Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lou Ann Lemaster on December 14, 2008 at 8:13pm

Sounds like Bubbles needs more activity and attention. Is there someone that could come over midday and take her for a walk or let her outside? Are the children home after school or do they go somewhere else until you get home from work? If the 10 year old is home in the middle of the afternoon, she is old enough and it would be a good responsibilty lesson for her to take the dog out for a walk or a play in the yard. Bubbles is also at the "terrible teenage stage". Some dogs go through it like they've never been trained. Sometimes you have to go back to step one with the housebreaking.

You could also have a urine test done, to make sure there isn't a problem with an infection. But, it sounds more like not enough exercise and attention.

Sometimes, this breed of dog doesn't work out for some people. They do need exercise to keep them from becoming destructive. Where did you get your dog from? Reliable breeders have you sign an agreement that if the dog doesn't work out, they will gladly take the dog back. If you bought it at a pet store, and have come to the conclusion that things are not working out, contact a corgi rescue, please, don't take it to a shelter.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bubbles'Mom on December 15, 2008 at 7:03am

First, I have to mention that when I took Bubbie outside first thing this morning - she peed!!! And, she hadn't gone all night in her crate! I praised her tremendously, instructed her to sit and wait for a treat...which she did! (Okay, after running around the couch a few times.....but, she stopped and did sit and wait!)
Thanks so much for the comments! I've been waiting to hear what other corgi owner have to say - I trust their judgment! HA. I feel pretty confident with the breed, I've owned corgis several years. Like each and every one of our children, Bubbles is just unique!
And, the exercise is a big issue I'm sure. The kids don't get home until I do, btw. The house we live in now does not have a fence. Our old house did. So, unfortunately Bubbie is our only one that hasn't had the enjoyment of just getting to run free outside. Also, the kids do need to pitch in......you know how it goes "Please, can we have another corgi??" and then the new ness wears off??
Our last corgi, Biscuit, (whom we lost in a tragic accident) did begin having UTI's as a pup and I could tell from blood in her urine. So, been down that road too.
I'm already looking up info on Nothing in Life is Free....very good stuff! Thanks for the tip!
I appreciate you guys taking the time to respond and anything else is very much appreciated!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MagnoliaFly on December 15, 2008 at 9:28am

She sounds extremely bored and like she's going through adolesence. She needs lots of mental stimulation! Leaving her in a crate most of the time will just frustrate her further.

Busy Dog Ball Toys - - plastic treat dispensing (be careful if your dog tries to chew on these, get the appropriate size)
Chase It Dog Toy - a fun toy on a stick you can use. This is great since you don't have to move around a whole lot and your dog can get lots of exercise chasing the toy on the end.
Amaze-A-Ball - rubber treat dispensing toy, really fun and great for doggies to keep em busy. Can also be used for your dogs dinner!
Buster Cube Dog Toys - you can pour all of your dogs dinner into this and have them work for it.
TreatStik Dog Toys - Another treat dispensing puzzle toy
Soft Plush Puzzle Toys - are toys that you use with your dog. You put the squeaky small toys into the big parts and encourage your dog to dig them out and get to them and then put them back inside. These are interactive toys that you play with your dog (otherwise you'll end up with stuffing all over the floor).

Stuffing kong toys with all kinds of things and freezing them work really well too and keep your dog occupied.

You don't have to purchase a toy either - you can make your own puzzles with what you have. If you have small cardboard boxes you can close them and put treats inside so your dog has to break the box open to get to it. Toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls can be used in the same manner! Punch a hole in one side of the box and your dog can roll it around to get the treats to fall out.

As far as the peeing goes - if she's peeing when she sees you it might be due to stress or submissive peeing. See the link for solutions.

Make sure that anytime someone is playing with her they are using a toy. No one should play with her using only their hands or arms. They need to redirect her mouth to the toy if she goes for your hands. Praise her for chewing on her own toys.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bubbles'Mom on December 29, 2008 at 8:02am

Thank you for all of your advice, help, information.......Also, I appreciate the info on the last post about submissive peeing - I hadn't really heard of that.

Bubbles is doing much better! We're all trying to work together to get more exercise in for her, and just more appropriate attention all around. It is working great. My children are gone for a few days during the holiday break, and I've been keeping Bubbie out of her crate all night. She's doing great and just stays on the bed with me the entire night. She's been leaving the potty pads alone, peeing outside and being more calm in general. The continued weak spots so far are chewing on the pillows from the couch and still digging into that spot on the wall. (I fix it and she just goes back to it......).

Thanks, again!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Abalone_Chan on January 17, 2009 at 2:32am

Dear all Corgi lovers,

My little 7month old is having exactly the same behaviour, as though she's never been trained. She poos and pees where ever she feels like. maybe she really does need more exercise or stimulation because she seems much more rebellious nowadays. is ti possible not to walk a corgi because we live in an apartment and work crazy hours in advertising :(

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ginny and Diggory on January 17, 2009 at 8:46am

Honestly, corgis really do need an outlet for their energy. If you think about the breed's function, you'll understand why. These dogs were bred to actively run around herding livestock. All herding breeds need to be mentally stimulated and require a fair amount of exercise. You may find the occassional corgi who prefers being a couch potato, but the breed is also prone to putting on weight easily, so exercise is also crucial for their health. It really is a benefit for their mind and body. These kinds of dogs are very intelligent, so even though they can adapt to apartment living (I also live in an apartment), I can imagine it would be a very dull life for them if they were seldom walked, which in turn will lead to destructive behavior because they are bored. My corgi is having a difficult time understanding that our outdoor activities are limited because of the cold and snow right now. As a result, she is much more obnoxious than she was during the summer when we were active almost every single day. We still take a short walk whenever we can and when it's nice out we try to get to the dog park, but I can tell she misses the hiking and long walks we used to go on. Every once in a while, I take her to doggy day care so she can have a full day of socialization and exercise, but it's still a lot less activity than she was used to in the warmer months.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on January 17, 2009 at 9:38am

How about hiring a dog walker? may be there are some young neighbours who needs a job :) I know what you mean, we run 2 ad firms and it's very crazy hours, how ever, we especially take time out to walk our dogs because even we ourselves need it, it's nice to get fresh air and during those times you'll be surprised what kind of fresh ideas you can get! Corgis are herding dogs and they must have metal and phsycial stimulation, or else they will find a job for themselves (not good).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Abalone_Chan on January 17, 2009 at 10:23am

Dear Friends,

Thanks for all the advice. It really does seem she needs constant attention. I'm gonna continue the 15 min exercise program with her and maybe even get a treadmill going on so we can both run! hahhaa. Will see how she does in the next week. I totally know what you mean by the 'colder months'. It's freeeezing in Shanghai now too!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jessica on January 17, 2009 at 1:47pm

Like others say, it sounds like Bubbles is crying out for attention. Maybe she is doing bad things in order to get attention, even if it is negative attention. Reward the good, ignore the bad. Don't let her see you picking up her messes either (she might enjoy you seeing do that lol) Plus, yay the teenage period!

Just don't give up on her, she just needs some patience and attention.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on January 17, 2009 at 8:47pm

One other thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is STRESS! If your stressed and uptight the dog will know it and be stressed. Being a single mom w/3 kids and working as your doing is tough. I'm sure you feel drained and strained and then w/the dog acting out your pulling your hair out. Relax..breath (much easier said then done) and collect your thoughts. With patience and consistency and more time to be FREE..she'll be the dog you dream of. This is like having your 3 yr old sitting through meetings all day everyday. She needs a release and the other stuff will become more manageable. Good luck to you.

• ▶ Reply