Outgoing Bullmastiff

[AR-HICK]

My Major is 7 1/2 months old and has completed his CGC (Canine Gooc Citizen) and I want to take him onto being a Therapy dog. He never meets a strange dog or human, loves everybody and is the friendliest dog I have every seen (sorry for the bragging). He is a intact male Bullmastiff and I know as he matures his attitude may change. Yesterday, I took him to the local nursing home and was a really big hit with all the residents and staff.



My question is what can I do to help keep him a friendly and outgoing dog?

 

[ksteven813]

Great job getting your cgc cert! Titan is 5 months old and will be completing his cgc and therapy class in 3 weeks. We have the same thoughts as you and talked to the teacher about it. She said one of there best therapy dogs is a bullmastiff. She recommended we keep doing what were doing. Socializing him as often as possible with every situation you can think of and make them all positive situations. So far it has been great and titan has never showed a sign of aggression towards anything. We love taking him to a outdoor mall that is very pet friendly. He meets a lot of adults and children there .

 

[Brinsdad]

Our pup (bullmastiff) is 6 mth old and just loves all dogs and people last time I checked can't be assessed to be a therapy dog (am in uk ) till his 1 year old but am hoping he will pass


No love like a bully love

 

[Brinsdad]

Ar-Hick just keep doing what your doing had a bully few years back and was dog and people friendly his whole life


No love like a bully love

 

[AR-HICK]

Sounds like I am on the right track. I can't get Major certified as a therapy dog until he is a year old. It surprised me when she told me he just needed up to date shots to visit! If someone looked scared of him we just walked on by and went to the next smiling face! Did have to take a break about half way on our tour for water and cool off, it was nap time when he got home.

Major goes with me just about everywhere, haven't figured out how to bring him to work with me?

 

[Brinsdad]

Our pup comes most places with us , stays at home with my partner while I'm at work , just loves everyone lol

No love like a bully love

 

[ruby55]

Currently two of our bullies are therapy dogs, certified with Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs in NJ. At one point we had 3 cetified therapy dogs, one was blind & diabetic. We lost Maggee a couple of years ago, though. The two remaining are treated like your dog: they go everywhere they possibly can with us. And they're older now, they're 10 and 5 years old. But we never stop socializing them, and besides we love having them with us. Just keep exposing your pup to as many people & scenarios as you can. Your therapy dog certification test will probably be very similar to the cgc, with the exception of one very important command your dog will need to know: LEAVE IT. You will be taking him into environments where you don't know WHAT you will encounter on the floor...and you don't want him picking up anything. Some of the patients will even try to feed your dog, so watch closely. He will also have to be comfortable around nursing home equipment: walkers, canes, wheelchairs. Congratulations on your cgc. You're on the right track.