Training a Bullmastiff Puppy Early

You're already thinking about this the right way — a Bullmastiff at 10 weeks is soft, biddable, and genuinely easy to influence. That same dog at two years and 130 pounds, pulling toward another dog or refusing to come back, is a completely different problem. The first few months set the patterns for life, and the right tools from the start make training easier and far less stressful for both of you — the wrong ones create habits that are very hard to undo. So tell me: what are you mainly trying to work on right now — recall, boundary-setting in the garden, walking on lead, or something else?

Smart. Recall and loose-lead walking are exactly the two things that will define whether a Bullmastiff is a pleasure or a liability as an adult. Can I ask — are you training in a garden or open space, or mainly on pavements? And has he had his vaccinations yet, or are you still restricted on where he can go?

Perfect setup, actually. A garden at this stage is ideal because you control the environment and can repeat things quickly without distraction. Here's what I'd recommend without hesitation: a long-line training lead — specifically the Clix Long Line by Company of Animals, available in 5m or 10m lengths. It's a lightweight, flat webbing line with a trigger clip, and it's exactly what professional trainers use for recall work with large breeds at this age. The reason it matters for a Bullmastiff specifically is this: you never want to be in a situation where you're physically fighting the dog to prevent a mistake. The long line lets you allow distance, build the habit of coming back to you reliably, and give a gentle, calm correction if he starts to drift — all without any confrontation. You attach it to a well-fitted flat collar or a front-clip harness, let him wander in the garden, call him, reward him heavily when he returns, and over weeks you build a recall that is truly solid. Start now and you're creating a reflex. Start at eight months and you're fighting a habit.

Treats are fine and highly effective at this age — Bullmastiffs are very food-motivated as puppies. Use something genuinely high-value for recall specifically: small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or a quality soft treat like Zuke's Mini Naturals. The key with recall is that coming back to you should feel like the best thing that ever happened to him, every single time. Don't be stingy with it. For the long-line work, pair the treat with enthusiastic verbal praise and a brief fuss — you want him associating your voice calling him with something genuinely exciting, because there will be days when you don't have food in your pocket and that association needs to carry.

Trail it for the most part, especially in the garden where you know the ground. Step on it gently if he starts moving away from you at pace before you've called him — that interrupts the momentum without any shouting or chasing. Hold it when you're near gates, roads, or anything that could be a hazard. As he gets older and his recall becomes more reliable, you graduate to a shorter lead, then eventually off-lead with the long line dragging as a safety net before you drop it entirely. The Clix 10m version gives you enough room to make the training genuinely meaningful — 5m is a bit short for a breed that will cover ground quickly. You're doing this at exactly the right time.