Top Activities For Englian Mastiffs

Introduction

The English and Neopolitan Mastiff breeds have become increasingly "pawpular" and combine to create the Englian Mastiff. Both the Neopolitan and English Mastiff are known for their size and strength, which makes the Englian Mastiff a sturdy pooch. The English Mastiff is calm and gentle towards children and their family, though they can become suspicious of strangers. They have a generally low energy level and don't need an extended amount of daily exercise, though they do enjoy the outdoors. Likewise, the Neopolitan Mastiff is also likely to be wary of strangers, though they are a loyal and devoted breed that aims to please their owners.

Like their Mastiff parents, the Englian Mastiff is intimidating in appearance, but gentle by nature. They have a low activity level that requires approximately an hour of mental and physical stimulation daily. Because of their protective nature, it's recommended you incorporate some form of socialization activities into your Englian Mastiff's weekly schedule.

Become a Therapy Dog

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Hard

30 - 60 mins

Items needed

Treats

Activity description

Teach your pooch the norms of socialization by training them to become a therapy dog. As a therapy dog, your Englian Mastiff will be exposed to various social situations, as well as a variety of people who will benefit from being in their presence! Becoming a therapy dog is rewarding for both the pup and patients, which is why it’s a “pawtastic” way to keep your Mastiff busy.

If you want your Englian Mastiff to be an official therapy dog, there are steps and training courses you will need to take to get there. For starters, you'll need to teach your pooch how to interact with others calmly and appropriately and you can prove their sociability by having them obtain a certificate. From there, you'll need to enroll in whatever animal-assisted therapy programs you have available to you within your municipality. Depending on your location and the places you would like to volunteer with your pup, the requirements may vary. Look into the institutions you want to volunteer with to learn about their rules and regulations.

Step

1

Becoming social

The first step to being a therapy dog is learning to be kind and calm towards all strangers. This may take your Mastiff time, as they tend to be wary of other people and animals. Include lots of opportunities for socialization early on by arranging playdates, visiting dog parks and taking ample walks. You can also enroll your pooch into official classes to get certified as an official therapy dog, although this isn't always required.

Step

2

Preparing for busy environments

To prepare for the busy environments that you'll be exposed to in hospitals and retirement homes, you can enroll your pup into therapy training sessions. In these sessions, your dog will be exposed to different people and situations. Therapy sessions are offered at various training facilities, but they do come with a cost.

Step

3

Finding a place to volunteer

To find a volunteer location, jump online and check out all the hospitals or elderly care facilities in your neighborhood. You've likely already looked into a facility of interest to help prepare your pup's credentials. Once your dog is certified, reach out to the hospital and let them know of your intentions. Tell them the times you're available to volunteer with your pup. Once the arrangements are set, get volunteering!

Trip to the Park

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Treats

Leash

Toys

Blanket

Drinking Water

Bowl

Waste Bags

Activity description

Spend an afternoon outdoors with your Englian Mastiff by taking them to a local park where you can enjoy a picnic and some open space to run around. Though Englian Mastiffs don't need strenuous exercise, you can still spend time together relaxing outside and playing games.

To prep for your afternoon at the park, pack a picnic ahead of time. Bring along snacks and a meal for both you and your pup. As this is a special occasion, you may want to pick up a gourmet meal that they can enjoy. You'll also want to pack your pup's favorite toys and some water, so you can tire them out before taking a break and enjoying your meal!

Step

1

Pack the supplies

First things first: packing your bag for a fun day at the park! Pack a hearty lunch for you and your pooch to enjoy. Bring along plenty of drinking water and a blanket that you can relax on together. It's also a good idea to grab your pup's most cherished toy so you can play games while at the park.

Step

2

Pick an appropriate spot

Find a location where you know you can easily set up a picnic lunch and have lots of room to play. An ideal location would be a large, dog-friendly park with lots of open space. Avoid dog parks because that'll make the lunch portion of this activity tricky. If you don't know of any nearby parks, check online. Try selecting a location you can walk to, so you can combine a walk with play and a meal!

Step

3

Eat, play, love

Once you've arrived at your picnic location, set up your area by laying out the blanket. Your pooch may be too excited to eat so entertain them with a game of fetch with their favorite toy. Once they're tired, persuade them to join you for their gourmet meal. After your meal, enjoy some relaxation under the sun or plan your visit to end with a captivating sunset.

Weighted Walks

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

15 - 30 min

Items needed

Weighted Vest or Backpack

Activity description

Weighted walks involve purchasing either a weighted vest or backpack for your pup to wear while they walk. Weighted walks have many benefits for dogs including building muscle mass and strength, and improving endurance. As a weighted walk is more strenuous than a standard walk, the walks don’t need to be as long. Walk with your pooch from anywhere to 15 to 30 minutes for a sufficient workout.

To prepare for this activity, you will need to purchase the weighted vest or backpack. The unit must meet your dog's size requirements. Typically, they are sold based on weight and height. Check online or in person at a pet store to acquire your gear. You'll also need waste bags and a leash for your weighted walks.

Step

1

Purchasing a unit to wear

There are different types of weighted equipment for dogs. The most “pawpular” are weighted vests and weighted backpacks. The difference between the two is a vest comes with a predetermined weight and is usually NOT adjustable. Backpacks, on the other hand, can be packed with varying weights that meet your pup’s needs. Choose the unit you think would best suit your pooch and purchase the size they need.

Step

2

Trying it on for comfort

Before you actually take your pooch on a walk with their new weighted vest or backpack, you'll need to let them get used to it by wearing it around the house. Have them try on the unit. Make sure not to attach it too tight, so they have room to breathe and maneuver. Once it's secure, let your pup wear the unit around the house for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, to prepare for the walk.

Step

3

Going for the walk

You don't want to overexert your Mastiff while walking, so always pay attention to their condition throughout the walk. Plan to take short walks to start to help them adjust. On average, a 15-minute walk is just like a 30-minute non-weighted walk, keep this in mind when planning your routes. If you want to build your pup's muscles and endurance, gradually increase the walk duration as they improve, but again, never overexert your pup.

More Fun Ideas...

Puzzle Toys

Swing by the local pet store together to pick out a puzzle toy. These toys work wonders at keeping dogs distracted in times when they may not have their owner to provide stimulation. Let your pup pick out a puzzle toy at the store, and allow them to explore it daily. If they master one toy, move onto another to keep them thinking.

Obedience Lessons

When you own a large dog, obedience lessons are extremely important in teaching your pup how to behave. A dog that misbehaves can be hard to walk and handle, so take the time to teach your pooch the basics at home using daily lessons starting from a young age. Build off the basics by using various activities, games, and extensions to challenge your pup.

Conclusion

Englian Mastiffs take after both parent breeds by exhibiting a calm and easy-going personality. This large breed requires only a moderate amount of exercise daily. Exercise should target both their mind and body to help prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors. Keep your Mastiff thinking by including daily obedience lessons into their schedules. To help them get over their wariness of strangers, socialize your Mastiff from an early age.

Thanks to their friendly temperament, your Englian Mastiff can become a therapy dog which is rewarding and beneficial for both themselves and for those they encounter. If you’re looking for a way to spend an afternoon together, pack up a picnic and head out to a nearby park for fun in the sun. On those long days when your Mastiff is alone, occupy them with a puzzle toy. Because of their relatively low energy level, it’s easy to meet the needs of your Mastiff with minimal physical activity coupled with mental stimulation.