Intermediate Training Week 3

First, let me surmise the lessons I have learned outside of the training course in relation to Corsos and babies. Corsos get big and look like adults when they are still just babies themselves. Tiesto is only 10 months old but acts 10 years old sometimes. What does that mean in relation to training? It means that 9 times out of 10 you will be catching yourself expecting them to act 10 years and not 10 months.

Watch your Corso’s body language as your baby and the dog interact. There is a change that comes over their body, a tension, a look in their eye that tells you that they are about to forget that your baby isn’t a puppy and start playing with him or her like she is. It is at this precise moment that you must get their focus on you, either by using the watch me command and a treat or a loud noise from you. Once their focus is on you and away from the child, praise them. Remember, you are acting as the interspecies mediator, no one is being wrong! Both fur baby and man cub are being themselves, your job is to make sure that the version of themselves that they are putting forward is the safest for all concerned. I can say from experience that in the beginning they will mostly have to ignore each other and agree to live together like neighboring countries that aren’t really all that fond of each other. However, this will get better! Tiesto and Joshua have daily “wallerings,” I like to call them, during which they give each other a good snuggle. Today, my son was upset about something and I could not figure out how to console him. However, he said, “Tito!” And 21 month old Joshua crawled over to his furry buddy and buried his face in his back and cried it out, it lasted like three seconds cause “Tito” had him laughing. So it does get better! This precaution is with all breeds of dog, however, with giant breeds even more so, a playful slap from a 10 month old Corso puppy to a man cub is like an adult man getting playfully slapped by a grizzly.

Watch your Corso’s body language when you are socializing in public. I cannot stress this one enough. As humans, our natural course of action is to be attentive to the humans. I find that I am a horrible public conversationalist anymore for two reasons: watching Joshua and Tiesto! Watch for tightening in your Corso’s body, facial tension, ears pricking and eyes getting very focused. These are signs of discomfort. Immediately cease any interactions and remove your dog from the situation. This will allow your Corso to refocus on you and help them realize that you are watching over them like a good Alpha should! I put Joshua on my back in a backpack when I am training Tiesto on my own because I need to be so focused on the fur baby. Joshua rides happily eating crackers and playing with toys whilst I train. This frees me to be as focused as I should be. As an example, during week 3 of training, Tiesto and I were the only ones who showed up for class. It was fabulous and we worked out in the main area of PetSmart where there were lots of people. Tiesto took it all in stride and laid and waited while 20 people queued up to pet him. However, I noticed towards the end of the last petting his body changed, tension came, his face got the wrinkle of focus as I like to call it. He began sniffing the air and even his eyes changed their expression. I looked around but could see nothing that would be bothering him. I released him from his down and wait and allowed him to stand. We both continued to scan the store for what had him tense. What should my wandering eyes see but two tiny ferrets walking along in the store on a leash! Tiesto was ready to hunt! I worked him some more with them in plain sight and he was never really comfortable but began ignoring them and that is just what we wanted! Even though he was uncomfortable he shook hands with two complete strangers and introduced himself as a gentleman and a scholar.

Watch for signs that your man cub is ready to begin issuing commands. Joshua loves giving his Tito treats. Only the past two weeks has he been able to verbalize the commands. So I have started trying to get him to say the commands and reward Tiesto. This will put your child in a clearly alpha position to your Corso, the director and rewarder. Joshua could not always do this so I had to use other techniques such as:

• Joshua always went through doors first.
• Joshua always ate first.
• Joshua always had access to me.
• Never allowing Tiesto between Joshua and I during playtime.
• When Tiesto was laying down, placing Joshua on top of him across his shoulders(do this only if your Corso is very young, this is not something to do suddenly with an adult dog!).
• Allowing Joshua to play in Tiesto’s food bowl(do this only if you start when your Corso is a puppy and maintain it to keep them from being food protective)
• Allowing Joshua to play with Tiesto’s toys and Tiesto only getting them when he is finished.(Again, do not start this with an adult dog, puppies are smaller and do not outweigh a man so you can control the situation)

Week three of training was very fun! We are learning to sit and down for longer periods of time. He is also learning to right turn at a heel and doing very well at it. He will work off lead in the yard at home and that makes me so happy! I can even get him to wait through his favorite toys being tossed and kicked about.

Teaching him these latest tricks is very difficult in comparison to the Basic course. Now, that may seem like a no brainer. This week I realized the need to increase the number of times I worked with him in a day. We shoot for 2 to 3, 20 minute sessions a day. Before, during and after each session we have a rousing game of fetch and a dandy scratch. Remember that unless you want to use your Corso for a trained security dog it is best not to play tug of war with them. They will always win at a certain point, make them think they are dominate to you and it will awaken the natural protector within. Training is a great way to “play” with your Corso. Tiesto loves our training time and he appears to think the whole session is a play time. This is for all breeds, training is working together and working together equals bonding. If you only want a family pet, I would still recommend that you continue to go to training classes and train your dog more and more as it is great fun to all involved. A really fabulous trainer and book I am currently reading called The Loved Dog by Tamar Gellar believes the same, training should be fun and filled with love and connection!

“Back” is the hardest command so far and he is so reluctant to do it! We have to practice in between chairs and walls to make sure he doesn’t just turn around and trot off. However, after two days of working on it, I noticed some marked improvement. I worked him in the home and back yard for the first two days then took our show on the road.

I have been slack in taking him to a public place during the week to work him, I noticed this Saturday that that is a mistake. So I am trying to go at least three times a week to work him where it is completely out of the norm and distracting. I will update you as we progress in this area. Right now cars and people are just too much. I am confident that after a few days of work he will be stellar at this as well!

Stay tuned for the Training week four update! Until then, socialize, socialize, socialize and play-train, play-train, play-train!(I love that combination of words, Tamar Gellar uses it in her The Loved Dog book, fabulous!)

Corsos are cool!

There is no other way of putting it. I have owned dogs all of my life and loved every single one of them. I’ve had a German Shepherd, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Great Danes, Dachshunds, Shetland Sheepdogs and many mutts. Of all of them I’ve not met a more versatile and smart dog as Tiesto. Of course, one could argue that I was not the dog trainer and communicator that I am now. Okay, I’ll buy that for a dollar.

