Cane corso nervous behaviour emergency?

[PRIMEHS]

Hey everyone, I have a 13 month old cane corso named Bojack. He was bred in Canada with a pedigree dating back to X-Man and other champions scattered around Europe. Amazing lineage, and an amazing dog. He’s approx 140-150 lbs currently.

He is exercised and stimulated well. I wrestle him daily and have a well established dominant/alpha relation with him. He respects me and would never challenge me, absolutely amazing personality.

HOWEVER, he does growl at my girlfriend when she gets close to his face. We’ve been training him and aiding him with this. I recently got send to Ontario Canada for 2 months of military training , while I was gone he nipped my mom and left a bruise on her head for touching him while he was sleeping. He quickly realized it was out of line I heard.

Today he ran after my sister and nipped her arm leaving a small bruise for getting too close to me, it’s almost as if he analyzed her behaviour and determined she was a threat to me. She has been walking him and running him for the last 2 months, they’ve been best friends until I got back.

I know this is unhealthy, the fact that he acts like an obsessive boyfriend/girlfriend. However what do I do now?

Should I provide more rules and boundaries? Should I neuter him? Is it too late to Crate train him, if not would that help?

He is literally the definition of hardcore original farm dog type cane corso, tough as nails and very one person oriented. I cannot have him gunning for my family members anymore.

thank you, any insight is appreciated. Breeders and well experienced members please chime in.

 

[Boxergirl]

This has nothing to do with dominance or alpha behavior. Rules and boundaries are always important, so there's not a thing wrong with continuing that. Many dogs will startle when they're sleeping and lash out, so I'm not overly concerned about that either. The behavior you're describing sounds like resource guarding - and you're the resource. Do your mom and sister live with you? What did you do when Bojack went after your sister? Exactly how did you handle it? What kind of training do you do and are you willing to see a behaviorist or a behavior specialist to help you with this issue? I believe you need a professional to help. If you would like to share your location I would be happy to try to help you locate a certified behaviorist or someone educated in behavior modification using current techniques.

 

[PRIMEHS]

This has nothing to do with dominance or alpha behavior. Rules and boundaries are always important, so there's not a thing wrong with continuing that. Many dogs will startle when they're sleeping and lash out, so I'm not overly concerned about that either. The behavior you're describing sounds like resource guarding - and you're the resource. Do your mom and sister live with you? What did you do when Bojack went after your sister? Exactly how did you handle it? What kind of training do you do and are you willing to see a behaviorist or a behavior specialist to help you with this issue? I believe you need a professional to help. If you would like to share your location I would be happy to try to help you locate a certified behaviorist or someone educated in behavior modification using current techniques.

Hello boxer girl,

I’m in Winnipeg Manitoba. If approaching me is resource guarding, what about the events that occurred when I wasn’t around?

 

[Boxergirl]

Hello boxer girl,

I’m in Winnipeg Manitoba. If approaching me is resource guarding, what about the events that occurred when I wasn’t around?

The incident with reactivity when someone approaches you is almost surely resource guarding. Which things occurred while you were gone? I was under the impression it was just the sleeping incident. As for your girlfriend getting by his face - she shouldn't. If he's uncomfortable with that then she shouldn't be doing it. Dogs can't talk. They communicate their discomfort by growling and body language. If you take that growl away then the only way they have to show their discomfort is by biting without warning. I'd still be interested in the answers to the other questions. Would you be interested in seeing a behaviorist? They're not cheap, but they're worth every penny.

 

[PRIMEHS]

The incident with reactivity when someone approaches you is almost surely resource guarding. Which things occurred while you were gone? I was under the impression it was just the sleeping incident. As for your girlfriend getting by his face - she shouldn't. If he's uncomfortable with that then she shouldn't be doing it. Dogs can't talk. They communicate their discomfort by growling and body language. If you take that growl away then the only way they have to show their discomfort is by biting without warning. I'd still be interested in the answers to the other questions. Would you be interested in seeing a behaviorist? They're not cheap, but they're worth every penny.

Yes please, if you know of anyone please send them my way.

