Before any intimate moments, work on teaching him to stay calm in close contact. I did this with my Mastiff by practicing “stay” commands while petting him close, rewarding him with treats or praise for keeping still. Start with short sessions where you’re in a mounting position (like on all fours, as I described before) without going all the way. Let him mount briefly, then reward him for staying on your back without turning. Use a firm but gentle voice, like “stay” or “easy,” to signal calm. It took me about two weeks to get my Mastiff to associate staying put with positive vibes. When he knots, keep a soothing tone and gently stroke his sides or head if you can reach. This can distract him from the urge to turn. I’ll sometimes hold my Mastiff’s front legs lightly (not gripping hard) to keep him draped over my back, which helps him stay in place for the first few minutes. If he starts to shift, say “stay” calmly and reward with a soft pat or verbal praise once he settles. Over time, he’ll learn turning isn’t the immediate go-to.
After a session where he stays longer without turning, give him extra love, treats, or playtime. My Pitbull responds like crazy to this, and it’s helped him chill during ties. It’s all about building a new habit.
se the all-fours position (knees and hands or elbows, hips tilted up, legs 12-18 inches apart) I mentioned in a previous post, but keep your hips slightly lower than his natural mounting height. This makes it harder for him to swing around easily, as his back legs stay more grounded. I do this with my Mastiff by keeping my knees wide and my chest close to the ground, which anchors us both, If you’re using a bed or couch, kneel with your upper body resting on the furniture, hips pushed back but not too high. This can keep his weight distributed over your back, making it less natural for him to turn right away. I’ve found this works better with my Mastiff than my Pitbull, as the extra support keeps him focused on staying close.Grip His Legs Gently: If he’s mounted, you can lightly hold his front legs or hips to encourage him to stay draped over you. Don’t force it, just enough to signal “we’re good like this.” I do this with my Pitbull when he gets antsy, and it buys me a few extra minutes before he thinks about turning.If he starts to turn, subtly shift your hips to one side to make the ass-to-ass position less comfortable for him. This can encourage him to stay facing you or at least pause the turn. Be gentle to avoid pulling on the knot, which can hurt both of you.
Right after he knots, keep a hand on his back or side, stroking gently to keep him calm. I do this with my Mastiff, and it often delays his instinct to swing around. If you’re flexible, you can reach back to pet his head or ears, which keeps him focused on you.Dogs pick up on your energy. If you tense up or move suddenly, he might take it as a cue to turn. I keep my breathing slow and steady during the tie, and it helps my dogs stay relaxed. Whisper something soothing, like “good boy,” to reinforce the calm vibe.
Place a firm pillow under your hips to keep them at the right angle and reduce strain if he tries to turn. I use a folded blanket under my knees or hips to stay comfy during longer ties with my Mastiff.
