Advice needed. Long.

ajcooksey

ajcooksey

New member
My brother has a four month old cane corso puppy and last night he snapped at my 7 year old niece when he brought him to her house for trick or treat. I was completely for the dog and thought that maybe he was scared in a new environment and maybe my niece scared him in some way. He left a bruise under her eye and a swollen cheek and lip but didn't break the skin. Today I took Willow over to redeem him and Willow was incredibly uncomfortable there and didn't want to go into their house. That is really out of character for her and in their yard with him they were off an on ok. Every once in a while she would correct him but she never snapped at him or provoked him. He attacked her at least 15 times in the three hours we were there. He's still small and was easily pulled off of her but as soon as you let him go he lunged at her. I don't know what to tell my brother. Turner and Willow have never been aggressive and I feel so bad for putting Willow through that today. This is the first time I've ever heard her snarl at a dog. When we were in obedience school she was used as the control dog with aggressive dogs and we would sit in the middle of the room and the handler would pace back and forth with the dog getting closer to Willow bc Willow wouldn't react. The final straw that caused us to crate my brothers dog today was he wouldn't let up and Willow shut down. She sat with her body pressed against the wall and her head down. I felt like such a bad owner exposing her to this and after we left she got some extra special treats and love and is back to normal. Before yesterday I never would have thought this puppy had a mean bone in his body. Any advice for how my brother should proceed would be welcomed. He has a four year old step daughter.
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Cane Corsos are known to be aggressive. I read somewhere that when they start to attack they don't stop. Remember years ago the lady in California who was bringing in her groceries. She had her key in the door of her apartment when 2 cane corsos broke out of the neighbor's apartment. They killed her, in face they ripped all her clothes off. The cane corso is also known as the pitt bull destroyer.

On another note we have a cane corso that comes here for daycare. He has been coming since he was a small puppy. The lady socialized him A LOT. He is good and has never shown any aggression. They have to be socialized.

I would beware of a puppy attacking. I don't know what to tell you to do but I'd be very leery of going over there.
 
McLoki

McLoki

New member
I hate to say it, but that is not a good breed for someone not super experienced with agressive dogs. Especially with a 4 year old in the mix. I would recommend returning the dog if that is an option. If not, are there any rescues in the area that could take it?

If it was just them i would try to suggest training and socialization, but with a small child in the house, its just not a good environment to learn to deal with an agressive dog.

Not trying to upset anyone, but there are not many futures in that situation that end happy.

I do hope for the best for them and their puppy.

Michael
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
From a behaviour trainer point of view...... Let the dog go. I would never have a child around a dog like that, especially that type of breeding. And I am all for retraining aggressive dogs, but not if they start that early, unless they have been mistreated. I would also not put my own dogs at risk. Why force the issue. Now those of you who know me know that I spent a lot of time retraining mt dogs, Newfie rescues, but they have mistreatment history, it is not there from puppy and also not their breeding. I am not sure why it is a problem for this dog, but the dog should go to,people who want to retrain and do not have kids. Too dangerous for the kids and a lot of commitment for the handler
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
In some states, I think Ohio is one of them, you can be held liable if you sell or rehome a dog that you know has bitten or shown aggression - even if you disclose it to the new owners. So this means. that say 2 years down the road, this dog bites or does worse to a person or dog, charges can be brought against you.


I agree with Ronnie. This dog is dangerous. Especially exhibiting aggression at such a young age.
 
D

Denali's Mama

New member
We have a Cane Corso pup that comes to us for weekend stays while his owners are at work. Sweetest pup in the world at 8 months and 130lbs. Cane Corso's need ALOT of socialization and they need an owner who can set boundaries and really train them. I can see both sides to the scenario (give the puppy up or really try to work with him) and I think with a young child in the house that makes it a little more of a sensitive situation. At 4 months old the puppy is still very much trainable (and I'm wondering if it is true aggression or just playful assertiveness given that at 4 months they are pretty big already and strong). Your brother needs to ask himself if he is really going to be dedicated to turning this pup's disposition around or if he's going to try and then not really follow through. I'd say that if he is going to spend A LOT of time training and socializing the pup while setting boundaries in the home and properly integrating the puppy with his daughter then there's a possibility it could work out. He may want to consult with a dog trainer to have an assessment done then decide from there. I'm definitely no expert! I grew up with pitbulls and bullmastiffs that were like giant chihuahuas haha, so I do believe that with proper training and socialization any breed can be wonderful family dogs. Best of luck!
 
Ginny

Ginny

New member
Jeannie, the attack you spoke of was by Presa Canarios, not Cane Corsos. I've heard that Canes can be sweethearts, but I steer clear of them at shows.
I'd certainly not be allowing one of my dogs to be attacked 15 times in 3 hours.
I think your brother has bitten off more than he can chew...
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Ginny said:
Jeannie, the attack you spoke of was by Presa Canarios, not Cane Corsos. ..
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I was talking to one of the detectives for our county yesterday. He commented on the Cane Corso as the owner picked him up yesterday. He is the one who told me it was Cane Corso who attacked the lady. I remembered the attack but not the breed. I figured being in law enforcement he knew. Thanks for the clarification.

