Dogs display a number of unusual behaviors and as a dog owner you have probably experienced some at one point. One of these behaviors is Cane Corso crying and howling .
It is quite concerning to hear your Cane Corso crying and howling, and particularly distressing if you’re not sure what’s causing the behavior.
We’ll go over the various reasons why a Cane Corso cries and howls, tips for addressing this behavior, and when to seek help.
Here’s why Cane Corso crying and howling happens
Cane Corso crying and howling happens due to pain, stress, hunger or thirst, attention seeking behavior, boredom, separation anxiety, fear and excitement. To determine the cause of your Cane Corso’s crying and howling, it’s important to pay attention to their body language and the surrounding environment to help you understand their behavior.
Is it normal for a Cane Corso to cry and howl?
Crying and howling are normal dog behaviors because these are ways that dogs communicate with both humans and other animals. However, the behavior can be an indication of an underlying medical condition or behavioral problem that needs to be addressed.
Excessive crying and howling problem if it is disrupting your household or bothering your neighbors.
It is important to keep in mind that each Cane Corso is an individual dog, and one dog’s excessive crying and howling may be completely normal for another.
Reasons for Cane Corso crying and howling
Pain or discomfort
Pain can cause a Cane Corso to whine or cry due to discomfort. Crying is a way they vocalize how they are feeling and this can indicate to you that they are unwell and need help.
Pain and discomfort can be due to a number of conditions, including infections, diseases, arthritis, dental issues, post-surgery, and injuries.
In addition to crying and howling, other symptoms that indicate that a Cane Corso is in pain or discomfort include restlessness, panting, loss of appetite, reluctance to move or play, licking or biting the affected area, and changes in behavior or attitude.
Read more on Cane Corso howling, what it means, and how to understand what your dog needs.
Stress
Another common cause of crying and howling in Cani Corsi is stress and anxiety. The Cane Corso can experience anxiety or fear in response to many different triggers, such as loud noises, strange people or animals, and routine changes.
Stress can come from different triggers including moving to a new home, being confined in a crate, a change of routine, or loud noise.
Stress or anxiety can also lead to compulsive obsessive behaviors in a dog, which include digging, chewing, and eating everything, which acts as a stress-relieving outlet.
Related: Cane Corso crying: Common causes and how to help your dog
Hunger and thirst
If a Cane Corso is crying and howling, this can indicate hunger or thirst, and the behavior is a way for them to communicate their needs.
A Cane Corso may cry to signal that they are hungry or thirsty, especially if they have already developed a routine or have learned that crying and howling will result in food or water being provided
Signs to look out for a hungry dog include sniffing or licking around food bowls, restlessness, following you around in the kitchen or pantry, and begging at the table during meal times.
The signs of a thirsty Cane Corso include excessive panting, drooling, sunken eyes, dry nose, tacky gums, and producing thick saliva.
Therefore it is important to observe and identify if this is what they are asking for.
Attention seeking behavior
One of the common causes of crying and howling by a Cano Corso is attention seeking. Crying and howling is a way to communicate their needs and wants. For example, a Cano Corso may howl or whine to let you know that they want to go outside, or that they want to play.
They may also do this if they feel neglected or sense that you are not paying much attention to them, therefore they may start to bark and/or whine to get your attention, to bring your focus to them.
To understand what your dog is trying to communicate, it’s important to pay attention to their body language and behavior.
See Also: Why is my Cane Corso so clingy? How to deal with a needy Cane Corso
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common cause of crying and howling. It happens when a Cano Corso becomes anxious or distressed when separated from their human family or left alone.
It can also be caused by a lack of training.
The anxiety can show up in a number of behaviors, including crying and howling, which is also accompanied by other behaviors including pacing, crying, and destructive behavior such as digging, chewing, or defecation in the house.
Boredom
Another common reason why the Cano Corso cries and howls is boredom. The Cano Corso needs mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and engaged.
If they’re not getting enough of this they will resort to crying and howling, including other activities to entertain themselves or pass the time.
They will also cry and howl due to boredom to get your attention so that they can play with you or engage with you.
Fear
Fear is a normal response in dogs due to a variety of triggers. These triggers include loud noises, unfamiliar people or animals, and changes in their environment
Fear and anxiety can be caused by poor socialization, dementia due to aging, traumatic experiences, other perceived dangers, and illnesses that contribute to phobia and fear.
A fearful and anxious Cano Corso will show behaviors that indicate that they are distressed such as pacing, trembling, crying, drooling, excessive howling, crying, growling, snapping, incontinence, excessive grooming, and chewing on objects.
