The Danger of Spoiling a Dog: Canine Training from the Start
Today, I want to dive into something I find super interesting: the risk of spoiling a dog.
Let’s picture a dog like Rubio—total eye candy, impressive, downright awesome. Tons of people fall head over heels for dogs like him, and it’s no wonder why. But behind all that beauty and charm, there’s something we’ve got to keep straight: training is everything.
Getting a bit serious here, I think dogs like Rubio are one-of-a-kind. In my opinion—and this is just my take—most of the dogs I’ve seen bite or heard about biting tend to be the little ones. You know, those “spoiled” pups you spot sometimes. But who’s really at fault? The dogs? Nah, I’d say it’s us humans who’ve messed things up.
There comes a point when it hits you: if Rubio’s spoiled—if he’s “dolled up,” as I like to call it—that’s not on him. It’s on us. We’ve handled him wrong, spoiled him rotten. And that comes with consequences.
Why Training from Puppyhood Matters
It’s crazy important to get some things straight right from the start. When a puppy lands at your place, there are key things you can’t just brush off. Sometimes, certain behaviors crack us up. Take a Chihuahua hopping on the bed or pulling some mischief—it’s cute, right?
But now imagine that with a big dog, like a Cane Corso, a Doberman, or a Bordeaux Mastiff. As puppies, they might weigh 10 or 15 kilos and seem small and adorable. “Oh, how sweet, he’s sleeping with me!” And hey, if that’s your vibe, no judgment here. The catch is, when that pup grows into a 50- or 60-kilo beast and still climbs into your bed, good luck kicking him out.
If you don’t set some ground rules early—if you don’t step up as the leader from day one—it’s going to be a whole lot tougher later. Picture telling a 50-kilo dog, “Get off the bed now!” It could turn into chaos, maybe even scare you if he’s not properly trained. But if you’ve got a clear plan from the jump and stick to it, it won’t spiral out of control.
Training a Dog Is Like Raising a Kid
It’s kind of like raising kids. You’re never 100% sure you’re nailing it, never totally certain you’ve got it all figured out—it’s all up for debate and personal take in life. But what you do need crystal clear is what you want down the road. With a Chihuahua, say, it’s no biggie—it starts at 3 kilos and tops out at 6. Spoiling it? Not a huge risk. But a Cane Corso? That’s a different story. If you’ve got little ones at home, what’s the worry? A poorly trained dog might nip at them or stir up trouble.
Dog training and kid-raising run pretty parallel. It’s about setting boundaries—clear ones. A dog with boundaries is a happier dog because it knows what’s okay and what’s not. That cuts down on problems. Take me, for example—I’ve got two Cane Corsos at home. They hang out with the kids solo and double as the best alarm system I could ask for. Beyond any regular alarm, they’re my peace of mind. They watch and protect like nobody’s business.
Spoiled or Well-Trained?
So, would you say my dogs are spoiled or well-trained? I’ll fess up—mine are a little pampered, sure, but they’re on the right track. It’s all in my hands. I know exactly how far they can go and where the line is. They’ve got freedom, but there’s never been a growl from them—not even when a kid yanks a toy away rough or sticks a hand in their food.
They know their place, and they know ours.
At the end of the day, it’s simple: either you’re in charge, or the dog is. No in-between. Give them love? Awesome—but love doesn’t mean letting them run the show. A well-trained dog doesn’t love you any less for having rules; if anything, it’s calmer and happier that way.
Get in Touch with Cane Corso X-MAN
If you’re interested in adding a high-quality Cane Corso to your family, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re based in Barcelona and would love to answer your questions and guide you through this exciting journey.