Introducing a new corgi to an existing corgi's home!
Dear All,
good afternoon! I'm dropping you a line to see if you've any advice you could share with me! I've been going through the forums and picked up a lot of handy advice, but thought I'd check if you've any more for me! I've a few questions :)
Background - we have Biscuit, a 13 month old corgi. We have had her since she was 2 1/2 months old. On Sunday we're picking up Ben, who is 4 months older than Biscuit, also a corgi. They are from the same breeder, Ben has been showing since he was a pup where as Biscuit has obviously been a pet the whole time.
Ben has grown up sharing a yard with 5 or 6 other corgis, Biscuit has been the only corgi in the roost since she came home with us, and we are very affectionate with her (of course!! Who can resist a corgi?!). Biscuit is desexed, Ben isn't yet but will be in the new year.
Biscuit has been trained to be ok with us touching her food/moving her foodbowl when she eats (in prep for when we introduce human babies into the family!), but she sometimes takes all day to eat her morning meal (she generally wolfs down the evening meal). Ben is apparently a bit of a garbage guts, and will eat anything he can.
We've got a new bowl for Ben, and in morning and evening we're thinking we'll serve their meals in separate parts of the house... does that sound like a good idea, or do you think we should just train them from day 1 that they'll eat next to each other but from their own bowls?
Secondly, I've read that slightly withholding affection for Biscuit for a couple of days beforehand, and then showering them both with love, can make her associate the new addition with more affection (apparently some people use this technique for bringing home a new baby as well). Have you tried this? Was it very successful?
Finally, what about separating them so that you have quality play time with both as individuals? Is it as simple as having one in the house and one in the backyard sometimes?
I really appreciate any insight/experience you can share with me, and I promise photos in return :D
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi Anni,
1. Feed Biscuit and Ben seperately, let them eat in peace, without fear and free from disruption.
2. I find it easier treating all equally. Don't let them push the other one away, jump up to get attention. Only treat / reward when they are calm and listen to your command. Make sure all members of the family have a united front, no favorites, no good cop bad cop.
3. No, the other one will get jealous and bark through the screen door, worst if treats were involved. Treat them with hands on each side.
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Permalink Reply by Biscuit, Bentley & Anni on
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Sam, thanks for the advice!
The equal treatment is something we're big fans of, definitely want them both to know they're equal. Thanks again, much appreciated.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I agree also with the feeding seperately and you might want to have some toys that are new for them both to enjoy maybe a tug toy for them to play together. Stay away from chewy toys that they may both want each others...this could be a problem. At some point giving them treats for sitting and being good while next to each other will be a good step forward. How does Bisquit get along with other dogs in general? I really don't foresee a problem just take things slow! Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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My pem Henry is a slow eater too, so what I do is feed my cardi puppy in his pen and just let him hang out in there until Henry is finished. I wouldn't try to make them eat next to each other, that might be asking for trouble.
I never really separate my guys for individual play. They are buddies, and as Sam said if I tried to take one outside the other would probably just sit pawing at the door and barking.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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We were in a similar situation, except we started with the male we had since a pup and brought in an older intact female retired show dog.
For the first few weeks, we always put Maddie (the new girl) in her ex-pen if we would not be there. We fed Maddie in her ex-pen, and Jack on the other side of the kitchen island, out of sight. Now they can eat near each other, but we waited a long time before trying.
Playing can be tough. You need to gradually teach them to each chase their own ball or whatever, but in the beginning you don't want them playing any high-arousal games in close quarters. If they are both eagerly chasing a ball, for instance, excitement can quickly turn into a fight. In our house, play has always been more of a concern than feeding. They can both eat next to each other and I've put down plates for them to lick that they share with no problems at all, but playtime can be funny because Maddie just wants to run after Jack, barking, and will try to mount him. It took us a long time but we have gotten her to the point that we can refocus her on her own chew toy much of the time. It's only a problem inside in close quarters; outside we will just throw mulitple balls or frisbees or whatever and they are great, but in the house Maddie does not chase balls, only Jack.
Good luck! You may find your new boy takes a good couple months to show his true personality; adults can take a little while to completely relax in a new "pack."
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By the way, since Ben is not yet two there is a good chance he'll adapt pretty quickly. Maddie was over 4 when we brought her in. Also I find males are more adaptable to change than females, in general, though of course each personality is different.
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Hi guys!
sorry it's taken me so long to update you all on how it went!! Bentley's been in our house for 3 months now and I'm now aware how much I was needlessly worrying about this :D
Bentley and Biscuit are so perfectly suited - Biscuit is still a bit of a beserker, and Ben's the complete opposite and oh-so-patient with her. We seperate them for eating their meals only - Bentley is gradually calming down with how insanely quickly he inhales his food, but Biscuit still takes her sweet time. Given the chance, Bentley will check hers out when he's all done, it's the only thing he's truly naughty about!
We're taking them both to training (seperate classes) and both doing well - we seperate them at home for little training sessions sometimes but apart from that they're together when they want to be and at opposite ends of the yard when they don't!
You all were right about how they'd adapt too - I didn't give either of them enough credit! Biscuit had a harder time at first, going from only corgi to sharing us, but with lots of love (and hide and seek - her and my fave game and Bentley is content to listen to us thundering round the house from the safety of his mat :D) she's gotten over the little bit of stress she exhibited in the first couple of days.
Just want to thank you all once more - the advice and encouragement of those who know corgis is invaluable!!
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Glad all is going well!
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