As mentioned in our last blog post, Corsos are happiest being active alongside their humans because of their innate desire to develop and nurture deep bonds with their owners.
Let’s look at 8 activities for the Cane Corso below.
The Benefits of Being Active
Most know being physically and mentally active is good for us. The same is true for your canine companion, including the Cane Corso. In fact, they require up to 90 minutes of serious activity each day!
Below are eight activities your Cane Corso will LOVE to do with you in addition to your daily walks; and most require little to no training or special equipment.
NOTE: The first four activities below should ONLY be done by Cane Corso’s 12 months and older to prevent injury.
Activity #1: Hiking, Jogging or Running
Tie up your shoelaces, grab plenty of water, leash your Corso and head outside to hike, jog or run! Always watch your Corso for any signs of overheating and slow down.
Bad weather outside? Use a treadmill or inside stairs instead.
Activity #2: Biking/Bikejoring, Cross-Country Skijoring, Skating or Rollerblading
Dogs love to run and let’s be honest, it’s difficult for most of us to keep up! But these sports can help tire out your dog with less wear and tear on your body!
Bikejoring involves one dog (or a team of dogs) pulling a bike and rider behind them, similar to sled mushing.
If you love winter sports, try skijoring; using cross-country skis instead of a bike!
Activity #3: Fetch
Most dogs enjoy a good game of fetch! Frisbees, the indestructible Jolly Ball (for larger K9 breeds who love to push and herd), along with all other balls are effective ways to relieve a dog’s pent-up energy, including the formidable Cane Corso!
Activity #4: Tug-of-War or Spring Pole
Very few dogs can resist a good game of tug-of-war. Just make sure YOU decide when the game is over, not your dog. But, is your Cane Corso or other large breed too strong for you to safely engage in tug-of-war? The Spring Pole might be the perfect answer! Touted as a muscle-building exercise tool, your Corso will love the non-stop pulling, swinging and tugging action! (Your shoulders, elbows, wrists and arms will also love it!)
NOTE: The activities below are safe for puppies and dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds (including the Corso).
Activity #5: Swimming
While Cane Corsos are not known for being graceful swimmers (their heavy, muscular bodies and deep chest aren’t naturally conducive to floating/swimming), they can still enjoy playing and cooling down in shallow water. When around water, closely supervise your Corso and if necessary, have them wear a life jacket for their safety.
Activity #6: Hide-and-Seek
Hide-and-Seek offers physical exercise, but more importantly, it challenges your dog with problem-solving and accurate memory recall. It also appeals to their natural hunting instincts.
Activity #7: Interactive Dog Puzzles
Remember to have your dog work for their food with interactive dog products like:
- Puzzle toys or games.
- Snuffle Mats.
These toys not only prevent boredom, but they also challenge the dog’s mind and body with problem-solving and chasing (like the Babble Ball) with a tasty reward!
Activity #8: Dog Play Dates
Play dates are great for tiring out your dog and they are also invaluable in continuing to nurture your Corso’s overall socialization skills. Choose dogs your pup already loves and make a regular date for some K9 play!
Stay tuned for Part 3 about the remaining seven dog sports to effectively engage your Corso’s body, mind and spirit!
Videos of Maddie and Gracie are Courtesy: DaBoyzCaneCorso.com.
