Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Avyon on August 8, 2009 at 8:59am

We just got a new boy ourselves and introduced him to our girl who was happily the only child. I think it's a little backwards from your situation because we introduced a leader instead of the other way around. After a week of correction though they are understanding how to share and get along with petting and play. Though it took correction every time they had a fuss. If we let one go without a correction it was like three steps back haha.

If there is an argument over a toy - take the toy away so nobody wins the fight. Set in on the floor the next day so you aren't rewarding it to one of them while they are interested in something else.

The other thing is give the same amount of attention to B and then slowly ease it off to balance out the fact you have two dogs now. As you take away more attention slowly and transfer it to the new dog till you find a balance - they will learn that they will have to share that attention. Then hopefully learn that if they want more attention.. hey.. there's another corgi in the house to annoy! :)

Feeding I found is best across the room from each other. We still have to watch them since our male tries to creep by every now and then after finishing before her. He stays pretty much away from her bowl after we corrected him a few times.

Just be patient and know that it will take some time for the adjustment to happen. All dogs have their tiffs even after living with each other most of their lives.

Goodluck and I know they'll do great :)

Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on August 8, 2009 at 9:05am

Welcome Hilary, it's listed under FAQ, here's the thread you're looking for.

Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on August 8, 2009 at 9:48am

Hi and Welcome!
My 1 year old is currently deciding she should be "top dog" and so I have been dealing with some issues so that she doesn'tget to control and do what she wants to!
My main suggestion is to make sure they each have their own space (crate/fence) so that they can go there and be safe and for awhile when you leave make sure they are seperate until they ok with each other.I also put Livvy in her crate for a time out if she gets too loud or rough!

Also if you can play all 3 of you maybe with a ball and share...that's what I'm doing right with Livvy right now and the suggestion to take away is very goo too!But I do have to be careful with chew toys as they like to take them from the others...maybe a good time for that is when they each are in their own area??? I'm glad to see others are computer illiterate also....

Permalink Reply by Hilary J. Snyder on August 8, 2009 at 12:34pm

Jane,

Your Corgis are beautiful!

Thanks for your suggestions. The ball playing hit home but NOT for the reason you think. Bella is an unbelievably focused retriever (tennis balls,) even more than food, which is saying a lot. When B is playing ball she is fierce and never misses, brings it right back to my hand. If I move direction, she does too to be in front of me. I have seen other dogs try to join the game and Bella gets such an incomprehensible and almost hurt expression on her face as if to say, how could another dog actually get HER ball (which believe me, doesn't happen often, even at 9, she is fast!) I've tried to throw 2 balls, one to each, but of course B wants them both. I'd love to figure out a way to do this w/two dogs - it's such good exercise and a "working" exercise.

Thanks again, Hilary

Permalink Reply by Sam on August 8, 2009 at 12:42pm

It is a frequent occurance that when folks have one corgi the possession issues do not cause problems. The issues only come in to play when we add more. I think you would do yourself well to start the "Nothing in life is free" program with your girl. I hear frequently that "my dog is such an alpha" dog. Often times this just isnt true. Many folks confuse dominant and bossy behaviors with alpha. We also forget that us humans have to be the leader in our home. When our dogs easily accept rules and know that "we" control everything generally all goes well. Seems you are quite aware of her "triggers" that set this behavior so best to make sure that they arent there. Managing extra dogs always presents new challenges but one can generally learn quickly to keep the harmony if the humans make the rules.

Permalink Reply by Hilary J. Snyder on August 8, 2009 at 1:04pm

Good point, you're right. I DO tend to let Bella "rule the roost" more than I should, even as an only dog. Hilary

Permalink Reply by Cindi on August 8, 2009 at 7:33pm

Another thing to consider is introducing them off-property; someplace neutral like a park. That way they can get to know each other without Bella being possessive over her turf. Let them play and socialize and then bring them home together.

Permalink Reply by Beth on August 8, 2009 at 7:46pm

I currently only have one dog, but hope to introduce another one soon (still looking for the dog, though) and I enjoy reading all the helpful tips.

