If you’re a proud owner of a Cane Corso and you’re thinking about bringing a new furry friend into the mix, you might be wondering if your Cane Corso will get along with the new dog.
Well, the good news is that if your Cane Corso is still a pup, they will do great with other dogs. But if it’s older, it might get aggressive.
Cane Corsos are territorial and very protective of their families which often lead to them being aggressive towards other dogs, but if they are properly socialized at an early stage, they are good with other dogs.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how we can tell if a Cane Corso will get along with another dog, why they might get aggressive and the best way to introduce them.
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Can Cane Corsos Live With Other Dogs?
With the right training and socialization, Cane Corsos can get along well and live with other dogs.
Socialization is the key here. If your Cane Corso lives together with other dogs from puppyhood, they will do great and even be the best of friends.
Also Read: Why do they crop Cane Corso ears
But a full grown Cane Corso with little to no training can’t live with other dogs most of the time and will always pick a fight with others.
It’s important to remember that Cane Corsos are guard dogs by nature, so they will be reserved or even aggressive around strange dogs they have never met before.
Plus, they don’t often do well with dogs of the same gender.
If you have a Cane Corso pup, take them to dog parks at an early age, in like maybe 8 weeks. Let them experience these new situations which will make them calmer when they are with other dogs.
Are Cane Corsos Good With Small Dogs?
Unless you raise and socialize them from when they are small pups, Cane Corsos are generally not good with small dogs.
Cane Corsos (just like many other larger breeds) doesn’t get along with small dogs due to their size and prey drive. They might see small dogs as prey and will chase or harm them.
I highly recommend that you don’t get a small dog if you have a full grown Cane Corso or vice versa.
How To Tell If A Cane Corso Will Get Along With Other Dogs?
The only way to know for sure if your Cane Corso will get along with another dog is to have them meet each other.
Be sure to keep both of them on a leash when they meet. Here are some of the signs that indicate aggression that you need to look out for:
- Ears standing up or laid back
- Standing tall and stiff or raising hackles
- Bared teeth
- Barking or growling at the other dog
- Trying to Lung or snap at the other dog
- Straight stiff tail or tail held high on their back
Plus a lot more which you can read here.
Why Don’t Some Cane Corsos Get Along With Other Dogs?
Here are some of the main reasons why some Cane Corsos are not good with other dogs:
Not Socialized
Lack of socialization is the most common reason why they are aggressive towards other dogs.
If a Cane Corso hasn’t had much opportunity to interact with other dogs from an early stage, they are more likely to feel threatened or aggressive when they meet other dogs.
No Training
Just like socialization, it is super important to train them to behave when they are with other dogs.
If these guys are not trained to behave and or properly guided or supervised when interacting with other dogs, they are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior.
Genetic Issues
Some Cane Corsos may be more prone to aggression due to their genetics. If their parents were super aggressive, it’s very likely that this behavior would be passed onto them.
The good news is that most reputable breeders won’t breed Cane Corsos with these behaviors or a bad personality.
Past Negative Experiences
Just like humans, dogs remember. If a Cane Corso has had a negative experience with another dog in the past, it will likely react aggressively towards other dogs in the future.
Natural Instinct And Protective Nature
Cane Corsos are known for being very protective of their territory and their owners. In fact they were first bred to guard. And they are naturally on alert all the time.
Also Read: Do Cane Corsos Drool?
The moment he sees another strange dog in their home or with their owners, it’s going to get aggressive. Like wouldn’t you be on alert if your girlfriend came home with some guy you barely know?
Tips For Introducing Other Dogs To A Cane Corso
If you still wanna give it a try and see if your Cane Corso will get along with another dog, here are a few tips for introducing them:
Never Introduce Them At Home!
Your dog is bound to get aggressive if you bring another dog they never met in their life to their territory. Don’t take your dog to them either because they would get territorial.
Instead, meet on neutral ground like a park. And always supervise and keep an eye out for the signs we talked about.
Keep Them On Leash And Give Them Space
A leash is a must. You must have control over your Cane Corso during the introduction in case things get ugly and they start fighting.
Moreover, make sure both dogs have space to retreat to if they feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed during the intro. This can help prevent any potential conflicts.
Try Walking Them Adjacently First
Before you ‘formally’ introduce them, try walking them adjacently and see how they do. You can get an idea of what you can expect, plus the tension would be at a minimum because the dogs are focused on the owners instead of each other.
More Tips
Keep intros short if things get aggressive. Start slow and gradually increase the duration of their meetings. And use positive reinforcement.
Also Read: Best treats for cane corsos.
Sometimes toys will help keep tension down as well since it takes their focus away.
Call a Professional
If you are set on getting a new dog and things don’t go well with the first introduction, it’s probably a good idea to call a professional and get help.
Bottom Line
Overall, Cane Corsos are good with other dogs if they are properly socialized and trained from puppyhood.
If they are not socialized, they can be aggressive towards other dogs, especially towards smaller dogs and dogs of the same gender.
When you introduce a new dog, always do it on neutral ground and watch out for the warning signs we talked about. If things just won’t work out, you can always get help from a professional.
