Should I be worried?

[Cody]

I did as well, but then there was the comment about the breeder coming to see him and the nip and the choke chain not holding him back. My dogs are savage at the window beside my door, but I say enough, it is enough. Not saying how they would react if there was someone coming in and applying pressure... I don't know because honestly I have never been in that situation, and hope I never am lol. I do not think that any one would risk taking on the display, and if they did it would be personal and they would be armed... Luckily I haven't pissed anyone off that much... yet... Regardless if the OP is with the dog when it is displaying this behavior then he needs to stop it. He needs to have his dog under control and keep others safe.

 

[fdchampion]

You did not misread, we were outside and he was on a leash. I made several attempts to calm him down and let him know my visitor was a friend and not a stranger. I spoke in a calm voice, told him "no Titan", tried to make him sit, and petted him. I wasn't sure what else to do after that. After I put him in the pen with his mother he was great and acting like he knew the man all his life and even played ball with him. When they are inside with me, there is initial growing and barking when someone knocks on the door, but once I see who it is I tell them to quiet down, they smell the visitor and normally want to play. I have never encouraged him on any level to growl, bark or lung at anyone. His mother growls and barks at people too, but has never even attempted lunged at anyone. She will however jump on the fence if someone gets to close to it. Can someone please give me some advice on how to handle him when he starts trying to lung at people? Right now all I do is tell him NO in a stern voice and pull on his leash and turn away from who or what ever is causing him to react that way. There was only the one incident with my friend being nipped, but ever since then I haven't taken him out with me very much and I always make sure he is in his pen when company comes over because I would never want him to do that again. I had him obedience trained and he does very well at home and when we go out...it's just when strange people come to my house or jog by that he refuses to listen to anything I say. I only out weigh him by about 12pds and he's not through growing so I really need to get a handle on this soon. Any advice would be much appreciated...also want to thank everyone that has responded so far!!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I did misread, quite severely. I thought you were inside and he was barking out people who were outside. If he's on leash lunging at people you invited then that sort of behavior is not tolerated,at all.

You need to let him know what is and is not acceptable. This is nothing people on the interwbs can show, you need to find a trainer who can work with both him and you. The dog is giving you signals before he lunges, but its hard to explain without someone physically with you.

 

[fdchampion]

I agree 100%, I don't want to have to worry every time someone jogs by or drives up that he's going to try to lunge at them or drag me down trying to get to them. I'm pretty sure some of his behavior problems are my fault, (although not intentional) by not knowing how to correct him properly. I've also heard that an owners body language has a lot to do with how their dog responds to situations. I get really nervous when he starts acting up, which in turn probably makes it all the worse. Hopefully I can find a trainer that can help both of us!! Thank you very much for your advice, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[whit72]

A dog can learn new tricks. Maybe you could sit outside with him, so he can understand everyone is not the enemy, remember that he is going to get his cues from you if your nervous he will be too.

They can feel the tension, a good trainer will be able to correct this and socialization will help too. It's not a lost cause many dogs go through this, with some attention and diligence everything well work out.

 

[fdchampion]

I will definitely get a trainer and hopefully have great results to post soon!!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Good to hear! Keep us posted.

 

[Bean]

Breed standard calls for a quiet guardian under certain threat. Technically, you shouldn't even realize your corso is protecting you in the first instance because it's usually just him/her standing between you and said danger with no growling, lunging or other aggressive or unwanted behaviour. These dogs are very smart, and if you don't show natural leadership they will run the house and negative unwanted behaviour will result. If your dog is thinking for itself, at any uncertain human or canine presence inside or outside the home, then he or she may make their own decision of how to deal with that insecurity and potentially nip, or bite without your consent. You need to make sure that you have a confident dog, that trusts your leadership, that isn't thinking for itself, unless of course you're training it for protection. Trust me, I know what an anxious italian mastiff has the potential to do. Their protective instinct is innate. You don't want these behaviours (even if it's in your home with a window or fence separating) to become a constant. The more you can ensure your dog is a quiet and confident observer, the more balanced and socially "polite" they will become. I agree, no castle or fortress guarding happening here! Just downtown city condo living and therapy training.

