Updated Aug 29, 2022
Crate Training A Cane Corso
Can You Crate Train A Cane Corso?
Lots of people ask how to train a big dog like the Cane Corso. Can you crate train a Cane Corso at all? You may be wondering, too. We did a lot of research when we first got our Cane Corsos. Here is what we found.
Crate training your Cane Corso is one of the best — and smartest — things you can do to create a stable and harmonious relationship between you. It is essential for your Cane Corso to learn and accept his place in the family. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to establish that — and to maintain it effortlessly
A little further on in this article, we'll go through a step-by-step process to get you started on crate training. First let's take a quick look a the crate itself.
There are some misconceptions about dog crates. Some people tend to think that the crate is a restriction or a punishment for the dog. Nothing could be further from he truth.
It's natural for a dog to have a safe place to go. The dog crate provides exactly this. In addition to being a tool for crate training, it is a haven where your dog feels safe and secure. Our two Cane Corsos regularly go to their cates of their own accord. They are often to be found having a nap in their crates.
There are various types of crate available. We chose a wire crate for several reasons. Firstly it is durable. We have had out two wire crates for over 25 years! They are in a very corrosive environment with salt in the air, and they are still going strong.
Secondly, it can be used in different ways. You can cover it with any material of your choice, either wholly or partially. This adds to the effect of safety and security, and the crate can also blend in better with your decor.
Or, you can leave the crate uncovered, so that your dog has a wide open view. Either way is equally suitable in terms of crate training.
CaneCorsoDogOwner is reader-supported. If you use our links to buy something, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We do not accept money for editorial or reviews.
Most Popular Articles
GRAB YOUR FREE COPY NOW!
FREE! 10-Part Video Series
*** Plus PDF ***
Great for new owners
and useful for all of us!
Click here for information about our favorite dog training method...
It is important to establish and maintain your leadership, because these are big dogs. While not inherently aggressive or dangerous, any bad behavior has a bigger consequence, just because of their size. We adopted a few easy to implement training techniques when we first got our Cane Corsos.
Crate training was the easiest thing that we did, in terms of implementing their training. And it had a very quick effect. There will no doubt be other techniques you will also want to put into action, but crate training is the number one choice in training your Cane Corso.
You're probably wondering how it's done. It's easier than you might think -- let's take a look.
How To Start Crate Training
We'll make this simple and easy by laying out a step-by-step process.
When your dog has behaved consistently for a few days in each phase, move to the next one.
Crate Training Phase 1
First, we'll get your Cane Corso into his crate. We'll make it as easy as possible, both for ourselves and the dog.
- Lead your Cane Corso to the crate
- Give the command ‘Crate’
- Throw a treat into the back of the crate,
- Let the Cane Corso go into the crate to get his treat
- Shut the door, praise the dog
- Move away
Initially he should not be expected to stay in his crate for very long.
Manage The Exit From The Crate
Your Cane Corso may initially complain about being in the crate. He is not yet used to it. It is something new, and he has not yet figured out why he should be in there. Once the distraction of the treat is gone, he may start to let you know he wants to come out.
We will let him stay in the crate for a short while, whatever he does. If he is quiet, you can let him stay there a little longer. But we don't want to overdo it on this first try.
After a few minutes, it will be time to let the dog out of the crate. It is important not to let him out whilst he is whining or crying. If you do this, you will be reinforcing the bad behavior.
Instead, use the command ‘Quiet’ if he is crying or whining. At a moment when he is quiet, let him out of the crate. He will soon get the idea that he is not allowed out of his crate when he is complaining, and. that it is a good idea to be quiet whilst in his crate. Soon, being quiet will just become a habit for him.
Crate Training Phase 2
After a while, when he is used to going in his crate, you can stop giving him the treat as an enticement. During this period, you give him the treat as a reward, after he has gone into the crate. Here is the process.
- Lead your Cane Corso to the crate
- Give the command ‘Crate’
- Let the Cane Corso go into the crate of his own accord
- Give him a treat
- Shut the door, praise the dog
- Move away
Crate Training Phase 3
In the next phase, you stop giving him the treat altogether. Lead him to his crate, give the 'Crate' command, allow him to go in, praise him and close the door. Once again, here is the process.
- Lead your Cane Corso to the crate
- Give the command ‘Crate’
- Let the Cane Corso go into the crate of his own accord
- Shut the door, praise the dog
- Move away
During this period, we are teaching the Cane Corso that going in the crate is not automatically followed by a treat. We must move past the phase where the treat is the reason he goes in.
He may be going into his crate expecting the treat to follow, but he is actually learning to go in on your command.
But you can give still him a treat once in a while, as a reward, after he has gone in the crate
Crate Training Phase 4
Next, we repeat the process, but we do not lead him all the way to the crate. Just lead him to a point close by, and start the routine from there. Again, it is a progression. You are requiring him to do more of the process on his own. You are now getting him to walk to his crate and go in.
- Lead your Cane Corso somewhere close to the crate, but not right to it
- Give the command ‘Crate’
- Let the Cane Corso go into the crate of his own accord
- Shut the door, praise the dog
- Move away
Again, during this period you can give him a treat the first few times. Then just every once in a while as a reward for his good behavior.
Crate Training Final Phase
Finally, you will have reached the point where you can give the command 'Crate' from anywhere in the house. He will go to his crate as required. You can pat yourself on the back.
Maintaining Your Cane Corso's Crate Training
You will probably find a situation on most days where it would help you for your Cane Corso to go in his crate for a while. But, if no reason arises naturally during the day, you should continue the routine anyway. It is important to maintain his training, so that he does not lose what he has learned.
So, send him to his crate every day, for a few minutes at least, just to maintain his training. Eventually, it will become totally ingrained in him. You will find that he is going into his crate regularly of his own accord.
At this point, he has come to view his crate has his own special place. His safe haven, where he can get away from it all. He is now fully crate trained, and you can just send him to his crate when needed.
Further Training For Your Cane Corso
Because the Cane Corso is smart and eager to please, it should be fairly easy to teach him any command you like. The extent to which he is trained is really only limited by the amount of time you want to put into it.
The minimum you should aim for is instant and unquestioned obedience with a few basic commands. A good starting point is 'Sit', 'Stay', 'Down' (lie down), 'Come', and 'Heel'. With these you can establish and maintain control over your Cane Corso.
Cane Corso Obedience Classes
We used to take our other dogs to obedience classes. This was a great thing. The behavior and commands were reinforced by the fact that 20 other dogs were all to be seen doing the same thing. Your dog falls into line quickly.
However, when we moved to our current location, we were pretty much off the grid, and there were no such classes available. With our Cane Corsos, it didn't matter — they were very easy to teach and train.
Consider taking your Cane Corso to obedience classes if there is something suitable near you. It can make your life a lot easier. And your dog will thank you too.
The Last Word
The bottom line is that there is no downside to crate training your Cane Corso. It benefits both you and your dog in many ways. It is easy to do, and has quick results which soon become ingrained in your relationship with your cane Corso, and last forever.
All dogs need to know their place in the pack pecking order. And your Cane Corso will be a happier dog when he knows for sure that you are the leader. So always remember that you are doing your Cane Corso a favor, by training him well. Just as much as you are doing yourself favor,
It really doesn't take much time or effort, and the rewards are many and permanent.
Top page: Cane Corso Training