The Cane Corso is one of the most iconic dog breeds. This Italian mastiff breed has a notorious reputation for its huge size and sheer aggression, which explains why it’s commonly kept as a guard dog.

In addition to guarding duties, the Cane Corso can also make an excellent companion dog if properly trained and well-socialized.

The breed was initially used for hunting large game and herding cattle, roles that it can still discharge effectively today.

Being one of the most versatile dog breeds, it’s understandable why you would prefer a Cane Corso as your ideal canine roommate. But one of the key questions you’ll need to settle before adopting this dog breed is – Can Cane Corsos be left alone?

The short answer is yes, Cane Corsos can be left alone. However, it depends on many factors, particularly how the dog was brought up.

Read on to learn more about how Cane Corsos can behave in solitude. We’ll explore some of the things that could go wrong if a Cane Corso is left alone and how you can make the dog feel happier in his own company.

Can You Leave A Cane Corso Alone At Home?

You sure can leave a Cane Corso alone at home. But as already indicated, that depends on several factors.

Perhaps we should begin easy by understanding why some dogs will be happy to spend a couple of hours in their own company whereas others will become very irritable at the mere thought of being left alone.

All domesticated dog breeds exhibit a degree of attachment to their owners. However, some canines tend to be considerably more attached to their human parents than others. And contrary to popular misconception, clinginess is not unique to smaller breeds. Every dog can become attached to their owner regardless of their size.

Canines that are closely attached are more susceptible to separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is an anxiety disorder caused by spending longer periods alone. It’s common in pets and small children.

Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and German Shepherds are among the dogs most prone to separation anxiety. That’s because they’ve been primarily bred to be social dogs and thrive better when in close contact with their owners.

But where does this leave Cane Corsos, can you leave Cane Corsos alone?

The Cane Corso is a fairly loyal and affectionate breed. The dog is especially friendly to his owner but can display indifference or aggression toward unfamiliar people or other pets.

Despite being considerably affectionate, Cane Corsos aren’t as closely attached as other dog breeds. And that explains why they’re easier to leave alone at home.

How Long Can You Leave a Cane Corso Home Alone?

Many dog owners believe that adult Cane Corsos can be left home alone for up to 8 to 9 hours.

So, perhaps you’ve always wondered, can a Cane Corso be left alone for 8 hours?

Well, it turns out these canines can endure up to 8 hours and slightly more in their own company.

But as you shall find, there’s really no standard rule on the duration you can leave your Cane Corso alone at home. It depends on several factors, as explained below;

1. Age

Puppies are generally more rambunctious than mature dogs. That means a Cane Corso puppy should be happier alone than an adult Corso, right?

Well, not quite.

While pups can be remarkably boisterous, they tend to tire down much faster than mature dogs. Besides, puppies are at a greater risk of developing separation anxiety.

And that begs the question – how long can Cane Corso puppy be left alone?

Again, there’s no definite answer to this question. A more practical solution would be to leave your Cane Corso puppies alone about half of the time you would leave a mature Corso alone. That means Cane Corso puppies should stay alone for about 4 to 5 hours if you normally leave your mature Corsos up to ten hours a day.

Some vets also recommend following the time/age rule. This rule recommends leaving a Cane Corso puppy alone according to his age. So, that’s 4 hours for a four-month-old pup and so on.

2. Health

The general health condition of your Cane Corso will also dictate the duration you can leave the dog unattended.

No self-respecting pet parent would leave a physically disabled dog unattended for hours. You’d also be wary of leaving your Cane Corso alone for longer if the dog is still recuperating from a recent surgical operation.

But perhaps the biggest risks of leaving a Cane Corso alone pertain to the dog’s mental health.

A Corso that’s already suffering from underlying mental conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), should never be left alone for much longer. Such canines can quickly resort to self-destructive behaviors if there’s no one around to monitor them.

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3. Activity Levels

We’ve already mentioned that puppies tend to be more boisterous than adult dogs. The same phenomenon is observable in smaller dog breeds.

Like most large dogs, the Cane Corso exhibits a low play drive unless someone or other pets are around. It’s worse if your Corso isn’t adequately socialized. The dog will simply keep to himself instead of putting his fetching skills to practice in your absence.

If this persists for several weeks on end, separation anxiety may eventually set in.

So, how long can a Cane Corso be left alone?

As already indicated, the duration you can leave your Cane Corso alone depends on several factors. The conventional wisdom is to create an enriching environment in your absence so that the dog doesn’t feel too bored and lonely. More on that later on.

Do Cane Corsos Have Separation Anxiety?

If you’re planning to adopt a Cane Corso but also happen to follow a tight work schedule, it’s natural to find yourself asking – can I leave my Cane Corso alone?

As we’ve already mentioned and reiterated, you can certainly leave your Cane Corso alone for a reasonable period. Like any dog, Cane Corsos can develop serious mental and behavioral issues if abandoned for prolonged durations.

