With lots of muscle packed into an athletic 89- to 120-pound frame, the Dogo Argentino is one of the toughest gun dog breeds around. It is also one of the friendliest and most cheerful dogs a family can own,
according to the American Kennel Club. If you are buying a Dogo Argentino puppy for the first time, there are some key facts you should know. Here are four puppy tips to get new owners started on solid footing.
1. Start Training Your Puppy Immediately
Training a Dogo Argentino, also known as an Argentinian mastiff, begins as soon as you arrive home with your new dog. As owner, establish from the get-go your leadership over your dog,
advised Michele Welton of yourpurebredpuppy.com. If you don't show firm, caring and sure-handed headship but, instead, come off as meek and unsure of yourself, your Dogo will act fast to fill what it sees as a vacuum in leadership of your "pack." Dogos are natural pack leaders, but will submit to owners and their children if taught to do so from the outset.
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
2. Pick the Right Crate for Your Puppy
Argentine Dogos spend much of their puppy period in their crate,
according to Legend Dogo Argentinos. Confine your pup to the right-sized crate whenever you don't have time to observe your dog. The crate's size should be just big enough that your dog can properly stand and turn around in it. Any larger and your Dogo may use one end of the crate as his bathroom, which will make housebreaking your pet difficult.
To housebreak your Dogo and to keep it safe, your puppy should only be out of his crate when you as owner can fully observe it. You may need to attach a 6-foot cord or leash to his collar to keep your Dogo from taking off from a room without you and to help you find it at all times. Whenever your pup leaves your line of sight, you can then step on his leash to prevent it from escaping.
3. Take Your Puppy Outside Often
Your new Dogo Argentino will learn to be housebroken quickly if you bring it outside every few hours and 15 to 30 minutes after meals, or if you construct a doggy door that allows it to take itself outside for a potty break in your yard,
Welton said. If you don't provide your puppy with either option on a regular basis, it will inevitably relieve itself indoors whenever and wherever it needs to go. Your goal is to develop the habit of relieving itself in the only location where it can go to the bathroom: outside.
4. Teach Your Puppy Specific Words
Dogs that have a healthy "vocabulary" of words they've been taught are happy and confident because they know what their owners expect from them and respond obediently to their owners' commands. Some of the key commands you'll need to teach your puppy are "Go lie down," "Stay," "Come," "Quiet" and "Don't touch,"
according to Welton.
Latest: Tell Us About Your Pets! Which Do You Have?
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.