dantesmom
Well-Known Member
Hey guys, it's been almost 2 months since we've brought Dante home and since I last updated about him. Just figured I should give you guys an update on how he's doing and throw some questions out there for all you experts 
He's 13.5 weeks now, and ONLY weighs 31 lb. (According to the growth chart in this section of the forum, I thought he'd be heavier than that by now.) It looks like he's on the lean side, because he's grown a lot taller, his hind legs are longer, but he doesn't seem to get much bulkier.
We're still concerned about his eating habits and that it's slowing down his growth. He still doesn't eat much. When we put the food down, he seems like he's interested, and he would go straight to the bowl and start nom'ing, but after a short while, he'd stop. When we go and check after 10-15 mins, he usually would have eaten only about 1/4 of a cup to 1/2 cup. By that time he's already asleep. It's like he eats very little, and sleeps a lot. (I've heard that's just most bullmastiffs, they're lazy and they sleep a lot)
Breeder put him on Royal Canin Giant Breed Puppy food, we kept him on that for a while until we figured maybe he just didn't like the food. So we grabbed samples from the local pet store and had him try out different foods (wet and dry, small amounts), and we also bought a bag of TOTW puppy food, still little to no interest. Now we bought a giant bag of Blue Buffalo Wilderness puppy food and decided to stick with it regardless he eats it or not (wanted to play tough love), and yet STILL, he eats about a total of 2 cups a day.
We feed him three times a day, 6:30am, 2:30pm, and 6:30pm. Little to no snacks/treats. Lots of water. Occasional walk with our golden (since he's not fully protected until 3rd shots, and there're a lot of dogs in our area). Lots of playtime.
But soon as he gets in his crate, he'd cry, then he'd sleep. (For the crying, we've tried ignoring, then giving him attention and praising him for being quiet, etc etc. He definitely doesn't cry as much as before, but he still cries a lot imo.)
Dante also pulls on the leash when we walk. I stop walking when he pulls, but he doesn't stop pulling and turns around and comes back to my side like he was supposed to. He keeps the leash tight, and sits down wherever he was, looking at everything but me. When he does pay attention to me when he walks, I praise him and give him a treat. But he just doesn't seem to get it.. :c
As for socialization, our golden ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, wants to play with him, but most of the time he's not in the mood. Then I start to think that she's annoying him, so I tell her off. Dante loves to run towards me and hide inbetween my legs or under the chair when Bubu's trying to get at him. (I know for a fact Bubu just wants to play, not to attack him.) Is it because of Dante's breed? Do Bullmastiff's tend to be playful?
We've also brought both dogs to a friend's place to meet their 1 year old lab named Winston. Winston was a great dog, he's gentle and calm, and he grew up with Bubu since they were babies. It was the first time I've heard Dante bark, like a big dog. When Dante first met Winston, he barked and ran around Winston when Winston was trying to sniff him. Should I be concerned? I would like to think Dante's well socialized though, because he loves people.
I've dished out so many flaws of Dante, it's time to tell you guys some good news
He's completely housebroken now. The only times when he'd have accidents in the crate or in the house, is either when he's been drinking more water than his bladder can handle, or that he gets too excited. But for the most part, he KNOWS he needs to hold it in until he's out on the grass.
We've noticed that Dante doesn't teeth or mouth on people. All he does is lick lick lick. He hasn't once tried to nom on our skin. If we try putting our hands in his mouth, he will turn his head away and spit our hands out. (Although the licking has become kind of a concern, could it mean anything other than show of affection?)
He knows how to sit.
He's just a sweet boy and everybody loves him. LOL.
Regarding the above concerns we have for Dante, just so you guys know, we've already been to the vet a few times during the past month or so, and every time after the phys exam the vet always said he's very healthy, other than the fact that he only has one dropped testicle as of now, and that he's got a slight underbite. (although when we checked it ourselves, we could clearly feel both testicles..)
Here are some pictures of Dante I've taken recently.
He's 13.5 weeks now, and ONLY weighs 31 lb. (According to the growth chart in this section of the forum, I thought he'd be heavier than that by now.) It looks like he's on the lean side, because he's grown a lot taller, his hind legs are longer, but he doesn't seem to get much bulkier.
We're still concerned about his eating habits and that it's slowing down his growth. He still doesn't eat much. When we put the food down, he seems like he's interested, and he would go straight to the bowl and start nom'ing, but after a short while, he'd stop. When we go and check after 10-15 mins, he usually would have eaten only about 1/4 of a cup to 1/2 cup. By that time he's already asleep. It's like he eats very little, and sleeps a lot. (I've heard that's just most bullmastiffs, they're lazy and they sleep a lot)
Breeder put him on Royal Canin Giant Breed Puppy food, we kept him on that for a while until we figured maybe he just didn't like the food. So we grabbed samples from the local pet store and had him try out different foods (wet and dry, small amounts), and we also bought a bag of TOTW puppy food, still little to no interest. Now we bought a giant bag of Blue Buffalo Wilderness puppy food and decided to stick with it regardless he eats it or not (wanted to play tough love), and yet STILL, he eats about a total of 2 cups a day.
We feed him three times a day, 6:30am, 2:30pm, and 6:30pm. Little to no snacks/treats. Lots of water. Occasional walk with our golden (since he's not fully protected until 3rd shots, and there're a lot of dogs in our area). Lots of playtime.
But soon as he gets in his crate, he'd cry, then he'd sleep. (For the crying, we've tried ignoring, then giving him attention and praising him for being quiet, etc etc. He definitely doesn't cry as much as before, but he still cries a lot imo.)
Dante also pulls on the leash when we walk. I stop walking when he pulls, but he doesn't stop pulling and turns around and comes back to my side like he was supposed to. He keeps the leash tight, and sits down wherever he was, looking at everything but me.
When he does pay attention to me when he walks, I praise him and give him a treat. But he just doesn't seem to get it.. :cAs for socialization, our golden ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, wants to play with him, but most of the time he's not in the mood. Then I start to think that she's annoying him, so I tell her off. Dante loves to run towards me and hide inbetween my legs or under the chair when Bubu's trying to get at him. (I know for a fact Bubu just wants to play, not to attack him.) Is it because of Dante's breed? Do Bullmastiff's tend to be playful?
We've also brought both dogs to a friend's place to meet their 1 year old lab named Winston. Winston was a great dog, he's gentle and calm, and he grew up with Bubu since they were babies. It was the first time I've heard Dante bark, like a big dog. When Dante first met Winston, he barked and ran around Winston when Winston was trying to sniff him. Should I be concerned? I would like to think Dante's well socialized though, because he loves people.
I've dished out so many flaws of Dante, it's time to tell you guys some good news
He's completely housebroken now. The only times when he'd have accidents in the crate or in the house, is either when he's been drinking more water than his bladder can handle, or that he gets too excited. But for the most part, he KNOWS he needs to hold it in until he's out on the grass.
We've noticed that Dante doesn't teeth or mouth on people. All he does is lick lick lick. He hasn't once tried to nom on our skin. If we try putting our hands in his mouth, he will turn his head away and spit our hands out. (Although the licking has become kind of a concern, could it mean anything other than show of affection?)
He knows how to sit.
He's just a sweet boy and everybody loves him. LOL.
Regarding the above concerns we have for Dante, just so you guys know, we've already been to the vet a few times during the past month or so, and every time after the phys exam the vet always said he's very healthy, other than the fact that he only has one dropped testicle as of now, and that he's got a slight underbite. (although when we checked it ourselves, we could clearly feel both testicles..)
Here are some pictures of Dante I've taken recently.
