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Cane Corso Instinct

CorsoMax

Member
Hi all I've been getting a bit of conflicting advice from people regarding my 11 month old Cane Corso.

He is a very loving dog who spends time with my family but first and foremost I purchased him to be a capable property guardian.

My initial thoughts when purchasing the dog were not to try and influence his guard Instinct. I figured that would come naturally.

I'm now hearing opinions that Corsos are more watchdog than guard dog and that it will bark at but not stop an burglar.

Now obviously having a family I don't want to train the dog to be aggressive but likewise I don't want him to let intruders in.

What do other Corso owners think?
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
You are right, you don''t want to train "aggression", in the sense I think you're thinking. You want a 'guard dog', you want a dog that is aloof to strangers, not aggressive. You don't want to worry about him biting every other person you see. How will your pup know if he should bite the tall guy dressed in all black (burglar), or if he should bite the tall guy dressed in blue with a reflective work-vest (mail-man), or if he should bite the teenagers selling girl-scout-cookies?

As for trainability, sure you can begin training things that will lead up to "guard dog" training, but for the actual protection training you will need the help of a professional (ie. someone with experience training PSA, a decoy). Play tug and build his drive, make sure his OUT commands are as Solid as a Diamond. Make sure you can control him and that he listens to your commands, EVEN in HIGH-drive situations.

To a certain extent, genetics play a role, as well as the puppy's age. (I'm not sure exactly when, but I've read people suggesting anywhere from like 12-24months, when the dog becomes an adult, is when some of those traits really start to show.) You want a confident puppy, one that is not afraid to explore, not afraid of new things or new sounds, you want a puppy that can be fairly aloof (or friendly) to strangers.

Imo. buying a guard dog to stop a burglar is both enticing and scary. Someone kicks in your door and you send your pup to get them, great! .... but what if they're armed? A pipe? Knives? GUN?! You want burglar protection, purchase a gun, a security system, cameras. You want someone who can protect you in isolated situations (i.e.. walking your baby/stroller in the park), then look into a guard dog - since in most isolated situations the perpetrator would most likely be put off from the fact that your dog is potentially trained to attack. The majority of "would-be" robbers won't bother with your home if they see a huge Corso barking - then all that is left is the "professionals", where if they really want something they will take it, and they will be ready to do so, and so you should be ready to protect yourself.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
I think it would be great to have a dog as a protector and guardian... until I consider how much danger that puts the dog in, as Vantage said, "professionals" will probably bring weapons and not be scared off by any dog...

I do love that my BIG dog is LOUD when people come up the front walk though... as that's a deterrent to the wannabe burglars looking for an easy house to rob.

We've taught her "enough" and "quiet" and also will send her to her "place" after we've identified the person and found we want to invite them inside.
 

glen

Super Moderator
Staff member
Totally agree with what others have said. I have 3 ccs is not trained any of them to be a gaurding dog, they have grown into being very protective of there family and home, we have trained them so we have them under control if and when this happens, I want to protect my boys as much as they protect me. Just the sound of these is a wanna be burglar was around would deter them. Just make sure the trainings is there ie to come back,leave it,stay,.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
We've often postulated here on the Forum about whether our dogs would know when to act and come to our aid, know when to repel a sinister or evil person, and I'd like to tell you that I just found out last week.

My husband had gone to a neighbourhood party...just down a few houses and he had a few too many which seriously impaired his judgment. Apparently, he decided at 1:30 in the am to invite two guys in for a nightcap....Not A Good Idea! Bailey knows the one man and has often seen him in his cups, but she didn't know the other and, she went ballistic and she wouldn't back down. It was more than just a stranger danger situation, it was that the men were liquored up and couldn't be trusted around her mom. She put on quite a show and wouldn't stand down for her father or for me calling her off from my bed. Usually there is no issue, she stands down when I tell her too, but something was really different and "Mom needed protection."

I am taking my dog at her word/instinct. This third man was dangerous, no matter what my husband thought he knew about him. My girl knew he was in my house for evil and she let my husband and these two others know that they weren't coming past the front hall. Any further attempt would have made her attack. She sounded different...I've never quite heard that intensity from her before and I hope she is never put to the test again.

As it stands, my inebriated husband finally said, "I guess you're going to have to go" and the men left. Bailey at that point, having repelled the odious fellows, came right to me and guarded me intensely for the rest of the night. She was On the Job!

As for my inebriated husband....I told him off for four days - he's seriously in the "dog house" - and he has been told if he ever goes down for a friendly visit and a drink again and he's not back inside by 11:00 we're bolting the front door and he can sleep on the steps. And, if he ever brings drunk men to my house again, I'll call the cops!

