Needing advice on my Cane Corso

[Hector]

I also messaged Roman Gottfried who is a trainer with 20 yrs experience with dogs like yours and with 10 yrs with mastiff breeds (over 400 dogs)

 

[Hector]

Eww my message didn't go through.

Roman uses a more uh let's say no e-collar/prong tools in his training. He said to contact him and talk with him. The first trainer has a youtube channel so you can see some of his work. It's called Majors Academy Dog Training and Rehab. Both these guys can be contacted through facebook. Online scheduler for romans k9 training in Austin, Texas

 

[DragosMom]

Hector thank you so much for going the extra mile by contacting these 2 trainers. I am definitely going to be in contact immediately. I know we are facing a challenge with Drago but we are more than willing and able to take the necessary steps to change Dragos behavior as well as OUR OWN BEHAVIOR! I think it was summed up in an earlier post of our behavior contributing if not causing alot of the issues with Drago. As stated in the post how to ruin your dog, we did things or do things out of love NOT TO HURT OR HARM HIM! We love our dog very much. Altho, I must say Dragos attitude started from day 1. Idk, I'm reaching out for advice to you all for guidance and advice and hopefully not judgement. Our main and only goal is to learn from our mistakes and to help our pup live a happy healthy life.

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[Hiraeth]

Hector thank you so much for going the extra mile by contacting these 2 trainers. I am definitely going to be in contact immediately. I know we are facing a challenge with Drago but we are more than willing and able to take the necessary steps to change Dragos behavior as well as OUR OWN BEHAVIOR! I think it was summed up in an earlier post of our behavior contributing if not causing alot of the issues with Drago. As stated in the post how to ruin your dog, we did things or do things out of love NOT TO HURT OR HARM HIM! We love our dog very much. Altho, I must say Dragos attitude started from day 1. Idk, I'm reaching out for advice to you all for guidance and advice and hopefully not judgement. Our main and only goal is to learn from our mistakes and to help our pup live a happy healthy life.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk

Sorry if my post came off as judgmental, it was not meant to. I typed it hastily because I had a giant zooming puppy to deal with.

I think it takes a lot of humility and honesty to come to a forum like this, admit you're having a problem with your dog, and then ask for help. Many people are never able to take that step forward, which is why so many dogs end up getting euthanized in shelters. The biggest obstacle in Drago's training has already been overcome - you asked for help, you're willing to work on the issue and you're going to get a trainer involved to help you. From here on out, it's just hard work and solid leadership and repetition. In my opinion, the first step is the biggest one, and you've conquered it.

 

[DragosMom]

@Hiraeth, I completely understand. I just didn't want anyone to think we are neglectful or irresponsible dog owners. Drago is more than just a part of the family. He has helped my husband through some very rough times and has completely filled our hearts with love and joy. The reason I reached out for help to you lovely people is because we want to do the same for Drago. We want him to have as much joy and happiness as he brings into our lives. I know we have much to learn on this journey, but to my husband I Drago is more than worth it. Thank you again for the apology. We appreciate all comnents, suggestions but mostly the support.

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[Big Mutt Luva]

Not knowing what to do with an aggressive dog is not a "flaw". I don't think dog handling is always "intuitive". The hard part with a larger breed is that we can't take the "easy way" out because the consequences are more severe than with an unruly Maltese that people think is "cute" when he is aggressive and "doesn't know he's small" haha. I am not a dog trainer, but have had large and "confident" breeds for decades... Historically I have trained my own dogs (just from reading books) and consulted others for specific problems. But I have found the cane corso to be a whole different "animal". When he was 6 months I realized that he needed a real "professional" because with his might, his behavior needs to be impeccable. Now that he is 3 we are working through some new aggression issues that he is displaying within our "pack". I know how stressful it is to love your dog and want so very badly to make it "work". I am also learning through all of these posts and just wanted to say I'm with ya sista!

 

[DragosMom]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. You are such a doll.

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[karennj]

It's ok to spoil and love your dog. Loving your dog like your child is not going to make them aggressive. Allowing them to snuggle with you on the bed is not going to make them aggressive. Allowing them full access to the house is not going to make them aggressive. You should be able to have control in your house but still spoil your dog. It sounds like your dog is trying to protect you and not the other way around. You mentioned when he is in the back without you he is a different dog. As a tech I have seen this before. We have a few clients where the owner waits in the waiting room while we do everything without them in the exam room. The dog woods try to attack us if the owner was around but once the owner is out of the picture and there is nothing to guard the dog is much better. I have noticed though that these dogs are still pretty insecure even with the owner gone. My guess is your boy is the same. I use what some people on here would consider positive training techniques. For this type of dog however I would be calm but firm. I would work really hard on obedience and have more of a take control attitude. I would not go overboard with it however as I do believe your dealing with a insecure dog. I would work on both getting his confidence up and reinforcing that you have control of the situation. I think if you do some counter conditioning and reinforce your position he will feel better about other people and dogs around. I would love to see video of him in action!

 

[DragosMom]

We have taken some video. I do not know how to upload it to the forum? Any advice?

