Adopting 4 yr old male DDB

[apauley]

I will be adopting a 4 yr old male DDB soon. I have had Great Danes
and a Bullmastiff in the past. He has been with a trainer his whole life. He was a client dog and the trainer acquired him since the family
could not handle him. I have had ongoing sessions with the trainer
and will continue until I bring him home. He's a big slobber monster and responds very well to me. Socialization with the big wide world is going to be a slow process for he and I and I love training so I will set him up from the get go for success . Any suggestions would be
much appreciated. Any questions are welcome. Thank you

 

[mx5055]

You must be very excited! Congrats

 

[mx5055]

Pics ???

 

[apauley]

Thanks Cindy and yes very excited. I don't have pics yet (I know bad mommy). I've
been just doing some handling with him. The poor boy gets so excited (heavy
panting) but easy to handle and will eventually settle. My first meeting with him was no eye contact no physical contact. When allowed to approach me he just licked and
licked (well slobbered lol). He then just dropped into a down at my feet. He's very
beautiful. Just hasn't had much exposure to outside things. He's very very almost too curious with cats. I do have a cat. He will have his own room to stay in while I'm
At work and will have access to small section of a huge yard while I'm away. What
food do you suggest for him?

 

[mx5055]

I switched my cc pup Bella over to Earthborn Holistic Great Prairie Feast after grilling Smart_Family extensively (lol). Smart is the one to go to regarding food questions from what I've seen on this formum. Bella is the first Cane Corso I've ever owned, and she is 16 weeks old now, so I am not one to give advice to anyone as I am learning from this forum everyday. There are many extremely knowledgeable people on this forum and I spend most of my time here reading the threads and learning. They will start showing up soon to answer your questions. But, I warn you....they will be demanding pics!!

 

[apauley]

Your pup is beautiful. I also looked into adopting a Cane Corso. I have had 4 Great Danes in the past. Only my first GD was a pup. The rest were adopted. My Bullmastiff female I adopted from our local animal
control.

So with the food I guess I have to have it shipped?

I will post pics soon I promise

 

[mx5055]

Thank you; I think she is a beauty, but of course I am a bit biased. I do order my food online, I always get free shipping because I am usually ordering for my cat also. (and, if somehow I am a bit short for the free shipping....well, there is always the need for a new toy!). I got Bella from a rescue also; I have had boxers all my life, but after I lost my last one my heart was so broken that for a while I thought I just couldn't get another dog. But, time heals, and before I knew it I was looking.......and the Corsi caught my eye and I started researching them and following this forum...and, even though I have had purebred boxers all my life I decided that maybe this time I needed to give back to a dog that really needed a home....and Bella was my answer

 

[apauley]

I found a dealer near me that carries the Earthborn. Dang it's expensive!!!! $50 for 28lbs. I can afford that though . If its good food I want him to have it. Thanks for
the suggestion

 

[apauley]

That's great that you adopted Bella. Like I said I have adopted all my dogs but my
first GD. How does Bella do with your cat? Boss (DDB name) does not do well so it's going to be interesting. I believe in having consistency and structure with my dogs so Boss is in for some new rules lol . I did take him outside with the trainer and a cat had just left the porch. He was very intent on finding kitty. He did not, however, drag
me and wasn't too difficult to handle. I feel it will only get better. I trust the trainer
and he is giving me Boss and would never do that if he felt I couldn't handle him. He's had him for 4 yrs and has never thought about rehoming him with anyone.

 

[musicdeb]

As with any dog, but especially with DDB's, it's best to follow, "do not touch, do not talk, do not look" with them. I tell everyone new to Titan to follow that. When walking, Titan is ok until they look or talk to him. He has to approach them first while the person totally ignores him.

 

[mx5055]

Bella and Roxy (my cat) are developing their own relationship that has been progressing nicely on a daily basis. When I got Roxy years ago from a Siamese rescue my boxer was full grown, and one of his fav pastimes when we lived in Florida was pulling possums down from the fence at night and killing them; and unfortunately Roxy's coloring is a bit like a possum so the chase was always on between the two of them! But, I knew Max would never really hurt her....in fact, every time he got within striking distance he was the one who came away bleeding. As for Bella and Roxy, I have tried to let things develop between them on their terms....The one thing I have done with Bella is to not allow her access to the top floor of the house, as this has always been Roxy's domain. (I live in a typical Baltimore row house that is 3 stories). This gives Roxy her "safe and undisturbed" place. The first week Roxy totally stayed upstairs voicing her displeasure very vocally. But, on her own she started coming down the stairs (about 1/2) and then just sitting there and watching Bella. Bella of course would want to go up the stairs as soon as she saw Roxy, put that was of the first things I let Bella know was off limits. Then Roxy actually started sneaking into the room when Bella wasn't looking and would sit on top of the couch watching Bella for hours; and then when Bella started noticing her and getting excited I would just calm her down by telling her good girl, etc. Only once have they had a confrontation and that was when I had left the room to get a glass of water and Bella got to close to Roxy I guess cause all of a sudden I heard a yelp and Bella came running to me with this hurt and puzzled look on her face! This is getting a lot longer than what I meant it to....I guess what it comes down to is that I am letting them get use to each other on their own terms, and only stepping in if there is a safety issue. Hope this helps a bit

 

[Gregory5]

Congrats on your soon to be new addition. Can't wait to see pics. I followed smart's advice on food as well, Vader our ddb is loving Earthborn.

 

[apauley]

Thank you everyone . Since everything will be new to Boss I thought about getting one of those vests that says "In Training Do Not Touch". It says nothing regarding
being a service dog and I would not use this to go in places where dogs are not
allowed. I know people will still approach and I will just have to tell them. Plus I know lots of places to go that are not crowded especially during the week.

 

[musicdeb]

Good idea, apauley. If I had one for Titan, he would have to wear the rest of his life. He was not socialized as a pup and doesn't like strange men especially black men. I'm aware of it and act accordingly in situations in which we encounter strange men. Strange men meaning he doesn't know them not weirdos.