaviors that can annoying to humans, but these can often be easily managed with a few human behavior changes.

1. Many dogs do not get enough exercise. They are locked up in the house, yard or their crates while you are at work or school. In today’s society this may be unavoidable. So, when you ARE home you need to be sure that your dog gets some exercise time. Take your dog for a walk, a jog or play fetch. While many dogs will want more, 20 minutes of exercise twice per day can make a world of difference in a dogs behavior. Tired dogs don’t have the pent-up energy for misbehavior.
   
   
2. Also, while you are away at work or school your dog is getting very minimal mental exercise. When you get home be sure that you do some things to stimulate his/her mind. Work on teaching him/her a trick or practice your obedience school exercises. C’mon, you don’t do enough of that do you? Of course, you should be going to an obedience class even after your puppy grows up. Just as with people, dogs who don’t exercise their minds become .... well... dull and bored. Then they will dig, bark, howl and chew just for something to do.
   
   
3. Dogs are pack animals. They need social interaction. This can be playing at a public dog yard, having a doggie buddy over for playtime or meeting his doggie pals at obedience class. Try to make some time each week for your dog to meet other dogs.
   
   Also, they need to interact with their human family. You are your dog’s pack. Your dog wants to be part of the family. If he/she is banished to the garage or yard he/she is not getting enough interaction with the family. This can often lead to an unfortunate circle of events. The dog is lacking interaction so he/she is overly excited when let into the house. This excited behavior causes further banishment and further lack of interaction. Allowing your dog to be part of the family can pay big benefits for you, too. Can you imagine that any of the recent cases of children being abducted at night from their bedrooms would have happened if the abductor had found a Bullmastiff in the child’s bedroom? I don’t think so.
   
   
4. Remember that you are the leader of your dog’s pack. Lead. If you don’t lead, normal dog behavior is for your dog to assume command. You don’t want that, so act like a leader. Teach your dog that anything he has you can take whenever you want. Eat first, and do it in front of your dog. Make him/her get out of that chair so you can sit in it. It’s not rude or cruel, it’s how dogs understand who is the top dog.
   
   Dave Briggs / Ursa Major Bullmastiffs