I have always maintained that there is a dog breed out there that is my perfect match. With my Staffordshire Bull Terrier, I thought I had found it, or gotten extremely close and her death devastated me. Tiesto is ever closer to that perfect match! He is easy going in the house, rowdy in the yard and loves fetch(something Tigger never did), he works so well with me when we are training together and he loves people and dogs. He is just 10 months old so a lot can change and I know that but given our last few weeks together I’m guessing it would take a lot.

First, my health went south with all the speed of the shuttle re-entering orbit and I ended up hospitalized for almost a week and recovering for about three weeks before we could really work together again. He picked up where we left off like I was never gone.

Secondly, we had been working again for about a week when a stray dog in my yard attacked him. I thought for sure that Tiesto was going to be ruined forever! Shortly after this attack we were in PetSmart trying to meet a small dog when his prong collar malfunctioned and hurt him! I was sure he would blame the small dog for it! I feel now like I stressed for no reason. The Ballards reassured me that he would be fine because of all the hard work I had put into him before, however, I wanted to know for sure! Tiesto remained great friends with his Corso buddies at the Ballards, however, I was concerned that smaller dogs would make him nervous. My awesome, PetSmart Trainer, Judy, arranged a meeting of Tiesto with two very awesome small dogs and Tiesto took it like a champ! He was ready to play after only a brief introduction! It was crazy! As a result of the prong collar malfunction I am a Gentle Leader convert! Tiesto is in his flat collar at home and when we are training at home. When we are out and about working he is in a Gentle Leader.

Finally, we have resumed his training in the intermediate class and he is amazing! So quickly picking up on what I want him to do! I have more health issues to get through but I really feel that Tiesto is going to be just fine. Every step of the way I have been communicating with the Ballards and with our Trainer, Judy. This has really taught me an important lesson.

Find a breeder of the Corso that you can talk to and ask questions of. Make sure that they love the breed as much as you are going to love your dog and that they are willing to make themselves available to you when you have any questions or a panic moment. I called Ana as soon as the dog attacked my Tiesto and let her know what happened and immediately began asking about how to get him away from this experience. She answered my questions and pointed me in the right direction! It was 8pm and she called me back to find out if Tiesto was okay and if I was okay and to help me! That is what I mean, a breeder that cares about your dog and you not just your money.

Find a trainer that you can talk to and get help from outside of class time too! That is where Judy at PetSmart comes in! I emailed her and let her know what happened and asked her if she could help me get Tiesto away from this experience. She responded immediately! We are even friends on Facebook so she is an email away when I have problems or questions!

Tiesto and Joshua are getting along swimmingly. Joshua brings Tiesto his ball and bones. Tiesto lets Joshua sit on him and waller him around. They are adorable together!

I will have to let you know how the intermediate training goes as we just started. Until next time, socialize, socialize, socialize!

Pubescent Boot Camp

Tiesto is an awesome dog. I’ve said and typed that like a million times! I also expounded on his first pubescent episode with the dead hog. From there it continued to escalate. What most people don’t realize is that from 6-9 months in most dogs (Corsos go until 17 months) there is a puppy puberty! In fact, it is during this time that most puppies are rehomed, according to Gwen Bailey, author of How to Raise the Perfect Puppy. This book should be standard issue for those considering a puppy.



Tiesto went into puberty with a strong obedience and socialization program. And so I was surprised at how strongly testosterone affected him. He began with trying to get between my son and I. He started this by cutting Joshua off in route to me. This didn’t work because I got up and got my son. However, once my son was in my lap Tiesto would try to pinch him. At this point, most moms would panic and believe me I fought the urge. However, my training both in the military and after has taught me to assess the situation, get as much information as possible and then make a standard operating procedure.

First, I contacted my friends and Tiesto’s breeders, the Ballards. They originally wanted to show him but he had a few issues that wouldn’t bode well for him in the ring. They had mentioned to me on several occasions that if I wanted to neuter him they would be fine with that. I called to confirm this and once confirmation was received I made an appt for the next day. The newly neutered Tiesto returned home to his family a touch lighter and groggy. It is important to realize that a pet Corso does not require his testicles and unless you’ve decided to put a lot of time and money into showing and breeding, it is best to neuter. This is not a way to make money, so please spay and neuter your pets. If you need some incentive to leave the breeding to those like the Ballards watch Last Chance Highway or Pit Boss on Animal Planet. I could almost immediately tell the difference in Tiesto’s attitude toward myself and my son in light of his neutering.

Second, was to implement the pubescent training program. Just like teenagers who wake up one day not listening to a thing and you feel like you have to make a million rules to keep them safe, that is what you do with a dog. I rewound everything! Once he gets excited or pushy he is sent from the room and out of the circle, Corsos hate this! If at anytime he becomes too focused on Joshua he is sent out of the room and away from Joshua. I also start and stop all interactions with Tiesto. He is not allowed to ask for a petting, he gets it when I call him to me and only walks away when I tell him “All done.” All of these actions drive home to this pubescent Corso that I am in charge, that Joshua is alpha to him and that certain behaviors are expected. He is a puppy still so even though he is pubescent and stubborn, as alpha it is my job to deal with that and continue to train him up in the way I would have him behave as an adult. Consistency, no matter how many times, is the key! I reinstituted daily obedience work and I feed him after all of our meals. This really emphasizes our alpha status. For Tiesto, I will maintain this training program until the end of puberty, at that point I will relax because he will relax into his place in the pack. Please note, at NO TIME is hitting, screaming, punching or anything like that required to correct your Corso. They are dogs, so deal with them using dog-language, abuse is not in their vocabulary. If you don’t believe me, watch “It’s Me or the Dog,” on Animal Planet, Victoria would stanchly agree with me!

Thirdly, I have had to start crate training again. He gets out after Joshua gets up. He is crated when Joshua is asleep and when we are out of the house. This is very little time of the day as I have the privilege of being a homemaker. When this regime resumed he would scream to get out. The first couple of days were really hard to get through and to get him to understand that he does not come out until he is quiet. He is much better now. Another training technique I had to start was making him lay down inside the crate before I opened the door. With him in the down position and focusing on me I can control his excitement level. Before I started this he would dive out of the crate at 100 miles an hour. Weighing 100 plus pounds, this action could be very dangerous to those outside the crate. He now has to focus on standing and stepping out of the crate, thus slowing the charge. I ignore him completely once he is out until he has calmed down. He is calming down quicker and quicker each morning.

