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My 9 week old Presa Canario

esaudio

Well-Known Member
Hey there,
This is (tentatively) Penny, my 9 week old presa. I have been working with her on walking on a leash and not biting it or pulling. Big difference in just 2 weeks or so. I am planning to start with basic obedience this week, probably sit to get started with, unless you suggest something different. I value your opinion a lot. This is my first Presa, and I have no prior experience with molossers, do any tips are awesome for me.

I have read a lot and some trainers begin with this, others begin directly with heel, but I think mine is too young for heeling right? Anyways, thanks for reading . Your feedback is warmly welcome! More pictures coming soon!
Thanks again, Julio

DSCI1830.jpgDSCI1840.jpgDSCI1834.jpgDSCI1832.jpg
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Tentatively Penny is adorable!

Start basic commands and reward with motivational treats (fav food or fav toy). Train for about 5 minutes per day and slowly increase the training time. Teach one command at a time. Once they master one command, move onto another command.


Number one command is sit. Teach the pup to sit, by placing a treat in front of his head and move it to the back causing him to sit to get the treat. When the pup sits, tell them good sit and give them the treat.

Second command should be "focus/look" This will help you tremendously when the pup is over 100 lbs. Put the pup into sit. With a treat in your hand (let the pup smell it), put the treat up to your eyes and tell the pup to look or focus. They may only do this for about 1-2 seconds. As soon as they look at your eyes, reward them. Generally, mastiffs do not like to look anyone in the eyes for long because that means a challenge to them.

Other commands are "down/off", "leave it," "wait" (short pause), "stay" (pausing until you release), drop it and "quiet/calm".

When you are training and when the pup does not do as you ask, then tell him “no” in a calm, stern voice and redirect back to the command. The only time a stern and loud NO should be used is when they are doing something that can cause harm to themselves or others.


Praise is the most powerful tool you have and the dog WANTS to please you. Show them clearly what you want, notice and praise when they comply, and learning goes much faster and pleasant for you both.

Mastiffs can be extremely stubborn and if you get frustrated with them, they will shut down and stop listening to you. Mastiffs do not do well with yelling or hitting. Hitting can result in some unwanted mastiff behavior meaning fear aggression, which equals biting.

The key to successful training is consistency with motivational rewards and LOTS of patience.
 

esaudio

Well-Known Member
Musicdeb and Cobalt, thanks for such informative post and your words. I will definitely follow that advice. :)
 

esaudio

Well-Known Member
She is a nice looking puppy Julio
Thanks. Max.

A question if anyone knows. I have been working with her on the sit command and she got it pretty easily. She is 10 weeks old now. Is she old enough for the focus command mentioned above by musicdeb?
Thanks,
Julio