Hello!
My husband and I love our 110 lb Cane Corso, Brewzer, but he is out of control! He has had territorial aggression with our neighbors since we've had him. Unfortunately, he entered a "fear stage" early, and we tried to calm him when he would give a little puppy growl i.e. "it's okay, Brewzer!". Rather than teaching him it was okay to trust people, we taught him it was okay to growl at them! We've had him in training since he was 6 months old, which has helped a little, but for the most part he's simply made friends with his trainer and improvement outside of training have plateaued. He has also been picking on puppies between six or seven months to one year old at the park. I think he's picking on them because he senses their naivety and age as weakness. He hadn't bitten, but the last two times we've been at the dog park he's actually bitten dogs. He hasn't drawn blood, but I'm worried he will! My main two concerns:
1. Aggression towards strangers (lunging, jumping, and growling ferociously).
2. Biting at the dog park.
My husband and I are VERY strict with him, and are consistent with ensuring we are alpha. He is very good for us, easily submits and allows us to dominate him. However, in these situations we don't have a chance to dominate until he's already shown aggression because things move so quickly. Any suggestions? We are considering a shock collar, and would like to hear thoughts.
Thanks in advance!
My husband and I love our 110 lb Cane Corso, Brewzer, but he is out of control! He has had territorial aggression with our neighbors since we've had him. Unfortunately, he entered a "fear stage" early, and we tried to calm him when he would give a little puppy growl i.e. "it's okay, Brewzer!". Rather than teaching him it was okay to trust people, we taught him it was okay to growl at them! We've had him in training since he was 6 months old, which has helped a little, but for the most part he's simply made friends with his trainer and improvement outside of training have plateaued. He has also been picking on puppies between six or seven months to one year old at the park. I think he's picking on them because he senses their naivety and age as weakness. He hadn't bitten, but the last two times we've been at the dog park he's actually bitten dogs. He hasn't drawn blood, but I'm worried he will! My main two concerns:
1. Aggression towards strangers (lunging, jumping, and growling ferociously).
2. Biting at the dog park.
My husband and I are VERY strict with him, and are consistent with ensuring we are alpha. He is very good for us, easily submits and allows us to dominate him. However, in these situations we don't have a chance to dominate until he's already shown aggression because things move so quickly. Any suggestions? We are considering a shock collar, and would like to hear thoughts.
Thanks in advance!