Couple of Cane Corso Questions

[danielleconn]

Okay so these are questions at different ends of the spectrum....but I don't see the need to post more than once.

1. So I hear a lot on here about corso's having problems with grain and chicken. Does the same apply to turkey? My puppy is 10 months old and I have started researching a new adult food. It was a sweet potato and turkey base.

2. Jogging. Okay, okay...I know, nothing too much, it's bad for their joints. However, I am a large girl looking to lose weight. We don't have a large backyard so we go to parks and for walks for Zoe's exercise. But for me, that's just not cutting it. So maybe twice per week I was thinking of taking her along. I would start at a track, slowly jogging the straight aways and walking the curves. Again, a slow jog. What do you guys think? My girl is energy out the roof for the most part. We have a flirt pole, but it's challenging on a long lead.

3. Best toys? She loves to gnaw on her soft toys and they are destroyed in minutes. I am becoming a seamstress fixing the holes. Hard nylabones are of no interest to her, or antlers. She likes kongs but we use those when we have to leave and crate her. Typically, she wants to only play when you play with her. And she really would prefer if you get on the floor and almost wrestle and use your body to play keep away. She is exhausting really. I would love some toys I can just play and then leave with her for a bit without worrying she is going to kill it and eat it.

I can't wait for everyone's knowledge....

 

[season]

I feed my CC a grain free kibble. TOTW....genetically speaking dogs don't need grains in their diet.

As far as having your dog jog with you I'd say no, but that's just me. One of the biggest causes of joint problems with dogs is caused by stressing joints to much.....and on a side note, there are better ways for you to lose weight as well other than jogging....just like it's hard on the young dogs joints it's also hard on our joints...especially if you are staring out. I'm a physical education teacher with a training background.

Best toys? Stuff they can chew on and not destroy or get things caught in their mouth....Kong toys have worked well for my guy. He also likes tug ropes. Remember that the toys are YOUR toys.

 

[musicdeb]

Excessive walking, running, playing or ascending/descending stairs can result in injury. What is the distance you plan to run on the track?

Try frozen wash cloths or frozen hand towels for him to chew, ropes or freeze treats in the middle of ice cubes or ice block (use a small bowl) to satisfy his chewing needs.

 

[danielleconn]

I understand the grain free for sure...more about the chicken allergy/sensitivity I read. So is it poultry? Or just chicken?

And jogging...yes, I am not starting per say...it's just been a delay for a while...a change in my schedule threw me off. So jogging I enjoy in the nice weather, a mile or so. Zoe can easily do a 2-3 mile walk and still be back in action after an hours rest. I go to the gym as well...so this isn't my only form of exercise. I know it's tough on the joints, that's why I have had Zoe on a joint supplement and fish oil since 4 months of age.

She doesn't chew her Kong....licks all the stuffing out...in 30 minutes or less, even when frozen. Frozen clothes never interested her as a small pup teething...guess she is just particular, and the fun is destroying things. Yes, all toys are ours. We put a few out each morning and then they go up at night. Again, probably because of this, she prefers to play with us versus entertaining herself.

 

[musicdeb]

The sensitivity is generally chicken and chicken by products.

I would say a 2-3 mile walk is a lot for her at 10 months. Go easy with her for the next couple of months. Generally, it's not advisable to start a young pup on joint supplements. Try feeding her raw chicken feet which is a natural source of glucosamine.

 

[danielleconn]

So what do you do for exercise? If we don't walk for about an hour per day or take her to an off leash park for an hour, she is whiny and restless. We do OB and she runs errands with me as well....but this girl has energy to burn. So what do you do?

 

[el gato diablo]

So what do you do for exercise? If we don't walk for about an hour per day or take her to an off leash park for an hour, she is whiny and restless. We do OB and she runs errands with me as well....but this girl has energy to burn. So what do you do?

I'm not sure where you live (seasons) but is there anywhere you can take her to swim? Swimming is the best for young dogs/joints that have lots of energy...low impact and all.

 

[musicdeb]

@danielleconn, do what you feel is best for you and your dog. I'll leave you with this, like el gato diablo said, if you have hot seasons take heed that mastiffs can overheat rather quickly due to their short muzzles.

 

[danielleconn]

Yes we do, that is the plan...I asked our parks and recreation and we can allow our dogs to swim as long as she is on a long lead. It's still been a bit too cold here but I think she will take to it well, she is loving playing in mud puddles. My sister has a doggy life vest I am going to borrow for the first few swims to make sure she is ok. Dogs can swim but humans can't. It's a fishing/boating lake. So does the 10 minute walk per month of age no longer apply as they get older? Usually we will walk or hike no more than 45 minutes at once. Usually she will walk once or twice for 20 minutes or go to an off leash park for her to play. Our vet who has a special interest in working dogs (only one corso) said as a small pup she had weak knees and to run her to build up her muscle. I have tried to keep her lean, at 9.5 months she was 75 pounds. I never did "run" her but we played, walked and worked on OB. Sadly, we don't have a big back yard so most of our exercise is walking.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

In regards to the exercise, off leash or fields and such are not the same as jogging/walking with you. When jogging or walking with you, they are using the same set of muscles, the joints are being used in the exact same action continously that is where the issue comes from. Having a dog free play fetch or flirt pole, etc. is not the same as they are using different muscle groups when twisting and turning to play, this is important because they need to have the development of those muscles because should there ever be hip issues you need to have the muscles developed to help support those joints. That is why you will see working dogs, that can have hip/joint issues an no one knows it they have the muscle and connective tissue toned and strong enough to support joints that are in bad shape.