Excitement
Crying and howling is also a way of showing excitement especially when your Cano Corso sees you after a period of separation. This can include jumping on you and vocalizing it with a cry due to excitement.
If your Cano Corso is excited, crying and howling is a way of showing this and may be accompanied by jumping up and down, opening his mouth with his tongue out, panting, and running around.
How to stop Cane Corso crying and howling
Cani Corsi may cry and howl for various reasons, and most of the time it is normal. However, it can become concerning, to wonder what could be wrong or irritating for some dog parents.
You can stop Cane Corso crying and howling by understanding the reason behind it. Here are a few ways you can help your Cano Corso:
Provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation
Cani Corsi need mental and physical stimulation to be healthy and also work off pent-up energy. Therefore take walks, provide toys that they can play with, and include activities, or exercises appropriate for their age.
This will help reduce boredom and attention-seeking behaviors.
Provide them with what they need
A Cane Corso crying and howling can be an indication that they need something from you such as food, water or simply to go out for a walk. The best way to communicate or express this need is to bark and/or whine.
Therefore if this is the case provide them with what they need at the moment.
Comfort them
If the crying or crying is due to fear that might have been caused by a particular trigger, remove your dog from the situation and comfort them.
This includes moving them away from the noise and also minimizing exposure to situations that may frighten them.
Avoid encouraging the behavior
If your Cano Corso is crying and howling for attention, ignoring the behavior and waiting until they’re quiet before rewarding them can be an effective way to reduce the behavior.
When your dog is behaving well, make sure to give them plenty of praise and rewards. This will help reinforce good behavior and encourage your dog to continue behaving well.
Receive their excitement
Your Cano Corso can be very happy when they see you come back home or if you have been separated from them for a long period.
Cano Corso crying and howling are simply a way that they vocalize their excitement. Therefore return the affection by hugging them or petting them to show them affection.
Training
Engage a dog trainer or an animal behaviorist when you need further help to adjust your Cano Corso’s behavior. A certified trainer can help you minimize and stop your dog’s behavior.
When to seek help for Cane Corso’s crying and howling
If you are unable to identify the potential cause of your Cano Corso‘s crying and howling or if the behavior persists, consult with your veterinarian. This is because the behavior can be due to an underlying health condition.
The veterinarian will conduct a full examination, determine the underlying cause, and develop a more comprehensive plan to address your dog’s behavior.
If it is a behavioral problem, they will also guide you on ways to stop the behavior and may also recommend an animal behaviorist for training needs.
A veterinarian should also be consulted regarding your Cano Corso’s crying and howling when:
The behavior is new or sudden: If your Cano Corso’s crying and howling is sudden or out of character, it could be a sign that there’s an underlying medical issue.
The behavior is accompanied by other signs of illness: If your Cano Corso is exhibiting other signs of illness, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or changes in bowel or bladder habits, it’s a good idea to see a veterinarian.
The behavior is disturbing: Consult with your veterinarian for your dog if the crying and howling are excessive and disrupt your household.
The behavior is persistent: Also talk to your veterinarian if your Cano Corso‘s crying and howling continues despite your efforts to address the behavior.
What not to do for Cane Corso crying and howling
Avoid the following when you see your Cane Corso crying and howling :
Yelling or punishing them: Avoid yelling or punishing your dog when they cry and howls. This form of discipline will only increase their stress and anxiety, leading to even more crying and howling.
Instead, keep calm and use positive reinforcement methods for good behavior to encourage them to stop.
Ignoring the behavior: It might seem like an easy fix to ignore your Cano Corso’s crying and howling, but doing so only reinforces the behavior.
One of the reasons a Cano Corso cries and howls is to get your attention and they are more likely to persist if they are not successful. It is important to address the behavior by implementing an appropriate solution.
Encouraging the behavior: Resist encouraging the behavior by not giving in to their demands when they use crying and howling to get your attention.
In the long run, this can reinforce the behavior and make it more challenging to stop. Instead, use or get training for your dog to better teach them the appropriate behavior.
Key Takeaway: Cane Corso crying and howling
Crying and howling are common dog behaviors as well as the Cano Corso, but it can be due to an underlying medical or behavioral problem.
When your Cane Corso cries and howls, try to assess the situation to identify the possible cause to respond appropriately to the situation and help them.
Seek medical care if they present signs of sickness or discomfort, or when you might not be sure what would be causing the behavior.
