Psychology 101
I've talked with people about this before and still don't have it settled in my mind. I know dogs are pack animals and have been raised around other, their siblings, Mom and Dad, etc. I also know most will settle down into homes when they get 8-12 weeks old and do well but what if that particular one is older-say 1-3 years old and has always been around others of his/her kind and now is living alone with his Dad. In my case I live alone and there's just me and Bubba. Many times I think he "looks" like he misses being around the others he left behind, judging from a recent visit to see his breeder and being around old buddies he once had.
When I say he "looks" like he misses them I mean he looks like he mopes and has no interest in much and at times won't even chew on his favorite chew item-the C.E.T. Dental chews. He'll lick it a little and then put his head back down or he won't show any interest in his teddies he plays with. Many times he'll retire to his crate during the day until I call him out or hke'll come out on his own after awhile. I'll take him out to PetsMart or other such places and he really don't act friendly to the other dogs but just turns his back on them mostly. He's never aggressive just coy or stoic about others. When we went to see his breeder he was around his own kind and was an entirely different boy there, smiling and loving up to several, especially his ol' buddy Sonny.
Maybe I'm trying to make more out of this than there is using human psychology as I know zilch about dog psychology but try to read his body language and at times he just looks miserable even though he has the best any Corgi could want. It's just puzzling to me and I don't know if another companion Corgi would perk him up or not.Perhapas he's just a loner most of the time and this is just him...just fishing for opinions.
When I say he "looks" like he misses them I mean he looks like he mopes and has no interest in much and at times won't even chew on his favorite chew item-the C.E.T. Dental chews. He'll lick it a little and then put his head back down or he won't show any interest in his teddies he plays with. Many times he'll retire to his crate during the day until I call him out or hke'll come out on his own after awhile. I'll take him out to PetsMart or other such places and he really don't act friendly to the other dogs but just turns his back on them mostly. He's never aggressive just coy or stoic about others. When we went to see his breeder he was around his own kind and was an entirely different boy there, smiling and loving up to several, especially his ol' buddy Sonny.
Maybe I'm trying to make more out of this than there is using human psychology as I know zilch about dog psychology but try to read his body language and at times he just looks miserable even though he has the best any Corgi could want. It's just puzzling to me and I don't know if another companion Corgi would perk him up or not.Perhapas he's just a loner most of the time and this is just him...just fishing for opinions.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Renee on
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That's a good question. I can't answer it but I'd like to hear what others say.
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Permalink Reply by D46 on
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He's such a good boy and maybe I'm reading him wrong as Im no Cesar Milan(wish I was). We just want them happy and I don't know if another Corgi would fill that need or not. I do know it could make things worse but then again...
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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hello Renee and D46....A few of my dogs like their private time but will interact w/the group but none of them seem to mind if I pull one away from all of them and do something different w/them. Even if its just for an afternoon nap laying on the bed and the other ones are outside playing. You are his pack leader and family now. Even when he was at the breeders enjoying all the other dogs..when you left he got anxious. Adding another dog might get him more active but I believe your dog is just more meek then some and is happy. If he was truly bored or depressed I don't think you'd see much reaction out of him in any situation like the UPS guy showing up. Yes..he might be a little bit on the chicken side but some are more bold then others. You as the leader can really stimulate him by walks as Cindi had suggested and group activities such as obedience. Dogs need a job or a purpose. Toss the ball or frisbee. Wrestle w/him or teach him new tricks. Anything you can think of to stimulate his senses. Make sure he's at a good weight and physically fit. Sometimes an obese dog gets lazy. Drop their weight and they get more active. Also make sure he isn't suffering any arthritis issue which could cause some decreased activity. I'm just making suggestions to help you figure it out.
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We do spend a bit of time together on the couch watching TV together and snacking. Yesterday evening I got sleepy around 6:30 and leaned over and put my head on his hip. I must have fallen asleep for about fifteen minutes and raised up to see if he was. He just laid there while I napped and I guess he figured it was his turn as he rolled over partially on his back/side with legs in the air to get a belly rub. As I began to do that he closed his eyes, lips slightly parted and fell asleep within about a minute. I did so wish I had a camera handy he was so cute. He is a bit shy and sudden noises freighten him as I've witnessed at places like PetsMart. He'll drop his hind quarters,ears back and act afraid like he's thinking, "Duck, incoming round!!" One afternoon he had been chewing on one of his favorite toys, his stuffed rabbit, and decided he needed a drink. His water bowl was about ten feet away and as he jumped from the couch to go to it, the rabbit fell from the edge of the couch and hit him in the butt. He took off like the devil himself was after him!! I laughed for several minutes and assured him he was well protected and that nasty rabbit wasn't out to get him.