Finally, I have continued the socialization regime I started before all my road trips. We go out in public at least once a day and work. This may be the front yard by the road and in sight of the neighbors or to PetSmart(or any other area pet store) or a public park. We have company on a regular basis to help him understand that people in the house is also okay. He understands that once properly introduced that he can relax. Socialization must continue.

Yeah, it is very hard work. He is just nine months old but in the end I will have a very stable and loving Corso that I can continue to road trip with and can trust around family and friends. I will also have a Corso I can trust to defend my family if the need ever arises. Raising a seriously huge dog is serious business and I’ve a doggy boot camp approach.

Puberty and the fight through . . .

It always amazes me how much we limit people and animals in our life. We say about ourselves,


“Oh, I could never do that . . .” what ever that is and then we add the excuse,

“because I am too old, because I am too skinny, fat, ugly, tall, silly . . .” whatever we feel is the excuse. One of the things I’ve heard people say about pets is, I don’t want one because they hinder your ability to travel and do things. I would have to say that objectively I agree with you in as much as I agree with the person(which I used to be one of) that says, I would never want children, they hinder your ability to travel and see things.



So to the group who doesn’t want a dog because they are inconvenient, I whole heartedly agree, for some people they are inconvenient but they can do what ever it is you ask of them, if you work at it. To those who feel the same about kids, ditto. However, I’ve had the pleasure of a change of heart . . .



As you know I’ve done two things in the past month, I started using a Gentle Leader on Tiesto and we took another wild road trip of 2200 miles. Tiesto had already been on one road trip that was over 3000. At this time I would like to point out to both groups that my pup and my baby were with me for all of it and we had a blast.



Tiesto did great with the Gentle Leader and I will use this when I am in class at Petsmart because they don’t allow prong collars. The reason for this is that many people do not take the time to learn how to use them properly and then misuse them out of ignorance and/or laziness. There have been many horrible stories and pictures floating around the media. To avoid this, they don’t allow them. However, the Ballards have been in Corsos for 10 years and thank God that they share their knowledge! They taught me the proper use of a prong collar. They explained how it would help Tiesto and I have a better working relationship because he would really be learning the stuff I was having him do. I can tell you that once again they proved themselves geniuses! Tiesto is in his prong collar only when I am actively working with him on his obedience. (I am hoping to get his Canine Good Citizen) He understands as soon as it is on that he is working, it is only on when there is a lead attached and so he is beginning to associate the lead with work time and focusing on me wonderfully. I am very excited about being able to dispense with it entirely in the future. As James explained to me, T is going to weigh 150 pounds and Joshua is a mere 26 pounds, I have them both with me all the time, it is imperative that Tiesto responds immediately to me. Tiesto has already begun doing that!



So between the prong collar and the Gentle Leader his training is coming along beautifully and he is the coolest. While we were in New York, he stayed at his first kennel and did a fab job! Then he rode on a paddle boat with me and a big swing and he loved both. He loved the free access to the wild water in the lake, he is hilarious! Give him a bucket of tap water and a bucket of rain/lake water and he’ll stick his face in the rain/lake bucket every time! He had to get used to people walking past his cage all the time and he had to get used to different and strange people in the house all the time. He really settled in and did a great job!

He is a thinker. He kept getting in trouble for getting in my Mother-in-law’s trash can. So he decided that he would just try to take off with it and have a look in side. My 90 pound pup running through the kitchen with a 40 gallon trash can dangling from his teeth was a sight to behold. So that was put to a halt and he seemed to understand from that point that no matter the location of the trash can, he wasn’t allowed into it.



Another thing that has occurred is that while most of the time Tiesto comes to a screeching halt when he thinks he is going to run into his little BIG brother, Joshua, there have been some bumps. Nothing serious but reminded me that I really need to drive home the point that a baby is a baby and a dog is a dog and an adult should always have a watchful eye on both, no matter the breed but ESPECIALLY when the size is so great!



Also, watching the little one! Joshua has decided to try to see if he can kick and punch Tiesto. These efforts are met with consequences, however, if someone saw my son’s perfectly cute and adorable face they might be tempted to not believe that he would, in fact, make such attempts. I have seen it with my own two eyes! So, to add to the watch the dog, watch the kiddie-wink too!



Another thing to note is your children will get attached to your puppy no matter their age(unless they are an infant then maybe not). When we had to leave Tiesto at the kennel, Joshua screamed and screamed until I could distract him long enough to take his mind off of it. I think next time he will understand that we are going to get him back. Joshua and Tiesto had a huge party when they were reunited! Tough to imagine, an 18 month old 26 pound baby boy and a 100ish pound puppy giving kisses and hugs. It was a sight to behold.



Finally, to those who find dogs inconvenient. Tiesto is a GREAT travel buddy. He keeps us safe and he rides along so patiently and then hangs out with us where ever we are. To those who find kids inconvenient, Joshua is a great travel buddy, he laughs and tells me stories and sings to me! He provides a reason for me to stop and rest and laugh some more. Both of them rise to meet my expectations and are just happy that we are all together. Essentially, I don’t know how I ever road tripped without them!



Tiesto starts his intermediate training the end of this month so stay tuned!

Just a Baby!

This is a pic of his puppy graduation! He is only five months old in this pic!

So, Tiesto behaves so well that I realized today that I have forgotten that he is only 7 months old! Thank God the Ballards reminded me as during socialization I have asked him to stay focused on me the entire time! At his tender age, the primary mission is to make life fun and to socialize him to everything! Silly me! He had become so confident and was so willing to do everything I asked him that I kept pushing him instead of letting him be a baby! What I mean by that is, while we were in PetSmart or on a brief walk(very brief as he is a big growing boy) I wanted him to always focus on me and walk nicely, not to sniff or meander! No wonder he was starting to get frustrated with our outings. Thankfully, Anna and James gently reminded me that he was still a baby and I have to make sure he is still having fun!

So again, I called them after I had a chance to mull over the implications of Tiesto still being a baby! I have him signed up for intermediate classes at the end of this month and didn’t want to frustrate him. She told me the following:

Working Tiesto at Petsmart is the only time he has to focus on me. Remember that he is a dog and the entire time he is free in your home and car that is freedom to him.

