How to Potty Train a Cane Corso: 7 Vet-Approved Tips

If you just got home with a new Cane Corso puppy, it’s time to start training them, which includes potty training. As Cane Corso dogs are strong-willed and often independent, teaching them how to go potty outside and/or in appropriate spots can sometimes be a gradual learning process.

In this article, we discuss why potty training a Cane Corso may take time, and how long the process takes, and provide you with seven expert tips on how to do it.

Is It Hard to Potty Train a Cane Corso?

Potty training a Cane Corso can often be tricky, especially for people who don’t have the experience and patience to go through the whole process. Cane Corso dogs are intelligent but independent and strong-willed, which is why their potty training can require consistency and structured routines.

A Cane Corso puppy is likely going to test boundaries as they learn household rules and routines. You need to be firm but positive and ensure that your furry friend develops proper habits from a young age.

Another thing that makes potty training challenging is the fact that during this same period in your Cane Corso’s life, you’ll need to engage in other types of training, such as:

• Crate training
• Socialization
• Obedience training
• Leash skills

How Long Does Cane Corso Potty Training Typically Take?

Cane Corso potty training typically takes between a few weeks and a few months. The precise time frame will depend on various things, including your persistence during training and your dog’s age, developmental stage, consistency of the routine, and individual learning pace.

However, you need to remember that you’re responsible for ensuring that your dog has enough proper training to adequately develop their potty skills, as well as providing frequent opportunities to eliminate and appropriate supervision.

The 7 Vet-Approved Tips for Cane Corso Potty Training

Here’s a list of seven expert tips to help you potty train your Cane Corso puppy.

1. Start Early

One of the most important things for potty training to turn out successfully is having the right timing. Cane Corso puppies should typically start their potty training between 8 and 16 weeks old. The earlier you start, the better; in this stage of life, your dog will start developing various other skills, so you should also promote healthy habits and teach them where to go potty.

Cane Corsi are often independent and strong-willed, so your puppy may test boundaries as they learn household rules and routines. You need to be firm but positive and show your puppy that you are a consistent and reliable guide.

2. Use a Crate

A crate can come in handy when training your Cane Corso puppy. You can place it in your bedroom/living area and encourage your pup to sleep inside. Although allowing your puppy to sleep on the couch or bed may seem cute, this behavior should be based on consistency and training goals for a breed like the Cane Corso. Inconsistent rules can lead to confusion about boundaries.

Crate training will help your puppy understand their place in your home and respect the area where they sleep. Since your dog won’t want to go potty where they rest, they will likely hold their bladder until you take them outdoors.

However, it’s your responsibility to take your pup outside to go potty as soon as you let them out of the crate. Remember to reward positive behaviors with toys and treats. This way, your Cane Corso puppy will connect with you and learn where to go potty through positive reinforcement.

3. Take Your Cane Corso Puppy Outside Regularly

You need to take your Cane Corso puppy out regularly to ensure that they don’t go potty inside the house. Take your puppy outside after you wake up and before you go to bed. It’s also helpful to do it several times during the day and after eating, drinking, play sessions, and naps until your pup gets used to the routine. By creating the habit of going outside frequently, your dog will eventually “ask” to go outside and won’t make a mess inside the home.

By creating the habit of going outside frequently, your dog will eventually “ask” to go outside and won’t make a mess inside the home.

4. Find a Cue for Going Outside That Works for Your Dog

Most dogs react to cues well, especially if you constantly use a specific one for a specific activity. Find a cue for going outside that works for your canine. It can be audio, visual, or both, such as:

• Say, “Let’s go outside.”
• Ask your dog, “Do you want to go outside?”
• Stand next to the door, open it, and call your dog.

Once you select a cue, remember to stick to it and use it every time that you and your pup go outside. It will help your dog be more consistent during training and therefore learn the association more reliably over time.

5. Be Consistent

Consistency is key to successful Cane Corso potty training. Once you establish a particular routine for your puppy, stick to it as much as possible. Puppies generally benefit from predictable routines, and a consistent schedule is especially important during house training.

If you are consistent, your puppy will know which activity comes at which part of the day, helping them easily adjust to potty times.

Consistency will create designated times for everything in your pup’s life, so after a while, your pup may begin to anticipate potty times and show readiness signals, such as waiting by the door or becoming more alert before scheduled breaks.

6. Always Be Calm and Patient During Potty Training

Potty training a Cane Corso puppy can be exhausting, but you must always remain calm and patient. These dogs are sensitive by nature, so if they see you angry or impatient, it can increase stress, anxiety, or confusion and interfere with learning.

Be patient and relaxed during your potty training to show your pup that you are a consistent and predictable guide. Also, by being both firm and gentle, you’ll develop good habits more reliably over time, including where to go potty.

7. Try to Always Be Around Your Pup During This Period

Although it may be difficult to be around your puppy all the time, you should at least be nearby during the potty training period. Cane Corso puppies are curious and still learning household rules, and accidents often occur when they are unsupervised.

If your Cane Corso puppy is out of your sight for a long time, you won’t be able to notice if your furry friend needs to go potty. Also, if they make a mess, you won’t see that and be able to interrupt and redirect the behavior immediately, which can slow progress in potty training.

Keeping an eye on your Cane Corso puppy during this period is essential. Try to observe the signs of your dog needing to go potty, and always go outside together. If they go to the bathroom outside, reward the positive behavior.

Final Thoughts

Potty training a Cane Corso can often be challenging, but you must do your best to provide consistent guidance and structure in the first months of your puppy’s life and teach them the necessary skills. Regardless of the mishaps that could happen, always treat your Cane Corso puppy with respect and patience to get them to cooperate during potty training sessions.

Your dog will easily learn if you stick to these tips. Support your Cane Corso puppy during developmental milestones like potty training, and you’ll have a well-trained dog for the rest of their life.

See Also:

• How to Potty Train a Bernese Mountain Dog: 9 Expert Tips (With Pictures)

Featured Image By: otsphoto, Shutterstock