Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah, Sadie & Dexter on May 9, 2009 at 6:18pm

Sadie fortunetly DOES understand the word "no" and usually listens to it. Although, sometimes she will give me "the look" and go back to what she was doing, until I say it twice, which usually works for her.

BUT she is very opinionated when it comes to going back inside, she is definitely strong willed when it comes to us being outside and me calling her to "come." She does not like to "come" or "stay." Sadie knows that I am talking to her and what I am saying but usually couldn't care any less!

Permalink Reply by Boo Buchheit on May 11, 2009 at 7:09am

Sounds like my guys, they love to be outside and try all kinds of cute little distractions for me when I tell them to come in.

Permalink Reply by Boo Buchheit on May 11, 2009 at 7:07am

Both of my boys are strong willed little imps. Leo does respond to no usually...he has moments when he doesn't care what I say (the make me stage). Randy is learning no, but is quite will full about it. Having the older brother around does not help sometimes as Randy seems to want to jump right to the make me stage and pass by the show me stage. Persistence and consistence seem to be the best route for us. I think pups test us just like human kids do, to see what boundaries are there and how far they can get away with crossing them. Let her know over and over what you expect and be consistent with it. Easier said than done. Hopefully some of the more experienced folks out there can help. Search through behavior threads for information also other sites where there are experienced owners, like gocorgi.com.

Permalink Reply by Sunni A. on May 12, 2009 at 4:17am

I'm sorry she's such a little rebel!!! It's probably too late, but with training Eddy so far, we pretty much never say "NO." for all the bad puppy things. It's not a big part of our vocab.. If he's biting us, we do the squeal/ignore. If he's chewing, we silently pick him up and play chewy toy for 30 seconds. If he goes back to chewing the table leg, we re-direct him, without words, again. We only use "NO." as the third strike, or spray bottle, or a combination of "NO." / and spray bottle, when he goes back to table leg again for the 3rd round.
This creates a simple pattern where, as soon as we silently, swiftly move towards him (when he's chewing the table leg, chewing the shoe, ripping at the carpet) and pick him up to bring him to the play zone, he'll remember, and think, "I'm going to get the NO. or spray bottle if I go back to that thing......" and we can tell he's trying really hard not to look at the thing, or think about the thing. This makes a lot less saying "NO.", so that saying "NO." means more to him. Also, I think it helps him train himself, so he won't want to Chew The Thing even when we're not nearby. Good luck training!!!

Permalink Reply by Boo Buchheit on May 12, 2009 at 6:56am

This sounds like a good method..I had not thought of using these tactics without "no" involved. Will try this with Randy and see it it works for him. So far he is doing pretty good not needing to be told no, but there are times when both of them insist on doing/chewing the wrong thing.

Permalink Reply by Marion and Vern on May 12, 2009 at 3:11pm

Those are some really good tips. Our last resort is time-out, for only a few minutes. Like last night when she was pulling/chewing up the carpet in the den. She was told no, pulled away from that area, played with with a proper chew item (toy,etc) for a while. Then as soon as she could she made a bee line for the area again. My husband told her no, she continued to chew so he picked her up and she went into time out for about 3 minutes or so. When she was brought back into the den she was much calmer and behaved very well. Believe she is figuring out that it is much better to "please" us. By pleasing us, doing good, she is with us, loved on, played with and praised. When we tell her no and she listens-breaks away from what ever she is not suppose to be doing-she is praised, at 12 weeks old today, I think I can see the light come on behind those beautiful eyes of hers that she has done something that pleases us.
I mean at her age we have only had 3 maybe 4 wee-wee accidents in the house, she is starting to calm down a bit-not too much but a little (he,he). We are very lucky to have our little "rebel" she fits us very well. Actualy thought of trying the spray bottle with water though. So that is still an option, funny how you have to keep trying different methods of training until you hit on the one that works best for your pup. Love the input on this topic. Thanks everyone.

Permalink Reply by Arrow and Pengu on May 25, 2009 at 11:03pm

I am sorry, but the mental picture of your corgi sized temper tantrum cracked me up!!!!
When I took my beagle to puppy kindergarten the trainer said that puppies in the adolescent stage would act like that and even forget or stop practicing the commands they previously mastered...

Permalink Reply by Doug & Sarah Haag on May 30, 2009 at 10:06am

I can also relate to the corgi-sized temper tantrum. Tank loves to go for walks, but doesn't always want to walk with us. When he rebels, he throws himself down in the grass, rolls around, bites the leash, and then barks. Definitely in the 'terrible twos' phase (4 months)!

Permalink Reply by Marion and Vern on May 30, 2009 at 9:44pm

Well tried the squirt bottle......that was fun. Sami was eating the ribbing on the couch cushion, so I sprayed her with water she would get down then start again with the chewing again "squirt" not only did she end up with her head soaking wet (we dried her off later) she got thirsty playing this "new" game she just stick the nozzle of the squirt bottle in her mouth for me to give her some water. Actually guess you could say the squirt bottle thingy worked she quit chewing the cushion LOL. There are sooooo many more times when she is just an angel but heck those are boring. Much more fun to talk about our little wild beast side. Thanks Doug & Sarah Haaq....Sami is turning 4 months this next Tuesday....maybe she won't realize that she is in the terrible twos?!?!?!?