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.