No hygienic habits at 1 year. An issue?

[guarana]

Hello,
I soon have the opportunity to take Cane Corso that is 1 year old. The owner recently gave birth to a child and can not care for both the baby and the dog. The dog is 1 year old but no hygienic habits are built. Is this something that can be corrected or it will mostly cause me problems .
Thanks

 

[Boxergirl]

By hygenic habits, do you mean the dog isn't house trained? If that's the case, then yes it can be corrected but depending on why the dog isn't house trained it may make the task more difficult. I fostered many dogs that were turned over to rescue as adults because they soiled in the house. All of them left fully house trained, so it is doable.

I also must ask, if this very basic training hasn't been done, what other things likely haven't been trained? Do you know this dog well? Was it an outside dog and that's why it's not house trained? Any other information will be helpful, including your own living situation - members of the household, where you plan to keep the dog, what are your expectations, and how much time and effort you would be willing to put into this dog.

 

[guarana]

Hello, I have seen the dog on picture because I live in Norway and the dog is in Bulgaria. It belongs to a friend of a friend and it was living in appartement. But I guess the basic training was not done. I live in a large 3 story house about 200 sqm in Norway. I live with my girlfriend , no kids yet and ocasionaly some guests.

 

[7121548]

I adopted my dog when he was 3 and he wasn't potty trained (he was an outside dog). Potty training at 1 shouldn't be a problem. Just expect a lot of urine when he has accidents and be patient throughout the process!

 

[Nik]

Yes it can be done. Lots of patience and since this is not a little puppy anymore and thus larger and able to contain more urine I would strongly suggest baby gates so you can hang out with them in a room where an accident won't be a huge issue (ie kitchen). Keep the dog on leash by your side and on watch while training when they aren't in the crate. Watch for the signs they have to go and rush them out when it is time. Do a happy dance reward time every time the dog successfully goes outside. Its totally possible and taking precautions will make it a whole lot easier on yourself during the process.

 

[Boxergirl]

I agree that it can definitely be done. I guess my concern is the great distance between you and the dog and the fact that you've never even met it. My calculations say that it's about 1400 miles from Norway to Bulgaria, is that correct? It's not a crazy distance, but it also isn't just across the street. If you choose to take this dog, will you be meeting it first? A one year old dog of this size, with presumably no training, is a lot to take on. What kind of prior experience do you have with dogs? What breeds? What do you know about the Corso breed? Do you have any experience training? What techniques do you use? Is there a trainer in your area and what technique do they use? I know this is a lot of questions, but I think they're all applicable.

I would be very cautious taking on a dog of this age (adolescent) sight unseen. Particularly one that you have no idea what kind of training, if any, has been done. I might be inclined to look a bit closer to home.

 

[guarana]

Thank you guys for all your advices. Yes it is a serious distance between Norway an Bulgaria. it is about 3000 miles, and yes I stil have to meet the dog for the first time. I used to have a Husky, outside living dog with a strong character and bad behaviour. But still was able to make it listen to me. Yes my husky took some lessons with seriously bad tonne form me when it wasn't behaving very well but I think I should be able to manage it with the Cane Corso. I also have a strong and principle alfa male character and do not allow any fooling around behaviour around me. I have no serious experience with training as a dog trainer but i believe that I have a pretty good understanding about psychology and behaviour symptoms. Therefore I think it will be no problem to giv the dog the time an training it desires and needs, Still I have never owned a Cane Corso. I also have a female friend who is working as a PT in a gym. Quiet strong lady both as a physics an as a character and she have a Cane Corso (about 6 years old). I think she can Help me a bit with the training as well.
I will try to attach a picture of the dog as well.

 

[guarana]

This is a picture of the dog form this summer