One thing we have practiced with our Corgi is the idea that everything in the house is ours, even his stuff. Like many Corgis, he can be very intense over toys and food, even though he is not a dominant dog. So, as I said, everything in the house is mine and he plays with it by my good graces. Don't get me wrong, we don't pester or harass our dog unnecessarily. But sometimes in mid play, when he is fully wound up, I will say "leave it" and he is expected to leave it (and instantly does, most of the time, but if he's really excited it sometimes takes several "leave its" for him to hear me!). I will sometimes scatter treats on the floor and walk him on heel telling him to "leave it" and then after he does I will gather up the treats one by one and ask him an obedience command in exchange for treats. If he has a new bone or long-lasting chew, again I will (rarely) tell him "leave it" and ask him to sit, and pick it up and then hand it back to him.

His bed, his toys, his food and bowls are all mine and I allow him to have them, but he knows that if I decide I want them back at any time they are mine. I did this knowing I would eventually get another dog and knowing Corgis are intense, so I am hopeful that this foundation will come in handy when we add a second. As I said, we do this in small doses; constantly taking a dog's stuff while he's playing can make for a paranoid dog, and we always use obedience commands at the time so as not to catch him off guard. We don't allow any possession-guarding, and it's made for a rather polite dog in the house.

Good luck with your new addition!

Permalink Reply by Hilary J. Snyder on August 8, 2009 at 9:28pm

Wow, thanks to all for your advice.

I love the idea that, "everything in the house is mine and I share it with you at my pleasure." I have for awhile only giving treats after getting a "sit" or "down" but haven't carried this over to chew bones, etc. I wouldn't call Bella a dominant dog either I guess. She's very generous w/me but the dominance comes into play around other dogs. Sometimes if I even pet or make a fuss over another dog and she's with me she pushes in front of the other dog to be near me and get her share, too.

We fostered a Corgi about 3 years ago and she was definitely the dominant one and caused a few tiffs causing "Buster" to get upset (he was a 9 month old puppy.) The same dogs would keep me awake at night romping around the house and playing. When Buster found a home and I took him back to rescue B looked for him for two weeks! Even though they played together, I thought she hated having him. Maybe she did but just missed having another dog to be the boss of.

Alot to think about. Hilary

Permalink Reply by Beth on August 8, 2009 at 9:57pm

Thanks! I have some concern about managing dog-to-dog interactions myself, so I read all the threads on it that I can find.

I just wanted to make sure I didn't give the wrong impression of toys and stuff. Jack has free access to all his toys, and it actually usually looks like a Corgi bomb went off in our house! LOL I just expect him to understand that if I want a toy, the toy is mine, even if he's excited.

Same when he plays with other dogs. Most of the time I let him deal on his own, since he's pretty good. But if he is getting rough and the other dog looks worried, or is much smaller; of if he is trying to hump a female (he's neutered, but still has an eye for the ladies), if I say "leave it" I expect him to settle.

Permalink Reply by Roger/Laurie on August 9, 2009 at 9:31am

Chepstow was the only child for 18 months. We got our "rescue" Tenby when he was 6 months old. He had so many socilization and behavior issues (from his 6 months of a terrible situation) I am still amazed that Roger, Chepstow, Tenby and I survived. It has been 3 years and Tenby still has some issues but has become the sweetest, most loving dog in the world.

I guess what I am trying to say is a rescue dog might have some problems that a dog coming from a good background might not have. Chepstow was very helpful in bring Tenby around. Tenby watched closely at our interaction with him and Chepstow encouraged Tenby to interact with us. (Chepstow is very bossy)

Feeding still is done in different rooms. Tenby has never felt comfortable with Chepstow or the cat near his food. If startled Tenby will snap first and ask questions later. He is very protective of me and is not happy if people come near me if Roger isn't around.

Tenby has still never learned to play, but he does enjoy watching Chepstow play with his ball and frisbee. At 3 1/2 Tenby spents hours chewing on bones, something he never had until he came to us. We think it is very relaxing for him.

Bring a rescued Corgi into our family was the best thing we ever did..............and we have a few extra gray hairs to prove it. But isn't that the job of our "kids".

Permalink Reply by Hilary J. Snyder on August 9, 2009 at 2:28pm

That's an interesting story.

I really don't know much about the rescue boy coming to me, he was found as a stray. Luckily, a Cardigan owner saw him and picked him up. It was then dicovered that he had hookworm and heartworm. Apparently, his coat was very out of shape from poor nutrition. With all of this, I wonder what other psychological or behavioral issues he might have. Poor guy. The good thing is that he has been w/a very experienced rescue woman for the last month who has been evaluating him and thinks he would be a good fit for B.

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