My neighbor just got a Cane Corso Mastiff puppy. Should I be concerned?

Is the Cane Corso just a puppy? If so, don't try to keep your dogs away from the pup- unless your dogs are very aggressive and will bite and scare the pup. If your shelties can get along with the other dog see if you can introduce the dogs to each other. If the corso pup is essentially raised with your shelties as it's neighbour it will have no desire whatsoever to attack them. You need to worry about your dogs getting into your neighbours yard just as much as you need to worry about the corso getting into your yard. Shelties can dig or get over a 4ft fence too so the best thing for all is to split the cost of a better fence if you really are worried. If a corso really wants to- they can scale an 8ft fence with little difficulty but they are not the viscious dogs people make them out to be. They are not the breed of dog that attacked Dianne Whipple- those were presa canarios.Cane Corsos are not wanderers. I only have a 4 ft fence at one side of my property and none of my corsos have ever tried to get out. As long as your neighbour is responsible and socializes the dog well you will have nothing to worry about. They are a fantastic and gentle breed. Their look can be intimidateing but they absolutely do not have the dog aggression of a pitbull.They get along great with dogs of all sizes. They will not start a fight. If your shelties escape and run over to the corso an attack then you can expect the corso to defend itself - but the majority of dogs no matter the breed are not going to sit back and just let two dogs bite it. That's why it's best to introduce the dogs in a controlled and safe meeting.

You must be a responsible dog owner too and ensure that your dogs are not allowed to roam unleashed. Just because your dogs are small does not mean everyone is ok with them running around. I love small dogs- I've had toy poodles ect but now as an owner and breeder of a large breed I get very frustrated with people who let their small and often dog aggressive little dogs run free who sometimes run at my leashed dogs on a walk yipping and growling and then the owner freaks out when they see my dogs. My dogs have never bitten even though they have been attacked by a jack russel and a black lab- but if they did- because they were leashed and the other dogs weren't it would not be my fault if my dogs severly injured them. Everyone needs to obey the leash laws.

So in short, if the corso is a puppy- give it a chance and try to get to know it. Your neighbour may be just as concered about your barking shelties possibly getting at his new dog. Talking to each other will help. My neighbour an older fellow can hop the fence and come right into my yard and my dogs just run to give him kisses because he took the time to get to know them when they were puppies and he gives them treats over our fence. Upgrade your fence if you are worried but the corso will probably have no desire to get out of it's yard. Your dogs if they run to the fence barking at the corso will most likely scare the dog if it's a puppy and it will be curious but it sure wont want to jump over the fence. Corsos are great and hopefully you will realize that so long as you have a responsible neighbour who will raise the dog well. Make sure to voice your concerns so your neighbour can help make you more comfortable and vise versa.

If your neighbour has been polite and patient in dealing with your annoying and yappy sheltes then you best dish out the same type of patience and respect in dealing with hiis newly acquired cane corso. As of yet, it seems you have nothing solid to complain about other than 'worries' where he/she would have valid complaints when it comes to being barked at when ever they are in thier own yard. That would be very irritating and if it were me I would be getting very upset if this had gone on for any length of time. My infant daughter who was in an umbrella stroller and I were attacked by a pack of 6 shelties at a park (not an off leash park) so I can't stand the stupid little things. I know that not all shelties are viscious like that though but if my neighbour just bought two of them I sure would not be thrilled. So just remember that anyone can hate any breed of dog. It doesn't mean the fears or worries are valid. Personally I would way rather have a cane corso as a nieghbour than a sheltie- let alone two. My advice is to go about it in a calm and pleasent manner.. The last thing you need is to be in an argument over the dogs and fence because in the end if the fence is not in disrepair and the corso has never escaped/caused a problem then there is nothing you can do to make them pay anything for a new fence. if they agree it is because they want to be a good neighbour and a good dog owner. If you go at them in a gruff way and acuse them of having a 'mean' breed don't expect to get anywhere. Don't get a hot fence if either of you have children. And it may make the dogs think the pain is coming from the other dog(s) and actually entice aggression. A solid 6ft-8ft fence is plenty if the corso is well trained you have nothing to worry about even with a 4ft fence. If it really wanted to escape a shock wouldn't stop it at all.

Cane Corso Vicious

If your neighbor's dog is a puppy, I suggest you invite the neighbor and dog over for a play session (assuming your dogs are friendly). If the dogs are friendly, you will have very little to worry about. Cane Corso are protective, but not inherently vicious. The odds of this puppy growing up next door to your dogs, then one day deciding to jump the fence and attack them is very low. Honestly, does that even sound logical?

Can the dog get over the fence? Eventually, yes. A Cane Corso should generally have a 6 ft. fence. Whether or not it will depends on the training it receives from its owners, the relationship you form with it now, and how your dogs behave. If your dogs race to the fence barking at the Cane Corso's owners, it may perceive that as a threat as it gets older and more protective.

Again, I suggest you introduce yourself and your dogs to your neighbor and their dog. None of you are going anywhere, so it makes no sense for any of you to fear each other!

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The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don’t achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren’t putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.

The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.

Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.

The Fence is the problem...not the types of dogs.

A picket fence is not designed to contain dogs..if they really want to get out, or get at each other. These fences can be pushed over, dug under, chewed through, and jumped over.

Socialization is good "in theory" but not a gaurentee against future problems.

Maintain open communication with your neighbor, and it wouldnt hurt to socialize the dogs.

6ft chain link is ideal, but If you want to keep cost down...you can reinforce both sides of your fence with high/low electric wire. Its cheap, easy to maintain, highly effective, and safe.

Currently, I have 2 dominant red-zone males (corso and a presa)....with 4ft chainlink plus hotwire reinforcement, Ive had "0" escapes and no dog/human injuries for 8 years.

**Jane from below..sorry but your way off. Electric perimiter fence is designed for equine and cattle but is safe for dogs and people.. its been employed for decades and WILL keep any dog "in" an enclosure if properly installed/maintained. What it will NOT do is keep other dogs from getting into an enclosure...i.e. jumping over.

Ive had a very small chihuahua, chinese crested, and pekingese, as well as many neighborhood children contact my fence..no injuries.. just screams..and an "i told you so" from me afterwards.

Its not for everyone or every dog..but has worked GREAT for me. Kept me out of dog fights and the court systems. Ive had some hard core temperments over the years that would do just about anything to get to the other side of the fence...but couldnt.

btw jane...i'd rather face an angry sheltie rather then a corso any day of the week..come on now.. lol

I agree with Becky. Cane Corsos can be aggressive, but only if trained and raised improperly. Ask your neighbor if your dogs and their new puppy can have a 'Doggy Play Date' - not only will it be good for your dogs, it will be good socialization for the puppy. It's a win-win! If the Cane Corso learns that other dogs are fun to play with and be around now, it will feel the same way when it's bigger and stronger.

Good luck!

as with any breed socialization and proper training are VERY important but with large breeds like Corsos that have a tendancy to be dominant it is extremely needed.....I would suggest a taller ,more secure fence and keep an eye on how this pup is being taught to deal with other dogs.......always remember "stupidity runs down the leash" so dont judge a dog on its breed alone

What I would do it, introduce the 3 dog and let them be friends. With the Mastiff being a puppy this is a good time to get him use to other dogs. That way if he ever comes into your yard it will be to play with your dogs and not hurt them. Talk about it with you neighbor.

Cane corso's are not usually aggressive dogs. Unfortunately they get a bad rap. If the dog is raised responsibly, there should be no problems.