Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthia Warne:
He has never broken the skin on anyone but has left severe bruises and almost puncture wounds on my boyfriend and his male friends.

This right here is enough for a law suit....I don't think we are being too hard...This is unacceptable behavior for ANY dog. As for the boyfriend she should deal with him..NOT the dog but this isn't the "how to deal with the idiot boyfriend" forum....

Cynthia,

Van Camp is correct from what I have seen with Cane's, and it does start at around 6 months in my limited experience with the breed. This is a dominat breed that is going to attempt to dominate everything it comes in contact with if you will let it.

The dog may have been around people a lot, but it isn't properly socialized, it has just been around people. There is a huge difference. This dog has never been taught the rules for properly interacting with people. It also is being allowed to make way too many descisions on it's own with you then attempting to correct the behavior after the fact. That isn't going to be effective with this breed. You need to be in charge and there can be no question in the dogs mind about it. At this point the dog may be "play fighting" but as he becomes older he is going to be more dominant and aggressive about it, and will ultimately become very serious about it and will hurt someone bad if you don't correct this now. In addition your behavior isn't helping this as the dog is taking cues from you that he doesn't have to respect other people, and your description of your attitude towards children in the dogs prescence is an invitation to a disaster. Here are a couple of examples of what I am talking about:

"When other people are over FORGET it. He shoves them off the furniture, bites them (without growling or bearing teeth (most of the time)), jumps on them, walks in front of them to the point of tripping them, grabs his toys walks over to them and challenges them (by growling) to take it, he places himself next to me no matter who was there first, if they get up he bites legs, feet, hands or back."

This is not a properly socialized dog.

"People with children do not bring them because they know I can not stand them. If they do bring them, they are made to sit on the couch with their hands under their arse and shut up."

Why should the dog respect or not attempt to dominante when you present this attitude towards children? Now I am not saying that they should be cut loose to raise a ruckus in the house, but the dog needs to understand that they are not to be touched for any reason.

Your attitude towards the dog and your boyfriend is begging for the dog to seriously bite the boyfriend. The boyfriend needs to understand proper behavior around this type of dog, and you need to correct the boyfriend not the dog. What you are going to end up with is a boyfriend with stiches, and a dog in the pound...at best.

Wait a second here. We can neuter teenagers? Cool - I have a few candidates. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Can't believe you let that one slip by VanCamp. Well, it is a Monday.

Well, everyone wants to control the pup. Maybe I'm out in left field in the rain but the problem is the OWNER!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
The breed doesn't matter, it's how you raise and train any dog. Responsible dog ownership hasn't been mentioned, or I missed it being disturbed reading the owners post. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Not trying to say the owner shouldn't own a dog but diffently not a dog with the potential to cause harm as a Corso.

This pup needs to be put in his place in the pack, not second as the owner has put it. The boyfriend sounds like he should be only around hamsters and goldfish. The owner is not the alpha figure, go figure if a pup rules the house, what in the world will happen when he matures.

Maybe i'm being too hard on the owner, sorry that's how I see it. The pup0 will only do what he is allowed to get away with.

"GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PUP, YOU WILL NEED IT"

well it looks like the responses are coming in fast and furious and I just cant help myself,here is my 2 cents.CONTROL,CONTROL its all about control. You teach your dog exactly what you allow it to do.It doesnt fill in the blanks. If you allow your dog to mess up once then thats what he thinks he is supoppose to do . He thinks he is suppose to maul everybody once then behave .When people come over put your dog down and keep him ther I expect my dogs to stay down indefinely, they can handle it if you make it clear that is whats expected. As far as normal behavior for that breed Id say yeah and Im sure you knew thats the kinda of dog you were getting it you just didnt realize the time frame you have to get this established in NOW, dont leave anything to chance. I would like to teach the dog to remain neutral around people in the house with no pressure to have to perform in anyway. Also have your guest remain netrual,ignore the dog. It is very IMPORTANT to get total control of this dog now becuase we all know the potential of this kinda dog. Get control. Good Luck it takes work.

Hello:
I think you have received 98% of great info on this topic. Things that you might want to do to curb this type of behavior before it's to late:
1. "Proper" Socialization (just because he is around people doesn't make him socialized).
2. Strict OB with a professional who will teach "YOU" how to properly handle your dog. If you are going to have a dog like this and want him to protect, how are you going to learn how to do this (SCH/Ring/Mondio Clubs near you etc)?
3. Learn how to use all available tools (prong, muzzle, etc) safetly and correctly.
4. Be prepared to deal with the fact that you might have to give up this dog to someone who can properly handle him or put him to sleep.
5. I also thing you have a time bomb on your hands, so be prepared to take serious action.
Some things that made me come to this conclusion:
1. You said your dogs obeys you, but then you said that he doesn't listen when people come over. If he doesn't listen to you 110% of the time then he isn't trained - period.
2. He bites people on the hands, feet, back, when they get up at your house? How come you can't control him at those times? Is he loose, crated, on a leash/line. What do you do to stop this type of behavior?
3. I know you said you don't like kids, but there are about a billion of them out there, everytime you take your puppy to the vet or out for a walk in the park, you are going to encounter them. You can't control what other peoples kids will do, but you better make sure you can control your dog. (i.e. you're at the vets writing a check and a kid comes up behind you and reaches out and tries to pet your dog). Most people and kids are a lot quicker than you getting out the "my dog does like to be petted by strangers" statement.
4. He punks out your guest? Why do you let him growl at your company and how come you let him come between you and your company. By letting him do this, you are in effect reinforcing and rewarding him for his bad behavior.
5. Do not attempt any type of protection training with this dog. If you can't control a 6 month old puppy with basic home manners & OB how are you going to deal with him when he is 14 months old and weighs 125 lbs and is in drive and then decides that today he doesn't want to listen to you and chase the paperboy down the street?
6. If you haven't already did so, get a good crate and outside kennel. If you aren't home that dog should be kenneled 100% of the time.
7. It's great that you want to own a dog and have a companion, but you might want to rethink your breed preferance and rememeber all dogs were bred to have a job to do, you just have to match your personality and wants and needs to the best possible breed out there. The key is "RESPONSIBLE" dog ownership.
I hope this helps,
Brandon

I'd like to add that this is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners. The fact that there is even any question as to whether or not you should allow this behavior shows your lack of experience. Cane Corsos are gentle, affectionate, and obedient, and only protect when neccessary. The way you describe your pup, he is a bully and you are encouraging it. Yes, this is a problem, and yes, it is a ticking time bomb. You've been given some good advice regarding training, neutering, and socialization.

I'd also like to add some of these: <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

My gosh Swanston, that is like the shortest post ever... tell us how you really feel. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Again, if you are not realizing the seriousness of the situation at hand you need more than a dog trainer...

Get a cat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> You can't, and wont be able to handle this dog at the rate your going.

Ah. . . how did I miss that hates kids part? WTF

My bad, thats a little weird.