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Comment by Nora on August 26, 2012 at 9:01am

Thanks everyone for all the replies!
I probably over think and over do@_@...Guess I was lost in all kind of information from books saying what you should do to raise a good puppy... --- but I should also enjoy my puppy as well, so my puppy is.


I'm glad to find some of you have/had the same thoughts. A dog may change our lives in some way, but she would also share OUR lives and make our lives together better.

I would start to shorten some exercise time and just be at home doing whatever I want to --- Funny thing is, you guys are right: my dog sometimes would give me the face like "Out again? Can I just sit on the balcony and watch the world go by please?"

I feel much better now:-) Yesterday, we went to the lake again, but not too much swimming this time. We brought an air boat. Then we just floated on the water. DouBao sat on my legs and lean on the edge of the boat so she could see the water. This was very relaxing and fun time. Like you all said, we both enjoyed it.

Comment by Jennifer Markley on August 25, 2012 at 11:55am

If she's not destructive when you're not exercising her a lot, then she's happy just being with you.  I think what Jane said is right on!  

Comment by Jane Christensen on August 25, 2012 at 10:17am

I believe our corgis are happy just being with us "no matter what" so getting enough exercise is important as well as socialization but for the rest it has to work for you too. I have therapy dogs, dogs that have done obedience and agility but they are happy just walking done the road with me and playing ball or just hanging out! Do what worked works for you:)

Comment by Stephanie on August 25, 2012 at 9:32am

Dogs don't keep score.  If you want to play with her, lay in the floor with her and wrestle/play, play a little tug of war - your love for her doesn't have to run your life, it should enhance it.

Comment by Ludi on August 25, 2012 at 9:03am

I think about this too, a lot. I'm glad you made this post, Nora. Right now, Ace has taken over my life. Our waking hours are peppered with short training sessions, and play time. My husband, in the past, would get annoyed at how often I'd have to pause whatever TV show we'd be watching in order to tend to Ace. Since then, he's become more understanding. But all this does make me wonder if Ace would be just as happy being relegated to "secondary" status.

I don't have a car yet, so I am unable to take Ace to agility and herding classes for now. That bums me out - but it also reminds me that even without those two things added to our schedule, Ace leads a fulfilling life. Anything extra on top of keeping your dog happy is so that YOU can enjoy, as well. :-)

Comment by Marcie on August 25, 2012 at 7:50am

I really identified with this. Some days I feel like my life revolves around Becca. Right now I would love to go back to bed, but she is ready to go for her morning walk. It will be a forced march for me. Becca also loves agility and we will be starting a class in a few weeks. I don't know whether we will compete in that or not. Rally is more my speed. I loved my last class "Fur Fun" it was all about just having fun with your dog and introducing different dog activities. There might be something similar in your area.

School starts next week and I will feel guilty having her home alone. I worked half days this summer and left her out of her crate. I'm hoping she will be able to continue. I also have a teenager in the neighborhood walk her on days my schedule is tight. Do you have any options that way? Kongs and various food puzzle toys are great on work days. I have several and can give a different one each day. I think you need to find a balance, give the pup exercise and training, but find time for yourself. At 13 months Becca is now at a point she can play with a toy or lay near me while I watch tv or read. If I am tired or impatient I will go in the bedroom and watch tv or a movie on my laptop. She may lay at the door and whine, but I found some days I need non Becca time.

Rainy days...Becca hates to walk in the rain so I have some toys that only come out on days we can't walk. I have a hide a squirrel. She can empty the tree trunk quickly, but I just keep refilling it. There are so stuffies with obnoxious squeakers too. Start a stash of your own for days you need a break. Good luck, I think DouBao loves you whether or not she gets agility or extra exercise every day.