 

[musicdeb]

Well said, Mary!

 

[danielleconn]

Thank for the input Mary...that is a very clear message. She goes off leash for fetch/play with other dogs 3-4 times per week as long as the weather holds. It's what she loves more than anything, versus walking. We still plan on trying some swimming soon as it warms up. We have a flirt pole too that she loves, but we have to do it in the parking lot of our townhome. We sometimes go to tennis courts for her to chase and have fun with her Frisbee. But I only do that once in a while since it's on hard pavement. We avoid dog parks for Frisbee time since other dogs have bit her for her Frisbee. It's never been over a tennis ball but maybe some dogs have Frisbee guarding more than tennis balls.

 

[DennasMom]

Is there anywhere you can walk/jog at your own pace with her off-leash?

We have a trail in some woods where I can let Denna off-leash to sniff and catch-up as I go at my own steady pace. She gets more of a brain/leg workout, and I get my steps in and heart rate up, too.

I normally let Denna set the pace (or go slower). She had a lot more energy as a puppy than I expected. She likes to trot when we go walking, which is a slow jog for me. If you ever find your pup is too tired to want to go for a walk the next day, then you know you've over-done it. But it sounds like you don't have that problem.

Sounds like you have a well-rounded exercise and socialization plan going, to me. If the pup is game for more, I wouldn't think twice about adding more. The more you can do on soft/natural/dirt surfaces versus concrete the better, though.

 

[danielleconn]

Thanks for the comment DennasMom...I was thinking the same, I am not over pushing her...she would prefer to go ahead and pull me along if I allowed her. She is never really dragging, only when the weather has hit, 70+ do I notice her get tired in 30 minutes at the park versus her usual hour and I never push her past her limit. I am trying to keep her joints in mind and everyone has mentioned. I also upped her training schedule. I read a great dane article today, discussing if you up their stamina its going to continue to grow, thus my need to up her activity/stamina on a regular basis. I am looking for calming...its hard enough having to always go out and about for outside play time/walking/fun store visits. I know some of this will die down with age. I am also thinking of getting her involved in nose work, she loves the hide and seek game to eat her dinner. We squeeze in our recall with that one too! ; ) Good news...we got the barking for attention to stop! Hooray!!!

 

[danielleconn]

Oh and I do take her to off leash parks where it's just us and I run around bit with her....her recall requires me to run the opposite direction of her to get her to follow especially in that environment. I am just nervous to have her off leash without a fence and there are so many leash laws in the city. We have already been kicked off numerous baseball fields...oops!

 

[Bean]

I feed Bean earthborn coastal catch, I now put my doberman on it. Both dogs are doing great.

Re; jogging, I am of the opinion that under the right circumstances these dogs do great as running companions. I am an avid runner, and would take my previous cc out on 5-10k runs, as well as 20+k hikes. I did not take him on my longer runs, and I avoided taking him when it was too warm. Early morning, or late evening was fine. I also tried to avoid paved areas because it could cause his delicate paws to tear. I never had issues with joints or other injuries.

The important thing to note, is that these dogs demand vigorous physical activity, and can go surprisingly hard (within reason)

Bean is now 10 months, and i have taken her for off leash runs through trails, the uneven terrain and ability for her to go at her pace or stop has actually worked her muscles positively without impacting her joints negatively. I also limit the distance until she is old enough, and no longer growing.

If you are just beginning to run, i guarantee you, you will tire out or injure yourself before the dog, but just incase try running in a park/trails off leash if you are worried about joint problems. Start with running 5 minutes, walking 1... Pay attention to your dog and how they are doing. Gradually increase distance.


Important note: not ALL corsos are built for running unfortunately. Breeding for heavy set giants, with flatter noses could cause problems.

 

[danielleconn]

Thank you Bean's mom...I too thought Corso's were much more of the athlete than most other mastiffs...and a reason we got her too. Our breeder likes to have thinner, athletic standards, he thinks it is better for their hips/joint development. Dad was 100lbs and mom 95lbs. Dad still had some filling out to do, but both were amazing dogs. She amazes me with her stamina even at off leash parks, she may lie down 2-3 minutes and is back up and running, but I do notice the heat affects her. Again, it wouldn't be a lot of running initially. I haven't "jogged" in 8 months, trust me it will be a slow start for the both of us, but I think good for her body to adjust. And I have to chuckle...I will likely jog 1 minute and walk 3-4 minutes initially!

 

[cane]

Dogs Go Nuts - Goughnuts Best toys ive found that stand up to the chewing. Most toys on back order though right now unfortunenatly

 

[danielleconn]

Thanks Cane! I was also greatly intrigued by the Goughnuts...although pricey, I would be willing. I just hesitate if she didn't like it, I am looking at $30 down the drain. But my mind still comes back to it...and they guarantee it. I might just bite the bullet...thanks so much!!!

 

[cane]

Thanks Cane! I was also greatly intrigued by the Goughnuts...although pricey, I would be willing. I just hesitate if she didn't like it, I am looking at $30 down the drain. But my mind still comes back to it...and they guarantee it. I might just bite the bullet...thanks so much!!!

My doberman loves her Goughnut ring. Now that my Cane Corso is big enough to carry it around to they fight over it. Id like to get a Stick from them now once there back in stock. Woke up today with my sneakers chewed up cause not enough toys around since they only last a day. I to was hesitant on the ring because its just a black rubber ring but since they know its theres they love chewing on it.