Amazing! So I am only asking him to work while I am in an establishment that allows dogs. That really put it in perspective for me and allowed me to relax a little. She went on to suggest that I have him work on the way into the store. Then allow him to sniff around and check things out and relax until he starts getting wiry then to pull him aside and asking him to work until he is focused again. That was an eye opener! Once again their immense knowledge of Corsos has helped me in my efforts to raise Tiesto!

Memory of An Elephant

I’m always calling or emailing or texting the Ballards to tell them how amazing Tiesto is and how much I love him! How well behaved he is and on and on and on. So I always get excited about the opportunity to show them how good he is doing. Hilariously, this never happens. Every time he sees any of the Ballards and/or their Corsos the gig is up and he goes puppy crazy! It doesn’t matter if he is in his prong collar or not, his Gentle Leader or not. I’m pretty sure I could have him in a doggy straight jacket, if there is such a thing, and he would still go crazy for them. So today I gave up on ever showing them how amazing he is in real life. I am instead going to have my husband video him on my Flip in all his glory and then I can show them the video!

If anyone ever asks you how good a Corso’s memory is, tell them it is like an elephant, they never forget!

Corsos can do what you ask and so can kids. :0)

It always amazes me how much we limit people and animals in our life. We say about ourselves,


“Oh, I could never do that . . .” what ever that is and then we add the excuse,

“because I am too old, because I am too skinny, fat, ugly, tall, silly . . .” whatever we feel is the excuse. One of the things I’ve heard people say about pets is, I don’t want one because they hinder your ability to travel and do things. I would have to say that objectively I agree with you in as much as I agree with the person(which I used to be one of) that says, I would never want children, they hinder your ability to travel and see things.

So to the group who doesn’t want a dog because they are inconvenient, I whole heartedly agree, for some people they are inconvenient but they can do what ever it is you ask of them, if you work at it. To those who feel the same about kids, ditto. However, I’ve had the pleasure of a change of heart . . .

As you know I’ve done two things in the past month, I started using a Gentle Leader on Tiesto and we took another wild road trip of 2200 miles. Tiesto had already been on one road trip that was over 3000. At this time I would like to point out to both groups that my pup and my baby were with me for all of it and we had a blast.

Tiesto did great with the Gentle Leader and I will use this when I am in class at Petsmart because they don’t allow prong collars. The reason for this is that many people do not take the time to learn how to use them properly and then misuse them out of ignorance and/or laziness. There have been many horrible stories and pictures floating around the media. To avoid this, they don’t allow them. However, the Ballards have been in Corsos for 10 years and thank God that they share their knowledge! They taught me the proper use of a prong collar. They explained how it would help Tiesto and I have a better working relationship because he would really be learning the stuff I was having him do. I can tell you that once again they proved themselves geniuses! Tiesto is in his prong collar only when I am actively working with him on his obedience. (I am hoping to get his Canine Good Citizen) He understands as soon as it is on that he is working, it is only on when there is a lead attached and so he is beginning to associate the lead with work time and focusing on me wonderfully. I am very excited about being able to dispense with it entirely in the future. As James explained to me, T is going to weigh 150 pounds and Joshua is a mere 26 pounds, I have them both with me all the time, it is imperative that Tiesto responds immediately to me. Tiesto has already begun doing that!

So between the prong collar and the Gentle Leader his training is coming along beautifully and he is the coolest. While we were in New York, he stayed at his first kennel and did a fab job! Then he rode on a paddle boat with me and a big swing and he loved both. He loved the free access to the wild water in the lake, he is hilarious! Give him a bucket of tap water and a bucket of rain/lake water and he’ll stick his face in the rain/lake bucket every time! He had to get used to people walking past his cage all the time and he had to get used to different and strange people in the house all the time. He really settled in and did a great job!

He is a thinker. He kept getting in trouble for getting in my Mother-in-law’s trash can. So he decided that he would just try to take off with it and have a look in side. My 90 pound pup running through the kitchen with a 40 gallon trash can dangling from his teeth was a sight to behold. So that was put to a halt and he seemed to understand from that point that no matter the location of the trash can, he wasn’t allowed into it.

Another thing that has occurred is that while most of the time Tiesto comes to a screeching halt when he thinks he is going to run into his little BIG brother, Joshua, there have been some bumps. Nothing serious but reminded me that I really need to drive home the point that a baby is a baby and a dog is a dog and an adult should always have a watchful eye on both, no matter the breed but ESPECIALLY when the size is so great!

Also, watching the little one! Joshua has decided to try to see if he can kick and punch Tiesto. These efforts are met with consequences, however, if someone saw my son’s perfectly cute and adorable face they might be tempted to not believe that he would, in fact, make such attempts. I have seen it with my own two eyes! So, to add to the watch the dog, watch the kiddie-wink too!

Another thing to note is your children will get attached to your puppy no matter their age(unless they are an infant then maybe not). When we had to leave Tiesto at the kennel, Joshua screamed and screamed until I could distract him long enough to take his mind off of it. I think next time he will understand that we are going to get him back. Joshua and Tiesto had a huge party when they were reunited! Tough to imagine, an 18 month old 26 pound baby boy and a 100ish pound puppy giving kisses and hugs. It was a sight to behold.

Finally, to those who find dogs inconvenient. Tiesto is a GREAT travel buddy. He keeps us safe and he rides along so patiently and then hangs out with us where ever we are. To those who find kids inconvenient, Joshua is a great travel buddy, he laughs and tells me stories and sings to me! He provides a reason for me to stop and rest and laugh some more. Both of them rise to meet my expectations and are just happy that we are all together. Essentially, I don’t know how I ever road tripped without them!

Tiesto starts his intermediate training the end of this month so stay tuned!

Patience, Consistency and One’s Inside Voice

I am one of those people that would love to say,

“I will never yell at my Joshua!” However, I believe that how one treats one’s dog is how one will treat your children. So I’ve had to really evaluate myself and redirect some crap behavior I’ve had. Why, do you ask? Because Tiesto has taught me that I can yell with a vengeance. He has shown me that I can, in fact, contemplate the best way to make a negative consequence stick in one’s mind. He has brought to light in me many a parental issue I need to work out before my Joshua makes it to his teenage years. I do not want to parent like that and I do not want to be a dog owner like that either. So what have I done?

