On the subject of crates, don't know I can be of much help being a neewbie AND a first time Mastiff owner. Hover, the one thing I can say is in this first week alone of viewing the posts in this forum, I've been immensely reassured that I am not alone and that someone, somewhere has the knowledge and experience to help! I have owned dogs all my life but never used a crate. Somehow I felt it was punishment for the dog. I've come to understand that this is seen by the dog as a safe haven and not a prison. Dexter came with his crate which for precisely this reason I did not want to put it up! However, after realizing he was simply not relaxed when in the house alone, we put it up and he loves it. He was a Harry Houdini though at first! The thing is huge and designed for giant dogs, but he still managed to get out - one time even leaving the ropes we tied intact making us think he was a disjointed super dog!! We left the tv on for him for a good couple of weeks and he really settled down. After about 2 months, he started chewing throughout the ropes again so we figured he no longer needed the confined space of the crate. Now we Leave him have the run of the house, but he's never been destructive. He often goes into his crate, even during times when we are here just to chill out! And goes in there every day at the time he knows I leave the house for work.
