Dog owners with an attraction to large, powerful breeds that appear formidable but experience deep levels of love and devotion might find their way to a Cane Corso.
This breed’s hunting and guarding origins, as well as the sheer size, require intensive and consistent obedience training and socializing.
Without the proper training, these dogs can completely overwhelm their owners and can prove fatal to smaller animals.
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Table of Contents
Identify Training Goals
The majority of the focus here is on basic obedience training, but it is important to decide exactly which specification of training you’re looking for right away so that you find trainers who fit within that category.
Obedience
Everyday commands fall under the umbrella of obedience training. This is the fundamental level of training critical for the domineering and highly intelligent Cane Corso.
Agility
Some owners put their dogs through agility training to enforce working skills, like hunting game, entering competitions, or to heighten the dog’s awareness in more challenging environments.
Agility training is a specific area of education. It requires the dog and owner have a thorough understanding of obedience training before branching out into more complex skills.
Protection
Cane Corso make excellent home guardians since they come from ancient breeding origins of Roman war dogs that protected their companions in high-stress scenarios and took down large game, like boars.
Protection training is similar to agility training in that it needs a strong obedience foundation to build from for its success.
Protection training is a particular form of training that requires skills and behaviors that reach beyond basic commands. It also requires specialized socialization techniques.
Once you identify the exact form of Cane Corso training that you and your dog need, you can adjust your search from that criteria.
Key Elements You Need in a Cane Corso Trainer
Not all dog trainers are created equal. A quick online search for “Cane Corso trainers near me” might give you proximity and nothing else.
It takes very little to claim to be a professional in this field, so here is a breakdown of what to look for to ensure effectiveness and credibility.
Cane Corso Experience
It might sound like a given, but breed-specific training is critical with this dog. Having experience with other large or dominant breeds is not enough to translate to the unique set of traits that comes with Cane Corso.
Throughout the training process, you will build a relationship of trust and dominance between yourself and the dog that requires a comprehensive understanding of the Cane Corso’s nature and mindset.
Neither you nor your dog can afford to allow time and space for the trainer to learn these nuances.
When looking for a Cane Corso trainer, ensure you stick to breed-specific professionals with a long and successful history of working with this breed. If that information isn’t readily available, be sure to ask about it specifically.
Divided Focus Between Owner and Dog
The most effective dog trainers value the importance of training the dog’s owner or handler just as much as the dog itself.
If you’re working with a trainer who places sole emphasis on the Cane Corso, it could be a red flag indicating improper technique.
With Cane Corso possessing such a strong sense of authority, learning how to assert leadership in the relationship through your behaviors as the owner is essential.
This communication isn’t something an owner will innately understand, even with previous experience raising dogs.
Competent trainers spend time training the owner and dog on how to initiate and respond in the desired fashion. Obedience skills are a two-way street, and the right trainer will work with both sides to hone those skills until they are solid and steady.
Another aspect to consider here is looking for a trainer who not only values owner participation but household participation.
Having a clear understanding of the new boundaries and behaviors is part of achieving success in obedience training and building a system where all those involved with the dog are on the same page.
Reward-Based Approach
You need to work with a Cane Corso trainer whose program focuses on positive education techniques versus negative reinforcement.
Some trainers still employ old-fashioned and violent techniques using fear and intimidation to control animals, despite decades of development and science proving that this approach is less impactful and harmful.
Trainers using a negative approach to education show a fundamental lack of knowledge and empathy consistent with effective training.
There are often lasting behavioral problems in dogs associated with undergoing this style of obedience training.
Cane Corso is a loyal breed that responds to mutual respect. Positive reinforcement is the only way to establish the understanding between owner and dog that consistent obedience leading to a reward serves both parties best.Â
Cane Corso is strong-willed and naturally operates under the assumption that they know best.
Similar to people with this disposition, you have to gain their respect before they will listen or defer to your judgment over their own. It takes time, patience, consistency, and positivity.
Good Reputation
It’s critical to be aware of a training center or individual’s professional reputation before engaging in a program.
You are trusting not just the obedience and socialization of your dog to its trainer but also your relationship with your Cane Corso and the pet’s overall well-being.
