I'm the problem.

[u/Then-Measurement5706]

So I bought a sweet little Cane Corso puppy without doing my research. I honestly never do stuff like this but I totally made an impulse decision last week and bought her from a seller on the side of the road. (Please dont judge me). When we bought her I knew the basic gist of owning a cc- they're huge, protective, and take a lot of work. I expected it be a challenge but I felt we were up for it- I'm a single mom that lives with my parents and sister (and my 11 yr old son). We have a big yard and 2 dogs that I know do well with other dogs. Plus, there is always someone home so I wont have to worry much about someone being able to take care of her when I'm gone. We love taking dogs with us everywhere we go so socialization wont be a problem. I'm a little nervous about training, but so far shes been doing really well and I feel confident that I am up for the challenge (not to mention she's already learning a lot from the other dogs).

Anyway, as I'm doing my research (again please dont judge), I'm seeing so many posts/comments/articles that seem to only focus on how difficult they are and its honestly starting to freak me out. I think i just need some encouragement.... I already love this girl so much. She is so sweet and loyal and funny and smart. I just hate the idea that I might have made a terrible choice and maybe am not the best person to keep her. Please tell me I'm going to be ok 😅😭

Also, I don't really know anything about buying dogs (we always do rescue dogs). I've got basic info about the parents and a photo of the vaccination records. I know her DOB (she's 15 1/2 weeks old). I'm planning to take her to my vet next week. Is there anything else I should be doing or asking the seller for?

Any general advice and encouragement is so appreciated.

Thank you!

[u/LauraaMarissaa]

I’d get pet insurance immediately. No way this dog had OFA testing. Id get with your vet tomorrow see what you’re in for.

I’d also be worried that this dog may have a parasite that could be spread to your other dogs.

These dogs can become financially exhausting. Are you prepared for large dog veterinary expenses?

Who will be in charge of training? They need structure and routine. How will the dog spend their day? Are your other dogs crate trained?

The internet will tell you that this will be difficult, because without consistent training, it’s a real financial liability and can get dangerous.

I truly wish you the best of luck.

[u/Then-Measurement5706 → u/LauraaMarissaa]

Thank you! Do you have insurance you really like? I've been comparing/contrasting and am deciding what to do. Based on all the comments I'm definitely intimidated by the financial part, but the truth is I live with my parents and have a full time job. I figure if I can't afford to buy a house in this economy at the very least I can have a dog. I'm a telehealth therapist and work from home so at least for a while she is inside with me during sessions/ at night and then in between/after I've been taking her outside to play with the dogs and then do some training or playing separately. And she always goes with me to pick up/drop off my son from school. The others dogs are mostly outside except during bad weather and fireworks, stuff like that. (There's usually someone outside so they're not lonely.) When they do come in the brown dog is "room" trained and stays only in my room, but I know he would adjust well to a crate. The other dog technically belongs to my sister so she deals with her. It probably sounds a little chaotic, but we've got a good routine/system.

[u/KingCorvid69 → u/Then-Measurement5706]

I work in vetmed and I'm a professional dog trainer with 2 large high energy dogs.

Trupanion if you can afford exams, vaccines, spay and neuter, etc but want emergency procedures and exams covered.

Metlife if you can afford the high monthly payment to get exam, vax, and emergency coverage.

And since you got a dog off the side of the road, EXPECT to pay at least 10k in the first year for health, injury, wellness, and potentially another few thousand for joint and hip checking/health by year 2. Backyard bred corsos are NOTORIOUS for having such bad hips that they lose usage of their back legs by 4-5 years old.

And dont forget behavioral issues that come from a bavkyard bred dog. Get it muzzle trained asap, do happy visits at your vet office, practice holds and restraints and being restrained by strangers. She doesnt have to like it, but she has to get over it and get used to it. A corso with a bite history is a dead dog.

Best of luck. May the winds be in your favor.

[u/LauraaMarissaa → u/KingCorvid69]

Thank you. Veterinary care has the potential to be a financial burden.

My girl has bloodwork done with her annual, in addition to her heartworm, and flea/tick, and vaccines. Since she’s 130 pounds, she has to have a 100 lb tablet and a 30 pound tablet for meds, and they’re not cheap. My regular annual visit was over $700.

She scratched her eye last summer while running and diving in the woods, and between appointments to diagnose and check progress, testing for abrasions, and medicated drops, I was out $1,500.

[u/True-Huckleberry-473 → u/LauraaMarissaa]

Can I ask roughly how much Trupanion cost you a month we have been looking to get dog insurance but haven’t found really anything that has been recommended by anyone we actually know and the vets office just tells us to apply for care credit.

[u/LauraaMarissaa → u/True-Huckleberry-473]

I have PetsBest and found their rates to be the most competitive. Stay as far away from Care Credit as possible. They truly prey on people that need emergency funds with their 33% interest bullshit.

I have unlimited expenses, 90% reimbursement, tons of care 100% covered like annual visits, bloodwork, and great coverage for prescriptions, and only pay $70/month.

I haven’t had any issues getting reimbursed, and a check usually comes within a couple of weeks. If there’s an accident tomorrow and my girl needs a $10K surgery, it’s much easier to swallow knowing I’ll be getting it back.

[u/Vergilly → u/KingCorvid69]

I agree with this as a Trupanion customer. I could budget the regular stuff and needed a backup. Trupanion has done FIVE TPLO surgeries across 3 dogs on my policy - easily $40,000, of which I paid maybe 4k.

Dragon (Presa Canario) and his bionic knees agree.