New Cane Corso puppy questions please

[Ryan6648]

Good morning! I have been browsing these forums for the past month or so in preparation for Atlas our 9 month old black Cane Corso. I absolutely love the breed after interacting with a friends and couldn't get enough. Well we finally brought this little guy home on Friday and it's been as blast and tiring haha!

I just had a few questions though.

First, I notice he drinks A LOT!! I could keep putting it down and he will drink till he's full, pee every 10 minutes then go back for more. I see lots of people saying this is normal but I wanted to know if limiting his water consumption was a good idea? Maybe at every feeding for sure and a little between? He knows where the water comes from and will whine but. Don't give in if he's whining. Any advice would be great.
Second, he seems to be a bit skidish even with simple tasks as going outside the door. Not to the point of whining but sometimes he just doesn't want to go. I'm very patient with her and coerce him with treats or kiddle and onice he gets down the steps he's fine and will go "potty". Once he does this he usually wants nothing to do with outside and sometimes sprints back up he stairs and waits at the door. I've been able to keep him out longer by being patient and praises. But, if he runs to far the leash tightens and he starts to buck a little till he can move. My question s should I be waitng till he stops bucking and causing him stress or letting go and taking him off the leash then?

Third and final question (for now) I promise haha. My wife was caring for him and my daughter while I slept before work (I work nights) and Atlas was laying near the shoes and nibbling on some slippers. She firmly went over there and tried to take them away and he got defensive and growled and showed a little teeth. What would be he proper way to deal with the behavior? She told him no in a stern voice and he seemed to acknowledge it but I don't want these small things happening with my daughter.

I have sat the family down well before and went over all th do's and dont's and everyone has been doing great minus the little one running around a bit too much around him.

Sorry for the long post and thank you for anyone that took the time to read this long rant. I just want to make sure I'm providing the best possible environment that I can. Feel free to give any helpful tips or advice.

-Ryan

 

[Ryan6648]

Sorry I posted this in the wrong section. I will try to move it.

 

[PrinceLorde13]

Hey first off congrats on your awesome new puppy, I'm sure you will wind up with lots of great advise on here, I'll offer my two cents and hopefully some helps. First with the water this was something my male did the first few months here, as long as it's not causing other problems, diarrhea, constant urination, I would not limit his water you'd be amazed what they can need while growing active pups. About the skiddishness, don't think that's a word, that is very common and can last anywhere from a month to six or more depending on many factors. With my guys I never force them physically, I give them a choice that becomes increasingly more limited. If they don't want to go out or go somewhere I just stand in front of them corralling them the direction I want, do not make it fun for them and just don't give up, I've only had to do this a couple times they seem to learn pretty good that it's just not worth the hassle for them. When on leash with the bucking or refusal to move, again don't force but do not give in, let them buck let them pull, you stay still, I've found a "choke collar" to be a big help here for me, once the pulling ends try to get them to go again, it might take a couple minuets patience is key here. Now with the growling, this is something I've never personally had to deal with, I'm gonna tell you why I think that is and hopefully it can help you. From day one I make it very clear to our dogs that the home and EVERYTHING in it is mine, they are allowed to use what I say and on my terms. I'm not mean about it but I regularly will just walk over and take a toy from my pups, I'll withhold it until they loses interest or I feel they had a good enough reaction to it being removed and then I return it, while eating I take the food away, give them commands to stop eating and make them wait a few min to start again, and I even reach my hand in the dish and take a handful out to gauge their reaction, I've yet to be growled at other then day 1 with my female when I was trying to get her to move so I could clean a mess she made. Hope any of this helped and good luck with your adorable dog!

 

[DennasMom]

From the picture, it looks like he's 9 WEEKS old (not months)... right?

That makes a big difference in my responses to your concerns. A 9 MONTH old puppy needs more structure on what NOT to do, while a 9 WEEK old just needs reinforcement of what TO do (bad behavior can be redirected and ignored for a smaller puppy with great results... older puppies might need more guidance).

As for water... needing to go pee every 10 minutes would be a big problem in my house... and drinking that much will not help with potty-training. I'd be ok with limiting access to water - maybe keep the dish outside, so he'll want to stay outside more?

There may be other concerns with drinking that much water, too. I'd be sure to talk to the vet about it - as there could be an underlying medical condition making him want to drink that much.

Being skiddish outside - this is a new house with new people and a new routine. Be patient with him. Try to coax him to stay near you and not hit the end of the leash. When he does, and starts "bucking"... don't keep the leash tight, but try to get closer to him (or call him back towards you) and get him to stop - once he calms down, give him some praise and love (but not during the bad behavior, only after it stops). He's still learning what this leash thing is attached to his neck, so the more positive things you can associate with it, the better. You might work without the leash for a while and see if that works better - then re-introduce the leash slowly with lots of positive reinforcements (i.e. treats and praise).

Growling... at 9 WEEKS old, this is just him trying to learn where the rules are. He might have had to fight for stuff among his litter mates, so he's using the same tactic with you. Be calm, confident and patient - but enforce your rules consistently. When you take something away from him, be sure to give him something of his own that he CAN chew on - so he learns that some things are yours, and others are his... when he chews on HIS stuff, he gets Praise. when he chews on your stuff, he gets reminded (with calm confidence) that that's not appropriate... and again, is given his stuff to chew instead. Also - when he learns that you always give him good stuff when you take stuff away, he won't be so possessive of the stuff he has... since you give him better stuff in return. (hopefully that wasn't too circular in logic, HA!)

Be calm, consistent and generous, and he'll figure out the rest.

Make sure he knows not to engage your little one when she goes all "zoomie" around him - that it's his job to supervise her antics and not become part of them.... I'm sure he'll want to treat her like a fellow puppy, otherwise - which would be fun for him, but probably not so much for her (puppy teeth are SHARP!).

I'm sure you'll get more great advice from others here on the forum, too!
Enjoy your puppy - and post lots of pictures!!

 

[corsotx]

Beautiful pup!

All the water advices were spot on.

Regarding the growling issues, the pup at 9 weeks old has just left its litter mates hence the behaviour. This is a normal communication method among the siblings but not acceptable with human.

My pup growled and has food aggression the 1st week with us (check my thread) and we made sure that we are calm and assertive that we are not there to take its stuff and we will only give more. Now, coming 3rd week, he is absolutely in love with us and the food aggression is gone.

Still, he growls and nips when he plays. So, you could basically teach a "Quiet" command. Or, like what I do is just scream and ignore him. Walk away. He is beginning to learn that he needs to behave or no play. Please try it out and enjoy the pup!

 

[musicdeb]

Do not stop a pup from growling because growling can be a warning of a bite to come. Know the difference between play growling and serious growling. Titan still growls when he plays and he's 5 years of age. I allow it because he's playing. When he has a serious growl, I know that he's going to kick in to lunge mode or possibly bite mode. He's never bitten anyone but I know the difference in his growls.