Exercise
The Tibetan Mastiff needs to be taken on daily walks. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Be careful that the bones, muscles and joints of the young dog are not overworked during the growing stage by not overdoing the physical side of its life. However, they will still need to walk each day to for socializing and experience of new things.
This is an X-ray of a 2 week old puppy.
Look at how far the bones have to grow before they become a proper bone joint! This is why you should never let puppies jump, walk up/down stairs, over exercise or over train. Doing to much impact activity at a young age will cause serious issues later in life, or even at a young age as hip dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions are rising in puppies!
Remember the puppy rule for every month increase activity by 5 minuets! For example an 8 week old puppy only needs 10 minutes physical activity a day - a 6 month old only needs 30 minutes a day of physical activity!! At a year old you can extend it but bones on a X-large breed do not settle till 2 yrs of age.
*physical activity includes - going for a walk, training, playing fetch, running, playing with other dogs etc., or other strenuous activity..
This is also why you do not spay or neuter till fully grown, as those hormones provided by those organs are for full development of growth both mentally and physically
Being a large slow growing breed, you need to be even more careful to the wieght that they carry and the exercising of them, so as not to damage joints... now this will be a trial for you as puppies love to rough play and are full of energy.. But well worth a healthy solid dog.
There is a lot of history of this breed, as well as Standard, Appearance, Size and so forth. This you can find on many other Tibetan sites, AKC site and many others. You can readily look them up so will not bore you with it..
Here I want to give you some information, that you should know and holds true for most large and x-large breed dogs in general, as well as this unique breed.. We want all our puppy owners to be aware of.. This Breed attains full growth by 4 yrs of age.. Some lines will grow faster or slower than others..
Here at Bonnie Blue whether it is a Tibetan Mastiff or a Pomeranian we endevour to give our babies the very best start. They are started on a raw diet as close to what nature, would provide as possible with a few addtions. We also have them on vitamins, coconut oil, farm fresh eggs, and cottage cheese/yogurt when they are weaned. Your puppy will be moved to a high quality grain free food with a partial raw diet when you get them, as well as the best vitamins on the market that I have found (Nu Vet) and you will be required to keep them on it for at least the first year of life..
Training a Tibetan is much like training any other guardian breed, patience, firmness, consistancey and lots of love. They will by nature be protective, so socialization is a MUST.. If you do not socialize them they will not know how to judge the intent of a person they are meeting and may then consider all other people a threat.
Your puppy will be well socialized and be in different situations by the time you get him/her, use to small dogs, as well as other animals, you then will have to continue with the training.. While a stubborn breed, they do learn, are extremely intelligent, and become very attached to their owners. This is not a breed to be shuffling around to other people if possible, but if you find you cannot keep your Tibetan we will always take the pup/dog back and evaluate/place it for either a future home or keep it.. as long as it is not dangerous from lack of socializing.. In my lifetime I have handled many rescued dogs, while most were easily handled, there have been some that took a long time to rehabilitate..
Remember as a guardian dog they will tend to make decision on their own, can and will go over, through or around a fence/door/window if they think they need to.. I have heard that they tend to wander which is not something that I have observed, quite the opposite, mine stay close so they can make sure I am ok.. They take their job very serious and will die to make sure you are ok, with a lack fear of just about everything. Please remember however a good fence is required, to keep out strangers, wandering dogs, or anything else they deem should not be in their space or property. That YOU, have not, said are ok, then they will make that call.. so for their safety and yours have one.
These are NOT kennel dogs, keeping them kenneled/tied will result in a dog that will wander when loose, not be able to be handled, and possibly dangerous, along with other propensities, that are undesirable.. Time for play, exercise, and socializing and just getting energy out. If you decide on a Tibetan you will have a protector, companion, loving friend, as long as you do your job. You need to spend at least 3 hrs a day with your TM and be firm in what you expect. Many people purchase a TM and are not prepared for the teen year, causing them to keep the dog kenneled, resulting in a undesirable dog. As any teenager they can get into trouble, cause damage, or just plain ignore you. During this faze you must spend time with them and train them with patience, never hit your TM.. remember fear only results in aggression and this is one breed you do not want any more aggressive than is natural.. Training these is not like training a GSD, more leadership, and love is needed, and firmness.. start early!!! The end result will be a great union and protector. MY TM's prefer to be in with us and only outside for awhile or when we are out.. EXCEPT they LOVE the snow and will play and roll in it all day if I let them..
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