Socializing Your Cane Corso

Getting two puppies at once might seem like a great idea—twice the cuteness, double the fun! But when it comes to training, socialization, and long-term behavior, raising two puppies together can come with serious challenges. This is commonly referred to as Littermate Syndrome.

What Is Littermate Syndrome?

Littermate Syndrome is a term used to describe behavioral issues that can arise when two puppies from the same litter (or close in age) are raised together. While not every pair of puppies will experience it, it’s common enough that many experienced breeders and trainers strongly discourage adopting two puppies at the same time.

Why It Happens

When two puppies are raised together, they often bond more strongly with each other than with humans. They rely on one another for confidence, making it hard for them to cope when separated.
Play constantly, which sounds fun, but can get in the way of important training, focus, and rest.
Reinforce bad behaviors, like barking, biting, or anxiety—because they mirror each other.
Over time, this strong reliance on one another can lead to:
Fearfulness or anxiety when alone (even for short periods).
Difficulty focusing during training sessions.
Aggression or fighting between the puppies as they mature and establish dominance.
Delayed emotional development—they act more like puppies longer because they never learn to be independent.

Why One Puppy at a Time Works Better

Raising one puppy at a time gives you the chance to:
Build a strong bond between you and your puppy.
Focus on consistent training and socialization without distractions.
Help your puppy develop confidence on their own.

Set clear rules and structure in your home.

What If You Really Want Two?

If you’re set on eventually having two dogs, the best approach is to:

Raise one puppy first, giving them at least 6 months to 1 year to grow, learn, and settle into your home.

Once that dog is trained, confident, and bonded with you, then consider adding a second puppy. This helps you avoid the risks of Littermate Syndrome and sets both dogs up for success.

Short, Effective Sessions = Long-Term Success

Training your Cane Corso doesn’t need to be a marathon. In fact, 10 to 15 minute sessions are perfect. These smart, eager-to-please dogs learn best in short bursts of focused training.

Master One Command at a Time Stick to one command per session. Whether it’s sit, stay, heel, or come, work on it until your Corso consistently understands it. Repetition is key—muscle memory and understanding build with daily practice.

Consistency is Your Best Friend Train every day. Use the same word cues, tone of voice, and hand signals. Your Cane Corso will thrive with structure and clear expectations.

New Environments = New Challenges Dogs don’t generalize well—just because your Corso knows “sit” in the kitchen doesn’t mean they’ll do it at the park. After your dog learns a command, retrain it in different environments: inside, outside, on walks, around other people or dogs. This builds reliable, real-world obedience.

Keep it Positive End every session with praise, treats, or playtime. Your dog should see training as fun, rewarding, and a chance to connect with you.

Training is one of the most rewarding parts of raising a Cane Corso. These powerful dogs want to work with you—make each session count!