The Cane Corso that comes here has been very well socialized and the owner is very strict with the dog. He is a good boy.
 
ajcooksey

ajcooksey

New member
Thank you for all of your input. If he were my dog I would return to breeder. However talking to my brothers wife breeder sounds like a loose term in this situation. I told him that with Turner and Willow they can be returned to their breeder at any age and our breeder has to approve any rehoming if that were to occur. He doesn't have a contract on this pup ��. I certainly will never let my dogs or son around him ever again. I feel so bad for my brother.

Jeanie what would you suggest in this situation when I'm not sure if returning to the breeder is an option and the liability of rehoming him? Do you know of any rescue groups?
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
I do not know of any but then I have not looked. If I were you I'd look for Cane Corso and mastiff rescues.
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
Denali's Mama said:
We have a Cane Corso pup that comes to us for weekend stays while his owners are at work. Sweetest pup in the world at 8 months and 130lbs. Cane Corso's need ALOT of socialization and they need an owner who can set boundaries and really train them. I can see both sides to the scenario (give the puppy up or really try to work with him) and I think with a young child in the house that makes it a little more of a sensitive situation. At 4 months old the puppy is still very much trainable (and I'm wondering if it is true aggression or just playful assertiveness given that at 4 months they are pretty big already and strong). Your brother needs to ask himself if he is really going to be dedicated to turning this pup's disposition around or if he's going to try and then not really follow through. I'd say that if he is going to spend A LOT of time training and socializing the pup while setting boundaries in the home and properly integrating the puppy with his daughter then there's a possibility it could work out. He may want to consult with a dog trainer to have an assessment done then decide from there. I'm definitely no expert! I grew up with pitbulls and bullmastiffs that were like giant chihuahuas haha, so I do believe that with proper training and socialization any breed can be wonderful family dogs. Best of luck!
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All dogs, even the most aggressive either due to breeding or environment can be retrained, I have done that with quite a few. That is what i do. But there needs to be a HUGE commitment and realy no childrent should be in danger. It won't be playful assertiveness if it is true that the other dog was not happy. An older dog will put a playfull assertive puppy in its place instantly and not worry. And for an aggressive puppy 16 weeks is really post the easy retraining. it can always be done. Ha ha I live with three examples right now. But there need to be commitment and safety of other dogs and definitly kids needs to be considered.

Sometimes it is nothing to do withthe breed specific. Some people breed aggressive lines on purpose in any breed. it is know the parents of the dog and also the Breeder that will give you the tru picture and if you can possibly retrain the pup. That is why the standard in newfies are to be maintained and dogs character (really in any breed) should be considered pre breeding. it is often the Breeders fault when puppies are aggressive. Either due to lines chosen or treatment.

It is why I check where aggressive dogs come from. If from a good relaible breeder and or were good as puppies (when you speak to breeders and good breeders know their puppies) yu can retrain. Annabelle was a perfect example. Great puppy until 12 weeks, went to the wrong home. Very people and dog aggressive at 14 months and now a great dog. But still has to be managaed . We should always be very careful when dogs have the inclination to be aggressive as to where they live and with whom. Especially if there are children. We should not get emotinal and it is hard, but in a home the kids should still come first.
 
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D

Denali's Mama

New member
R Taft said:
All dogs, even the most aggressive either due to breeding or environment can be retrained, I have done that with quite a few. That is what i do. But there needs to be a HUGE commitment and realy no childrent should be in danger. It won't be playful assertiveness if it is true that the other dog was not happy. An older dog will put a playfull assertive puppy in its place instantly and not worry. And for an aggressive puppy 16 weeks is really post the easy retraining. it can always be done. Ha ha I live with three examples right now. But there need to be commitment and safety of other dogs and definitly kids needs to be considered.

Sometimes it is nothing to do withthe breed specific. Some people breed aggressive lines on purpose in any breed. it is know the parents of the dog and also the Breeder that will give you the tru picture and if you can possibly retrain the pup. That is why the standard in newfies are to be maintained and dogs character (really in any breed) should be considered pre breeding. it is often the Breeders fault when puppies are aggressive. Either due to lines chosen or treatment.

It is why I check where aggressive dogs come from. If from a good relaible breeder and or were good as puppies (when you speak to breeders and good breeders know their puppies) yu can retrain. Annabelle was a perfect example. Great puppy until 12 weeks, went to the wrong home. Very people and dog aggressive at 14 months and now a great dog. But still has to be managaed . We should always be very careful when dogs have the inclination to be aggressive as to where they live and with whom. Especially if there are children. We should not get emotinal and it is hard, but in a home the kids should still come first.
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I couldn't agree more!! But yes, I should have been more clear about that in my post, children always come first!!! And I think level of commitment from the owner is a big question too. Maybe taking him to a rescue could be a solution so that someone who can train him and commit to his needs can adopt him before his behaviors become even more problematic. Anyways, best of luck for sure!
 
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