I have taken steps to minimize Tiesto’s free range of the house to one dog proof area and attempt to correct a million times a day with a calm voice, knowing that some day he will get it. That Joshua’s toys are never ever going to be his, NOT EVER! Oh, goodness, there I go again, as I said, I attempt to keep my voice even keel. I don’t want Joshua to hear yelling either. I really really want my house to be a house of peace! And a really freakin’ big well behaved dog as a sidenote. Haha Joshua cannot say Tiesto yet, however, today I caught him correcting Tiesto with his man voice and it sounded a lot like my yell, so I have to continue work on me in that area.

Tiesto sits, stays and downs like a champ and walks off lead in the back yard and in the house at my side. In the front yard he walks on a loose lead and during all obedience exercises in Pet Smart and out and about he does well. However, get him on a normal every day outing and I feel like a flea towing an Elephant!!! So I escalated from the flat collar to a choke collar(I used it properly as well) and again had the same flea/elephant sensation. My arms and wrists were freakin’ exhausted from the darn excursion of it all not to mention that people started looking at me like I was a flea and a very dumb one at that! So I realized that I needed to make another change. A friend of mine once told me that the definition of insanity was trying the same thing and expecting a different outcome(no her name was not Webster). I went to PetSmart in search of something that I had used with wonderful results on Tigger, my Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A Halti! They had the Gentle Leader so I got that one, same difference. I watched the instructional video and I am prepared to give it a go tomorrow and see how it works. I am going to give him a couple of days to get used to how it feels before we try a PetSmart outing.

I continue to work on the basic obedience stuff so that he will be prepared for his intermediate course, which starts at the end of July with Judy! We can’t wait!

I also continue his socialization. He was so great on the road trip! Here are some tips for Road Tripping!

1) Make sure he is crate trained, the crate relaxes them because it is a piece of home.
2) Make sure that you have a squirt bottle of water because the new place will restart unwanted barking, squirting water works great and you can get the whole family involved. Haha
3) Do not lacks the rules because you are on vacation. You are on vacation the dog isn’t. Trust me, this will save you headaches!
4) Put the water and food buckets within his reach while driving long distances, you will be amazed at the fact that they will actually eat and drink as the car is moving!

Now, if your dog is full grown it might be different but for a pup this is what I learned the hard way.

Stay tuned for Gentle Leader outcome and advanced road tripping!:0)

Puberty Begins!

Many people get a puppy of any breed and think they are so perfect and training is going so well. In fact, they are not sure how they ever lived without their puppy. Then it happens; puberty. Puppies from the ages of six to nine months are those most likely to get rehomed because they no longer listen to anything!

That I was taken by surprise surprised me because I had lived through dog adolescence with Tigger! For whatever reason, I was surprised and enraged at Tiesto for losing his mind and not listening to anything. I became very worried that he was broken and then remembered the three months of hell with Tigger. Thankfully, dogs only have three months of this crap! Humans do this for four; and some never move beyond adolescence! So never give up and never surrender, go back to the basics and stay the course!

Back To the Basics!

Okay, so I have had to start over at square one with this pup. Today he pretended that he had no idea how to come and would instead like to follow the fox terrier named Wrinkles! I couldn’t believe it, that was when I realized I was without a treat bag. Once I had regained my succulent morsel laden bag he happily came when called! Only dilly dallying a bit to make sure that Wrinkles was not in fact just out of sight over a wee hill!


He did great all day yesterday but by last night was a different dog! So I had to restart my use of the house lead. The good news is that once I went back to the basics with him and continued to enforce the rules he has responded. I remembered Judy(Tiesto and I’s trainer at Pet Smart) saying that if ever your dog starts not listening to you go back to the beginning. Tiesto really seemed to appreciate the easy that was the basics for him. It is almost like the overwhelming newness of it all meant easing up just a bit on obedience until he settles. Even after two days I have been able to resume where we were at with obedience before arriving. So when you think your dog has lost its mind, go back a bit in training and he’ll come right back to where you both were!

Another amazing thing is that you can change the environment but do not change the routine! Tiesto always takes a nap when Joshua does at home. I tried to change that yesterday and it did not work out. He also always goes to sleep no later than 2100, I tried to change that yesterday and again the outcome was not good. Now, one would probably believe that I had known this based on the fact that I am a Mom and I strive for a routine with Joshua no matter what crazy adventure we are on. Well, it would seem that holds true for puppies too!

He is doing very well today and is even learning that Wrinkles does not welcome his sniffs, play times or kisses at any time ever during any moment of the day or night. Haha But he is a bit slow on this point, fortunately for him, Wrinkles is a very patient teacher.

We had our normal outside time this morning with Joshua and Tiesto and I think it helped them both. It is funny how I realized that since I was in a freakin’ cold place compared to home I didn’t want to go outside, but the littluns still did. So out we go! They were both in much better spirits after our outdoor adventure!

It is very different traveling with a Corso than a Staffie, my last traveling companion. Tiesto does not make friends naturally with anyone and has to be introduced to everyone. This is hard because they just see growling beast and not 5 month old puppy trying to make sure they understand his family is VERY dear to him. My husband said it best,

“I didn’t know a dog could imprint, but he has with you, that is for sure.” I laughed because until Tiesto, I had no idea they could either. However, he is most assuredly my dog! I don’t ever have to worry about someone stealing him and arguing that he is theirs because once he caught smell of me the gig would be up! Course, who would steal a dog that is the size of a baby hippo, seriously!

It’s a Grand Adventure!

Well, the first rule of road tripping with your new Corso is that all the rules you’ve taught them so far will be left at home. This is because home is all they know! We arrived to the Residence Inn at the Nashville Airport and got our room. It was an awesome room, the Penthouse, they called it. I highly recommend them if you are traveling with your pet!

So, I realized quickly that Tiesto did not know where the boundaries of our new home were located. He started barking/growling at everyone that moved because he logically deduced that he was the ruler of all that he saw. I walked him around and made him do his training like he was at home or in Pet Smart. This quickly helped him to associate the people there like the people at Pet Smart, potential petter/treat givers! Even towards the end of our three days he was fine with people when we were out and about, but gave warnings to those that came close to our porch. Although they became more and more half hearted warnings until they were tiny throat rasps of “I don’t think you matter but just in case” sounds. Tiesto is a natural protector and so he tries to figure out people’s motives, where they are supposed to be located and what my boundaries are. That is what I have noticed.

