How to Put This Dog to Work?

[Siloh]

I am not familiar with mastiff or bull-type breeds as far as getting them to work at something they are inclined towards. Hamlet is an APTB English Mastiff mix (or a later generation American Bandogge--I'm waiting on his paperwork to grill the original breeder a bit for lineage details).

I'd like to get him a backpack, and I'd also like to teach him to pull weight, but he is only 18 weeks and so far I've read not to start him on anything other than maybe an empty backpack.

If I want him to learn to walk with rollerblades or a skateboard (slowly, of course), can I start that now? I've read not to start him on bicycles, which makes sense for minimum bike speed, but maybe he should get used to the sound of a skateboard now?

I also take my beagle/basset out for "hunting" expeditions. We are not really hunting. I don't take a weapon, and even though she is extraordinarily talented at naturally following direction, tracking, and running rabbits, I don't think she has a chance of catching one alone. I was wondering how Hamlet might add to or benefit from this activity with her. Would he get it at all? I know they can be used to hunt large game, but would tagging along with a rabbiter stimulate him as a working dog at all? Or would he likely be confused and get in her way?

I'm also worried about him spotting deer and chasing them. The beagle has chased deer (three stags who live where I take her to pretend rabbit) at the very stupid joke command of my friend, and thank goodness she was not challenged. I worry bigger animals will see him as a threat or that his prey drive will kick in too high and he will not come off their trail after a reasonable distance of chasing.


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[Whisperwindkat]

We have the same mix and he works here on the farm. Even though he is a mix he still has large fast growing joints that need to be protected so I would not recommend anything really strenuous on those joints like running with a skateboard or roller blades. We started our boy with obedience work at that age. We did want him to help move livestock, not herd, just help move. We had pigs that were notorious for getting out of their pasture and into the horse pasture which they delighted in tearing up. So, for the first several weeks I put him on leash and we went to get the pigs. I repeated over and over the commands that I wanted him to understand, "Bring the pigs", "Wait", "Enough". We did the same movements over and over on leash until he understood and then we worked off leash. It was just a matter of teaching him what we wanted by using the same commands. Once he understood with the pigs then we worked with the goats. It was a little more difficult with them because they are much more exciting and incited his prey drive more, especially the babies. He was more mouthy with them which had to be corrected immediately with "No mouth". He is not a herding dog, so doesn't work like a border collie would, but he is a great help with moving large numbers that like to go in different directions. So my advice is consistency, teach basic obedience and "look, focus" commands now. Get those down pat, even in exciting and distracting situations. Once those are down pat and automatic then start with the actual work that you want him to do. Until they can focus complete attention on you then there is no use teaching them to work. Titan is turning out to be one of the best farm dogs we have ever had. He learns quickly and is willing to please. He is big and brave enough to face down a boar that wants to get testy about not going back in his fence, but gentle enough that the LGD doesn't get upset when we need to move the goats. He loves his work and I love having him constantly at my side. Blessings, Kat

 

[Whisperwindkat]

Oh, and about the distractions you have to work on the "look, focus" and obedience around distractions. When they are working their focus has to be on you and the job at hand. It took some time working on leash for Titan to understand that he couldn't get distracted by the horses running willy nilly around the pasture while we were bringing up the pigs. So start with "look/focus" in a quiet setting then move to something more distracting and then something really distracting. When the dog will sit looking at you while all hades breaks loose around him then you will know that he is ready to really work with you. One of the members here has a series of videos on teaching a dog focus. It really helped me with him and I am sure that you will find it valuable as well. fortunately mine is really food driven so hot dogs were my best friend for awhile and he will do anything for food.

 

[musicdeb]

Check with Tiger12490 (a member on the forum whose real name is Mark) who has a bandog, Cronos. He works a lot with Cronos.

 

[Siloh]

Check with Tiger12490 (a member on the forum whose real name is Mark) who has a bandog, Cronos. He works a lot with Cronos.

Just found one of his threads actually, thank you. I would definitely like to do justice to the name of the breed by working him. I can't wait until he gets big enough to backpack or pull though.

The rollerblades or skateboard would not be fast-paced, which is why I prefer it to a bike. It would be mostly a mixture of momentum and his ability to pull. My fiancé would be doing this as he is actually skilled with these things--not me. He would keep it to more of a power walk for Hamlet. When I jog with him to burn excess energy or just test his pacing for a minute, I do what I call the "granny jog," barely faster than a walk but with the same trot associated with a jog. I'll speed up for a short time to again test pacing (quickening and then abruptly slowing to a walk), but it's very little to make sure he doesn't lunge ahead. The wheels would be at about this pace. I just wonder if we should start him off now rolling a skateboard while we walk so he can get used to the sound and proximity and stay on a loose lead at one side.

Note: I'll get a harness for this when I actually expect him to be aiding (lightly) with gaining momentum.

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