Carolina Coastal Mastino
Carolina Coastal Mastino
Prior To Bringing Your Puppy Home
Prior To Bringing Your Puppy Home
All puppies will be extensively socialized and put in different situations to prepare them for the real world. Nail trims, car rides, children, other animals, crates, baths, and loud sounds are just some of the things your puppy will become familiar with prior to going home with you. This helps pave the road for a well-rounded and non-anxious dog. Puppies will be freshly groomed prior to pick-up with a bath, nail trim, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning. Play time with all of their littermates can get messy! Every litter of puppies is provided constant enrichment for their specific developmental period, a busy and happy mind minimizes any unwanted behaviors; starting this through puppyhood sets your pet up for success! For puppies traveling, their meal may be minimized prior to travel in order to prevent any nausea or stomach upset. We recommend that all families prepare for the introduction of their new family member with a crate, doggy gates (if needed), information on local trainers, a pre-determined veterinarian, and education materials on the breed. You can never be over-prepared!
When Your Puppy Goes Home
A life time of breeder support!
From 3 - 6 Months
From 3 - 6 Months
At this age, your puppy is now fully vaccinated and entering the big wide world. Lots of new smells, tastes, and situations to get into that can lead to so much fun -- and trouble! It is important to remember that puppies' attention spans at this age are very short, and small training sessions throughout the day is the best way to teach them. Brain-games are going to be the best thing for your puppy at this age. Snuffle mats, Kong toys, and treat dispensers are all great options to enrich your puppies mind while allowing them to have fun. A busy mind makes for a satisfied and calm puppy, and we all know a calm puppy is the best kind! Once fully vaccinated, short brisk walks (in reasonable temperatures) are also a good idea. This allows them to learn leash training, get socialization, as well as exert a bit of energy. Remember to keep the walks brief, as your puppies joints are fragile and over-exertion can potentially lead to hip, elbow, and arthritis problems later in life. Enjoy this age, they don't stay this small very long!
From 6 -12 Months
From 6 -12 Months
At this age, your puppy may be driving you crazy. I know you're thinking to yourself, “I thought mastiffs were supposed to be a lazy breed!”. 6-12 months of age for mastiffs is when puppy-crazies come out, and this is when the strict training and setting boundaries need to come into play. Their energy level increases, their curiosity peaks, and they know there is a whole world to explore. Energy release and mental stimulation will be key at this age; free-running in the yard (if fenced), trips to pet stores, doggy play-dates, walks, and fetch are all good ways for your pup to release energy and wear their minds out. Remember, their joints are still in the process of developing, so no overexertion or strenuous exercise. Contrary to their size, these breeds are very sensitive to heavy-handed training techniques and learn best through rewards and praise. Praising your puppy for behaviors you want will get you much farther than punishing for behaviors you don't. Aggressive reprimand will push your puppy into shutting down and being unconfident, further leading to unstable temperament and tendency for bad behaviors. Remember that even though your dog is now coming up on 80-100lbs, they are still a puppy!
From 12 - 24 Months
From 12 - 24 Months
The puppy-crazies should finally seem to be slowing down, and you are getting a glimpse of the large and companion that you dreamed of. This is also the prime age to switch your puppy onto adult food to assist in their overall size and development. At this age, the main focus should be on socialization and becoming tolerant and familiar with meeting new people/pets. Mastiffs are naturally aloof, and can have tendencies for aggression if not socialized properly through their developmental periods. Dog play-dates, having guests over the house, going on walks in public places, and visiting pet stores are all good ways to allow your dog to meet new people while still having structure. Dog parks may not be your best option; if another pet frustrates your dog, they may be enticed to snap or defend themselves. Dog parks are best saved for after your dog is reliable and you are fully confident in their temperament towards other animals. Some mastiffs will never be suited for a dog-park, and that is 100% okay! Aside from keeping an eye on temperamental soundness, this age is where you finally get to relax and really enjoy your furry family member. They become more lazy and calm inside, their protective instincts kicks in, and their goofball personality comes out when warranted. You finally are reaching the pristine developmental milestone for your mastiff.
3 + Years
3 + Years
Your dog has reached the age where they are displaying the temperament and personality that they will for the rest of their life. They should be naturally protective, loving with their family, aloof with strangers, and hopefully everything you expected out of them. This age is good for maintenance. No new training should be necessary unless wanted, but regular outings and introductions to new people are beneficial to ensure your dog doesn't forget anything that they have learned through adolescence. This is the pristine age for mastiffs, so enjoy your best friend!
Senior Years
Senior Years
Your mastiff may be slowing down now. It may seem like they have a tougher time getting up in the morning, have lower appetite, or seem less enthused to do their favorite activities. It is recommended to put your senior mastiff on senior food, with additional supplements or medication to help with potential joint pain. Holding up a 100-150lb body for 10 years takes a toll on a dog! Gabapentin and adequan injection(s) are the two recommended medications to assist senior mastiffs with potential joint pain or arthritis. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are natural supplements that are also extremely beneficial at this age, although can be given through their entire lives. Ensuring your mastiff has a comfortable place to sleep every night (not a hard, solid surface) will also help tremendously. Comfort and care for your pets body is the main focus through this age, love your pet as much and as long as you can.