Separation anxiety is one of the risks of leaving a Cane Corso alone for too long. Dogs suffering from this disease will suddenly become sad or agitated whenever their human owners are about to leave the house.

Having said that, perhaps you’ve always wondered, do Cane Corsos get sad when you leave?

Cane Corsos may not be as attached to their human owners as other breeds. However, these dogs are still considerably prone to separation anxiety. And as we’ve just indicated, sadness and irritability are the tell-tale signs of separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety may also present the following additional symptoms;

• Overexcitement when you return home
• Unexplained vocalizations, such as barking and whining
• Unexplained aggression
• Changes in feeding habits, such as overeating or undereating
• Changes in bowel and/or bladder behaviors, such as indoor disposal even when the dog has been housetrained
• Excessive grooming
• Destructive behaviors, such as excessive chewing and scratching
• Slobbering, as is evidenced by wet fur and pooling
• Reduced interest in favorite foods and fun activities
• Pacing
• Aloofness and detachment

It’s important to act swiftly if your Cane Corso begins to display any of the above signs. And if the condition doesn’t improve for a couple of weeks, whisk the dog to the vet.

Besides separation anxiety, Cane Corsos left home alone for too long may also become bored. There’s no telling what sort of destructive behavior a bored dog can resort to. He may start to chew furniture, upholstery, and electrical wires. He may also wander too far from the house in a bid to release his pent-up energy. You certainly don’t want your Cane Corso roaming freely in the neighborhood or street, as danger is never far away.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Can You Keep A Cane Corso Outside?

It’s possible to keep a Cane Corso outside. In fact, the dog would be happier roaming the yard than being locked in the house or in his kennel.

However, it all comes down to the duration that you intend to be gone. On a long enough timeline (and without sufficient means of stimulation), stress and boredom will still set in. That’s regardless of whether you left your Corso locked in the house or frolicking in the yard.

It’s also important to only leave your Cane Corso outside if you live in a secure, well-fenced compound. This will prevent the dog from straying from home while also keeping intruders like other neighborhood dogs at bay.

Remember that the Corso is a fairly aggressive dog and will not hesitate to challenge any intruder to a fight. You can only imagine what would happen if the interloper were a bear or pack of coyotes.

Teaching Your Cane Corso to Be Alone

Since all dogs are susceptible to separation anxiety regardless of breed, it’s imperative to teach your Cane Corso how to enjoy his own company. And as with any form of canine training, you’ll need to begin early. Ensure the dog is used to the idea of being alone when he’s still a puppy.

There are multiple ways to go about the training. But first, you’ll need to wait until the Corso pup is weaned. This is usually the first time a dog begins to appreciate the importance of independence.

During the early training days, you could lock your Cane Corso pup in the house for a few minutes while taking care of an outdoor errand. Observe how the dog responds to the brief moments of solitude. If he resorts to destructive behaviors or barks a lot, it means he’s probably too anxious. The best you can do is shorten the period with which you have to be away. With time, the dog will get accustomed to your absence.

Once the training begins to take shape, you can gradually increase the duration of your absence. You could also experiment with leaving your Cane Corso pup in the yard as you rush to the grocery. This is an excellent way of teaching the dog that being left alone doesn’t only entail getting locked in a cage. It also includes spending his time outdoors guarding the property.

Remember to incorporate treats during the entire training period. However, be sure to associate the rewards with good behavior. For instance, you could give the dog a treat just when you’re about to leave home. That way, the canine will anticipate a reward whenever he sees you preparing to leave.

Experts discourage comforting the dog or apologizing to him for your imminent absence. This will only make him more anxious when you’re gone and even fussier when you have to leave in the future.

What to Do With Cane Corso While at Work

It’s not enough to train your Cane Corso to enjoy being alone while you’re gone. It’s also important to enrich the dog’s environment so he can stay physically and mentally stimulated in your absence.

The best way to go about that is by providing the dog with enough toys. Insist on interactive toys, such as ball launchers and puzzle feeders.

Remember that dogs do get bored playing with the same toys over and again. So, make it a habit of changing your Corso’s toys after a couple of months.

There’s also the option of hiring a professional pet sitter. But since Cane Corsos highly disapprove of any strangers intruding into their space, be sure to familiarize the dog with his pet sitter early enough. This will help avert confrontations and ensure both parties have an awesome time while you’re gone.

The following are other interventions you can explore to keep your Cane Corso calm in your absence;

• Don’t make a big deal of your goings and comings.
• Exercise the dog to tire him down right before you leave.
• Identify anxiety triggers and address them.
• Leave the television and lights on to fool the dog into believing that someone is home.

So, Can A Cane Corso Be Left Alone For An Extended Period Of Time?

Cane Corsos are not as attached as many dog breeds. Therefore, they’re less likely to make a fuss of their owners’ absence.

But like any dog, Corsos can still develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long. So, it’s best to take the necessary measures to make your Corso relaxed and comfortable whenever you’re gone.

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