I have a client with a very nice (and I hate CCs) 9 month old 65# bitch pup....recently spayed. Client just called to ask if I wanted her. She has put a lot of time into this pup, but is really just so not the personality type for this dog. The pup is very mouthy with the mom and mom has just had enough. I truly think she is afraid of the dog and also thinking better to rehome her now then later.

They had had a Cane previously who was a physically calm dog...and a bit of a fear biter when boarded until she got to know you. Not a dog you turned away from. The older dog was PTS due to old age issues etc. and they replaced her with a 6wk old puppy. From the beginning this pup has been more than they wanted and I think it has just come to a head with the pup putting a full mouth on the mom....no blood so I wouldn't call it a bite but she bruises magnificently.

I don't know if they are willing to put more trust into her. So I am debating taking her. Obviously I don't need another dog and I may rehome her for them. I have my doubts that she would fit into our pack and would then have to be more work still for us to keep. We are going to let me think and talk after spring break, when I don't have 30 dogs to deal with at work.

Questions for ya'll.....Experiences with Cane Corsos....I have met several in passing that I really didn't trust the stability of. This seems like a stable pup but I have only seen her for for a week at a time three or four times in her life. She obeys me and is very obedient. She is biting just because she is a mouthy baby/teen. IMHO. I would love anyone experienced with the breed to give input. Any suggestions for info here to look at that might help me work with a half grown pup. I really just would love any information you feel you could share to help me think clearly.

I personally know I could work with this dog and deal with what she has to offer. My hesitation, besides the look my dh gave me at the idea of adding to the hoard, is her ability to deal with living with small dogs. And that may be a introduce and find out.

Don't know if I added and I gotta run....she is smart as a whip and they have put some decent basic obedience on her. She isn't proofed but she learns quickly. And I know they asked me since I have helped them with her 'issues' up to now and have had Bullmastiffs. Also they know I am not going to let her get into trouble with the wrong "crowd" of people. (My area is home of two maximum security correctional facilities and a growing meth industry...on the routes to Buffalo and Rochester so 90% of the dogs in shelters are Pits or similar and this is so not where this pup needs to go. I am also assuming since the "breeder" let the pups go at 6wks (illegally here) that he doesn't want her back.

I just got a Cane Corso. I ahve been doing research for years on them (along with the GSD, but the Cane won out). I know what you are talking about with the "wrong croud". I live in upstate NY as well (closer to Cuse).

If these people are not going to commit themselves to properly structuring this dog she has the potential to become a TERROR.

Are you a trainer?

I do not train as a profession. I have had dogs every day of my adult life and most of my childhood. I have trained them and several for family members and friends. While I am certainly not totally up on precision (don't show) I do have decently behaved dogs some of whom do therapy work. Since I have not put a title on a dog I do not feel I should be training per se. But since I run a boarding kennel many folks ask my advice on issues.
I do generally have a good "feel" for any dogs and this pup is not something I would want to see ruined. I don't even feel she is that dominant, beyond normal dogdom of puppy pushing her limits. I think she will settle to a nice dog. I really was hoping for more breed specific feel though. As I say, I have never met one I trusted, but don't know if that is breeding or handling.
This family trully is a golden retriever sort of family that somehow wanted a second Cane Corso. The mom is consistent, but not dominant herself and I think that is an issue. That and the dog is at the 'tons of energy and not a thought engaging' stage of puppyhood. So I think she mouths / pinches first and thinks later.

She had a jumping up issue with the mom too and I think that is remedied. She was turning away and or yelping and that made it a huge game. I told her I tend to walk up on and into any dog jumping on me and it worked beautifully with this pup.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Hi Sonya,
Sorry, I have nothing to suggest, as I've only met a few Corsos in passing (both of which kind of spooked me, even though one of them was very much a young dog and quite playful and easy going... they're just such imposing silhouettes, especially when they've got their ears cropped). I was just wondering if you had any pictures of your Corso pup? (I'll blame Adam for planting that seed :grin She sounds like a handful that definitely will need care to rehome with the right family... if you choose not to hang onto her.

~Natalya

I don't have a pict...thought I did in my phone as I try to take client picts. I will get one next visit. They think they are leaving her at the kennel for a few days next week so I can 'test drive' her with some of my own dogs etc. She is smallish...to me, not 'massive' but not petite...at I think the guess was 65#. She is a red brindle with NOT cut ears...thankfully. I am not a fan of cut ears.

My family is rolling their eyes at me so I am 'easing' into this whole thing.

Hello, I have a cane corso, she is a great dog but.....She can be sketchy with people trying to pet her, mostly men, she gives all the signals that she doesnt want to be pet first though. Most of the time 97% of the time she is happy go lucky, just in certain situations she gets nervous. She wouldnt bite but she kinda barks/snaps. That being said she is 100%trustworthy with our 2 other dogs, 2 cats, 2 bunnies, a chinchilla and a hamster. I can do anything to her and she is fine with it. She is the most destructive dog and has chewed everything we own, its getting better now thank god! She is calm but active, sweet and very sucky and affectionate.

Im sure you are more than capable of handling another dog, it just comes down to if you want the added stress/work/commitment etc.....As you know corsos are a handful and I love them btw

Hopefully more experienced people will chime in but wanted to add my firsthand experiences with the breed. Good luck with everything!! Pics would be great 2!