New puppy Cane Corso questions please.

[karennj]

By the way I have young children as well. My youngest is 3 and I also am dealing with a mouthy pup but it is our 120lb 12 month old Dane. He was never taught by his previous owner to respect children and I am dealing with it now. We tried having the kids scream and that got him more excited. We tried having the kids act like a tree (stand still/ignore/no eye contact) but a 3 yr old can't do that when a dog is biting at them, we tried redirection but he would much rather play with the squeaky little kids than his toys, we tried giving him something to do instead of what not to do (make him sit, get his toy, etc). Honestly none of it worked and in the mean time the behavior got worse because it was reinforced every time he got to mouth them. So finally I got a trainer who told me the following.

1. Before the pup is allowed to interact with the child ask yourself...did he get enough physical and mental stimulation? Is he tired enough to behave?

2. Kids that young cannot be responsible to teach the dog right from wrong. Basically be a mother hen. When he gets too rough step in between and tell him no. Repeat as needed but 3 strikes and your out. Once I have to intervene a 3rd time the pup gets put behind the baby gate for a 1-2 minute cool down. My pup is quickly learning the kids are mine and biting is not allowed.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Well in the case of our first daughter she was 15 months or so when we had our first litter and well, they were a little more feisty and she was happy as a clam to see them go It isn't easy with puppy teeth as they are like little needles but it will get easier with consistent training. Also keeping the puppy on a leash can help, so should you notice too much attention before a pounce then you can give a little tug on the collar and re-direct. Tiring the puppy out before he gets around her would be ideal but I do understand that it can't always be the case, so you have to find creative ideas to tire him out but also respect her. You can teach hide and seek with both you and your daughter hiding, and ensure your daughter takes part in all training but there will be bumps and she will get better at handling them and your pup will get to learn his manners, both take time.

My daughter is 2 1/2 and is absolutely in love with animals and Atlas but I can tell and she sometimes tells me she is scared of him because of the mouthing. I have tried to redirect him with chew toys and sometimes that works. Other times I will say ouch and stop playing with him for 10 seconds when his teeth hit my skin. It definitely puts a lot of strain in the house but I keep telling myself that things will get better. I just hope I didn't make a mistake and get the pup too soon for my young daughter. She's my number 1 no matter what. Anyways, off to work, gotta love nights. Then once I get off work it's back to puppy time till 4pm then a couple hours of sleep blahhhh. Tiring. Haha. Thanks for all the info still. Loving it.

 

[teodora]

i guess it goes both ways. My child is a little bit older (8) but she should also know what is getting the puppy overexcited, and she should STOP doing it - or not do it at all. I honestly don't want play fights/jumping on the furniture/yelling/threatening attitudes of any kind or other wild behaviours neither from the puppies/nor from the kids. That's not about "who is the most important one", it's about teaching them the rules in this house.

 

[goatnipples2002]

Congrats on the new addition. From my experience with Corsos...they are like kids. In the sense they mature a little slower. They get big fast and can be very clingy. My Corso would rather hang with the family than be outsides. Just like kids, they will know exactly what to do and do the opposite just for the hell of it. THEN they have the nerve to hit you with the super sucker sad face lol. Get the chewing under control FAST!

 

[goatnipples2002]

i guess it goes both ways. My child is a little bit older (8) but she should also know what is getting the puppy overexcited, and she should stop doing it - or not do it at all. I honestly don't want play fights/jumping on the furniture/yelling/threatening attitudes of any kind or other wild behaviours neither from the puppies/nor from the kids. That's not about "who is the most important one", it's about teaching them the rules in this house.

preach!

 

[Ryan6648]

I totally agree on both puppy and child knowing the rules haha they are both learning that's for sure. A 2 /12 year old daughter is too smart her own good I tell ya. I had one more question. Anyone have any tips on the best way to transport your pup as a pup and adult? I have a jeep so should be plenty of room but as a puppy do you put them in a crate and place them in the back or something else? He seems to enjoy car rides but the few we have had I always had him on someone's lap and that won't be possible soon haha. Loving all the feedback! Little update, I have enrolled him in basic obedience classes here in Wochita KS and his start date is 21feb. Very excited to say the least!

 

[HeatherA]

HA, there are a few of us CC owners in Wichita!! i just let my pups roam in my van for short trips they love sitting in the seat and just looking out.

 

[Ryan6648]

Awesome! Very good to hear that! Military here so I'm mainly near base. I'll have to see how the little guy does.

 

[HeatherA]

there is a great vet not far from the base in derby we go to they know the breed well there and have quite a few CC clients its called EL Paso Animal Clinic if you are still looking for a good vet and they are very reasonably priced

 

[Ryan6648]

Yes I did find out about them and actually took Atlas there last weekend to get his second set of shots. The doctor was super friendly. Really liked everyone there as well.

 

[Ryan6648]

Anyone have any recomendations on dog mats/beds for the crate? I was looking at k9ballistics and it looks pretty nice. Also I read about placing one of those bathroom style memory foam mats inside one. He seems to love ours n the bathroom haha. Just figured he would chew it up.

 

[HeatherA]

he will chew up anything and everything til he a bit older ( we learned the hard way) not send much on a crate bed til he is a past his I'm gonna eat the world phase. I am using cheep dollar store fleece blankets until they are older then we are going to buy the memory foam beds for them.