Re: When will cc pup stop being an asshole?
Really? An A**hole? Is it possible that your attitude may have something to do with his persistence? If you think of Moose that way, Moose will turn out that way. It is up to you. Frustration only breeds more frustration and what have you achieved that is useful or productive?
These dogs make wonderful attitude adjusters. You can get frustrated with them but then they do something really silly and you see the kid in the dog suit. There is a phenomenon called the "early evening crazies: (or something that starts with an "F") where they go ballistically happy and playful, for about 15 minutes and then slow down pretty remarkably. In a very short period of time, he will slow down and mellow out so there is no use trying to defeat nature! Moose is being a puppy!
It may not be convenient to work with him when he is nutso, but when he has the energy, teach him something new and channel that energy into something productive. When Sophie was young I sat on the floor with her; heck for the first week she was here I slept on the floor with her to aid in bonding (no I am not crazy, my mother had me tested!) and discovered that really all she was looking for was contact comfort body style. We would play and she would end up on my lap and calm. When she wanted to be mouthy, we worked on "gentle" in taking a cookie from my fingers. She loved it, loved learning it and worked her brain nicely. When those big feet ka-whumped into my lap, we worked on "greet" where she raises a paw gently for a cookie. Loved it, loved learning it and worked her brain. Similarly I added crawl, roll over, place, NEVER teach speak (she is very vocal as it is), sit up, lay down, just about anything useful I could think of. It takes some time to learn each thing, so be thinking of what you want to teach next! And then there are those times when their brain is no where to be found and you have a snap snapping corso-gator racing through your house. Just stand back and keep your arms and hands inside the ride until it has come to a complete stop!
Others will suggest using a flirt stick. Look it up; stick with a rope and something fluttery or interesting on the end which you swish back and forth in front of the dog. No jumping, just chasing. 10 minutes of that and Moose should need a nap. You can do this sitting in front of the TV if you like.
It sounds like Moose would like more time and attention from you. If I may ask, why did you purchase a corso puppy? Did you do any research on the breed before purchase? Is someone home with him during the day or are you and your wife working all day and leaving the pup in the crate? Not a judgment, just a question.
I have owned may different animals throughout my career and life, and the unavoidable constant is patience and a sense of humor. As someone once said in this forum, you yell at a mastiff (corso) they shut down and that's never good. Striking a corso also not good. Caging a corso in punishment also to be used sparingly. How would you discipline your young son? How long is a time out?
This breed requires a lot of time and effort, continually, throughout their lives. They need you to offer them direction and to trust you, just as you will learn to rely on him. If there is currently no Alpha in your home, get one. They need it. Children learn better with guidelines from an adult, so do corso.
If your son came up on the sofa, crumbling Goldfish with cheese as he moves along, and poked your eyes and tweaked your nose, drooled on you, stamped on your "naughty bits" or caused you to miss something on the TV, would you call your son an asshole?
