There are many important aspects to taking proper care of a Cane Corso and knowing how much exercise they need to stay healthy is one of them. Many Cane Corso owners are either not giving their dogs enough exercise, or on the contrary, over-exercising them.
Due to their size, Cane Corsos will need a significant amount of exercise. On average, a Cane Corso will require around 1 hour of exercise per day. However, this will vary from dog to dog, depending on their age and health condition.
There are many other considerations that have been explored in this article that will help you get the most out of exercising your Cane Corso.
How Much Exercise Does a Cane Corso Need Per Day?
Cane Corso are among the dog breeds that require daily exercise, with a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour. This high vigor breed needs ample time to release pent-up energy, otherwise, you run the risk of behavioral issues developing such as barking, digging, and aggressive actions.
Your Cane Corso needs to have a walk, engage in activities that help build muscle, and activities that provide mental stimulation every single day. These activities may vary according to the age of your dog.
How Much Should Cane Corsos be Walked?
Your Cane Corso needs about one hour of walking time every day, whether you choose to take one walk or break it up into multiple walks for shorter time periods.
Pay attention to the signs that your dog is giving that show when he is tired and limit the walk time in order to prevent exhaustion.
If you are a person that enjoys a run or jog, take your Cane Corso along as running is a great form of exercise for them to participate. Cane Corso dogs can run up to three miles at a time.
How Far Can a Cane Corso Puppy Walk?
Cane Corsos like to walk and play but going for walks at an early age should be limited to approximately five minutes for each month of their age.
Doing more than this can cause stress to their joints that will affect them as they age. Every puppy is different so the more time you spend with your pup the more you will be able to determine the appropriate length of the walk.
Your Cane Corso puppy may get all the necessary daily exercise needed just adjusting to daily life. You will be taking your puppy out 3 or 4 times a day in order to house-train, which may provide the majority of the exercise requirements.
What are the Best Ways to Exercise My Cane Corso?
Playing Fetch
A good old game of fetch is a tried-and-true activity that most dogs enjoy and one that provides a quick release of energy.
Grab a favorite ball or toy and your Cane Corso will play for hours running back and forth. You can even incorporate playing fetch on daily walks to give your dog double activity.
If you do not have the time or energy to play extended games of fetch, there is an alternative of using an automatic ball launcher.
Since Cane Corso dogs are highly trainable, this is a great choice since they can learn to return the ball to a funnel-shaped opening and have it thrown again. This will give them hours of playtime without any involvement from you.
Tug of War
Strong dogs such as Cane Corsos enjoy the pastime of tug of war with a sock or an old shoe.
There are also dog rope toys available made for this game and created so that your dog can easily grip the toy in their teeth without it causing any harm.
It’s important to ensure that you control the game to keep them from becoming too aggressive and learn to release when you want.
Dog Playdates
A playdate with other dogs provides two-fold benefits; they burn a lot of energy, and they learn important social skills. Most Cane Corsos are extremely dog-friendly but know the temperament of yours to prevent the possibility of fighting with other dogs.
Treadmill Walks
As previously mentioned, Cane Corsos are highly trainable dogs enabling them to learn to walk on a treadmill.
Although a real outdoor walk is ideal, this is a great substitute when going outdoors is not feasible due to weather.
When treadmill walking your dog keep in mind that it is more physically demanding than a normal walk because there aren’t small breaks where your Cane Corso can stop and sniff around.
So, start off with small spurts of time and gradually increase it as they acclimate themselves.
What are the Benefits of Exercising My Cane Corso?
It is your duty to ensure that your dog has sufficient exercise. You both will benefit by developing a stronger bond with one another. However, much like you, your Cane Corso needs exercise in order to maintain good mental and physical health.
Physical Health Benefits
If not getting adequate exercise, your Cane Corso has a higher likelihood of becoming obese.
Having an overweight dog is not just an aesthetic issue but can lead to severe health issues, including cancer.
Cane Corsos particularly do not have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to carrying any extra pounds because even being slightly overweight can increase their odds of developing diseases such as arthritis and diabetes.
Exercise encourages a healthy digestive system by giving your Cane Corso regular opportunities to go to the bathroom, relieving potential problems of constipation or bladder infections.
Cane Corsos being a large dog breed are at a higher risk of joint problems specifically arthritis, hip dysplasia, and elbow problems.
Any additional weight can exacerbate these issues. Exercise promotes an adequate amount of fluid in their joints adding lubrication which reduces the risk of mobility issues.
Mental Health Benefits
Cane Corsos are not considered a breed that is aggressive. They are known for having a high tolerance for unfamiliar situations.
Exercise keeps any unnecessary aggressions from developing due to energy buildup. Exercise also builds their self-esteem and confidence which aids in their exploration of new environments and promotes healthy socialization keeping anxiety at bay.
Sufficient exercise also prevents behavioral problems from arising due to boredom.
When your Cane Corso gets bored then you may come home to find it necessary to purchase new furniture that your dog decided to chew and destroy.
How Much Exercise is Too Much for My Cane Corso?
There is such a thing as too much exercise. As previously mentioned, exercise time especially needs to be limited with your Cane Corso puppy allowing time for proper joint development.
Puppies have endless energy and constantly want to run, but it is crucial that you do not exercise them too much to prevent increased risk of arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Your adult Cane Corso needs plenty of exercise, but you need to pay attention to your dog’s specific needs. They will show signs of becoming tired and you should limit the amount of exercise to prevent exhaustion.
As your dog reaches their senior years their mobility will likely decline. This does not mean that they do not need exercise.
They just don’t need what they previously required and you need to be careful that you don’t over-exercise your senior Cane Corso. Pay attention to signs exhibited that they are tired or stiff after a walk, then perhaps shorten the duration of your outings.
Tips for Exercising Your Cane Corso
It is clearly important that your Cane Corso get adequate exercise to maintain a healthy life. If you are having a challenging time making exercise a priority here are some suggestions.
Activity Trackers
In the era of wireless activity tracking wrist bands why not consider this option for your Cane Corso? There are several activity trackers available for your four-legged friend.
Able to track their activity, rest, and temperature, these devices easily attach to their collar and as an extra benefit, it is a GPS letting you track them down in the event your dog takes off.
Alternative Methods
As mentioned previously you may want to invest in a treadmill (they do make dog treadmills) so that you can ensure that they get plenty of exercise.
But there are other options such as hiring a dog walker to provide regular exercise or investing in an underground dog fence that will allow your Cane Corso to run freely when you are not available.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, Cane Corsos are large dogs that require upwards of 45 minutes of exercise per day. The key is the find a balance to not over-exercise these active and energetic animals while ensuring proper mental and physical health.
