Am I an idiot?

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

The shelter has been closed for 2 days now due to staff illness/a virus going around. At the moment only staff and some volunteers are allowed there to do the basic care and exercising. So I haven't been back yet.

Meanwhile, my "ideal dog" has popped up for sale locally at a good price and I'm sitting on my hands!

It’s meant to be!

I've decided not to get another dog at all. Thanks for the support and convo.

Yeah, funny that. I read a conversation yesterday on my Facebook memories from a year ago. It was with Clodagh. I’d said ‘We’ve decided we’re not getting another now.’ Hmm. I think it was 29th when my OH showed me a picture that I thought was Zak. He drove to Devon and back the following day, bringing back the puppies.

Now your not looking, the right dog will find you.

Yup, it just kind of hits you. The Cane Corso is surely serendipitous!

Edit: I have zero strength of will re puppies, you are probably far stronger than me!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I have some level of will power because I remember how tired I was when we first got our current Lab! Lots of going out to wee and took her a few nights to settle away from her mum and siblings.

I've done a lot of research re Cane Corso's and have some personal experience (not as an owner though), and they've really grown on me and I've watched countless videos and read many training theories, and had some convo with owners. A well trained dog can "perform" as directed or be called off as directed, but it takes serious training. My Lab will target bark as directed. This can be enough to deter someone wandering your property or coming up to your door. It's not about aggression, or biting, and is very controlled. She can also not bark at all.

As for the breeder of the Cane Corso mentioned above, she might've slacked on a few things for the first 8 weeks, and it is a formitive period, but my last Lab came from a breeder that did nothing with the pups aside from very basic care, and she was the best Lab I've ever had. So I think it depends. I think if you hit the ground running when you get the pup and shape them, it's alright. I know sometimes they're still in that cute pup phase and it's not taken so seriously, which is an issue. Especially with a dominant breed. Socialization and training begins from day 1 in their new home.

Sometimes having another dog helps a bit, in that they can observe behaviors and attitudes. Sort of like when I've raised a pup and had a cat. The pup sees my relationship with the cat, and accepts the cat as a household member. It becomes "their cat" so to speak...and usually the cat is the boss LOL It's all about how you train and set up the household. Sure there are exceptions, or dogs not wired right, but you do your best and if a dog is truly off/not right in the head, I'm not against euthanizing. Those cases are rare, I think.

There I go, babbling again ?

Mastiff breeds aren't for everyone, neither are Spaniels ?

 

[BBP]

I just can’t cope with the slobber! My friend has two of the most beautiful gigantic mastiffs I’ve ever seen, but the drool is something else! ??

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I've found the slobber worse in some Mastiffs than others. English Mastiffs seem to be one of the worst. The Corso's are not soo bad, except when they anticipate food ? it also depends on the jowls. Some have more than others.

 

[Caol Ila]

Sounds to me like you should have a look at this puppy.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I have some level of will power because I remember how tired I was when we first got our current Lab! Lots of going out to wee and took her a few nights to settle away from her mum and siblings.

I've done a lot of research re Cane Corso's and have some personal experience (not as an owner though), and they've really grown on me and I've watched countless videos and read many training theories, and had some convo with owners. A well trained dog can "perform" as directed or be called off as directed, but it takes serious training. My Lab will target bark as directed. This can be enough to deter someone wandering your property or coming up to your door. It's not about aggression, or biting, and is very controlled. She can also not bark at all.

As for the breeder of the Cane Corso mentioned above, she might've slacked on a few things for the first 8 weeks, and it is a formitive period, but my last Lab came from a breeder that did nothing with the pups aside from very basic care, and she was the best Lab I've ever had. So I think it depends. I think if you hit the ground running when you get the pup and shape them, it's alright. I know sometimes they're still in that cute pup phase and it's not taken so seriously, which is an issue. Especially with a dominant breed. Socialization and training begins from day 1 in their new home.

Sometimes having another dog helps a bit, in that they can observe behaviors and attitudes. Sort of like when I've raised a pup and had a cat. The pup sees my relationship with the cat, and accepts the cat as a household member. It becomes "their cat" so to speak...and usually the cat is the boss LOL It's all about how you train and set up the household. Sure there are exceptions, or dogs not wired right, but you do your best and if a dog is truly off/not right in the head, I'm not against euthanizing. Those cases are rare, I think.