So I have taken it upon myself to teach him that my boundaries are very penetrable. Another words, I try to meet people and talk to them when we are out and about. This gets him to understand that talking is okay. I try to introduce myself and shake their hand, this gets him to understand that there are acceptable forms of touching. People lift and love on Joshua, so Tiesto understands that there are people who can pick up Joshua. This whole time, Tiesto is learning what nice people “look” like and feel like. He is noting their stance, smell, emotional climate and mine as I interact with them. These are great notes for a natural protector so they know when they see the real thing – a bad person! This is all part of socialization, however, if you choose a natural protector dog it must be done all the more intensely.

He liked the neighbors and thought Shitzus were funny. I told him not to be intimidated by their looks, maintenance level or their size, he is perfect just the way he is. I thought that it might be good to clear that up, in case, Shitzus were the dog world equivelant of supermodels! Haha

We left after three days and he was a smashing apartment dog. Now, grant it, we sought out grass to play in but Tiesto adjusted quickly to the smaller living space.

We arrived at my parents’ house in South MO and they have two dogs. One is absolutely adorable and lives outside, that is Babe. One is cute, lives inside and is 18 years old, that is Wrinkles. She is slightly cantankerous is that one. I figure at 126 years old in human time, she can be as cantankerous as she wants. Tiesto does not understand why she doesn’t like him. He is Italian and handsome, but she does not want him around and this baffles him completely! So I have to continually tell him to stay away and he is learning. He tries to taste test the toys here, in case they aren’t off limits here like at home. I have taught him, nope, Joshua’s toys are off limits here too. He wants to play with Babe and Wrinkles outside, I tell him no and had to crate him because in 24 hours he has learned to open the front door and was attempting to do just that. He is sad that he is left out. Babe is bigger than Wrinkles but smaller than Tiesto by a lot! So she was playing with him but then realized that he wasn’t really a dog, he was a monster and didn’t want to play with him any more! So he is on his own and I can tell he is sad by that. However, we’ve been relearning house rules, training in the yard and in the house. We have been playing lots of fetch and he is getting his energy out from the long trip. I figure after a few days he will settle, just like at the apartment. I will write more on that later.

Introducing Sir Joshua the Genius and his trusty sidekick, Tiesto!

Well, looking back on my life as a wed babiless sort I have realized three things. One, I got way too much sleep and was very lazy. Two, I was very irresponsible! I believe I did not grow up until they handed me Joshua! No mother should take on a dog and a son unless she is a bit loopy, very head strong and does not have a job outside of homemakeing.


So what does a day in the life look like! Well, today was hilariuos for several reasons. One, Joshua and Two Tiesto! I've dubbed them Sir Joshua the Genius and his trusty sidekick, Tiesto. The reason shall become apparent.

Joshua and I had to get up and leave in a rush to get to the Honda place for the car to get her check up. We dropped it off 20 minutes late, apologizing profusely and then scurried to Denny's for breakfast. Joshua didn't really eat yesterday so I thought I would get him a grand slam(and share it with him, of course) to celebrate his recovery. We did just that and he was visiting nicely with the folk at the next table who affirmed my suspicions that he is a genius. He was very cordial until their food came before ours. It was at that point that he began such a scuffle in my lap to get down and go over and get their food that it looked like I hadn't fed him since Sunday!! So, I thought he was going to scarf down breakfast with all the speed and enthusiasm of Tiesto after any thing Joshua drops. So the Slam arrives and Joshua eats 1.5 pieces of Toast and one sausage. That is it! (Later he ate two more as elevenzies) So we(I) ate the rest of the breakfast and paid our bill and left. The waitress was really nice and helped me so much! Don't worry I tipped her. We really needed a little spoiling after yesterday.

So then we walked around a little bit and back to Honda to get our Goldie(Goldie Hawnda, get it?). We were off home. So then down for a nap. 1 hour later, he is awake and doesn't know what he wants, drink, eat, mommy, playing, not playing . . .so we watch baby signs while he decides. That made him happy.

Then off to the vet for the other baby. Tiesto, all 73 pounds of him climbed into my car. And we were off. When we arrived, Mark called and I spoke to him while I put the baby in the back pack, the back pack on my back, around to the other side of the car, get the dog, the grocery bag full of paperwork and my wallet, said goodbye to my husband. I went to put the phone in the center console and bumped(not hard) my baby's head on the roof while pulling the car door close to my butt because the dog had walked around to the other side of the bloody car door so when I pulled him close I was shutting us into the car! So now I had a screaming 16 month old on my back in my back pack. So around the leg went the leash, off the back came the back pack, out of the back pack came the baby and there was much consoleing.(Are you all rolling on the floor laughing yet?) So then we all get put back together and I am already sweating, so much for looking like the Mary Kay lady that has it all together.(Did I mention it was like 80 in the shade today?) We go into the vets, where my normally confident and bouncey pup decides that he has never been to this place before(this is true) and so he was going to go slooowwwwllllyyyyy into the building. I had arrived 15 minutes early, but had used up most of that time getting whipped in the car park! So I get up to the check in desk and the place is freakin' hoppin' like a bar in Harrogate on Saturday night!

So an hour later, every thing done we are on our way home. I have been trying to teach Tiesto that when Fetch is done it is done, that means no freakin' trying to grab the bloody toys out of my hands. I apparently needed to have a come to Jesus with him about it because Joshua, who would not go to sleep to save his life, was wanting me to pick him up.(Later, I realized because he wanted Tiesto's toys) He was on the back porch and I was walking up to him and told Tiesto all done. However, he decided that I was distracted with Joshua and so he was going to make a grab. In so doing, he pushed Joshua onto his bum, before I could grab Joshua, or move the dog(because they out number me) Joshua laid back onto the porch with a tiny bump(this is why it is funny, no one was injured in the making of this insanity) and just laid there screaming. While Tiesto, believing he had me right where he wanted me(he is having a wheaties week) kept grabbing at the toys. I put the toys on the table and snatched up Joshua. The dog(now tall enough to reach over the table) sniffs madly round the table like some nut and I'm striving not to destroy the fur baby because he has no idea it was his fault! Joshua was fine as soon as I picked him up because as I soon realized he got what he wanted, his mom to stop playing with Tiesto and play with him and give him Tiesto's toys! I was shocked! They both try to play me all freakin' day!

