Activities For Brazilian Mastiffs
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
This big dog is known commonly as a Fila Brasileiro or a Brazilian Mastiff. With bloodhound ancestry, they are fantastic tracking dogs but their large size makes them desirable as a guard dog. Brazilian Mastiffs are extremely lovable and friendly with their own family and it is your job to return that love by providing them plenty of activities to keep them happy. Brazilian Mastiffs are a smart breed of dog and therefore, you will have plenty of things you can train them to do!
Socialization
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Any Day
Free
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Treats
Leash
Collar
Activity description
Brazilian Mastiffs have long been used as personal guard dogs due to their intense attachment to their owners. As a Brazilian Mastiff owner, you need not teach your dog to bond with you, they automatically will be at the mercy of anyone who feeds them, houses them and loves them. While this is a fantastic trait, they will naturally try to "defend" you from any stranger which can pose as a problem. Many Brazilian Mastiff owners encourage this behavior by shielding their pups from other humans and dogs in order to make them even more wary of others. However, if you have a Brazilian Mastiff living with you and your family as a domesticated pet, you may want to socialize them in order to curb any unwanted guard dog behavior.
Step
1
Start young
The best way to socialize a Brazilian Mastiff is to allow them to be around all kinds of people and dogs from a young age. The younger your Mastiff is, the more likely they are to be friendly toward others. However, it is never to later to start! The main idea is constant exposure to 'strangers' and training that never ceases. The more your Brazilian Mastiff is around other dogs and people, the more comfortable they will be as they learn not all people and dogs are set out to harm you, their best friend!
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2
People friends
Brazilian Mastiffs tend to want to protect their owners from other humans especially when it is someone your dog has never met before. Invite family and friends over frequently just to hang out and say hi. When your Brazilian Mastiff sees you interacting with others in a relaxed manner, they will relax as well. The more people that your Brazilian Mastiff meets, the better!
Step
3
Dog friends
Keeping other dogs around your Brazilian Mastiff is important as well. This breed is not a pack dog but rather a dominant individual and they will act this way when in the presence of other dogs. Just as with humans, the more dogs your pup can meet and the more playdates you can schedule, the better! Once your dog learns not all dogs are out to get you the happier they will be (and you as well)!
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Treat Bake
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Any Day
Cheap
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Kitchenware
Ingredients
Dog Treat Recipe
Activity description
Brazilian Mastiffs are big dogs and a big dog requires a lot of treats. They love to eat after all! In addition to Brazilian Mastiffs just craving treats, they also are a breed that is almost constantly being trained and molded to curb their occasional aggressive behavior. Bottom line, you are going to need treats on hand at all times for your Brazilian Mastiff. Rather than going to the store and buying treats that have a long list of ingredients that are unknown to you, why not make treats for your dog? Have your pup join you in the kitchen one day for a fun, inexpensive way to make treats.
Step
1
Recipe search
There are tons of recipes for dog treats available online and you are sure to find one that is perfect for your dog. Take a look at the reviews left by others who have made the treats to gauge if the recipe is good and if it fits within your skill level. Also, consider the ingredients and what you have one hand in comparison to what your dog enjoys eating.
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Start cooking
Follow the recipe for the dog treats and make any adjustments you deem necessary (maybe use some chicken broth instead of water or ground turkey instead of ground beef). Let your dog taste the ingredients as you go (not the raw meat!) and see if your Brazilian Mastiff approves. Bake the treats and give your dog one right away to make sure they are good!
Step
3
Storage
Homemade dog treats need to be stored properly in order for them to not go bad quickly. Unlike store bought treats, these will have no preservatives and often need to be kept in a fridge rather than at room temperature. Check the recipe to see how long your homemade dog treats last and be sure to give them to your Brazilian Mastiff before they go bad - that shouldn't be hard!
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Dig It
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Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
15 min
Items needed
Shovel
Sandbox
Treats
Activity description
Brazilian Mastiffs are known for their amazing sense of smell, so why not put this trait to good use. While you could easily hide treats in your house for your dog to find, it is more fun to make it a little more challenging for your pup. Burying the dog treats is the perfect way to make your Brazilian Mastiff really use that great sense of smell! Of course, you don't want your dog digging up your whole yard so bury their treats in a controlled manner where you are in charge. This is a quick and simple game that is inexpensive, can be done anytime of year and is a blast for your dog!
Step
1
Find a spot
Of course, you do not want your Brazilian Mastiff digging holes all over your yard (those big dogs can dig big holes!) so finding an ideal location to bury the treats is necessary. One great idea is to invest in a sandbox that is just for your dog to dig in. Not only will the sand feel good on their paws but it is easily contained, keeping your yard pristine while your dog still gets to dig.
Step
2
Bury the treats
Hide the treats in your designated digging area, covering them just slightly the first few times you play with your dog. You want your Brazilian Mastiff to be able to easily find the treats when you first begin playing this game in order to teach them how to play and get them excited for more treats to dig up in the future.
Step
3
Dig, dig, dig
Once you have hidden the treat, let your dog loose in the area. At first, you may need to gently guide them toward the location of the treats but once they get a whiff of their favorite food, those paws will start running and digging. Watch as dirt or sand flies away from your dog as they use their amazing sense of smell to find their prize. Next time you play, bury the treats even further in the ground to make the game more difficult for your pup - they love a good challenge!
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More Fun Ideas...
Hide and Seek
Your dog will love playing hide and seek especially when they are looking for their favorite thing - you! Have your Brazilian Mastiff sit and stay in one room while you hide in another. Call their name and see how long it takes them to find you!
Puzzle Toys
Invest in a sturdy, challenging puzzle toy for your dog. Place treats inside the toy and see how long it takes your dog to decipher the code and release the treats. Those paws may be big but they are agile!
Conclusion
The Brazilian Mastiff is a big dog who is full of love and intelligence. While you need to constantly be training or entertaining this type of dog, the loyalty that they give you in return is something that cannot be matched. Be sure to keep your Brazilian Mastiff busy with one of these games and a decent amount of daily exercise. Do this and you and your pup will live together in harmony! A happy pup is a happy owner!