Don’t risk jeopardizing these fundamental factors by improperly vetting a trainer or just picking whichever one is closest or least expensive.
Investing in the right training program is as equally important as investing in the dog’s medical care. It is essential to the dog’s quality of life.
Questions to Ask Before Committing
Since you’re the one investing the time, patience, and money into Cane Corso training, you should interview potential trainers before deciding which one to work with.
What Is Your Training Philosophy?
This question is vital because it will reveal whether the trainer’s approach is positive or negative. It also gives insight into the foundations of their education and what they will prioritize throughout the process.
Ensure that you’re on the same page with the trainer’s outlook so that the training is cohesive with your comfort level.
What Is a Problem You’ve Run Into and How Did You Respond?
You need to be confident that the trainer you’re working with is thoroughly experienced and well-equipped to productively manage training challenges.
Training Cane Corsos takes such a specific and extensive skillset that any wavering in confidence over the ability to successfully manage the breed indicates an improper fit.
What Professional Associations Do You Belong To?
A credible, professional Cane Corso trainer should belong to at least one established training association. These organizations offer certifications, ongoing professional training, and education in the field.
Professional training associations share ideals surrounding positive reinforcement and condemn using physical force as a training method.
So if you look into a trainer who actively belongs to one, it is a good indication that they practice effective and safe techniques.
Are There Videos I Can Watch of Your Training?
Most professional websites should provide video examples of a training session so that potential clients can see firsthand the methods they use and the trainer’s comfortability working with the breed.
By watching a training video, you can look for body language and skills indicating the quality of the trainer as well as how a dog responds to the trainer and their techniques.
Get Cost Information Up Front
High-quality Cane Corso training does not come cheap. The training facility or private trainer should offer an exhaustive breakdown of initial costs, equipment costs, and all other expenses related to the training sessions.
It is expected practice to sign a contract before beginning any form of professional training.
Read through this contract carefully to find information concerning hidden or unexpected fees, cancellation and refund policies, and details about the trainer’s insurance coverage.
Ask for a Consultation
A professional Cane Corso trainer commonly offers a free consultation either at the training facility or in a client’s home so that they can discuss the owner’s goals.
Identify specific behavioral challenges, and potential clients can gauge their level of comfort with the trainer and the program.
This is the perfect opportunity to ask any questions and get a feel for the trainer’s level of interest in you and your pet, as well as their general knowledge and experience.
If an in-person consultation isn’t something the trainer offers, ask if they will answer some of your basic questions over the phone and explain the ins and outs of their program.
Information shouldn’t be hard to get and it’s a major red flag if a trainer is vague or evasive about their methods and practices.
Cane Corso Trainers Near Me
A little bit of research leads to a variety of credible resources for finding a Cane Corso trainer and here is a small compilation of options that can direct you to the right trainer for you and your dog.
CCAA
The Cane Corso Association of America is connected with the American Kennel Club and promotes education and awareness of the breed.
It hosts a community of members who actively participate in events and forums that center on the advancement of Cane Corso.
This prominent association has a directory of Cane Corso training programs across the country that are all active members of the CCAA.
The directory is a paid promotional resource, however, it does offer a wide variety of affiliated professional training options.
Cane Corso Breeder
Assuming that you put in due diligence researching and finding a high-quality Cane Corso breeder, they should be able to refer you to professional trainers that either they or other clients of theirs have worked with in the past.
Client Referrals
If your breeder doesn’t have any professional Cane Corso trainer to refer you to, reach out to other Cane Corso owners in your area or engage in a local online community to get client referrals from other owners who found success with obedience training.
Reading through client reviews is another way to weed through professional trainers in your area if you can’t find anyone to speak to directly.
Conclusion For “How To Find a Cane Corso Trainer?”
Unclear communication about training methods, philosophies, experience, and expenses all signify a lack of credibility. Experience with large or dominant breeds that aren’t Cane Corso will not effectively translate.
Look for a Cane Corso trainer with a solid reputation that client testimony supports, membership to a professional association, and a clear proven commitment to positive reinforcement training.
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For more information about the Cane Corso Training, check out the video below:
