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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on July 18, 2013 at 10:04am

Hi Holly, if you have not already done so, establish a long structured daily on leash outside walk with Ruby, it builds relationship, helps your dog to focus, get in routine and establish expectation. Indoor / backyard play doesn't count. A well worn out corgi is a content corgi. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Angie on July 18, 2013 at 10:30am

I got my Corgi into Agility. That seemed to help her with boredom and we go to classes. But you could easily set up some jumps and start teaching her something that helped my Corgi calm down because she has a job and we don't practice very much but she knows on monday nights she gets to have fun for an hour. This may help.

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Permalink Reply by Linda on July 18, 2013 at 12:22pm

I agree with Sam and Angie..corgis are made to move, a long walk every day will do wonders in bonding and giving Ruby the exercise she needs.  She is young and wants to go, do, see, smell, taste.  If you have a dog park you can go to that will also help drain some from her energy.  Agility, even if it's just some things you set up in the back yard will give her a job and a focus.  A frustrated corgi (or any dog for that matter) becomes annoying, destructive. 

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Permalink Reply by Holly on July 18, 2013 at 12:49pm

Thank you everyone! I know Corgis like to be active but my Ruby is very stubborn on walks. She plants her feet and refuses to go places and lays down in the shade of people's yards. Does anyone have this problem with their Corgi? How can I get her to just, you know...walk? She's been this way since she was a puppy. The only time she actually walks on a walk is when our other dog is walking with her (she is competitive and has to be two steps ahead of him at all times) but unfortunately I can't walk both at the same time because the other one is too big for me to handle.

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Permalink Reply by Jane on July 18, 2013 at 1:03pm

How much exercise does she get daily?

I'd bring along some treats and coax her along. Or, just keep walking, lol. Maybe it's a little mean but I don't let my 30 lb dog tell me when we are or aren't walking.

It definitely sounds like she needs more exercise IMO, and another dog is not the answer for that.

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Permalink Reply by Priss, Charlie & Kaylee (PK) on July 18, 2013 at 7:02pm

My husband and I have been home a lot this summer as well and sometimes Kaylee cries too. In the summer heat/daily rain/wall of bugs, she also refuses to walk very far or very fast. It's not much fun for us either, IMO. So, we have similar problems.

(1) We have been taking her to daycare 2 days a week instead of the usual 1 day a week. They don't provide A/C but at least she gets to run around in a yard (which we don't have) all day. (2) My husband and I play "puppy in the middle" in the house on carpets where there is A/C twice a day at least. It gets her heart pumping and allows her to relax. 

You could also try slightly longer training session with tug-o-war games. That might help relieve the boredom. I also second a class of some sort. On Fridays around here there is a "dog social" at a local daycare place as well. 

Fall cannot come soon enough.

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Permalink Reply by Marcie on July 18, 2013 at 7:48pm

I also teach and have been home with Becca more. My summer job gets done at noon. She will poke me with her nose asking "What can we do now?"

I have certain "brain toys" that I keep stored for bad weather days. I generally use them for snow days, but have pulled them out this week. Treat puzzles are good. I have two that need to have pieces removed and the base rotated before all of the treats are out. Becca also loves her "Hide a Squirrel". A filled and frozen Kong will keep her engaged as well.

I agree with the others that exercise is mandatory. I walk Becca at 6am while it is still cool, then at 4pm we meander along the river, ending with another walk at 8pm. Becca knows when it is time for one of her walks, and reminds me if needed. We also go to an agility class each week and a drop in advance obedience class occasionally. Practicing a trick or teaching a new one will help, brain work plus activity. This week Becca has learned "porch". She learned her target, now I am giving it from further away each time.

Do you have a friend with a dog that could have a play date with you and Ruby? You could both have fun.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on July 18, 2013 at 9:06pm

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it. We will definitely make exercise a bigger priority and we are planning to start morning walks. We play outside everyday (well, not lately cause we are in a heat wave and Ruby doesn't do well in heat) but because Ruby doesn't cooperate on walks, we only do one about once a week when my husband can come with to walk our bigger dog. However you all are right--I shouldn't let a 30 lb dog tell if and when we are walking. ;) so I will have to work on being more consistent.

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