Hey Everyone! We're new here!
Greetings and Salutations! I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!
My name is Mallory and I have a bouncing 10 month old Corgi Puppy named Westly! (Pictured left) Actually his name is Dread Pirate Westly...sort of named him after The Princess Bride lol.
I just joined up last week, but I had to leave on vacation so I was unable to be on the site much.
I fell in love with the corgi breed. Their fox-like faces and happy demeanor are something I have always looked for in a dog. Plus, after researching them I read they are easy to train and get along with other pets and people.
I love my little Westly. He's a sweet-heart but at the same time he can get a little crazy, and stubborn when it comes to calming him down.
Unfortunately, I live in a small town so the aide of any professional puppy trainers is hard to come by. So I'm relying on friends and others who can help me with my very dominant, yet well-meaning baby boy. (I guess he's sort of a teenager now though, right?)
Seriously, I can look in Westly's eyes and I KNOW he's looking for direction, he's willing to please but at the same time, he's very strong-willed and I'm working with him on showing him who's Alpha. Lol, the problem is I'm also learning what that means. I have a very submissive personality.
He's also a door bolter, which usually scares the living daylights out of me, and frustrates me every time I have to go after him. I read on here prior to joining that making him chase me may help next time he flees?
Once he ran off and nearly ran to the highway a halfmile away... I was terrified that I would never recall him back. He just thinks I'm playing with him.
So, despite all of that I love my little fuzzy ball of energy. And I know with more training and consistency he will be a happy, stable companion/playmate for me.
I hope this is the right place to post this! :) I'm happy to be here.
ALSO there is something Westly does when he REALLY wants to play aggressively. He'll bounce up and down on his front legs like he' s throwing a tantrum. It's easy to see he's trying to be bossy and wants to play roughly SO much. And I know the behavior is probably not acceptable...but it is so hilarious to watch. Is this what they call the "Corgi Dance/Shuffle?"
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by EvilTwin on
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Hi Mallory and Westly!! It has been a while since I was on this sight, but signed on last night!! Welcome!! :)
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Permalink Reply by Mal N' Westly on
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Thank you! ^_^ I'm super happy to be here! :D
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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Welcome! Your boy is adorable! You are in for a fun (and at times frustrating ride). He is looking for direction and he's looking for you to give it to him....so you can't be submissive. I know, not easy to change but it will mean the difference between a well behaved corgi or a devil. Obedience training is something all dogs need...it not only makes them pleasant to be around but it can save their life if they are trained to respond to you. Try to find a dog club within a reasonable driving distance to you and see if they do obedience classes. It can be a lot of fun for both you and your dog. If that isn't possible I imagine there are training DVDs out there that can help you. I have always worked with the local dog club so I don't know about DVDs. A trainer will not train your dog, they train you and you train your dog. My first corgi was a runner, I could open the door to get the mail and he would be out the door in a flash...coming from the other side of the house. It took a lot of obedience classes and working with him before he would stop on my command.
My male does that bouncing routine at meal time, I know I shouldn't let him but it's cute. Tell him a firm NO and then ignore him till he settles down. Then praise/reward him for his good behavior. Others will also have good ideas, we may not all have the same ideas but try each one till you find what works for you and your dog.
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Thank you, Linda!
I have a question... I have had several people tell me that when my boy tries to nip or bite (something that I realize is instinctual, but its not desired in a home situation) to put him in his place by laying him on his back, grabbing his muzzle until he stops fighting. Sometimes growling if necessary. I've heard this works with other breeds, but I am unsure if the corgis respond well to this... But It makes sense from a dog's point of view to act like an alpha would in the wild. I've tried it and it does calm him down...for a bout 5 seconds and then I have to repeat it several times until he just gets up and walks away.
I'm moving in a few months to a bigger city that definitely has places to take dogs. But unfortunately the closest town that would offer this is at least two hours away. :/ So those DVDS will probably be something Ill be checking into.
I feel that I'm about to hit on something awesome that will work for my Westly. I just gotta keep digging and consistently working with him until he responds.
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Permalink Reply by Priss, Charlie & Kaylee (PK) on
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I'm not a big fan of that sort of training and I think I wouldn't do it right anyways. Westly shouldn't nip or bite you, but we found that other methods work well, like distraction (shake can), a sound that you use with negative behavior (we use a loud "eh!" because "no" is used too often in conversation and we didn't want to confuse our pup) and stopping play/standing up. This is all assuming that Westly nips during play like he would with another puppy or accidentally bites you during play session because he hasn't learned self-control.