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[Oscar'sMom]

We have taken some video. I do not know how to upload it to the forum? Any advice?Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk

You can copy the link if uploaded elsewhere...I uploaded earlier from YouTube but it should upload from photobucket too I assume?

 

[sjdavenport]

I always upload to youtube, then copy and paste the link.

 

[DennasMom]

I'm glad that some of the 'how to ruin a dog' bullets are hitting home - at least you know some things you can change to help the situation. That's sometimes a hard thing to find!

I think it's going to be important to find the source of Drago's outbursts... is he over-protective of his humans, is the PTSD feeding it (the opposite of what you had hoped for, I'm sure), is he insecure, fearful, dominant, etc.... a behaviorist versus a trainer or vet is the person to help answer that base question. A truly aggressive 16 week old puppy is very rare. A dominant, pushy, rude, ADD puppy is easy to create, though. Especially if they're genetically predisposed to test the limits.
Once you know the source of the outbursts, you can work on eliminating the triggers and managing the responses.... and hopefully turn him around into a calm, confident dog, just the way he was meant to be.

One "cure" for many of the 'how to ruin your dog' bullets is "NILF" Nothing-In-Life-for-Free... i.e. the dog must EARN everything. The biggest thing is dinner time... he must sit and wait calmly for dinner to be placed in front of him, and then he must wait until he is 'released' from that sit to actually go eat. Do you have a meal time ritual?

You can still spoil your dog... but on YOUR terms... you want him to cuddle on the couch? Call him to you, have him sit first... then YOU invite him up to the couch. If he comes and sits on you before you ask him to... he gets shoved off and sent to his own bed for a few minutes... once he's resigned to staying in place, you can then call him over and get the cuddles you were after - and he must be polite about it.

We consider this doggie-zen around here.... "you must first give up the treat, to get the treat". I may want to let Denna lick my dinner plate clean, but she has to ignore it first... no begging... once she's resigned and accepted that she WON'T get to lick the plate, I'll give it to her, but not before. No begging!

Loads of great advice given above, too.... keep us posted!! And keep the pictures coming. He is a handsome pup!

 

[season]

I'm glad that some of the 'how to ruin a dog' bullets are hitting home - at least you know some things you can change to help the situation. That's sometimes a hard thing to find!I think it's going to be important to find the source of Drago's outbursts... is he over-protective of his humans, is the PTSD feeding it (the opposite of what you had hoped for, I'm sure), is he insecure, fearful, dominant, etc.... a behaviorist versus a trainer or vet is the person to help answer that base question. A truly aggressive 16 week old puppy is very rare. A dominant, pushy, rude, ADD puppy is easy to create, though. Especially if they're genetically predisposed to test the limits. Once you know the source of the outbursts, you can work on eliminating the triggers and managing the responses.... and hopefully turn him around into a calm, confident dog, just the way he was meant to be.One "cure" for many of the 'how to ruin your dog' bullets is "NILF" Nothing-In-Life-for-Free... i.e. the dog must EARN everything. The biggest thing is dinner time... he must sit and wait calmly for dinner to be placed in front of him, and then he must wait until he is 'released' from that sit to actually go eat. Do you have a meal time ritual? You can still spoil your dog... but on YOUR terms... you want him to cuddle on the couch? Call him to you, have him sit first... then YOU invite him up to the couch. If he comes and sits on you before you ask him to... he gets shoved off and sent to his own bed for a few minutes... once he's resigned to staying in place, you can then call him over and get the cuddles you were after - and he must be polite about it.We consider this doggie-zen around here.... "you must first give up the treat, to get the treat". I may want to let Denna lick my dinner plate clean, but she has to ignore it first... no begging... once she's resigned and accepted that she WON'T get to lick the plate, I'll give it to her, but not before. No begging!Loads of great advice given above, too.... keep us posted!! And keep the pictures coming. He is a handsome pup!

Well said. I'm a firm believer in the fact that it's our job to protect our dogs and not our dog's job to protect us. When they are constantly feeling the need to "protect" thats a stressful job that they don't want. That's when you start seeing the anxious, fearful outburst. Dog's want to be led. They want to know what's expected. No different that kids. Show me a kid that acts a fool and I'll show you a kid that has no rules, structure and discipline at home. Dogs, kids, adults will do what works for them. If acting foolish works they will do it. If acting foolish comes with consequences that are believable (Hey, there's a cop right behind me, maybe I'll slow down) then you start to see changes in behavior and choices. Affection is a beautiful thing....I give it to Solo all the time...but it is earned and it is balanced with rules, boundaries and limitations.

 

[DragosMom]

All of your comments and advice have been incredible and very useful. We have an appointment this Thursday with an animal behaviorist who is going to observe Drago in and out of our presence. We are anxious to hear his thoughts on Dragos behavior and temperament. I'm glad to say the behaviorist feels that we are not to late to change things for the better. At 6 months old this behavior is odd and not usual. We are ready to LISTEN and LEARN and then ACT ACCORDINGLY! Fingers crossed. Thank you all for your kind comments and all the excellent advice.

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