8-Month Old Corgi Behavior Issues
Hi there. I'm having issues with my 8 month old corgi female. I bought her only about 4 weeks ago, already aged 7 months and still living with her parents and 3 sibling pups. After a couple weeks, once she had settled in, she started doing a few bad things.
1.) When I come home, I cannot get her to settle down for a very long time. I've tried both ignoring her, which works eventually, but only after tripping over her 50 times as she darts around my feet. I've also tried giving her the affection she craves. Unfortunately, she gives little nips as well as licks on the face and hands when she's excited. It really hurts.
2.) Her other problem is that she chews on her feet a lot - as well as on my things. So far she has destroyed an ethernet cable, a phone cord, a pen, and empty film container and my favorite bra. I know I shouldn't leave things out that she could chew on, but what I really want is to know how to train her to absolutely NOT chew on anything but her own toys.
3.) I also have trouble with her on a leash. She just tugs and tries to herd me around. I have tried stopping for a period of time. She'll then stop and return to my side until I say we can go on, but then she immediately starts tugging again.
I've had dachshunds in the past, and never had any trouble training them. They chewed up one thing, got punished for it, and never did it again as long as they lived. It was so easy with them, but this corgi is quite another story. I'm hoping someone can help me. Thanks.
Bonny
1.) When I come home, I cannot get her to settle down for a very long time. I've tried both ignoring her, which works eventually, but only after tripping over her 50 times as she darts around my feet. I've also tried giving her the affection she craves. Unfortunately, she gives little nips as well as licks on the face and hands when she's excited. It really hurts.
2.) Her other problem is that she chews on her feet a lot - as well as on my things. So far she has destroyed an ethernet cable, a phone cord, a pen, and empty film container and my favorite bra. I know I shouldn't leave things out that she could chew on, but what I really want is to know how to train her to absolutely NOT chew on anything but her own toys.
3.) I also have trouble with her on a leash. She just tugs and tries to herd me around. I have tried stopping for a period of time. She'll then stop and return to my side until I say we can go on, but then she immediately starts tugging again.
I've had dachshunds in the past, and never had any trouble training them. They chewed up one thing, got punished for it, and never did it again as long as they lived. It was so easy with them, but this corgi is quite another story. I'm hoping someone can help me. Thanks.
Bonny
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ginny and Diggory on
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When you first get home, try helping her release some of her energy right away before you get down on her level to play. She's obviously desperate for your attention, but doesn't know not to nip. She's been living with other dogs for a while, and they interact by play-biting. Maybe toss a ball for her, or take her on a walk right away, then when she's a little calmer, you can try to get down on her level. Maybe try getting her to sit, then give her treats and affection for calm behavior. She starts going crazy, yell "ouch" and get up and turn your back on her. Be serious about it.
As for the second issue, puppy-proofing with be your best friend. If she can't be supervised, you'll probably need to crate her, and if there's something she really is wanting to chew, try bitter apple spray. As for licking her feet, it is probably a reaction to stress. I would think she might need more physical activity.
For your third issue, there are lots of tools to help with leash walking. Make sure you're using a normal leash, not a flexi-leash, as it offers more control. Try some walking sessions where you just sort of zig-zag. If she starts pulling, turn around and go the other way so that YOU are leading. Keep doing this so she gets that you are the leader, she is not. Or try the gentle leader. They can be wonderful because a dog really cannot tug with one of those on.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Bonny on
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This all sounds like good advice. Thank you very much. I'll try all of these today. :) I can tell she is a good dog and wants to please me, but I'm afraid the lady who had the puppies all this time didn't give them some of the basic training they should have had at a much younger age. I hope it's not too late for her to become the best dog she can be.
I was thinking, and you're right. On the days when I come home and we immediately go out for a walk, she is better behaved and calmer. I'll try making a habit of this.
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Permalink Reply by Carmen on
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I agree with Ginny, you need to crate her or put her in a room where she can't get anything while you are gone. I would suggest taking her for a walk right after work. A tired corgi is a happy corgi. You can also take this time to least train her. If she is tugging, you could try a gentle leader. If you get a gentle leader, have a professional fit it for you.
I would also enroll her in obedience classes. They will help a lot. The trainer will be able to give you advice for all your problems.
Corgis do learn quick, but yours has a lot to learn. Since she isn't a small puppy, it is easy to expect more of her. You need to start at step one and work with her. Get her tired before trying to train. She'll learn to settle down eventually. As for the chewing, just tell her no. You do need to puppy proof your home. Pandora learned very quickly what was hers and what wasn't. We haven't had a chewing incident in years. Except for stuffed toys, our dogs do not chew anything we do not give to them. Trunks had a harder time understanding, but he gets it now.
Don't lose heart. She will be a great dog, once she learns. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Ju Lo on
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Bonny, is she home alone all day? It sounds to me like all 3 of these issues might be solved with a lot of exercise and some basic obedience training. When I leave Theo home alone all day he just about jumps out of his skin. This is probably your girl's problem. Try giving her a quick walk or playing some fetch with her, something where she can get some of that energy out. It sounds like Ginny has the right idea with the nipping. This the exercise should also help with the foot chewing and troubles with walking. Theo walks well on his leash, but when he has too much energy, he just can't contain himself. Good luck!
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