 

[PRIMEHS]

This has nothing to do with dominance or alpha behavior. Rules and boundaries are always important, so there's not a thing wrong with continuing that. Many dogs will startle when they're sleeping and lash out, so I'm not overly concerned about that either. The behavior you're describing sounds like resource guarding - and you're the resource. Do your mom and sister live with you? What did you do when Bojack went after your sister? Exactly how did you handle it? What kind of training do you do and are you willing to see a behaviorist or a behavior specialist to help you with this issue? I believe you need a professional to help. If you would like to share your location I would be happy to try to help you locate a certified behaviorist or someone educated in behavior modification using current techniques.

when it comes to correcting the behaviour, I’ll yell at him and let him know it’s not alright. He will realize and walk away. My second challenge is having any family/friends over. He will almost always engage them in a negative manner.

 

[Boxergirl]

I apologize for continuing to ask so many questions, but you're not elaborating on your answers. Let me try to ask more detailed questions.

What training have you given your dog?
What do you do to correct him. Please elaborate. Are you physical? Do you yell only? Do you use any tools and if so, how do you use them?
How does he behave when corrected? What is his body language like at that time?
What do you mean that your dog engages company in a negative manner? Please explain fully with examples and what you do when he behaves in this manner.
What behaviors were going on while you were gone that have you concerned? More than the issue while he was sleeping?
Please be overly detailed. Write a book. Every little thing you can think of, including your responses and those of the other people that care for him.

Yelling at him isn't really teaching him anything. I know it probably looks like he knows what he did was wrong, but he really doesn't. He just knows that you're angry at him. Almost all reactive behaviors are based on fear. Fear of some sort. Even resource guarding is fear based. Fear that the thing they value will be taken from them. Dogs don't think like people. Punishing or yelling can cause the dog to associate unpleasant things with whatever is already a trigger making reactivity and aggression worse. It can also make them fearful of you, which leads to other problems. There are things you can do to help, but it will require work and management on your part.

I don't know where to look for a veterinary behaviorist in Canada, but I asked my daughter to ask around her behavior circle. I'm not sure what, if anything, she'll come up with. She's a professional in the field in the US, but I don't think she knows anyone in your area. I'll do some searching as well.

 

[Boxergirl]

Here's what I found in Canada. Don't be discouraged by the limited number available. There aren't that many in the US either. I'm familiar with Karen Overall, but I'm sure the rest are just as qualified. I did see that several offer virtual appointments since none seem to be in your immediate area. As I said before, behaviorists aren't inexpensive but no specialist is. It's kind of like seeing an oncologist or cardiologist instead of your regular family physician if you have special needs.

 

[Boxergirl]

I can't seem to get the link to go directly to the listings in Canada. Here's the link to search yourself. There's an option that says this: "If you want to find a Diplomate located in Canada, please click here." Choose that and then just click continue without inputting a name or location. It should take you to a short list of behaviorists.

https://www.dacvb.org/search/custom.asp?id=4709

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Boxer girl has given you great information, I hope that you follow up on the behaviorist. I know that our pet insurance company (Canada) pays for behaviorist on some of the policies, so, if you are insured, they would likely be able to refer you to one in good standing. Additionally, contacting your breeder or Vets in your area might give you a few possibilities.

I must say, I went down this road with one of my dogs, back when I was very young and inexperienced. Unfortunately, it didn't end well. But the behaviour was identical. When I was away, my dog was all over the family being loving. Then he'd do a personality flip. He was growling and showing his teeth to the very people who had just been petting him and feeding him and walking him moments before my arrival. The problem grew out of control when he started bullying our older dog, and the family was always having to intervene. He couldn't tolerate our old beagle getting any love from me. Bad things were going to happen. He was large enough to really do some damage. Eventually, the decision was made, one of the hardest days in my life.

I'm wishing you well...hoping for a better outcome than I had. And YES, if you aren't planning to breed him, neuter him. It might help. It's definitely worth a try, though if you can hold out until he's 18-24 months it will help with hip and elbow issues in the future. Big dogs joints need to mature (I personally believe - not backed up by any science - that their brains need to mature as well.)

Oh, and just from my Cane Corso experience...they don't like people getting close to their faces. Mine hates anyone trying to pet her head. She keeps that for her well known/liked people. I have one neighbour who just won't get it through her thick head, she keeps trying and Bailey does growl at her. We run into her almost every day on walks. She's been warned...BY BOTH OF US. Common sense goes a long way with all dogs, but with Mastiffs, it's absolutely necessary to err on the side of safety.

 

[Boxergirl]

Just checking in to see how things are going.

 

[bret/Bruce Wayne's Dad]

Hey everyone, I have a 13 month old cane corso named Bojack. He was bred in Canada with a pedigree dating back to X-Man and other champions scattered around Europe. Amazing lineage, and an amazing dog. He’s approx 140-150 lbs currently.