At this realization I marched into the house with dog and baby and made Joshua play with his own toys and Tiesto play with his own toys. However, as I played ball with Joshua, Tiesto became increaseingly annoying trying to get in the game. Joshua and I crawled all over him for a bit and petted him and fussed him up. Then we resumed our game, Tiesto just got up, walked over and took the ball! He knows that is going to get him in trouble, so into the crate he goes. This goes on all day every day and I feel confident that Joshua and Tiesto are going to figure out at some point that if they stop trying to vie for attention and steal each others' toys life is a very peaceful place!

Joshua still wouldn't sleep but today is Tiesto bath day(this happens every fifth of the month so he can get his flea treatment on the sixth of the month). The funny thing about these two is while they go back and forth over toys, Tiesto follows him every where and Joshua loves catching a pet whenever he can. He even loves kissing him! It is adorable, in a lot of ways they remind me of siblings! For instance, while at the vet's office they had to do some tests on Tiesto, naturally, he got upset and tense, Joshua realizing that started crying in the back pack, which got Tiesto more upset. Another nurse had to be called and then it was sorted! So bath time, Joshua was overloaded from the day(who wouldn't be?) and was crying in the play pen next to the tub. I'm knee deep in the tub with my beast bathing him and Tiesto is so happy about this bath! I couldn't believe it. But for some reason chose to leap out of the deep jacuzzi tub! I had lifted the 73 pounds into the tub, now I had to get out and lift 75 pounds(cause he is dripping wet) back into the tub. I managed to do that without going head first in after him, but only because I caught myself on the side. Joshua wanted to be in the same tub that yesterday he told me off for putting him into! I was like, honestly, Joshua! Well, I did not put him in the tub with us because I know that three in a tub is bad. Didn't the baker, the butcher and the candlestick maker disappear down a river that way?

So my clothes wet through the dog bathed and happy, the baby screaming mad, we all went back outside to watch the sunlight fade and hear the birds settle for the night and watch the "birds that drink blood" come out. I say that because I saw a misquito going to Joshua, he saw it and made the bird sign. I died laughing, "Yes, Joshua they are the size of birds here." I snatched him up and we were all back inside safe and sound! Whew! What a day! It is days like this that remind me that I need to pray more!

Funny Day

Tiesto was thinking this evening,
"Pupdate 001.1 Today was train well, but a bit stubbornly.  Test mommy to make sure that ALL the boundaries she put into place from the first day still hold.  Yep, crocs are still off limits, still can't play with Joshua's toys, I still have to wait for him to throw my ball.  I still can't use my teeth to play with either of them. I still can't chew on Daddy's slippers and funny enough, I STILL have to practice all that Puppy Kindergarten stuff! Sigh, I thought for sure she was going to break if I just wore her down. Tomorrow must try to kill the noise and light machine mommy called a TV.  Have to destroy more of the round floaty objects that come out of the machine mommy wields."

Mommy was thinking this evening,
"Whew, what a day! Baby sick, puppy testing . . .awww but the Baby Signs movie was nice with Joshua practicing all the baby signs and Tiesto chewing his toy at our feet staring at the TV as if he were plotting on it and wasn't it great how Joshua laughed watching Tiesto race like a crazy man after the bubbles! Great day!"

Camping!

Joshua and Tiesto got to go camping for the first time during the month of April. Our first outing was a bit of a bust and thank God only one night, we did not bring the sound machine or mosquito coils and I forgot the Poison Ivy invested every corner of America. Our second outing was much more successful with only one hiccup!


Tiesto does not like being apart from Joshua and I. He especially loathes my absence but is much happier when Joshua is around also. Mark was setting up camp and Joshua and I were walking around while Tiesto was tied to a tree. He is never tied out anywhere and lives in our house with us. The most he has experienced is a crate. So this did not go over well. He commenced screaming . . .I didn’t panic because I knew once we all got settled he would get over it. However, our “neighbor” two tents down did panic. He came over and said,

“Sorry, I don’t want to be a pest but I can’t handle that.” I explained it would stop once we settled and that he was a baby puppy in a new situation. He responded,

“Well, he better stop.” And biked away. I was hot to trot for a second, then thankful that he told me instead of the park ranger. My seething calmed down as Joshua and I began making a stick fort right next to the now happy Tiesto. All he wanted was us near.

Later that night two doors down and across the road from the “Can’t handle that” guy, there was such a din I couldn’t believe my ears. It was 11 pm! Laughing and cackling like a gaggle of geese and it refracted off the night air and trees like they were using megaphones! I could not stop laughing! Especially since I have so done that, complain about a tiny matter to only have a bigger annoyance in the same genre pop up. For instance, my work schedule and that of my spouse used to so differ that we only got to sleep in the same bed. I used to whine about just sleeping together until he got orders and we spent the next three years not even getting to sleep together! So I laughed at the distress that guy must be feeling and at the irony that he must be realizing just happened. I also pitied him as I started falling asleep to my son’s sound machine, he probably didn’t have one of those.

Tiesto does great camping. We take his crate and that helps him relax. We go to the beach early in the morning to play fetch and then again later during everyone else’s down time so we don’t have a crowded beach to worry about. Tiesto loves fetch, he is a nut over it! We have to take his bucket of water to the beach cause he’ll go until he is thirsty and then wonder why the ocean just ain’t cutting it for hydration. Silly, puppy! Since he has to be on a lead at all times in the campsites these fetch sessions for him are a great release! I’ve noticed that if he has pinned up energy it affects his whole outlook on the world. However, a simple game of fetch with straighten him right out. When he is old enough he will join us on long hikes and runs. Right now as a baby he cannot do that as it might hurt his legs and hips.

So the second camping trip was a great success! Tiesto, for me, makes camping that much more fun!

Freedom has a name, it is Tiesto!

I do not know why they say that dogs are a man's best friend. Personally, I had never met a male who was a dog person like myself until I met Mr. Ballard.  That is saying alot since 50% of the population I run into daily is male and I am in my 30s. However, as a female I can say that I have met loads of female dog people but none quite as nuts as I am for dogs.  A few have come close.