Bubba's a little on the lazy side and I've never succeeded in getting him to play ball of any sort whether it's a tennis ball or soccer ball. He just doesn't know you play with those round things. I've tried for a year to no avail. The only thing he'll run for is if you throw a cookie-then he takes off like a rocket. I've tried the frisbee with the same effect. He'll run to see what it was I tossed but only looks at it-never to retrieve and bring it back. I've tried rolling the Babble ball across the floor and he just looks at it and walks away. The Buster Cube wasn't a success at all. It's hard to get him motivated to play much unless it's when I first come home from work tkhen he goes crazy. He'll run around the coffee table, jump up on the couch, snag one of his toys(usually one of the stuffed teddy bears) shake it and then lie on his side for me to come rub his back and love him a little. Then, he'll jump off the couch with the toy in his mouth and we'll chase each other a few minutes around the room and then head outside. That's the most exercise he'll get on a working day other than going up and down the stairs. He's just laid back and doesn't care much for activities but, he sure loves that couch!! I just wish I could get him out of some of the fears he has and assure myself that he really is content where he is and with what he's doing.
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Permalink Reply by Cindi on
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Yes, dogs are pack animals and very social. They thrive in a strong social structure. However, we create a pack with our dogs when we walk them, train them, do fun things with them. If Bubba had created a strong social structure with his breeder and the other dogs, then it makes sense he would get excited.
A couple of questions, if I may? Do you walk him and how much? Walking is a pack activity and can go a long way to creating that strong bond you want to see. Also, getting him involved with other dogs, i.e. a dog park or local club, is a great way to socialize him.
My suggestion, without seeing how he interacts, would be to get involved. If he's good at obedience, try rally-obedience! If he's not so good at obedience, take a class with him. And if there are mycorgi folks in your area, maybe you could organize a get-together??
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I don't know how strong the bond was between him and the breeder or the other Corgis. Bubba's sort of a loner, if that makes sense and I don't imagine he went out of his way much. I do walk him but not everyday as after a ten hour day and you get home and it's cold, you sort or forget about that. Moreover, I can't walk him far as I have a hip problem that's never been resolved by the illustrious medical folks here and that prevents any half mile walks. I'd love to be able to create some play dates for him and there are several Corgis in this area but unfortunately, they were rather snobbish for some reason. He seems to like his own kind more than others I've witnessed (other than Pit Bulls!!) I took him to an event at one of the local animal centers recently (an outside event) and he seemed to enjoy himself a lot and other than a few Pit Bulls and a Spaniel he never bothered to sniff any of them. He never barks or growls, he just remains rather unconcerned.
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One other thing-when we were visiting his breeder in September, I was told that everything I left the room and/or went outside, he was standing up looking around or out the window to see where I had went so, I thin we have bonded rather strongly over the past 15 months. If the door bell rings or UPS knocks on the door, he'll jump in my lap nearly. I think he's a bit of a chicken in some respects.:)
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I so understand about 10 hour days and physical limitations. (I have fibromyalgia.) But it's so necessary to get him active. Even a short walk is better than none at all. Also, find an activity club in your area. Corgis are working dogs, and as WendtWorth says, need a purpose. The little guy probably never got to chase balls and such as a pup. You might try smearing the ball with something to peak his interest. Either way, it sounds like you have a wonderful little corgi boy!
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I wish I could get him active and have tried. He's just not interested in activities I've tried with him. He will circle around me when I'm out in the back pushing the mower or getting up leaves with the chipper/shredder and run in cirlcles but, that's a rare occasion. He does go for short walks about two blocks but, not every day. I'm sure he never had many activities when he was a pup other than walking around with the other Corgis and perhaps playing with them. He loves peanut butter though I don't give that out often. Maybe a tennis ball smeared in that or cheese...he is a precious little fellow and while I know they all have their own personalities, I still feel bad for him at times.
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I'm sorry if I've missed this in this discussion some how but how old is he? I think he needs to get out in society and be socialized big time. He needs to hear the sounds and see all the activity. Be kind and understanding...this will take time. If he is young..he could grow out of it but by not getting him out this is going to be a life long thing. I'm starting to wonder if part of this problem didn't start at the breeders. Not interacting enough w/the pups and socializing them and giving toys and such. It is the imprinting stage. Not saying shes done any wrong just trying to help you sort it out.
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Why, Debbie-You know you're a great Cesar fan. You even mentioned they "live in the now" just like Cesar. :) I don't condone some of the ways he corrects dogs but, I do think he knows a lot more about their psychological makeup than I ever will.
You said that, "Bubba just genetically has a softer temperament and is a bit of what might be called a worry corgi. He's had this nature since he was a puppy, born that way." How did you surmise that never having met him? So, you don't think play dates would be beneficial to those who seldom get to see other dogs due to their owners working conditions? I think it would do Bubba good to have another come visit for the day or perhaps he could go where they are. He does fine when Chip and Dale come down and was super around the Corgis back home-again, especially Sonny.
Bubba does have a great, soft and "cushy" life. I'd just like to get him over various fears and being anxious over nothing such as going to PetsMart or feeling the need to go to his crate just because I brought a box from the porch inside, and; I'm not certain getting another Corgi would benefit or in the end, be harmful in some fashion. That's what I'm trying to discern. Do I want another Corgi? No, not at this point. If I were retired(whenever that happens) sure, I'd like to have two but, getting up before the chickens and having to take care of two before I leave when I can barely get myself going at 4:30 am would be a great challenge I don't think I could meet.
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