"IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaadly.

[JaggersMamma]

"IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaadly.

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  I registered because I need some help.
  I adopted a Cane Corso from a clausterphobic discipline starved apartment this passed Sunday. He is a very sweet boy, but hardly trained. Luckily the family did have a toddler, so Jagger (a year old today Cane Corso) was very gentle around the children.
  I have next to no dog training experience, and I live far into the sticks. However, I grew up training horses. I know that being the alpha and consistency is key to an obedient dog, and have been trying my best. When he does something unacceptable: taking food from someones plate, eating cat food and litter, chewing up stuffed animals, chewing up my matts, jumping up on my bed, walking through a doorway before me, ETC lol I send him to sit on his bed and refuse to give him any attention.I taught him to stay so far on his own bed, but will only remain until I am out of his sight. Do I need a kennel? I know I shouldn't have, but the first two nights I had allowed him to sleep in my bed...Yesterday my husband came home from working away and I had put the dog bed beside my bed and did the "lay down and stay" thing REPEATEDLY (same as all day pretty much) hoping it would eventually stick. As soon as Jagger thought I was sleeping (hubby was sitting up with a snack watching television) Jagger jumps onto the bed and stands there staring at Kyle. Kyle said "Jagger bed now!" Jagger refused, so he repeated and Jagger bared his teeth (AHHH) AND barked viciously at him! I sprung up and said "NO JAGGER" he ceased his behaviour immediatelyI put his bed in the living room and closed our bedroom door and that was where he spent the night. This morning he was kissing my ass for an hour, but I know I need some guidance here. I can't keep an eye on him allll the time, and my husband can't have any less respect than I. Would I be right in assuming that the dog is jealous? I think maybe and it's probably because I let him in my bed...Completely my fault...I told my Kyle that he should probably spend some time together. I need someone with experience to help me! He's a very quick animal but won't give anyone but me the time of day... Let me add that he is thoroughly exercised as well.​

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[CynJ]

Re: "IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaa

He needs a crate. Make it a safe place for him to go- something that is "his". It's fine to use one as a "time out" when behaviors get unruly, but always put him in there with a positive tone, never use it as punishment. Freedom to have free range of the house needs to be earned, and he hasn't earned it yet.

Try and be sure that both of you are using the exact same commands as well (and the same tone). lol it took me a long time to train my husband that to a dog there is a big difference between "come" and "c'mere" (he could never figure out why the dogs listen to me better). Some dogs also bond more quickly with women than men or vice versa, my DdB was terrified of my husband at first but now they are best buddies, it just took time and allowing her to initiate the interactions for a while. Also, have your husband feed him occasionally, dogs tend to bond more quickly and respond faster to what they see as their "primary" caregiver.

Always sending him to his bed for correction is only going to teach him to hate his bed, imo (same theory with using crates as punishment-they grow to hate their crate). I know that folks do the bed thing, but personally I've never liked it. Your mileage may vary on that.

Good luck!

 

[CynJ]

Re: "IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaa

Forgot to add that he's gorgeous And it's great that he's good with little children!!

 

[JaggersMamma]

Re: "IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaa

Thank you very much for your response! Haha "Train my husband", you are SOOO RIGHT! I do dislike the bed thing as well and I think you're right about that too because he hates it! I'm going to start your tactics today and buy him a crate! Thanks for the compliment, so are your dogs!! Beautiful colours too!
Janet

 

[Cody]

Re: "IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaa

He didn't know your husband. This stranger came into his new home, remember that he is adjusting to his new life and that can take months to a year for him to do, and sent him off the bed where he has been sleeping. It is not jealousy it is his instinct. Your husband needs to bond with him, take him for walks feed him as well and train with him. He needs to trust both of you, and in the short time he has been there it is not possible for that to have happened yet. Take time with him, lots of praise when he is doing something correct. Corso do not like to be away from their people, especially in this situation. They are extremely bonded and tend to stick to you like Velcro. I do not go anywhere in my house without 2 CC at my heels, including bathrooms LOL. It is part of the breed, they are very clingy and very sensitive to their owners. They do not require heavy handed discipline once bonded, they just want to please and will do any/everything to attempt that. As for chewing stuffed animals and toys, that is not his fault. Be sure that everything is picked up and not left on the floor. He is still a baby and will chew up toys as that is what they are to him, toys. CC boys take A LONG LONG time to mature, lol, if our boy chews up a toy left laying around then it is our son's fault for leaving it laying around. He will not get in trouble for that as he cannot differentiate between his toys and my sons, he is a dog. Start training with him as you are doing TONS of praise and treats, and make sure to get him out for adequate exercise both physical and mental. Enjoy him most of all.

 

[CynJ]

Re: "IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaa

Thank you very much for your response! Haha "Train my husband", you are SOOO RIGHT! I do dislike the bed thing as well and I think you're right about that too because he hates it! I'm going to start your tactics today and buy him a crate! Thanks for the compliment, so are your dogs!! Beautiful colours too!
Janet

Just always keep the crate positive. Even if you are mad to boiling - just keep your voice even and tell him "crate" while pointing to it (lol and then you might have to manhandle the stubborn ox into it a few times). And lots of praise when you're closing the door "you're the best boy, good boy, good listening" - really exaggerate it. When I was first crate training my former boxers and now my mastiffs I sound like the worlds biggest idiot but they eat up that praise. He'll quickly learn that the crate is a good thing.

One other note- since you have children, they should be taught that the dog crate is hands-off and that when he's in there they should leave him alone. Especially if you leave it open for him and he goes in there for a nap on his own. He needs a space that is all his where he can retreat to and not be bothered.

You sound like you have the right attitude Let us know how things progress!

 

[CynJ]

Re: "IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaa

I do not go anywhere in my house without 2 CC at my heels, including bathrooms

lol that is my house too! Nadia sits outside the closed bathroom door and whimpers. It's like they think we're having some sort of party in there without them!

 

[DennasMom]

Re: "IS IT ME?!" :Year old Cane Corso pupexhibiting bad behaviour, Advice needed baaa

I agree with all the above, too - I'd recommend daily walks with the whole family, so you can all "travel" together as a pack (or herd, for the horse people ). Then, when you come home, everyone to their respective 'beds' (or chairs) with a treat for some quiet relaxing (homework and/or tv watching) together. We have beds everywhere... so one for night time in the bedroom, and one in the family room for treats and relaxing.

He's still really new, so remain calm, patient and consistent. I think the security of a crate to call his own will help him, too.

One thing I've been careful with this time (as a new puppy) with Denna, is not to use a "command" unless I can enforce it - so when asking Jagger to go to his bed in the middle of the night, after he's moved off it again... I would not use the word 'stay' - he just doesn't know what that means yet, and using it now when you can't enforce it will make it harder to proof with him later. I'd just say "no... bed" and wait a minute before repeating (if needed). He'll get the picture, eventually.

I've also found with Denna (EM), that she listens better to commands that are whispered versus yelled. When they're whispered, I think she's more resigned to follow them. If they're yelled, she takes that as more of a challenge...

Thanks for taking Jagger in! Sounds like he hit the jackpot coming to live with you!