Congratulations! Adding a new puppy to your family is an exciting time.
But, the work is just beginning…
Now that you have brought your new Cane Corso home, you’ve bought the bed and the puppy food. Now it’s time to consider training.
This includes housebreaking, leash training, basic obedience, and more. All these skills are necessary to raise a happy, healthy dog.
Housebreaking
One of the first challenges you will need to consider with a new Cane Corso puppy is housebreaking or potty training.
This means teaching your Cane Corso puppy not to go to the bathroom in the house. But, it also means introducing him to the right place to go.
To do this, you will need to identify one spot in the yard to be the bathroom spot.
Anytime your Cane Corso goes to the bathroom in that area, praise him and give him a treat.
Take him outside immediately after meals, playtime, or naps. These are times when he is more likely to need to go.
When he’s inside, keep him contained in a smaller space using a crate or dog gate. This will reduce the risk of inside accidents between potty breaks.
Socialization
Often overlooked when it comes to training, proper socialization is necessary for a well-behaved Cane Corso.
This means introducing your Cane Corso puppy to new places, people, and experiences. Some ways to do this include:
- Shopping in dog-friendly stores
- Hanging out at your local park
- Taking new walking routes
- Playdates with friend’s dogs
- Visit dog-friendly beaches for some swimming practice
- Invite visitors to your home
Each of these situations will help your Cane Corso adjust to being around others in a variety of environments. They will also help to build your Cane Corso’s confidence when encountering something new.
Pay attention to your puppy’s body language.
You want to encourage him to step out of his comfort zone. But, you don’t want to make him so anxious that he creates a negative connotation with it.
Basic Obedience
Puppy training classes are a great way both to introduce your Cane Corso to other dogs and teach basic skills. This includes commands like “sit”, “down”, “stay”, and “come”.
If you don’t have puppy training classes available locally, there are also great online training options.
Training is a great way to bond with your Cane Corso. It helps to build your bond while also reaching your Cane Corso puppy how you would like him to behave.
But, training also requires a lot of consistency. Be ready to dedicate time each day to working with your new puppy.
Leash Training
Another important focus in training is teaching your Cane Corso puppy how to walk properly on a leash.
This means keeping a loose leash, and not pulling or lunging to get at other dogs or people. Even if your dog just wants to play, lunging is a bad habit that should be addressed.
Before heading out on a walk, fill your pocket with treats. This will let you train with a focus on positive reinforcement.
Reward your Cane Corso when he is walking in a heel position at your side. If he pulls ahead, stop walking and call him back to this position.
The first few walks may have you stopping every 2 steps. That’s okay!
In time your Cane Corso will pick up on what you are asking for and learn to walk alongside you properly.