He is exercised and stimulated well. I wrestle him daily and have a well established dominant/alpha relation with him. He respects me and would never challenge me, absolutely amazing personality.

HOWEVER, he does growl at my girlfriend when she gets close to his face. We’ve been training him and aiding him with this. I recently got send to Ontario Canada for 2 months of military training , while I was gone he nipped my mom and left a bruise on her head for touching him while he was sleeping. He quickly realized it was out of line I heard.

Today he ran after my sister and nipped her arm leaving a small bruise for getting too close to me, it’s almost as if he analyzed her behaviour and determined she was a threat to me. She has been walking him and running him for the last 2 months, they’ve been best friends until I got back.

I know this is unhealthy, the fact that he acts like an obsessive boyfriend/girlfriend. However what do I do now?

Should I provide more rules and boundaries? Should I neuter him? Is it too late to Crate train him, if not would that help?

He is literally the definition of hardcore original farm dog type cane corso, tough as nails and very one person oriented. I cannot have him gunning for my family members anymore.

thank you, any insight is appreciated. Breeders and well experienced members please chime in.

I would not worry too much about the thing with growling when someone gets too close to his face. You have to remember, he is a corso, a guardian breed, and when someone gets close to his face, stares them directly in the eyes, he could be taking that as a show of dominance or a possible threat. It is not too late to start crate training. Start introducing him to his crate slowly. He will become to love it, it will be his little safe private place. I used to have a boxer that was 11 months old when I got him, he was never in a crate till I had him. His crate soon became his own personal space and safe place when he was stressed or just wanted some alone time.

 

[PrimeHNS2]

Hey everyone,

I lost access to my previous account.

Bojack is now 19 months old, he has progressed to nipping and snapping at my fiancé. He has left a bruise on my grandmother for hugging my sister, bruise on my sister for approaching me when he was 13 months old as seen in previous post, at 13 months old he also nipped my moms forehead leaving a small gash, snapped at my fiancé twice the other day ( details below)

she was helping me put up shelves and he went at her, he than started positioning himself between us

later she was giving him affection and he ultimately started giving her whale eyes, I pulled my hand away and before anyone could react he went for her.

A month prior she was petting him and he went for her face 3 times until he left a scar.

He is now gaining structure , crate training ( he sleeps in it ), fiancé gives him a treat every time she walks by or pets him for 5 seconds. Tried to touch his collar and it worked, tried to put a leash on him and he snapped.

I correct him with a very stern no, his body language is that of a submissive dog after that. He gives me whale eyes and removes himself from the situation but stays calm. I can say “ No “ loudly and he will back down.

He has obedience training , he’s now getting crate training and some structure.

 

[PrimeHNS2]

Just checking in to see how things are going.

Please see above reply! Thank you!

 

[Boxergirl]

I still have unanswered questions from the last time you posted. It would be helpful if you could answer the questions asked above about what kind of training (be very specific), his responses (be very specific), etc. More questions... You say he's obedience trained. Did you work with a professional and what were the methods used? Does the trainer have a website? Have you pursued contacting a behaviorist as suggested previously? If so, who are you working with and what have they advised?

 

[PrimeHNS2]

I still have unanswered questions from the last time you posted. It would be helpful if you could answer the questions asked above about what kind of training (be very specific), his responses (be very specific), etc. More questions... You say he's obedience trained. Did you work with a professional and what were the methods used? Does the trainer have a website? Have you pursued contacting a behaviorist as suggested previously? If so, who are you working with and what have they advised?

I have worked on basic obedience, crate training and muzzle training now. He’s been trained previously on basic commands and wasn’t allowed on the couch/bed after a while, he was trained to walk a little more appropriately and on a few non verbal commands.

I did get a behaviourist which is suggesting a board and train.

My previous trainers were negative punishment trainers , one kicked him out of board and train for growling at someone that tried to place him at 8-10 months old and my second trainer relied on the e collar quite a bit and recommended pts.

 

[Boxergirl]

Can you share the name of your behaviorist? Did they do an evaluation in person? Board and train isn't usually something a behaviorist suggests, in my opinion. Can you also share the board and train that is being recommended?

I'm sorry, but I strongly feel that you're dealing with the fallout of using punishment based training. Everything you're saying about your dog's body language suggests fear. It's my very strong opinion that these methods, especially an e-collar, should not be used on a dog with the issues yours has.

