I have a 10-week old Cane Corso female that captures everyone's attention wherever we go. 90% of the time she's very well behaved but then she turns into the little Tasmanian devil-dog.

She has fantastic prey drive so she's constantly chasing or chewing something when she's not sleeping or meeting new people. This isn't generally an issue as she responds reasonably well to a firm "no" and we have lots of chew-toys for her. Last night when playing she started going bananas again only this time I got a curled lip, bared teeth and a healthy growl. Today she tried to 'mount' one of her toys on several occasions (which kinda freaked my wife). She met a couple of dogs this past week and I can say she wasn't exactly passive about them. After a few moments of sniffing she started lunging, growling and pawing at them despite being outweighed about 4-1. Is she playing or ?

Am I wrong in being concerned about this? What (if anything) do I need to do to address this? From all the articles I've read on-site, it sounds like aggression and not play but a 10-week old aggressive female falls into the realm of unusual does it not? Or am I not interpreting things properly?

Andy at 10 weeks that does sound a little out of place, but its may have a lot do with her past experiences. She has never been attacked or approached aggressively by another dog, to your knowlegde has she?

When she was barking and growling at you was she bobbing her head up and down. If so that could be a play bow wanting to play rough.

But if its real aggression at such a young age you may have a problem with dogs nerves. How aggressive or stable was her parents. Its really hard to tell without watching it in person.

Could just be a bold puppy wanting to play, I have visiting such a puppy pretty solid but she likes playing rough with big dogs, but its just play.

I would socialize her as much as you can with people and other dogs. The mounting behavior is normal and goes away after a few months.
jmo

I can't say for certain what took place before we had her of course however, since she's been in our care (from 8 weeks) she's not met another dog without us present. Thus far there's been a Chihuahua, a Lab pup, an 8 year old wire-haired Terrier and an older black lab. Aside from the Lab pup, none of them paid her any interest besides a few sniffs - she is always the first (and thus far only) to vocalize anything. Her and the Lab pup were both pulling on their leashes and spinning out on the smooth floor trying to sniff each other.

She's extremely good with people - loves them to death. Happy to roll over and get a tummy-rub and lots of petting from anyone within spotting distance. My wife and I own a motorcycle shop so she's in there when we are. From day one she's not been afraid of the noise or movement of the bikes, running out to meet people as they rode up. She doesn't jump or even turn her head when a bike fires up - more than I can say for some people.

We play with a Kong on a string outside and she growls once she catches it. The teeth-baring typically takes place after we play, back in the house. Is it possible that she's wound up(for lack of a better term)?

We have a baby due in November and I don't want to be one of Ed's 'idiots' in the Q&A section after she's bit the baby, my wife or someone else.

Sounds like she has good nerves which is good. My pup used to growl when we played too. He has pretty much grown out of that at 8.5 months. Of course if you think it's going a little too far during the session, end it on a good note, put the dog up for awhile and take a break. This always calms mine down. Just a suggestion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Andy it sounds like she only playing when she is growling and barking, alot puppies and dogs do that. Like John mentioned I'd keep her around positive dog people and slowly introduce her to more dogs. It looks like she loves people.

I'd start Ob training as soon as possible, a dog of this type will be huge as you well know. And control of her will be of the upmost important. Large dogs owners owe it the dog and public to be responcible owners to make sure as you say, they don't end up in the news because the dog did something terrible. Its ok that she stopped a robbery of your motorcyle shop and help captured the young holdlums. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks guys - good to know things aren't out of hand. OB training to start immediately.

Motivational obedience (imprinting) ONLY,at this, age or you might destroy any drive the pup may have. Have fun!

I'm a bit confused on the corrections for not coming. In the 8 to 8 DVD, Ed specifically mentions corrections only for not coming. I'm still using treats to get her to come (like when she'd rather not go out in the rain even first thing in the AM).

At what point in time is a correction (for not coming) warranted? Should this be a leash pop or something else?