Cynthia,

This is only the second time I've felt a need to post on this forum. As you can see, you've gotten some good 'advice' and some, not so good, IMO.

I, for one, do NOT think this is a lost cause at all. The fact that you are looking for help is a serious plus. You know the behaviour with others in your home is unacceptable and you apparently are taking steps to correct this. Supervised socialization is one thing you can't do too much of, I believe, whatever your future intentions with the pup.

Reining in his anti-social antics NOW will go a long way to preventing problems in the future. Because if it is not dealt with NOW as a pup, it WILL get WORSE later. Seeking an EXPERIENCED trainer (and I don't necessarily mean 'Professional') who understands this type of behaviour and breed can only help, as long as the trainer understands the situation and what you have been doing up until this point.

We all have our ideas and opinions, and I'd be happy to discuss this situation with you off list.

Anyone who thinks a woman can't handle a Corso has never met my wife!!!!

Best of luck to you...
Scott W
rvrctyrngr@rivercityringers.com

Cynthia

Where do you live? If there is any hope for this to work for you and your dog then maybe we can suggest a good dog trainer in your area that deals well with aggressive dogs. Put a hold on bite work until you have total control of this animal. Do not give average people a reason to blame protection work for lack of control and knowledge.

Karmen, I live in Oakland County, Michigan. My pup and I are suposed to start training in January. It was originally for protection work / obedience.

Since coming here, I have contacted the trainer and voiced my concern over his behaviour and she stated that we will start on that.

This may be wrong on her part, however, she stated that during his evaluation, she recalled he was not "concerned" with "neutral" individuals outside of his "domain" and therefore says it is mostly (but not completely) a matter of "showing him that nuetral indivuals exist even inside of MY domain" as well as harnessing his puppy instincts to "test" this theory.

She is working on finding someone to help me "in home" as well as "in field" and will not work him on protection yet. I am working on everything that I have read in articles / posts here.

some food for thought here on something I keep saying you reiterate...

"one owner dog"

and you ask if the dog & 1 human are the pack, why the dog is not to be the second in command.

So...with those brought out as what I have to comment on, think on this.

The dog will obey you and only you, that is what you want, correct? Ok, so now what happens one day when you're married (hypothetically, just follow along), the dog is secure in the fact that it's SIC (Second in Command) because you've reinforced that. You leave the house and your husband is alone with the dog. Hubby is doing something, the dog disapproves, and dog "corrects" Hubby with a bite. What then?

While you're thinking about that, think about this as well. The dog sees you as the only alpha, only respects you, you've reinforced this. The dog only has respect for you, but not for any other humans. It has not learned how to differentiate threat from friend, "corrections" are given to friends and now friends are not friends anymore (hopefully they aren't in the hospital or worse). All because the dog has learned that the only human life to value is yours. There is a big difference in training a dog to eliminate a threat and letting the dog think that everyone is beneath it and it can do whatever it wants to whomever it wants, because they're not alpha. If it's not corrected soon, and the dogs continues on this course, you may be looking at a law suit down the road, not to mention having to put the dog down. Basically, the dog must be taught that any aggression without attack on you or without your command is completely and totally intolerable!!!

The dog will obey you and only you, that is what you want, correct?"

Yes.

"Ok, so now what happens one day when you're married (hypothetically, just follow along),"

I am 30, divorced and will not be married again until at least AFTER I retire. But I get your point.

"the dog is secure in the fact that it's SIC (Second in Command) because you've reinforced that. You leave the house and your husband is alone with the dog. Hubby is doing something, the dog disapproves, and dog corrects Hubby with a bite. What then?"

Ok, so, how do you train a dog to respect others without loosing the loyalty and or respect of the dog? If I tell my dog to down/stay I want it to down/stay regardless of who is being an idiot and calling him. There are people around here, whom shall remain nameless that think its neat to try and get your dog to misbehave its owner (even some strangers at the dog park to see how much control you actually have)

"It has not learned how to differentiate threat from friend, corrections are given to friends and now friends are not friends anymore"

How do you teach it to respect others but listen to only you? Is it possible?

"(hopefully they aren't in the hospital or worse)"

I agree and dont want that for my dog or its breed.

"If it's not corrected soon"

This is why I am here.

"Basically, the dog must be taught that any aggression without attack on you or without your command is completely and totally intolerable!!!"

I agree there, but is it possible to teach it to trust others but only to an extend or do I have to loose the pet quality to acheive this?

All of your questions underscore the importance of PROPER socialization. The dog will naturally be protective of your property and you. This is not something you have to teach him, and is distinct and separate from dominating other people. As for obeying only you, despite other people interfering, this is what distraction training is for. After a firm foundation in basic obedience is achieved, you then work him under more and more distraction. He will learn to obey you no matter what else is going on around him, including idiots who think it's funny to "test" your dog.

I won't even get started on the subject of dog parks, except to say that it's a bad idea.

touche, and bravo!! cynthia. i appologize for questioning your ability to , if need be , physically restrain your pup.i applaud you for standing up on your hind legs , and stating you cause and concerns.keep forging ahead learn all you can . this page has many opinions and answers, some are top shelf, some you kinda sort through , with your own common sense. just jt.

Cynthia I appreciate you quest for knowledge, (the struggle that does not kill you, makes you stronger). I think you came to the right place to asked this question, gaining free knowledge hurt doesn't, I know.

It seems that you have taken some of the information and you are using it. Thats a start but don't get macho if you need help get it, remember its not for you its for your dog.

I would suggest getting professional help with this dog, he needs to be brought under control as quickly as possible. Because at 6 months this is the cute puppy stage, still, but 5 to 7 months he will be a very large powerful pup, that can kill, like a human teenager. You got to check him now.

Keep working to get him under control, I think the 15 minutes down stay is a good start. But I think timing is the problem give the command before he drags your guest into the back room kicking screaming (I'm just playing).

But really try that before or while he's playing rough, if you can get him to stop and down for 15 minutes. Throw him a kong fill of snacks to occupy him and make sure he stays in the down (of course prasie him), if this works you might have a chance. If he won't stop, then leash him and place him in his crate. And start thinking about which Pro trainer to call. The Canary is a beautiful powerful dog, but he does need a good trainer/owner.

Recent events have brought unwanted attention to this breed. The poor dog training of the owners in this case, caused this. And it reflects on all owners that have and love large breed protective dog. I feel the harness you hear and feel from these professional on this board, may come from this, fact. You can have a 100k good Pit Bulls, but it only takes a few badly trained PBT to make the news and get them banned in some states.

You are doing the right thing asking this question on this forum, but like me you get in trouble asking serious questions to serious people in causal almost inquiztive form.

A lot of people on this forum make their living training or breeding dogs. A black eye to this field does effect them. Just trying to let you know, these people are not playing favorite or jump on the new guy. Its a serious business they love.

It hurts me to hear that Rottiwelers are the second most fatal dogs to man, No.1 being the PBT. Wouldn't it hurt you to hear that about your dog?

I will say you only got 4 - 6 months to get this under control, I'd try to down him at play now, if he won't. Run don't walk to get Professional help.

Have fun. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Cynthia, I too apologize for my remarks. If you're willing to work on it diligently, I think you'll do okay. Your later posts do indicate a willingness to redirect and correct this behavior. And your statement of doing a lot of research before choosing your breed says you at least kind of knew what you were getting into. My only concern was that any dog can be a problem, but a problem dog at that size could be incredibly dangerous.
There are many knowledgeable people on this board that could help you. Listen to them. They could help save your dog.