Even a small Corso is destined to be a large dog. This is something that must be taken into consideration when rearing it. As a puppy, your Corso should not be allowed to do anything that you would not wish your full-grown Corso to do, like jumping, rough play, & lying on the couch. And because your puppy is going to be such a large dog, it is also essential that it receive early socialization and basic obedience training. You DO NOT want a 125-pound dog that won't listen to you; this can lead to obvious problems.

Corsos grow at such an astonishing rate that it is best not to force their growth with artificial vitamins and calcium supplements, to much calcium is causes more problems than to little! A good quality dog food is all that they require. A Corso is going to get as large as it is going to be, genetically, anyway; allowing them to grow at their own pace will give them a more stable foundation once they get there. Many breeders recommend NOT feeding a 'puppy chow' beyond the first few months due to the high protein content. The amount of food is a judgment call, depending on the type of food you are feeding, the age of the Corso, and the body condition such as too fat, too thin or just right. Do not let your Corso puppy or young adult get fat and make sure that you can feel the ribs or at least see the last two ribs when the dog is moving. Fat dogs have many problems with bones and joints, heart, liver, kidney, etc. You can read about possible food allergies in the health section of our site.

During growth periods your Corso puppy is subject to joint injury. You will need to be especially careful during these times to control excessive exercise. A puppy may play at its own rate but should not be encouraged to take long walks, jump obstacles, or any other exercise that will stress the joints. This is not to say the puppy has to be confined. Just use caution and do not allow it to over exert itself. After about 18 months the growth rate has decreased and the puppy has just about reached its full stature.

It is important that you NOT over exercise any Corso under 2 years of age. Up until this age (and sometimes later) their skeleton is still developing. Since Corsos tend to be stoic, and also will do just about anything to be with and please their people, they can easily end up with an inflamed joint or other problems like those that plague humans who run for exercise.

When you do begin to exercise your Corso, begin GRADUALLY. Build up SLOWLY. Make sure you know and watch for the signs of your dog getting tired or overheated. Take ice and water with you in case the dog overheats. The extra weight will add more effect to your workout! This is not to say that Corsos should not have any exercise at all as pups. On the contrary, Corso puppies are still puppies and need to do puppy things like running and playing. If left to their own schedule, they will rest themselves when they get tired. Crating a pup for most of its puppyhood is more detrimental than letting it play and exercise in moderation in the house and yard

A Corso remains a puppy much longer than most breeds. Even though a Corso is already quite large by the time it is 6 months old, it is still growing and maturing rapidly. A Corso does not reach its full physical or mental maturity until around 2-3 years of age.

Fresh water should be kept available at all times. Drool may accumulate in the bottom of the pup's water dish, so the dish should be rinsed out at least daily. Stainless steel food and water dishes are suggested for several reasons. They are basically indestructible, easy to sterilize and dishwasher safe. Buy the largest one you can find for a water owl and at least 5 qt. Size for the food.

Because they are destined to be VERY large dogs, basic obedience training should be a part of every Corso's upbringing.

Adequate socialization is an extremely important part of a puppy's training. An unsocialized dog, of any breed, can become either fearful or aggressive. A well-socialized Corso is a stable Corso.

Corsos seem to have an instinctive need and desire to be as close as possible to their human family, to the point that their emotional development can be stunted if they are deprived of that closeness.

Corsos consider themselves to be part of your family, and will be most content if they are able to share your home with you. Corsos need a place of their own where they will feel comfortable and secure, just like any other dog.

Crates are a practical solution, especially for puppy house training and safety. Wire crates are best so that the pup can see out and because they are harder to chew or destroy. Purchase the largest one you can afford so your Corso can grow into it. A dog bed next your bed is also a good idea since Corsos want to be with their families. The best beds are soft pads with blankets over them or even a baby bed mattress with a cover. Don't be surprised if your youngster shreds his bed as this seems to be great fun to most puppies - be sure to remove any pieces because they can be dangerous if swallowed.

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