Mastiffs

I'v had Beacon since he was able to leave his mother. He's now 9 months old. The last 6 weeks or so, I've been taking him for a walk in the morning and allso in the evening. I've trained him to walk very well on the leash ignoring distractions and everything for the exeption of at the start and towards the end of his walk. He takes the leash in his mouth and walks or pulls the other way as if he's the boss. I'v tried correcting him with a firm NO, and a light tap with a rolled up newspaper on his nose and a firm tug on the leash. That works sometimes but doesn't last.I 'v allso tried stopping the walk completly and calming him down. Then when we start to walk again, he starts it all over again.I keep my voice constant without hollering or loosing my temper. I know his breed is stubborn, but so am I. He's a big puppy, and he's going to be a huge dog. I need to be able to control him now while he's still "small" if you could call 116 lbs small! Help!!!

Along with our walks, I take a squirt bottle filled with plain water. Every time Beacon acts up, I say to him with a sharp voice-NO!, and give him a squirt with the water. He only acted up a few times untill he learned. Now all he has do is see that water bottle and he behaves. Now Beacon and I can enjoy our walks more than twice a day!(#4.gif"/>

***Edited By: chuck1000 on 4/11/2009 11:43:35 AM***
Reason: Beacon acting up