Comment

Comment by Chelsea and Wyatt on January 16, 2012 at 10:18am

Something that has really been helping Wyatt to exert energy are playdates with other puppies or dogs. Just make sure the other dogs are familiar, socialized, and up to date on vaccinations. Wyatt has mostly had to remain inside our apartment and has only been able to run around in my mom's yard while we wait for his last set of puppy shots to take effect. (We live in a very high-risk area for parvo). Naturally, his little incubation period has led to some pent up energy on his part. Visiting other familiar dogs and having them over DRAINS his energy and also helps socialize him tremendously. If you know someone with dogs who are gentle and patient with puppies I would recommend you arrange a playdate for Dexter and them. If you do not know anyone, I second what everyone else is saying about puppy classes.

Comment by Beth on January 16, 2012 at 10:18am

Hi Kelli. He doesn't think he's the boss any more than an overly energetic six-year-old human boy thinks he's the boss.  :-)   Yes he's pushing boundaries because he has energy, but a five-month-old puppy almost never thinks he's the boss.   Corgis are "bossy" dogs in that they are vocal and opinionated, but he is not taking over.  

 

Walk him as much as you can, but at this age if he had similar-age playmates, he'd be playing the entire time he's awake, and that's all he's trying to do.   Play some more vigourus games with him.  Get a long tug rope and play tug with him.  Teach him to drop it on a "leave it" command by waving a treat in front of his nose while you say "leave it".  Then give him the treat and invite him to play again. If he gets your hands, remove the toy and leave the room.   After a couple days at most, you will say "leave it" with no treat and he'll drop it nicely; at that point give him the treat after he's left it.

 

Try giving him big plain brown cardboard boxes to shred, a large ball that he can't carry in his mouth to push around and chase, and maybe feed him out of an interactive toy.  Work on teaching him some basic commands and tricks and make him perform one before you put down his food.  If he is pushy and rude, cross your arms and turn your back and ignore him, but only for a few seconds at this age.  If he persists in biting and jumping, step over a baby gate so he can't reach you, leave him for about a minute or thirty seconds, and go back and try again. 

Reward him by playing with him when he's quiet.  My husband is famous for ignoring the dogs when they are good and attending to them when they bark, so guess what they learn to do?  I make a point of picking up a toy and starting a game if my high-energy dog is lying around being good, so he's much more polite and calm for me than for my husband.

Good luck!  He's just a baby.  Classes would be good.

Comment by Beth on January 16, 2012 at 9:52am

Jennifer, I have spent countless hours watching dogs play and have only seen one dog once pin another dog.  It was my dog that was pinned, and trust me she did not take it well--- when we got them separated, she cowered and ran away from everyone including us, and I had trouble catching her.  We had to work with her a bit to undo the damage.  The other dog was not very dog-savvy.  

 

Confident, well-socialized dogs do not pin other dogs as a routine reprimand.  When a dog is pinned, it fears for its life because it is a fight move.  In play dogs will wrestle and pin each other, but play is mock fighting and they act out all the moves, including hamstringing each other. 

 

Dogs will snark at each other, growl-bark, and sometimes snap at each other.   They don't normally pin each other.  I'm glad it worked for you, but it's not "nature's way" as you described it.   I have seen dozens of dogs correct other dogs for rudeness, and pinning is not how they do it. 

Comment by Jennifer Markley on January 16, 2012 at 9:32am

I know this is going to create a ruckus, but at this age, I firmly believe in scruffing them and pinning them down until they relax.  It's nature's way of letting them know they can't get by with shenanigans...and they aren't big enough to do damage to you yet.  It doesn't hurt them, and they get the message quick.  This is how Seanna was when she was that age, I did it to her, and she stops being a little brat now when I tell her to because she knows I mean business.  I also do the NILF program with her, but this really only works when they are older.  Take him to obedience classes--this is a must.  We did puppy, basic 1&2, rally, and then agility.  It really helped.  Exercise is crucial too...a tired puppy is a good puppy.  I totally agree with the stimulation of the mind too.  The first dog trainer in puppy class told me to teach her a trick a week, or she was going to be a big brat...:-)  When he nips, yelp really loud, then don't have anything to do with him for awhile.  Be consistent!  If you're not, then they won't listen.  Get a handle on it now, because in a couple of months come the "teenage years", and this is quite interesting.  They are quite mischievous.  

Comment by Bev Levy on January 16, 2012 at 9:12am

Look into training classes near you. He sounds adorable but is fast becoming a spoiled brat. Corgis are very smart and can be intense so their families need to be able to keep up with them. Meanwhile, check out NILF, it is simple and will give you better ideas on how to deal with him. My Sparty is one of those tough and intense corgis and I needed help in learning how he was taking advantage of me. LOL As far as exercise, maybe not a mile but at least increase the number of walks. Several short walks plus a play session will really help. Get a book on training tricks to dogs, corgis love to have their mind stimulated too.

Comment by Sandy Stickney on January 16, 2012 at 9:08am

Exercise as suggested ny the others. A good puppy training class might also help. You can try searching for a local dog club as they might offer some basic training classes.

Comment by Jane on January 16, 2012 at 8:29am

At that age I think he could be walking a mile or so. Around the block is not enough exercise IMO. I would also highly recommend a puppy class, and googling NILF (nothing in life is free) and implementing that.

Comment by Stacy M on January 16, 2012 at 5:48am

There is a park right across the street from us that has signs all around it saying "NO DOGS." We take Ein there anyway. The trick is to make sure he poops & potties first, then go to the park. 

Your dog neeeeds exercise. A good dog is a tired dog!!

He needs to be nearly jogged around the block, the whole block, two or three times a day, and that's kinda a minimum for Ein. If we take him to the park, or let him play with our other dog, that works a lot better.

You shouldn't have to run an underground fence. If nothing else, hook up a dog run thing. (Run it from one tree to another, from a pole to your house, or something like that). Don't just tie him out and leave him there, though. Hook him to it and play fetch with him or something. Wear your pup out -- it's your job mama!

Comment by Kelli & Ethan K on January 16, 2012 at 1:35am

There are no dog parks in my area. The only thing that I could think to do would be get an underground fence for him. I rent, so I can't and won't put up a fence. We do walk him often but I'd like for him to be able to run around as he pleases. I'm looking for a house with a fenced in yard.

Comment by Judith Andre on January 16, 2012 at 1:00am

I think you answered your own question.  Not enough exercise.  He needs to get out where he can really run...often.  Do you have a dog park in your area?

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page