According to Hartstein, children between the ages of two and 13 weeks are a sensitive learning stage. According to research, this is the age range during which a puppy learns behaviors that are more likely to remain than those learnt at any other. Therefore, it’s crucial to start your dog off on the right foot and to teach, educate, and socialize a puppy during this crucial window of opportunity. Don’t worry if this seems overwhelming. Like all puppies, a Cane Corso puppy has similar fundamental requirements. Here is a training timeline to assist you understand what to emphasize throughout your puppy’s first year of development.
to 16 Weeks:
Your puppy is prepared to leave its mother and fellow puppies at eight weeks old and move in with you. From the minute you take your puppy home from the breeder, you can begin to develop a relationship with them. Playing with your puppy, petting them, training them, and other sorts of involvement can assist to create a healthy attachment that will help your puppy trust you enough to obey your directions. A natural bond will develop as you teach them, feed them, and meet their needs. This is crucial while rearing a Corso because they are an outspoken breed that frequently believes they are right.
The socializing process should have started for your puppy’s breeder around week four. It’s crucial to socialize your Corso puppy early and frequently by exposing them to as many different people, animals, sights, noises, and experiences as you can during this crucial socialization window, which lasts until a puppy is about 16 weeks old. Eliminating a scared reaction to unfamiliar people, animals, or circumstances is the aim in order to prevent inappropriate aggression or protectiveness. The easiest method to accomplish this is by exposing them frequently and repeatedly while fostering good connections through rewards, compliments, and amusement.
While it may be tempting to let your Corso puppy sleep with you or cuddle on the couch while they’re young and adorable, it’s not the best idea due to a dominant streak that can make an excessively coddled Corso entitled and demanding, according to the CCAA, which suggests crate training to help your puppy understand their proper place in the family. Additionally, a crate will give your dog a peaceful area where they can feel secure, unwind, and assimilate all of the information they’re taking in each day. Puppies can become overstimulated and require quiet time alone to reset and recharge, much like human children do. It’s essential to begin forming positive connections with food, treats, and toys as soon as you introduce your puppy to their kennel.
When it comes to potty training your dog, a crate can be a lifesaver because it allows you to keep your pet contained even when you can’t keep an eye on them. When you first bring your puppy home, expose them to a specific spot in your yard where they can relieve themselves. After that, carry or walk them there each time you let them out of their crate. When they land in the right place, reward them with treats and praise. Using a crate will assist you in putting your dog on a manageable schedule because dogs have an innate fear of soiling the same place where they sleep.
The first few weeks are also an excellent time to desensitize your puppy to handling and touching in ways they might not appreciate, which can make subsequent trips to the doctor or the groomer much less stressful. You should focus on training your dog to allow you check their ears, teeth, and paws in addition to getting started early with activities like washing, brushing, nail clipping, and dental brushing.
Obedience training should begin right away because Cane Corsos are a breed that are clever and stubborn. The first instructions you should teach your puppy are recall (coming when called), sit and stay, stop, and leave it, all of which have the potential to save your life. Corsos, despite being intelligent, aren’t exactly known for being eager to please and can often get bored. Therefore, keep training sessions brief, engaging, and enjoyable. Use high-value goodies and lots of praise to reinforce compliance and desirable behavior.
Weeks to 6 Months:
The following phase of your puppy’s growth should concentrate on honing and reinforcing their obedience abilities as well as teaching them impulse control once you’ve created a strong foundation of socialization, obedience, and creating a strong bond with them. In order to prevent them from pulling you while out for a walk—a common behavior that could endanger you with a puppy of this size—you should also start teaching them how to behave on a leash and educating them to see you as the leader.
Even if the Corso puppy’s socialization window closes about 16 weeks old, it’s still vital to continue doing so. According to Hartstein, you should expose your dog to as many men, women, children, people, and other animals as you can to keep them socially lubricated. A well-socialized Corso should be distant and uninterested in unusual people and canines. Maintaining this mindset and preventing your Corso pup from acquiring an unhealthy wariness that could grow into hostility will be made easier with continued exposure to different people and canine companions.
Months to Adulthood:
Your Corso pup will enter an adolescent stage by the time they are six months old, even if they still have some growing to do. During this time, they may start to challenge their limits and make an effort to establish their dominance. As you continue to learn obedience and hone your pup’s response to orders throughout this stage, it will be crucial to remain tough with them and reinforce those boundaries. Continue socializing your dog as well as giving them lots of daily exercise, mental stimulation, and enrichment to help keep them calm and comfortable. These are all things you should do for the rest of your Corso’s life.
What skills should I teach my Cane Corso?
It’s crucial to start mild training with a Cane Corso puppy as soon as possible because puppies learn best between the ages of 3 and 12 weeks. Additionally, the Cane Corso puppy needs to learn fundamental instructions like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and “heel.” For the protection of both you and your dog, this is crucial.
You must start establishing desired behaviors and habits as soon as your Cane Corso puppy gets home in order to gradually teach them. Never indulge your puppy or permit undesirable tendencies like jumping on the couch or biting your shoes. If you share a home with others, decide what you want to teach your dog in advance to avoid conflicting instructions. Naturally, this would make them confused and render the training ineffective.
Always utilize constructive criticism. A simple “no” suffices when they act in a way you don’t like, whereas positive reinforcement rewards favorable behaviour. Never yell at your puppy or act violently toward him.
Allowing your puppy to socialize with other animals, humans, and even the environment itself is crucial. As a result, your dog will grow up to be a dependable, social, and fearless adult. Your puppy will be bashful and find daily tasks challenging if they spent their first four months of life only being taken outside the garden.
Prepare Cane Corso puppies for adult socialization. This will lessen their timidity and stop them from being aggressive toward people or other animals. Take some snacks with you while you walk your dog. Give your dog a treat whenever a new person meets him or her. Your Cane Corso will think of meeting a stranger as an opportunity to get treats!
Cane Corsos renege on their masters?
The Cane Corso breed has a reputation for aggression, but this is especially true if you don’t give them the attention they need to be properly trained.
Despite this, they may be excellent family dogs and are very devoted to their owners. Working with a qualified dog trainer who can assist you in teaching your dog appropriate behavior can help you get the most out of them.
It might be best not to begin with this gorgeous breed if you have no prior experience with huge dog ownership because it calls for a great deal of talent and perseverance.
However, if you’re a seasoned pet parent, particularly if you’ve worked with rescue dogs, canines with special needs, or other animals that could be challenging to teach, odds are good that you’ll raise a superb companion dog.
Having a dog is a lot of responsibility, therefore you shouldn’t choose a breed that you could find difficult to care for.
Pick a pet that fits your lifestyle and that you can have control over. You’ll get a wonderful dog that will live a very long time with you if you do it this way.
