New Corgi Owner - Need some advice please!!!

We brought our pembroke home 10 days ago.  He's 12 weeks old. I actually was hoping to get some insight from you all on our new pup.  We have spoken to our breeder about this but I wanted to get your well informed take as well.  His temperament test showed he was laid back, friendly, confident, very affectionate, and somewhat lazy.  In the week we've had him, he's proving to be the almost the complete opposite of what the temperament test said he was (besides the lazy part, he is pretty lazy and isn't hyper at all).   His first two days he didn't eat much and was fairly unsure of everything. He's eating better now but still does not have even close to a big appetite.  we still have to coax him to eat his food and he only responds to treats sometimes.  Sometimes he likes cheese, sometimes he could care less.  Sometimes he likes peanut butter, sometimes he could care less.  He' not affectionate and prefers to stretch out away from us.  He will only sit with us if we're rubbing his belly.    He's now comfortable with us but is fearful of new adults.  He seems to be ok with children and a bit better with quiet other dogs.  We live in a dog friendly apartment so every time we have to go out he sees someone new.  Even if people approach him very softly, he jumps back and is very very timid.  We've had a few people come over our house to see him or brought him to their house, and if they put their hand out slowly to pet him, he'll just jump back and sometimes yelp.  He's not very inquisitive, overly friendly, or confident either.  A lot of people are saying this is just a puppy fear stage, him adjusting to his new surroundings, his separation anxiety from his litter mates, mother, etc.  Is this fairly common with corgi's?  that they act very strange the first few weeks while they are at the new house?  We're just a bit confused and a little anxious about all of this as we're first time puppy owners, so any insight you could provide us would be greatly appreciated.  

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Comment by Sidney and Angie on August 16, 2012 at 12:24pm

My corgi Angie was the same way.The breeders lied to me to get her sold.but after a couple weeks she was just fine

Comment by Chris, Kadi & Brodie on August 16, 2012 at 10:48am

I think so much depends on the amount of socialization a puppy receives before it goes to its new home. We were so blessed with Kadi because her breeder raises and shows goats and she was born in the middle of 'fair season', so even as a small puppy, she and her mother and father were taken out into the big world to meet new people and see other animals. As a result of this, she never went through this 'adjustment period' that so many pups experience. What you are seeing is much more 'normal' than what we had with her. Patience is the key.

Comment by Jane on August 16, 2012 at 8:30am

I would give him some time to adjust, but I'd also get out there and socialize him like crazy. Make sure all his encounters are positive, and I agree that I would not allow him to meet unfamiliar dogs until he's vaccinated. When new people approach, try having them bend down facing away from him, and let him approach them on his own terms. It's very possible he just needs some time to adjust, but it's also possible he may end up being a bit timid.

Comment by Sebastian on August 16, 2012 at 12:30am

I agree with Ludi I think you could be expecting to much from him at such a young age...it takes time for your puppy to trust you and his new surroundings..till then everything you mentioned from people to appetite is quite normal for a brand new dog being placed in a new environment. Get him socialized with other puppies such as dogs your friends may have...take him with you to PetSmart or PetCo (he will get a lot of attention from people since corgi puppies are adorable) plus it will help him get use to different people big and small....just give it some time :)....good luck

Comment by Melissa and Franklin! on August 15, 2012 at 9:10pm

I think I had a really unique situation with Franklin and he is my only corgi and the only puppy I have ever had a from a breeder. My breeder said he was happy, outgoing, and was the first one in the litter to do most everything (open eyes, eat solid food, go exploring, greet the humans when they came to play, etc). He was shipped to me in a plane and from the moment I picked him up from the airport he was a very friendly, happy, outgoing boy. In fact he was so well adjusted from the first moment I had him that I took him to my vet same day for a meet and greet. He LOVED everyone he met and when he met my other dog and cats he was very friendly and happy. I do think there is an adjusting period, I just don't know how long is appropriate. Will your breeder give you some time to allow him to adjust and make sure his temperament fits in your house? I think maybe since you got him a little older the adjustment will be harder on him since during that crucial socializing period (8 to 12 weeks) he grew used to his littermates and breeder. Be patient and keep in contact with your breeder (if you trust her opinion), it very well could be an adjustment thing, but I would assume if he is still like this in 3 weeks to a month then he may have a more timid/fearful personality.