There I go, babbling again ?

Mastiff breeds aren't for everyone, neither are Spaniels ?

You’ve obviously thought about this an awful lot. When are going to see the puppy?? (Spaniels are anyone’s dog, I’m draped with them currently, proper time wasters)

 

[CanteringCarrot]

You’ve obviously thought about this an awful lot. When are going to see the puppy?? (Spaniels are anyone’s dog, I’m draped with them currently, proper time wasters)

I don't know, Spaniels just don't do it for me. I like seeing pictures of yours, for example, and find the one down the road entertaining, but I've just never wanted one for myself ? but they can be awfully cute. OH's sister has a Spaniel and OH likes her, but I remind him that seeing a Spaniel through Snap Chat is not the same experience as owning one ? but I think we could get along with the right one, probably. I'm not getting one though!

He weakly objected to a second dog, and would just accept it if one showed up I suppose. He's an animal lover himself, so he won't say no once something is in the house. I could exploit this, but I do not. ?

Re the Corso puppy: idk, good concerns on here re the breed. Some places ban them, but I don't have to live in those places. Sometimes you can "test" out of the ban. We generally avoid living in big cities, so that makes it easier.

I could reserve one before it's born and that would allow me to be able to say no to tail docking. Or I could search really hard for one with a tail, but it'd have to be transported a long way. Removing tails and dew claws is done very early and is the standard. Not saying I agree! Ear cropping happens a bit later (8 weeks maybe?). I don't love tail docking, so have mixed feelings. Almost all Corso's I've known well have had all ears and tails...with no issues, but that was in Europe. The arguments are weak and it's mostly (ugly) aesthetics, IMO, plus the showing world promotes it.

The breeder might have slacked with some early training, but I addressed that in another post. Somewhat of a concern, but also not soo much. Their still socialized with the family, at least.

But perhaps I'm not ready for the criticism of having a docked tail "aggressive" breed dog. They're honestly really great dogs though. Super trainable, loyal, and family oriented. Drool can happen though!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I know someone in the USA who competes with GSDs and Cane Corsos in IGP, hers seem like very stable dogs but mostly C&D. I don't think they carry the same baggage in a lot of states as they do in the UK.
There's a dedicated club for molossers doing IGP/sports and they have their own nationals/championships etc.
Another guy I know has a delightful one, natural ears and tails, who he shows and competes with in kennel club type obedience and has won over a lot of people. EU not UK.
I can PM you Facebook deets if you fancy a nosy.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I know someone in the USA who competes with GSDs and Cane Corsos in IGP, hers seem like very stable dogs but mostly C&D. I don't think they carry the same baggage in a lot of states as they do in the UK.
There's a dedicated club for molossers doing IGP/sports and they have their own nationals/championships etc.
Another guy I know has a delightful one, natural ears and tails, who he shows and competes with in kennel club type obedience and has won over a lot of people. EU not UK.
I can PM you Facebook deets if you fancy a nosy.

Hm, I might fancy a nosy. I'm mostly just fastinated and interested in what people do with their dogs and the type that they breed. I also like to support people that do it right.

At my last yard in Germany there were 5 Cane Corso's (started as 2). They were all very friendly and lovable dogs. One was not allowed off leash or around too many strangers, but she was adopted from a rescue at a few years old and had a questionable upbringing, so they were careful with that one. She had plenty of room to roam in a fenced area with another one of their females. My Lab played with some of them too.

I will say that I've noticed that if you have a female and raise them alone, they're less accepting of other females in their space. If they're raised with other females as a pup, they generally care less. I think this can be females in general though.

Our main doggy social group here is primarily females. We often sit in the main room of my neighbor's house to sip some tea with four females sprawled on the floor either relaxing or playing (3 out of the 4 are "dangerous" breeds). There's a male that comes over too.

Another neighbor's Boxer (female) has visited our property when all of the dogs were out playing (fenced area) and she's also very friendly. So lots of good social dogs in my area. Which means it's a good atmosphere for raising a pup.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Just going go leave this here.

 

[AmyMay]

“Swoon”

 

[nagblagger]

OMG Gorgeous...!

