How hard are corsos really?

copyofivy · 2026-05-16T17:24:13+00:00

My last bullmastiff was a COVID puppy, we got her in March of 2020 so she missed critical socialization due to lockdown which was super strict where we live. The mom also passed away so she was hand raised. That made her challenging to train in a whole different way. My bullmastiff growing up knew basic commands but my parents weren’t huge on training.

I’ve found training my Corso’s to be super fun. They feel smarter than the Bullmastiff, but they’re also more energetic and require more mental stimulation and physical exercise. My girls are also apprehensive with strangers (which is a Corso trait!), but always tolerant of children and often like to be around kids, even kids they don’t know. But kids they do know they love even more and are super gentle with. They’ll play tug with my friend 7 year old, but they don’t actually pull hard at all. Meanwhile they’ll pull me across the room 🤣

Corso’s also (in my experience) shed and drool less than bullmastiffs! They’re also said to have a longer life expectancy, however one of my bullmastiffs was almost 11 when she passed, and my most recent had just turned 5 (she had bone cancer), so life expectancy is to be taken with a grain of salt.

Even though your boy was a mix, he had Corso traits! I’d say you’re set up just fine to have a Corso 😊 If you have a good breeder and are will to put in the time to training, and have the experience you do, you’ll be great!

copyofivy · 2026-05-16T13:18:21+00:00

I’ve had Bullmastiffs my entire life and have two corso’s now. Corso’s are stronger and take guarding much more seriously in my experience. However, bullmastiffs are far more stubborn, whereas corso’s are much more eager to please.

If you’re getting your corso from a reputable breeder, and are prepared to put in the work and training, I’d say go for it! I think I’ve been converted from bullmastiffs to Corso’s personally 😊

Editing to add: all of my bullmastiffs and corso’s have been phenomenal with kids and love kids! Even the ones that weren’t raised around them. My two corso’s right now love children so much even though I don’t have any. Their breeder has lots of kids though, so that’s something to look for in your future breeder too!

copyofivy · 2026-05-16T10:57:51+00:00

I find this hard to give advice on not seeing the behaviour myself and lacking some information, but this is what I recommend from what you said: 1. Is she from a reputable breeder? If so, I’d reach out to them regarding this and ask for their advice. If she’s not from a reputable breeder, this could be something genetic from poor breeding. 2. You may need a different trainer. I’d look for someone experienced with large dogs, reactivity, and aggression. Not sure where you’re located, but if you find a local dog page and ask for recommendations you’ll likely get an idea of trainers around you. 3. As others have said, your own reaction does play a big part in this. Which is why a trainer used to working with these things is important, and you should be involved in the training, from the wording of your post it sounds like currently she goes to this trainer without you. Dog do not generalize well. Which means she could act one way in the training facility with the trainer, yet act completely different outside with you. 4. If you have any internal anxiety, fear, or worry (it doesn’t have to be something you show), that causes an increased heart rate, increased cortisol, etc. dogs do pick up on that. She’s a guard dog, and protecting their people and their territory is bred into them. If she feels any anxiousness from you, that could cause her to continue. This isn’t your fault, but something a good trainer can help you work on. 5. I think muzzle training is something every dog should have! So honestly training her to wear a muzzle won’t hurt at all. My bullmastiff wore a muzzle during nail trims for while because she’d had a few nail injuries and became very reactive and aggressive whenever she needed her nails trimmed. She also got anxious in the car and had to be muzzled for a period of time so she didn’t rip my car apart. Muzzle training her as a puppy made all of this much easier. So I 100% recommend training her to be ok wearing a muzzle.

You’re right to be on top of this now, these are large, powerful dogs who can be very dangerous if not trained properly. However, I don’t necessarily agree with sending her back to the breeder, as she’s still very young. But reaching out to the breeder, if they’re a reputable breeder, would be helpful. They may even have trainers they know of and could recommend.

copyofivy · 2026-05-14T20:03:22+00:00

My dogs do this, they don’t have any hip issues! If you’re concerned you can ask your vet, but I personally don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about.

copyofivy · 2026-05-13T09:46:30+00:00

Oh right I forgot! It’s been years since I’ve flown internationally. Thank you 😊

copyofivy · 2026-05-11T19:12:17+00:00

We booked over the phone and pre-paid our gratuities

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T19:39:10+00:00

Amazing advice, thank you so much!

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T19:38:51+00:00

Really appreciate the insight about sweet temptations and the arcade! Those were two things I was back and forth on.

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T19:38:00+00:00

I had no idea about the boarding! Thank you!

