06/09/2026
Phenomenal write up for a protection breed 🙌🏼
Athena is officially ready to go on to adopt-A-Pet.
Here is what we knew about Athena and what would make her the most successful.
Athena (aka Tina) Is Ready for Her Forever Home!
I know so many people have been waiting for this unbelievably gorgeous girl to become available, and the time has finally come.
Over the past several months, we've focused on giving Athena the best possible start. She has had her cherry eye surgery, been spayed, and has been given the time she needed to heal before beginning professional training.
Athena came to us at nearly a year old with limited socialization. While she knew some basic training, she had never learned many of the manners and social skills that puppies typically develop. Since arriving in rescue, she has made wonderful progress, but she will need a family committed to continuing her journey.
Athena is truly a wonderful dog. She adores people, loves attention, and has absolutely no idea how big she is. She's a strong, powerful girl with a larger-than-life personality—and she is 100% Athena.
She recently had her first session with a trainer and will continue training as she transitions into her forever home.
What Athena Needs
Cane Corsos are incredibly intelligent dogs. They thrive with structure, consistency, and leadership. If given an inch, they often take a mile, so clear boundaries and routine are essential.
Athena is eager to please, but without consistency she will happily make her own decisions. Continued training and socialization are critical for her long-term success.
Because of her size and enthusiasm, we recommend children ages 8 and older. She means well, but excitement can sometimes override her awareness of her surroundings. Think of her as a loving freight train who occasionally forgets to hit the brakes.
A securely fenced yard is required. Athena is still working on her recall and should not be off-leash outside of a safely enclosed area.
We're not convinced that a home with very small dogs would be the best fit. It's not due to aggression—Athena simply doesn't always realize what's beneath her feet.
As for cats, we honestly cannot say. She once proudly delivered a baby bunny to her foster mom completely unharmed, which was surprising to everyone involved. However, that doesn't necessarily predict how she would behave when unsupervised, so caution is advised.
If a snake or frog ever finds its way into your house, Athena will alert you with enthusiastic barking—but don't expect her to save the day. She's not entirely convinced she understands what those creatures even are.
Dog Socialization
Athena is still learning appropriate dog-to-dog greetings. Because she missed out on early socialization, she tends to approach other dogs with a lot of enthusiasm and a very direct, in-your-face style that can make some dogs uncomfortable.
This is something that will need continued work and guidance.
It's important to remember that despite her size, Athena is still very much a puppy. People often forget how young she is because she looks so mature, but she is still learning about the world just like any other adolescent dog.
Training Requirement
Athena's adoption will require continued training.
She will have a remaining training session available to help her transition into her new home and establish a routine that sets her up for success. Continuing her training is not optional.
We are fortunate to work with a wonderful trainer who already knows Athena and can help her new family understand the tools, structure, and expectations that will help her thrive.
The Perfect Home for Athena
Athena would do best with:
- A securely fenced yard
- Previous large-breed or guardian-breed experience
- No young children
- Commitment and financial ability to continue training
- Consistent leadership and structure
- Plenty of exercise and room to run
- Lots of couch space for snuggles
Athena is the kind of dog that turns heads everywhere she goes. She is majestic, stunning, and impossible to ignore.
But as beautiful as she is, we ask that potential adopters look beyond her appearance and truly consider her needs. Athena deserves a family willing to invest in her training, guidance, and continued growth.
For the right family, Athena will be an incredibly loyal, loving, and rewarding companion.
We are so excited to see what the future holds for this brilliant young lady, and we cannot wait to find the forever home she deserves.
