Desperate for advice on behaviour issues
My family and I are having troubles with our 11/2 yr old corgi . I am not sure what is the best way to go. Here is the situation: we are a family of four (myself, husband, and two younger daughters), we have a a 10month old German Shorthair puppy, and a cat. Maggie (the corgi) is proving to be a handful. As of late, she has been peeing on any carpeted surface, no longer responds when called, and has taken to finding as many ways possible to get out of our backyard. I should mention that she is our first Corgi and the first time we have had two dogs. We have done basic training with her, but I will be the first to admit that we as a family have not worked very hard with her. She is generally VERY loving, yet she has shown aggression towards our newish puppy (Some I would expect). As a family we are trying to decide if we should attempt to go through more training with her or see if she would perhaps be better in a different home. I feel guilty about even mentioning that we may want to find her a new home. Are Corgis really this stubborn to learn, or are we just bad corgi parents? any advice would be much appreciated!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Yuki & Ellie on
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What do you do for exercise (physical and mental) for Maggie? To me it sounds like it might be a combination of boredom and a reaction to the younger dog. I, personally, would take her through additional training and increase exercise (if she isn't very active already) before trying to find a new home for her. A good plan to follow at home is Nothing In Life Is Free. Make her work and try to make sure that she has plenty of toys that stimulate her mind. You don't need to keep her occupied every moment of the day, but a tired corgi is a well-behaved corgi. ;)
Also, does she have a quiet place to escape the antics of the new puppy? I know she's not an older dog, but some adults don't tolerate puppies as well as others. I would also recommend walking the two of them together if you don't do so already. It should help their relationship a bit if there are problems.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I would have her checked for a UTI. If she shows as all clear, then go back to basics on the housebreaking. Stress can cause any dog to revert to poor potty habits, especially one that is still so young herself. But do check for a UTI; they are not uncommonly the cause of potty accidents.
I would increase her walks if she's not already getting long ones; she should really be walked every day. I would definitely look into taking a couple classes with her. If you have trouble with the Corgi you will have even more with the German Shorthair when he matures. They tend to be hard-headed and very territorial. So you want to learn how to deal with the dogs in a positive way now so you can develop the structure you need before the (much larger) GSP reaches adulthood. Pointers are way, way more stubborn than Corgis and much less eager to please (I've known quite a few and lived with a several when I was younger; my father used to field trial English Pointers and my aunt had a German Shorthair, plus there is one in our doggie play group).
Both Corgis and GSD's have working dog temperaments and both need structured activity and lots of positive training or they will be handfuls.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
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I think it's simple. Not enough attention/exercise. Yes, corgi's are stubborn, but easily trained. Housebreaking Seanna was a nightmare, but she had frequent UTI's. Check for that. But I feel like it's a cry for attention. When Seanna starts going awry, I spend more one on one time with her. We learn new tricks, go for more walks (just us alone), and play ball a lot more. I also start doing the Nothing in Life is Free program, just to reinforce that I'm her leader, and that I still love her. She usually snaps out of her demon side pretty quick. Corgis take a lot of time. There aren't just "there" like other dogs can be- they demand attention. I feel like maybe you could change her attitude by just giving her a little more love..:-)
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Permalink Reply by Kevan hudson on
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Hi,I would give her a chance to prove to you what a Corgi can do,to me as an outsider, it appears to be a dominance issue , perhaps you are showin more favor to the new pup .my corgis always loved attention,I am thinking this is a case of you thinking everything would take care of itself,corgis are not stubborn to learn,they just need some calm confident guidance . Good luck!,
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Permalink Reply by Lindsey Corkern on
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Your 1 1/2 (which is half a year younger than 2 ;) year old corgi sounds like she needs more attention and exercise. In addition to all good advice listed above, I would set aside some time (10 -15) min each day when Maggie can be played with and then an additional few minutes with puppy and corgi together. A long walk with the puppy will help also. Try Kong treats or special combinations of healthy treats that are frozen then given to Maggie. That will keep her occupied for a while. Also, you could up the ante for her by teaching her a new trick. That will be rewarding for everyone! Good luck and get the whole family involved!
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Permalink Reply by Sunni A. on
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Eddy will do crazy things if not given exercise or physical cuddling every single day, and I totally understand and respect that. Potty "accidents", destroying objects in the house, refusing to eat and staring angrily at me. His excercise and routine are very regular so it is obvious when something is disrupted, I can count on him acting like a jerk the next day. When we moved in with a cat he was extremely jealous and destructive until he bonded with the cat, which took a couple of months. Presently I have to bar my bedroom door with a chair if I have to leave him alone because he has been breaking in and tearing up my stuff, I assume to release scents. Because this winter has been super cold and I think he's getting bored without the variety of environments he's used to being in (hiking, swimming, roadtrips, BBQ's) - it's just been dog park, walks, inside play/chewing, and doggie day care. Eddy thrives off of the novel experiences... 4 hours of regular ol' day care and he's still hyperactive, but just 1 hour of a *new* place (like a friend's house w/ a dog, or a new park) and he will sleep for 8 hours. I don't know if this helps you, maybe it will just stimulate some new ideas. I think my corgi is very stubborn, not easily amused, and has an impeccable memory.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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I heartily agree with Beth on this. Have her checked by a vet and if no health issue go back to square one. Exercise will help a lot. Also, make sure the puppy is not being too rowdy with her. She should get a break from him once in a while and he may need to have help learning good manners around other dogs. Often the older dog will not set the boundaries with a new puppy the way the pup's mother would until the pup has really gotten out of hand and that will cause a lot of stress that can result in peeing. Good luck on whatever your decision is.
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Permalink Reply by steve smith on
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Sounds like to me she is crying out for exercise.
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Permalink Reply by Vee Luther on
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I'll echo what others have said:
1. get her checked for a urinary tract infection ASAP, follow the vet's advice and meds
2. COMMITT to 45 minutes of walk time, on a leash, with her at your side not pulling you each and every day no matter what. NO MATTER WHAT...
3. Committ to an additional 15 minutes of play time--fetch, rub the belly, whatever in addition to the walk
If you can't do this, rehome her. Corgis need a routine and they respond well to training and attention. You can't just get an automatic dog and as another poster said, the pointer will need all of this and probably more. Pointers are a lot harder to manage than Corgis (and yes, I've had both) She'll be a wonderful companion if you can set up circumstances for all of you to win and that means attention and exercise in a routine and systematic way.
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Permalink Reply by Laura and Maggie Moo on
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Thank you so much for your and everyone elses replies. I will be making a vet appiontment this week to make sure there are not health issues.
As far as exercise, I feel like she does get a lot of exercise either by running after squirels in the back yard or by playing with our other puppy and/or kids. I am understanding that this does not include any one-on-one time. We have been trying harder to give her more one-on one time; walking her seperately, playing fetch, and more cuddles. We are also going to take her back to doggie school at a better facility and trainer. If at the very least, it will give her more attention.
I would love more advice, like I said this is our first Corgi. Since we recieved her from a family that decided they did not want her after a month (and the breeder refused to return their calls), we have very little support. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Others have given excellent replies. I would just like to add that the animals in our lives can be a barometer for what goes on in the family. You have a lot piled up on your plate and trying to keep up with all the demands may be taking a toll on you. This can be reflected back to you in the animals' behavior first, children next and finally with you.... If you think that may be the case, it can be an opportunity to look at the bigger picture.
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Anna,
Shall I presume you are some kind of a counselor? You brought up a valid and otherwise not mentioned issue. Yes, we/I are very busy family. We both work and I am also in grad school, my level of stress is always high. Would stress be a cause of my dog's troubles ???
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