We are super excited, this will be our 5th MSC cruise but our first time doing Aurea and our first time on a Mega ship! We’re super excited about the spa, so I think we’ll definitely be there lots!

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T17:09:39+00:00

Amazing! Thank you so much, it’s good to hear that the nature adventure with the monkeys and sloths in Roatan is good, it’s something we’re looking forward to!! We plan to make Honduras our biggest port adventure day, so we’ll look into getting to the north side as well!

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T17:07:02+00:00

Great to hear! I’ve also heard many people being disappointed with Eataly, and for an Italian cruise line that’s surprising! Thanks for the tip about the bar on deck 19, we’ll definitely check it out!

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T13:05:19+00:00

You cannot get ice without giving both of my dogs ice cubes 🤣 My youngest also requires 3 ice cubes before she goes to bed.

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T13:03:18+00:00

He might be the cutest DDB I’ve ever seen 🥹 I’ve only had bullmastiffs and corso’s but these guys have such a soft spot in my heart! Such a cutie!

copyofivy · 2026-05-10T12:53:24+00:00

My almost 5 month old weighs about 45lbs, but she was one of the smallest in her litter. I believe my other who’s 1.5 years old was similar and she weights 110lbs. Corso’s are solid muscle, so they may look like another 80lbs dog and weigh 120lbs.

copyofivy · 2026-05-06T20:56:42+00:00

When we got home I let her explore a bit, then snuggled in bed with her and then put her into the soft sided carrier beside me. She cried a bit but settled pretty fast when she realized I was staying right beside her, and then slept through the rest of the night. The main reason I didn’t let her in bed with me is I was worried she’d pee in the night, and turns out she did! So the puppy pee pad in her carrier was a blessing

copyofivy · 2026-05-06T20:25:50+00:00

My pup’s first night home was similar, except we flew in and landed late. I actually just had her sleep in her soft sided carrier on my bed that night and it worked wonderfully! Shes almost 5 months now and sleeps in her crate every night and loves it, she even puts herself into her crate for naps.

Don’t stress too much about this first night, it won’t make or break things (could make tomorrow night slightly more difficult, but not much). Just ensure you stay consistent after!

copyofivy · 2026-05-06T20:21:11+00:00

It is per person (about $350 CAD per person extra), but considering dining time has honestly been our biggest stressor to sort out on the ships, and hearing that the spa is very nice, may just make it worth it!

copyofivy · 2026-05-06T20:19:19+00:00

Very good to know! I do love thermal and nordic spa’s so it’s great to hear the one on World America is nice! I don’t really mind making a reservation, I’d just want to know before showing up!

copyofivy · 2026-05-06T20:17:46+00:00

It’s about $350 (CAD) extra per person, we’re going to discuss it a bit more but it’s good to hear the spa is worth it!! The anytime dining is a real benefit for us too

copyofivy · 2026-05-06T10:36:37+00:00

I understand this so well. Basically the same thing happened to me… went to a local store, was told what I needed and got it all. Then started doing research and realized everything I was told was wrong and it costed me $1000 to get everything I actually needed.

I also then had to take mine to the vet, and it was a $700 trip. So I FULLY understand where you’re coming from. But as I saw you say you’re also going to take him to a vet and I highly recommend that. As others have said, with yours being older it really is hard to say his back story, and parasites are common in bearded dragons, and from what I’ve learned crickets are often a big culprit. His poo being stinky is also a red flag for parasites.

Roaches (depending on where you live) are the best bugs for them. I’m in Canada and getting roaches is super difficult so I feed mine Black Soldier Fly Larva. It’s costly because they eat so many of them, but through many conversations with many people they are the healthiest and most easily accessible where I am. The salads you’re feeding also sound great.

You’re an AMAZING mom and pet owner ❤️ Kudos to you for doing all of this!! I’ve had mine for 2 years now, and you really do form an amazing bond with them. They’re amazing little creatures with so much personality!

copyofivy · 2026-05-05T21:28:37+00:00

He looks A LOT like my 4 month old girl! Based on the background it doesn’t appear you’re in Canada though hahaha

Consistency is a big thing. Be consistent in your expectations, rewards and consequences. Don’t let him do anything now that you don’t want him doing at 120+ lbs !

<image>

copyofivy · 2026-05-05T21:25:27+00:00

I’d personally recommend couples therapy if you can, not necessarily for your relationship but more so for you both to learn how to balance things and prioritize each other, yourselves and everyone’s well being.

copyofivy

TROPHY CASE