Mastiffs

At what age is a puppy ready to attend training classes and what are they taught? Hopefully walking on a leash is one of the things. My 15 week old does not want to leave his yard, even to take a walk or go to the park across the street. Is this normal for this breed? Any suggestions on how to get him going, he just sits there or just plops down, so stubborn. I am offering treats which gets him across the street but then he wants to head back right away. I don't want to tug at the leash so I am just trying to be patient and work a little bit at a time, taking a few steps up the road then heading home when he is done.

he is well past the age of needing to be doing some training. mastiffs are very intelligent and will run all over you if you let them, literally and figuratively, and with their size this is not good. your breeder should have told you this. most dog trainers will tell you to drag them until they learn to walk beside you, and if they tug you turn and walk in the opposite direction. i put a hot dog in my pocket when they are young. they will follow me anywhere i want to go. the reason the dog is on the leash is because you are the master, he is the dog. walk him, not the other way around. a mastiff, being as intelligent as they are, will learn how to manipulate you very fast, at a very young age. by 15 weeks, he should be able to do all kinds of basic commands, and leash walking is one of them. he should sit shake, whatever things you want him to know. i find that with this breed the more stupid little tricks you can teach them, the better. it is not about them learning the tricks as much as it is learning for them to listen to your commands. just remember, however smart you think he is, he is probably playing stupid when you are watching.