I have had a Great Dane, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and now a Corso.  This does not include the countless mutts and drop offs I had on the farm growing up.  To say that Dogs were my friends growing up would be an accurate description.  I was afraid of mankind because they tended to hurt me, so I withdrew into animals hard core and by highschool that was complete, I did not take any chances with people and those that I did, well, sorry to say I ended up hurting! So by the Marine Corps I was very skittish around people and did not let very many near my heart.  I was also very afraid of "bad people." I was so glad that the Marines taught me to fight for myself and so got over most of that fear.  There is something to be said for hand to hand combat skills that can stop a man.  Besides, I had thrown 6 foot men in training so what was there to be afraid of?

Most of that bravery came from the fact that I lived in the barracks surrounded by Marines and so did not realize I still needed a dog to sleep until I moved out on my own.  That was when I got Tigger, my wonderful awesome Staffordshire Bull Terrier(do not believe anything the media says about Bull Terriers of any make, lazy ignorant owners make bad dogs not the breed), she past away last August 3, and I was in the dog free zone.  As my husband is not a dog person we had made this deal, as long as Mark had to put up with a dog, I would have to put up with life without a dog.  However, we were not planning on Mark being away so much!  Many sleepless nights went by as I toured the house at every noise with a bat.  I started running to relatives' houses and staying there.  Finally, there was a straw that broke the camel's back. I was trapped at home and not sleeping for a few weeks in a row.  A long discussion later and some powerful praying later, my husband softened and a Corso was going to come into our home.

I am not so worried about protecting myself anymore, but my son.  He is my most priceless sweet son and I could not bear the thought of someone besting me to get to him!  This was the cause of my anxiety. However, they would have to get up real early and eat lots of wheaties before they could best a Corso.

That is when I met the Ballards, awesome people who love the breed very much! They breed wonderful Corsos and are very knowledgable about the breed and are willing to share that knowledge not to mention their time to help when one needs it! They entrusted to me, Tiesto!

I had no idea how much my home had become a prison to me without the aid of a dog.  I really think that Tiesto should qualify as an assistance dog, because he truly assists me in leaving the house! Just the other day I was laying in the yard with Joshua on my tummy(yes, even the yard was scary to me), we were both facing the sky and looking at the clouds while Tiesto laid beside us. I breathed in the relaxation deeply, no fear, because if someone came into our yard it was not me they were going to have to deal with. I walk through the car park at night with Joshua and Tiesto, with no fear, because it is not my job to protect and Tiesto is so very good at his job already! For instance, we were walking out of a store and Joshua was riding my back.  Tiesto became very hesitant and would not walk by my side, he kept pulling us back and to the right.  I couldn't fathom what was going on with him when I noticed a couple verbally fighting on our left near us. Tiesto noticed before I did and was trying to move us away, he is only five months old! That is amazing to me and so freeing! I don't have to be the protector, I can be the nuturer and caretaker.  I can enjoy the day and be free of assessing and reassessing situations to make sure there is no danger to Joshua! So now I go anywhere anytime! I am not trapped like I was before, I'm even planning a road trip with Joshua and Tiesto!  Something I would never have done with out Tiesto.

So I guess freedom has a name, Tiesto!

Are you willing?

A Cane Corso is not a Labrador Retriever.  This breed requires your dedication and committment until the end.  I'm not an expert, I do not have a PhD or any other certificate.  These are merely things I do with my Corso and I'm offering them to you as information in your quest.

Are you willing to make the time to socialize and obedience train this dog every day?  My dog and baby boy are never left alone in a room for two reasons, one, Joshua is a baby, two, Tiesto is a baby.  Neither one know what to do with the other, my job as the adult/alpha is to make sure that neither do the wrong thing. If you think this isn't something to be taken too seriously, then please get a parakeet.  Any breed is capable of hurting a baby or adult.  If you think that by getting a certain breed you won't have to worry about supervising your dog with your baby, think again. The most frightening and tragic thing I have recently read is about a 6 week old baby that was mauled to death by a Pomeranian!(see Dog Bite Law web page: Children as Victims of dogbites ) So please understand that no matter the breed you are going to have to be vigilant, your baby is your most precious treasure make no assumptions of their safety.

I am alone alot with Joshua, when Tiesto and I are going out socializing and working obedience, Joshua rides in a back pack on my back or in my baby KTan, so there is no excuse for not getting out and working your dog.

Are you willing to get the knowledge?  Have you read any REALLY good books about training and raising a puppy? Are you willing to take your puppy to a class with you each week so that you can ensure a great adult dog? Are you willing to not only admit you don't know what you are doing but to go out and learn what you are supposed to be doing?  There are great resources out there but I use the book by Gwen Bailey called How to Raise the Perfect Puppy.  You can get this from Amazon.com. Also, Tiesto and I go to classes at Pet Smart and they are really good and Pet Smart is most every where.  Please get signed up for a class as SOON as the dog is fully vaccinated.  Until vaccinations are complete take him out in your arms to get socialized, make wild sounds in your house with buckets of rocks and music and dancing wildly about.  Play with your kids how you are going to play with them and make sure the dog gets desensitized.  I had company with children over.  He stayed in the cage until everyone was settled in and then with my strict supervision he came out and sniffed around and met everyone, then laid down on his carpet chewing his toy while all the babies and adults made noise.  Your dog has to get socialized to your life, period, this takes work. If any of your guests are apprehensive of your dog, keep your dog crated.  Their nervousness will affect your dog as well and so don't let Fido feel that from them. This will give Fido the opportunity to understand that he isn't always welcome at parties, he can just listen and watch.  This will be very good for you in the future too, as a family you might have something that you need to focus on and your pup will be happy and safe in his crate.  Which brings up another point, Crate Training, I would be lost without it and so would a myraid of my things. There are loads of articles out there about Crate Training, just do a search in google and pick your favorite.

Again, these are just things that I do.  These work for me and I'm not expert with any certificates or degrees.  As a Cane Corso owner to one who is considering it I am giving you the gift of my experience, do with it what you will. If you decide to get a Corso, please get one from a respectable breeder, one who loves the breed more than your money and will help you when you need it.  I love Ballard Cane Corso and Tiesto is one of theirs.  Tiesto is five months old and I will post things about him and his life with us here from time to time.  Maybe this will help give people a clear picture of what it is like to live with and love a Corso.