 

[PrimeHNS2]

Leesa from Pliant pro pack training is his new positive behaviourist.

previous trainer include PROk9 Winnipeg and Prairieburn k9 dog training Winnipeg.

Some backstory :

2-6 months dog parks daily, lots of exercise. I never left his side as I was always home. I’m assuming this may have caused a confidence issue. He was beside me literally 24/7.

6-10 months and even as a pup we would teach basic commands, sit , stay , paw etc. no rules, free fed. Trained to walk on leash better with less pulling until you choke on a slip lead.

10-12 months , no more couches , beds, sleeping with us when you feel like it type of thing.

12 months nipping started ( chasing my girlfriend in the living room to nip when she tried sitting on the couch coming in from kitchen ) dog was 2 feet away

13 months - 16 months I was away. No structure , free fed, allowed to sleep with my mom. Co worker would walk him daily , she has a Corso so she wasn’t scared. Fiancé tried putting collar on him the third day and she was too scared to do so and he got away. Tried to go for the co-worker but she grabbed him , threw him into an suv and than into the house to protect herself. Every day following he was a little unsure, but they got used to each other and became best friends and in each others personal space.

16-19 months continued basic structure, no couches, corrections on nipping.

19 months ( now ) , crate training, muzzle training in progress, place training in progress , fiancé hand feeding, behaviourist board and train coming up, separation anxiety being worked on, stopping him from barking at door bell and showing negative behaviour. No more constant affection unless he’s training and doing it right.

 

[Boxergirl]

Okay. So the trainer you're working with now looks good. She doesn't appear to be a behaviorist though. She's done plenty of work in behavior, but she's not certified. I know that the difference between a certified behaviorist and a trainer that does behavior look very much the same. Here's a copy and paste of a description of a certified behaviorist: "Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have a Master's Degree in a biological or behavioral science and at least two years of professional experience in the field. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have a doctorate in biological or behavioral science with five years of professional experience in the field."

Now, that doesn't mean she's not good. She looks very good. She's someone I would definitely check out and I'm awfully picky. Just as an example though, my daughter is a certified trainer/vet tech pursuing her behavior specialty/is elite fear free certified/has tons of continuing education in aggression and behavior/and works primarily with reactive animals and does training with aggression, etc. She can suggest medications, but a certified behaviorist or veterinarian must prescribe them. Honestly, a certified behaviorist is best for prescribing because regular veterinarians just aren't schooled for this kind of thing. I still suggest contacting an actual behaviorist in addition to working with your trainer. I believe I posted a link before? Has anyone suggested medication? I have a boy living with me that is on a cocktail that has made a huge difference for him, along with b-mod and management. One of the meds he's on isn't something most vets even know is used for dog behavior. I do think an evaluation from a certified behaviorist and possible medication may be indicated in your situation. Just to cover all the bases. I would also have a full thyroid panel done. Just to rule out any imbalances there.

I assume that the trainer you're working with now is the one that wants to do board and train? In my area there are no force free board and training facilities which is why I was concerned. I'd want to make 100% sure what techniques will be utilized and how they will work with you and your family during and after the board and train. Honestly, this trainer seems to be doing things right. I'd give this some time and make sure to follow her instructions to the letter as long as they aren't punishment based.

A few random thoughts. I would suggest stopping using the word no (probably has negative associations for your dog) and find another way to interrupt inappropriate behavior. You're working on place. Use that. Redirect to his place or ask for an incompatible behavior he already knows, like a down, and reward immediately when he complies. Ask him for this alternate behavior in a calm voice. No raised voice or anything that will cause fear. His responses to you do seem to indicate fear, to me, from your descriptions. Try to change that and make it positive. Treats in pockets at all times for rewarding the good behaviors. You also mention separation anxiety. That's another thing that may be helped by medication. I used to be very against medicating and I did one of my dogs a great disservice by not getting him the help he needed. Please consider that medication may be helpful for him. I'm sure I have better links, but I'd have to look later. Here's just one quick link talking about the benefits of medication when dealing with behavioral issues. Perhaps you'll find it interesting.

https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/the-use-of-medications-in-canine-behavior-therapy/

 

[Boxergirl]

One last thought. Please do not punish growling. A growl is a warning and the only way a dog has to communicate that he's uncomfortable with whatever is happening. If the growl is taken away then the warning is gone. Dogs that are punished for growling usually end up going directly to a bite.