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Awwww...those puppy days! They are work but you are also forming habits that will last for her full lifetime.
Taking her out often is good and there will be accidents especially when she gets a bigger area of the house. Personally I like newspapers in a crate liner in a small area of the fence as she may have to go and then it's better than just anywhere in the pen. She also needs to learn to be away from you and have her nap time etc. Ignoring is the best. Otherwise when you do leave it will be harder than learning it right now. Puppies will try to bite and growl what I believe works the best is to say "OWWWWE" real loud and turn the other direction totally ignoring her for the bad behavior. I fold my arms up and just stand there(and laugh to yourself) She will learn she doesn't get attention for a bad behavior. Training is exhausting but watching her learn things is the fun part. As all pups there will be days that you wonder if you taught her anything...but you are. Remember what you can train her for now is much better than trying to train her after bad habits are made! Keep up the good work:)
I know it's so hard for me not to laugh when they look at you with those big puppy eyes...
For the sofa I would suggest picking out a word such as "off" or "down" and the gently lift her legs down and she will start "getting it. You MUST be consistent. I would pick about 5 words to start with and teach her them. Come,sit, very easy basic ones for now. When she gets older you can add maybe one a week. Start a list and then you can add words to it. Always just use a word not a sentence or she will get confused.
I like the crate for when I leave and my adults still go to their crates many times when I leave although they are open. I guess it's your preference but I would guess that when she gets older the fence will come down and she will always have her crate out.
You sound like you're doing everything really well! Bravo!
Puppy hood was EXHAUSTING for me. It was definitely way harder and way more constant than I expected, but we survived! Consistency is key, as Jane said. It sounds like you're doing great there.
Along those lines, I found that it also helped to explain to visitors some of the things we were working on. Tell them to do the arms crossed thing if a puppy bites them. Make sure they know that the puppy isn't allowed on the couch, etc. Having visitors reinforce your training, gives you a few extra repetitions a day!
Good luck with your pup! Sounds like you are on the right path already!
Good point about visitors Marina....also take her out to meet as many people and dogs as soon as she has enough shots. The time for socializing Corgis is short (16 weeks) and that includes introducing them to dogs, cats, people including kids/babies/teens, noises and everything inbetween. Really....door bells, car horns and all different things will help make her a more rounded and comfortable dog.
Most of this you can do just like you live your life as friends visit etc. Take her with if the weather is nice and you run to a couple stores for a few minute shopping trip. Have the kennel along and have her in there and soon she will be just hanging out while you're gone a few minutes. Mine LOVE to go with and are fine in the car... Do you have any pet stores near you can take her in with you? Parks where kids may be? (sometimes you have to watch the kid). To the vet.
The span is short but the introductions will become easier for her the more you do now. Some people get a dog and when they don't go anywhere the people wonder why is my dog so scared????? Well they never learned.
So it's not a major plan but just things that you will be doing so that she might be doing with you...hope that makes sense????
Above all...enjoy and have fun:)
I adopted an adult dog for one reason, and I am not proud of this, I am lazy. I was not ready for the constant care and attention required to train a puppy. I like to think I would manage the task successfully, but I would hate to actually test it out. Just by your willingness to post this request honestly, I am sure you are doing well under the circumstances. I do think it is "supposed" to be exhausting. As most new parents of children and animals lament, no one can prepare you for the reality of the care and sleeplessness of new parent and puppy hood. I suspect she will begin to see the crate as a safe and fun place if you use it calmly and happily as a safe place to get treats and relax. Later you can use the bed in the same way. When I go out I leave a treat in the bed and my dog runs to the bed to get her treats when I put my coat on. The puppy months/years sound like they pass slowly, but I am sure it goes by very quickly. The benefits of exhausting but consistent training do pay off sooner than you might expect.
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