 

[Bean]

Breed standard calls for a quiet guardian under certain threat. Technically, you shouldn't even realize your corso is protecting you in the first instance because it's usually just him/her standing between you and said danger with no growling, lunging or other aggressive or unwanted behaviour. These dogs are very smart, and if you don't show natural leadership they will run the house and negative unwanted behaviour will result. If your dog is thinking for itself, at any uncertain human or canine presence inside or outside the home, then he or she may make their own decision of how to deal with that insecurity and potentially nip, or bite without your consent. You need to make sure that you have a confident dog, that trusts your leadership, that isn't thinking for itself, unless of course you're training it for protection. Trust me, I know what an anxious italian mastiff has the potential to do. Their protective instinct is innate. You don't want these behaviours (even if it's in your home with a window or fence separating) to become a constant. The more you can ensure your dog is a quiet and confident observer, the more balanced and socially "polite" they will become. I agree, no castle or fortress guarding happening here! Just downtown city condo living and therapy training.

 

[Bean]

Breed standard calls for a quiet guardian under certain threat. Technically, you shouldn't even realize your corso is protecting you in the first instance because it's usually just him/her standing between you and said danger with no growling, lunging or other aggressive or unwanted behaviour. These dogs are very smart, and if you don't show natural leadership they will run the house and negative unwanted behaviour will result. If your dog is thinking for itself, at any uncertain human or canine presence inside or outside the home, then he or she may make their own decision of how to deal with that insecurity and potentially nip, or bite without your consent. You need to make sure that you have a confident dog, that trusts your leadership, that isn't thinking for itself, unless of course you're training it for protection. Trust me, I know what an anxious italian mastiff has the potential to do. Their protective instinct is innate. You don't want these behaviours (even if it's in your home with a window or fence separating) to become a constant. The more you can ensure your dog is a quiet and confident observer, the more balanced and socially "polite" they will become. I agree, no castle or fortress guarding happening here! Just downtown city condo living and therapy training.

 

[Bean]

Breed standard calls for a quiet guardian under certain threat. Technically, you shouldn't even realize your corso is protecting you in the first instance because it's usually just him/her standing between you and said danger with no growling, lunging or other aggressive or unwanted behaviour. These dogs are very smart, and if you don't show natural leadership they will run the house and negative unwanted behaviour will result. If your dog is thinking for itself, at any uncertain human or canine presence inside or outside the home, then he or she may make their own decision of how to deal with that insecurity and potentially nip, or bite without your consent. You need to make sure that you have a confident dog, that trusts your leadership, that isn't thinking for itself, unless of course you're training it for protection. Trust me, I know what an anxious italian mastiff has the potential to do. Their protective instinct is innate. You don't want these behaviours (even if it's in your home with a window or fence separating) to become a constant. The more you can ensure your dog is a quiet and confident observer, the more balanced and socially "polite" they will become. I agree, no castle or fortress guarding happening here! Just downtown city condo living and therapy training.

 

[Bean]

Oops. Not sure why that posted so many times sorry!

 

[fdchampion]

Breed standard calls for a quiet guardian under certain threat. Technically, you shouldn't even realize your corso is protecting you in the first instance because it's usually just him/her standing between you and said danger with no growling, lunging or other aggressive or unwanted behaviour. These dogs are very smart, and if you don't show natural leadership they will run the house and negative unwanted behaviour will result. If your dog is thinking for itself, at any uncertain human or canine presence inside or outside the home, then he or she may make their own decision of how to deal with that insecurity and potentially nip, or bite without your consent. You need to make sure that you have a confident dog, that trusts your leadership, that isn't thinking for itself, unless of course you're training it for protection. Trust me, I know what an anxious italian mastiff has the potential to do. Their protective instinct is innate. You don't want these behaviours (even if it's in your home with a window or fence separating) to become a constant. The more you can ensure your dog is a quiet and confident observer, the more balanced and socially "polite" they will become. I agree, no castle or fortress guarding happening here! Just downtown city condo living and therapy training.

I agree and I am in the process of finding a trainer so this behavior does not continue!! I get nervous because i don't know how he is going to react sometimes...so I need training too!!

 

[Bean]

It takes time to deal with your own insecurities. Corso's are very intuitive. If you have even the slightest hesitation they know. Calm and confident does the trick. You'll get there Time and repetition with the trainer or behaviour specialist should help.