If you need your dog to quickly release an object, gently blow a puff of
air in his ear.
Do not over exercise your puppy. His bones are soft until he is about
two years old.
Do not let your dog become overweight. Too much weight will break
down a topline, bend an otherwise straight front and rear and destroy
joints.
Protect your puppy and young dog from rough playing with
older or larger dogs. Injuries could be permanent.
Accidentally stepping on or dropping a puppy can cripple an
otherwise sound dog. Be aware of where your puppy is. Do not allow
young children to pick up or play with the puppy unless carefully
supervised.
Do not allow your puppy or young dog to play on the stairs.
This is very hard on the shoulder and elbow joints and can cripple a
dog for life.
Running downhill is similarly dangerous. This kind of pounding on
his front can cause-, a variety of shoulder and elbow problems.
Keep your puppy and adult dog off slippery surfaces, such as tile,
linoleum, or wood floors. These floors can contribute to the dog pulling
his hocks together for support, becoming cow-hocked. Worse, a dog will
often slip on these surfaces, stretching tendons that help hold the head
of the femur tight in the hip joint, creating hip dysplasia. Be very
careful on ice and snow.
Do not allow your dog (at any age) to jump out of a truck or down
from any height. Carry or support him. Such a jump causes extreme
pressure on the shoulders and elbows, and can permanently cripple your
dog.
Never teach your dog to sit by pressing down on his hips. Place an
arm under his rear instead. Never discipline your dog by spanking him
on the rear. Protect your dogs hip joints.
Never lift your dog by the front legs. Always support his hind legs
when you carry him.
Keep all poisons where your dog cannot get them. Check your garage
for DeCon, insecticides and antifreeze.
Remove your dog's chain collar, except when on lead. He could catch
it on numerous things and strangle to death.
Never tie or chain your dog. There are too many ways he can hurt or
kill himself.
Beware of swimming pools. A dog may not be able to find his way
out and drown. Pool covers can trap a dog underneath.
Never leave your dog in a car on a warm day. Even with the windows
open, the heat will build up inside If you park in the shade, remember
the sun will move and what was once a cool spot can change to an oven.
Do not travel with your dog in the open bed of a truck. Being thrown
out is one of the greatest causes of dog deaths.
Check your dogs collar regularly. Bullmastiffs grow quickly and a
collar can become too tight. For safety sake, a collar should be
escapable if it gets caught on something.