 

[Caol Ila]

That sure is cute!! I hope it’s yours!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I don't know if she's mine. I put a deposit down, and messaged the breeder earlier today to confirm a time for this weekend (pick up and rest of payment), and the breeder has gone silent. I'm a bit worried and hope I'm being paranoid, but I put a deposit on one of the last 2 available (both females) so there was only 1 left. Now I see the breeder advertising 2 females again, so maybe someone else backed out, just has me nervous!

It was acknowledged that this puppy was "mine" and we made arrangements for pick up day, and I had said I would get back to them with an exact time for this weekend at the end of this week.

It's been a trying day, so idk why things have to be weird on top of it. Also just feeling a bit sensitive overall.

 

[Caol Ila]

Ugh, that sounds very stressful. I'd be climbing the walls. People.... who would have 'em?

Fingers crossed the breeder has legit reasons for being incommunicado and you get that beautiful puppy this weekend.

 

[Moobli]

Oh no! Have you met the pups/breeder? Did they seem legit at the time? Very stressful. I’d keep trying to get in touch. One of the reasons I don’t like to pay a deposit unless it’s someone I know and trust. I hope it’s not some sort of scam and you can collect your pup this weekend.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Whoops, almost posted on the wrong post.


Anyway, made contact this morning and everything seems to be in order. We will see what comes home with me on Sunday ?

 

[Clodagh]

Whoops, almost posted on the wrong post.


Anyway, made contact this morning and everything seems to be in order. We will see what comes home with me on Sunday ?

Phew. We are on tenterhooks with you!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I will be on tenterhooks until approximately noon on Sunday.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I'm also feeling incredibly lazy today because I've got a training course all day tomorrow (8 to 5) and feel as though I won't get much rest when said pup comes home next day ? how long will I be sleep deprived?

Did come up with the idea to put a patch of artificial turf on the back patio because it's a lot of stairs to get down to the grass/garden. I think this will be useful in bad weather or situations when I need to act fast. There are also stairs out the front (I hate the layout, tbh) so I think this is a decent solution so I don't injure myself while scrambling down the stairs.

 

[Moobli]

Whoops, almost posted on the wrong post.


Anyway, made contact this morning and everything seems to be in order. We will see what comes home with me on Sunday ?

Thank goodness or words to that effect! Look forward to seeing pics and all about your new addition.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Whoops, almost posted on the wrong post.


Anyway, made contact this morning and everything seems to be in order. We will see what comes home with me on Sunday ?

OMG!! You know the rule-loads of pictures!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Ugh, I'm such an idiot for doing this.

Got puppy today, and puppy has since had diarrhea with some blood in it, quite a few times, we now suspect Parvo, so she'll be in admitted to the vets hospital.

Breeder may have to take her back and will cover costs.

She was wormed and vaccinated this week, and had a good health check on Friday. No other known signs from littermates.

 

[Caol Ila]

What’s Parvo?

Poor puppy and poor you. Hoping this takes better turn, for both of you.

 

[Clodagh]

Ugh, I'm such an idiot for doing this.

Got puppy today, and puppy has since had diarrhea with some blood in it, quite a few times, we now suspect Parvo, so she'll be in admitted to the vets hospital.

Breeder may have to take her back and will cover costs.

She was wormed and vaccinated this week, and had a good health check on Friday. No other known signs from littermates.

I do hope it’s not. And if so that all goes well.

 

[Clodagh]

What’s Parvo?
.

A very serious gastro illness in pups.

 

[AmyMay]

Poor pup. Keep us posted.

 

[wren123]

Oh no, I hope the pup makes a full recovery.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Oh god, that’s awful news. I hope she pulls through.

 

[Widgeon]

Ugh, I'm such an idiot for doing this.
Got puppy today, and puppy has since had diarrhea with some blood in it, quite a few times, we now suspect Parvo, so she'll be in admitted to the vets hospital.
Breeder may have to take her back and will cover costs.
She was wormed and vaccinated this week, and had a good health check on Friday. No other known signs from littermates.

Oh poor you, and poor pup. Fingers crossed the others are all fine, it's an isolated case (or not even parvo at all) and that she recovers. At least the breeder is making the right noises if they've accepted the idea of taking her back.