Comment by Jane Christensen on August 15, 2012 at 6:57pm

For the reasons already stated you will not see the "true" puppy till he is comfortable. Imagine yourself being taken out of everything you have ever known,no language that you understand and no place you have ever seen...it takes some pups longer than others. Slowly introduce new things. I would skip the peanut butter and cheese also as you are setting him up to want those treats. I would go for a good quality puppy treat or even cherrios. This is common. If he is starting to teeth he will hurt when he eats so the food with warm water will soften his food so he can chew and not have hurting gums.

Comment by LA Stewart on August 15, 2012 at 6:45pm

I am no pro, but over the years I have had great sucess with well socialized dogs.  My Corgis travel everywhere with us.  They visit the nursing home and enjoy the dog park. 

READ!  READ!  READ!  Get some books on puppy behavior. 

If you have not signed up for a puppy class yet, do sonow.  Good puppy classes typically fill up fast and you will need to sign up now so that when the puppy is old enough (usually 5 or 6 months old) you will have him registered already.  I signed up my last puppy before we even brought her home (at 11 weeks old) and she was 5 1/2 months old when the class started.  We continue dog traing even now because it is a great way to bond with our dogs and because it is a safe, fun environment where our Corgis meet other dogs and people.  (Plus, our trainer has become a good friend.)

This is a new baby and I would keep him home with no visitors while he is adjusting to your home and you.  Family and friends can wait. My vet does not allow a puppy to anyone else's house, yard, or the park until 4 months old because of disease.  At 4 months they have had all their shots including rabies and are good to travel.  Then take the puppy to many different environments but be sure that the puppy has good experiences and does not get frightened.  A bad situation could result in a fear of something that could last a lifetime.  Take it slow and make the first outings short. 

I think I am rambling at this point... 

Do your reading and bond with the puppy first.  Contact a good dog trainer.

 

Comment by Bev Levy on August 15, 2012 at 3:37pm

Has he been to your vet yet? If not, be sure to take him in right away. I would hesitate to give cheese and peanut butter to a 12 week old puppy. Try softening his food since he is probably still teething and sore gums will make it hard to chew. He is also too young to be around other dogs unless you absolutely know for a fact that they are vaccinated and good with puppies. Be careful of areas where a lot of dogs go, parvo is a killer at this age. You can socialize with other people you know by having them sit and give him a treat or a pat rather than standing. Puppy classes will help when he has had all his shots.

Comment by Christy & Walter on August 15, 2012 at 2:31pm

When we brought Walter home he clearly needed to get use to his new surroundings and family.  He didn’t really do the “corgi smile” and he just kind of laid around the first two days.  He did not eat much and he didn’t even poop the first day and a half (which was very concerning to us – but he eventually did).  We added a little water to his puppy food so it softened it up and he would start to gobble it up.  After the second day, he started warming up to us in a big way.  He immediately connected with us and always wanted to know what we were doing (he still does).  We gave him tiny pieces of treats throughout the day and it helped tremendously.  If I were in your situation, I would work on keeping him away from strangers and large groups for a few days while you get him accustomed to his new home and family.  Practice calling him to you and rewarding him with a little piece of a treat or puppy food.  Give him little pieces of treats or kibble while playing with him.  When you go outside, give him treats or kibble…see where I’m going with this? J  He will start to realize that people are a good thing and playing is fun, etc.  Then over the next few weeks, work on getting him exposed to loud noises, strangers, other dogs (small and large), and anything else you can.  Always have kibble handy for rewards.  This is the regimen that has worked for us and our 16 week old pup.  The only issue he has now is not barking at joggers and walking in straight lines on his leash.  I would say if your dog does not seem to get better over the next few days, maybe you should consult your vet and make sure he is feeling okay.  If he has not been eating enough to sustain his body, he needs to get looked at asap – expecially if it has been a few days.  A dog will eat when it is hungry but if it has been more than a day and a half, I would say something isn’t right.

Comment by Ludi on August 15, 2012 at 12:33pm

I suggest looking up this site: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/puppys-first-month-home-8-12-w... for tips and tricks on socializing your puppy the "right" way.

It's normal that he has yet to come out of his shell, truly, with his new family. It's not just a "corgi" thing - this is universally true for puppies. Give him time, make sure that socializing ALWAYS leaves him feeling good and secure.

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