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Thanks to you guys, starting today I have stopped ALL "rolling" techniques.. and have decided to just try the sharp "OW" or whine. it worked...amazingly well! Also I showered him with lots of praises when he did well in other situations.
He actually just loves to nip...for no reason and he has had this behavior since I brought him home... it started with toes and fingers. I do think he's just trying to play but on a occasion he got too much confidence would start to snap instead. I would immediately get up and walk away from that point.
Today, he showered me with lots and lots of licks and kisses. I think this is a good sign and I'm so glad I came here. Things seem to be working much better!
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I'm so happy it's working! That is a possible consequence (at least with our dog) you get licks instead of nips, but I bet you're not complaining. ^_^
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Permalink Reply by Judith Andre on
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Welcome...he's very cute! I always train my dogs from the very beginning .....they ALWAYS have to be told "OK" before they can go through an outside door or gate, get out of the car, or step off a curb. I just tell them to wait and put my hand palm toward their face. If you haven't trained this from the beginning, you may have to put him on leash and practice it over and over until it becomes second nature to both of you. I would also practice recalls on a very long light weight leash...use lots of praise and treats. These things are very important for the safety of your dog....even if you're not very alpha, you can learn to be more assertive. Corgis are always questioning if you REALLY mean what you say, so you must take control or have a little monster. The "teen age" period can be especially challenging. Good luck with him! Don't forget the praise and the treats when he does something right, and a sharp "no" can work wonders if they misbehave. You tone of voice and body language are very important.
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Permalink Reply by Bogart the Cardigan on
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When you move, will you be any closer to a PetSmart? We've been taking their obedience classes and Bogart has learned LOTS! BTW, welcome to mycorgi.com and congratulations on your new fur baby, Mr. Adorable.
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Yes! We certainly will. Thanks so much for the welcome!
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Mal.....that is one way to do it but it's not one that I prefer. My dogs have been giant breeds and putting an 80 lb puppy on it's back to prove my alpha status would have been like wrestling another adult to the floor. And if you have a really alpha dog you risk getting bit good because they are going to fight back. Nipping is part of the way a corgi herds...remember they are drovers of horses and cattle plus he is a puppy and every puppy I know "mouths" anything they can. I use a sharp NO and at times just a sharp rap on the snout with ONE finger and walk away. Repeat until it sinks in. Your tone of voice and body language is what your puppy will read. They are intelligent dogs and they want to please you, when they see your displeasure in what they are doing they will change but it has to be consistent. Always always praise good behavior. You want a dog that is happy and physically showing your superiority can make for a dog that acts scared of you. I have seen that behavior in too many dogs in training classes....I want my dog to be happy doing what I am asking of it.
As Judith said working on recall is very important. You can start with a 6 ft lead, call your dog and use a happy tone of voice, if he doesn't move right off towards you back up with a little tug on the lead and when he gets to you, lots of praise and a reward. She is also right in teaching him to not move until you tell him it's ok. Which starts with teaching him to stay. It's not going to come the first time out but you keep trying. Put him in a sit position, put your hand down, palm facing his face and tell him to stay in a command voice....start to walk away. Every time he tries to follow you put him back where you started and do the whole drill over and over again until he gets it. When he does, lots of praise and treats. He will respond to your tone of pleasure or displeasure in what he does.
I'm glad that you will eventually be in an area where you can find obedience classes. Even tho I have worked my dogs for over 30 years I still find working in a group in the beginning to be beneficial. There are many thoughts and techniques in training, not every dog responds to every one of them. You keep trying till you find the right one that works for your dog.
But most of all....have fun with your dog. Training can be fun for both of you and build a close life-long bond.
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THANK you guys SO much for telling me about the "rolling" position not being beneficial at all. I don't want my baby boy to be scared of me, I just don't want him to hurt anyone. Starting today that technique will not be used. Instead the sharp sound works wonders in distracting him And if he doesn't respond to that, I simply get up and ignore him. I understand this is corgi nature here and he's not trying to be awful. I just need to be consistent with him so he'll get the idea. I know he wants to please me.
Thanks for the recall advice! I'm working on that technique right now actually. :)
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