Believe me, your pup will defend if it's needed. I swear they can smell the evil intent on people.
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
Bailey, I agree, I think dog's just "know" who's truly good and who is sketchy. There is this one "friend" of my dads who, if he comes over to grab something even from the door, my little one goes ballistic and does not let him in the home and will not calm down. Yet for the majority of other strangers, he is completely fine, and will "relax" if I tell him to.

From a training perspective, Bailey went into "guard mode", the stranger left (retreated in the dogs eyes)...it worked! So next time bailey will be that much more willing to repeat the guarding behaviour as it was much effective the first time.

This is also why a lot of protection sports will train advanced obedience in high drive, thus to be able to have "complete" control in even the most intense scenarios.

As for, your puppy will defend if needed, that I can't exactly agree with. I suppose it would depend on your definition of defend - if guard then yes, but if attack and ward of in a serious situation, then most likely not (but it is possible).
(See the video below for an extreme example. I also believe a dog trainer did a segment with a news local news company furthering this point.)

31 Minutes into this video:

and another example with Richard Heinz;
 

maryl

Well-Known Member
I never expected my dogs to protect me, I expected them to give me warning so that I could then protect my self. I'm 69 yrs old, I have a gun and I know how tom use it. I have a dog as a pet and companion.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Bailey, I agree, I think dog's just "know" who's truly good and who is sketchy. There is this one "friend" of my dads who, if he comes over to grab something even from the door, my little one goes ballistic and does not let him in the home and will not calm down. Yet for the majority of other strangers, he is completely fine, and will "relax" if I tell him to.

From a training perspective, Bailey went into "guard mode", the stranger left (retreated in the dogs eyes)...it worked! So next time bailey will be that much more willing to repeat the guarding behaviour as it was much effective the first time.

This is also why a lot of protection sports will train advanced obedience in high drive, thus to be able to have "complete" control in even the most intense scenarios.

As for, your puppy will defend if needed, that I can't exactly agree with. I suppose it would depend on your definition of defend - if guard then yes, but if attack and ward of in a serious situation, then most likely not (but it is possible).
(See the video below for an extreme example. I also believe a dog trainer did a segment with a news local news company furthering this point.)

31 Minutes into this video:

and another example with Richard Heinz;

Yes, apparently Bailey took her success with repelling the unwanted visitors very seriously. She's showing off now and guarding (grandstanding) even when at other people's houses. "Look at me...I'm a fearsome Cane Corso!" I hope it doesn't get her in trouble in the future. Not all unwanted visitors will back down.

I heard a story the other day at work, a customer told me the breeder that sold his brother his Cane Corso had had an unhappy event at their kennel. They also raise German Shepards. A female CC was attacked by six Shepards and when they arrived on the scene the CC had dispatched all of them.

I CALL B.S! This sounds like a campfire tale that has grown with the telling.

I can imagine a one-on-one, (Kimber & a GSD) but I think a pack would have overwhelmed her. I know it's a bit off the topic, but I thought I'd throw it in the discussion. People have funny ideas about the breed....9/10's of the time they are just big softies...occasionally they can appear, and might well be ferocious, but it will be rare.
 

Vantage

Well-Known Member
That's the attitude Maryl! ;)

...That split second head start the dog can give you, can be the difference between life and death.

Wow that would be a (terrible) sight to see.. if it was true! If it starts to get bad, yah might have to let bailey know to stand down hehe. That's when you find out what's she's really made of though, when the stranger doesn't back down - hopefully that never occurs, but it will be a Fight or Flight and the human unless armed isn't going to win.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I never expected my dogs to protect me, I expected them to give me warning so that I could then protect my self. I'm 69 yrs old, I have a gun and I know how tom use it. I have a dog as a pet and companion.

I agree with this 100%.
 

CorsoMax

Member
Thanks for the replies guys. I live in the UK so having a gun isn't an option.
I more want to make sure.he defends my property when I'm not around. I'll defend it myself if I'm there. I just want to make sure he would do it but not attack for nothing. It's a careful balance I guess
 

Ronbow

Member
Agreed that most of us don't have the sort of lifestyle (like a K-9 officer) that would justify the time or money investment to bring the dog to the level of proficiency shown in those videos. That said, many dogs won't tolerate violence or even heavy wrestling. These dogs have the size and disposition to do something about it.

My main reason for getting a CC is that my kids are often home alone when I (and my gun) are not there. Anyone who comes in the house when I'm not there should be 1) invited 2) well behaved. So, if anything, we have to err on the side of good socialization so that the dog won't have to be put up when guests come over. If, as a result, the dog is not so determined regarding property protection, I can live with that trade-off. I'll bet even the sissy dogs in that second video would have acted more if there was an alarmed pack member nearby.