The Mastiff is a very sensitive and intelligent dog, with a decidedly
'English' character, with a tranquil vitality, totally dedicated to
the people who surround him.
By nature he is obedient, even if at times he may seem to be disobedient
and stubborn - this all comes down to his strong personality coming from
its ancient history, which makes him sometimes seem to be disobedient
and stubborn. If you carefully observe him you will see that the above
characteristics are a reaction to senseless or too coercive orders that
you are giving him, and which he, with his great wisdom, avoids obeying.It's
therefore important to give the puppy a balanced training and always keep
in mind that he never misses anything that happens around him. Beneath
that tranquil but at times ever-crafty exterior, there lies a lively attentive
intelligence, ever ready and communicative. The naughty tricks that a
puppy normally plays are the result of an abandonment crisis, which he
demonstrates with mischievous tricks, trying to get his owners attention.
On these occasions it's important to tell him off immediately, rather
than let him carry on and pretend nothing has happened. This distrustful
nature may, when he is a puppy, make him seem to be timid and fearful
when confronted with new experiences, surroundings or noises.It is extremely
important in this particular period of his life that the owner should
instill security in the young dog, not isolating him, rather taking him
around as much as possible, letting him get to know new places, people
and noises.
Another
very important thing is the socialisation with other animals. It is
extremely important that the puppy is not put in the company of other
aggressive, badly behaved adult dogs. This mistake, which is often
made without thinking, can bring about serious consequences, physically
and for the character. The Mastiff does not choose a pack leader within
the family, but shares every day equally and passionately with all the
members of his family. 
He
has a particular prediliction for older people and children, with
whom he has a relationship of pure love. Touch someone he considers to
be under his protection and he can be very dangerous, his equilibrium
and goodness transforms itself into sheer determination to stop at all
costs the cause of the danger.
It
is therefore important that your dog gets to know all the people who come
regularly to your house when he is a puppy, and have somewhere to put
him when new or unknown people arrive, so in the future he can understand
who are welcome and are not. Precisely because of his calm, strong and
balanced character, which inspires a sense of security and calmness, this
dog has recently been used as a means of therapy for disa
bled
adults and children with excellent results. Between the 8th and 12th
month of life the dog can undergo basic training with a good trainer who
knows the breed.To finish I recommend to all present and future owners
of a Mastiff, to use, as a training method, lots of love, the correct
amount of discipline, but above all, lots of common sense.
Best wishes and good luck to everyone.
Cesare Gilardi