Comment by Judith Andre on August 25, 2012 at 1:19am

You're over thinking it.  Whatever activities you do with your dog should be fun for both of you.  If it's not, try something else.  It doesn't have to be any organized activity.  That being said, I noticed your pup isn't even a year old.  Most are going to be pretty goofy at that age...it's pretty young to expect much in agility.  We didn't start until Murray was close to 2 and even then he could be pretty out of control...still can on occasion.  We have stuck with it as the more we do it the more we like it.  Most the people I have met in agility are great, and quite supportive of new dogs and trainers.  If they aren't maybe find a different place to train or wait for at least a few months before trying it again, or not....I have made many great new friends that I now see outside of dog class.  I might add that I train at a dog club, not a for profit training facility and I think that probably is more conducive to forming friendships.  Volunteering to help at dog trials etc. is also a great way to get to know everybody and feel more comfortable and learn more about the sport.  I did this clear before I ever got up the nerve to even think about showing.  Give it a fair shot, and then if you're both not having fun maybe it's time to try something else....just try not to over think it or expect too much too soon.

Comment by Chloe's parent Liz on August 25, 2012 at 12:48am

You sound like a great mom!  Chloe and I do agility.  She is great at it, me I am not.  I will never compete with her because of me.  Now that she has a bad back and is on bed rest for two weeks I know she will really miss agility.  I think rather than do agility just let her be a really loving dog. Chloe is pretty amused by playing fetch with her wubba.Have you thought about doggie daycare?  It could be an alternative to crating her all day since that seems to be one of your concerns. Please do not be so hard on yourself. 

Comment by Beth on August 24, 2012 at 10:43pm

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to socialize your puppy, teach it basic house manners, provide it with decent food and a moderate amount of exercise and an acceptable place to potty, and take it to the vet for regular check-ups.   Everything past that is done if it makes YOU happy.   Most adult Corgis should be ok with a half-hour walk and a few outdoor potty breaks if they have vigorous play sessions (does not have to be more than 10 minutes) a few times a week, an occasional visit to a new place, and some short training sessions.  Do agility if YOU like it.  If you don't, she'll be just as happy learning tricks.

One of mine likes to cuddle and one does not but requires more play time.  I make do by tossing the ball up the hallway while I read or watch tv.  He has taught himself an elaborate game that involves holding one ball in his mouth while pushing a larger one with his nose.   It keeps him happy.  We do agility once a week but don't practice much in between.   This is my third summer of lessons (I quit when the weather gets bad) and we have yet to compete and possibly never will, and he's fine with that.  He'd be just as happy if we did not do classes and went hiking a few times a month instead.

I make sure they get to see other dogs sometimes, and take them on off-leash hikes sometimes, but not every day by any means.  They do get a walk every day, but if it's pouring we all take a break.    A corgi will take as much activity as you are willing to provide, but that does not mean they require that much activity.  They are adaptable.  Don't be so hard on yourself;  you are doing even more than what you need to do to be a good Corgi owner, so give yourself a couple days a week where you just have a short walk and maybe five minutes of a game and do YOUR thing.   What sorts of activities do YOU need to be happy.  Balance out meeting your own needs with meeting your dog's and you will both be happier.

Comment by Julia on August 24, 2012 at 10:14pm

Please do not exhaust yourself over your dog. She will not resent you for not doing something. I've never known a dog who ended up on a psychiatrist's couch talking about how her parents ruined her life :) A dog does need to do what its human asks of it, even if it's being asked to give mom a break, or watch a movie.

Remember, also, that you don't want to raise a pup that learns to demand attention at all times. Exercise is important, and so is flexibility.

My girl Lilliput was a star at agility, she loved it. But I wasn't, since I can't run, and was exhausted and needed more pain meds after work. So we did the classes, had fun, learned to work together, but never competed. That was OK because that is the way my life is. Lilli never accused me of being a bad mom for that, or for wasting her talent.  No one in the classes ever had an issue with that, either. Who told you that you HAVE to train her to do agility?  And who told you it was unfair if she didn't do as well or better than the other dogs? You said yourself the other owners had more experience. How do you suppose they did with their first dogs?

I would say it is unfair to a dog to neglect training it to get along with people, to be okay in public. It is unfair to expect a dog to fit your idea of what it should be, rather than what it is. It is unfair to leave a dog in an outdoor kennel 24/7 without daily interactions with its people. It is unfair to you to expect yourself to give up the rest of your life for the sake of a dog. (A little puppy, well, yeah.)

How about trying a quieter day? Shorten her walk, then play with her on your bed with a movie on the TV. My girl won't stay and cuddle when I read. Once I settle in she takes herself off to her crate to chill on her own. That's her choice. Maybe you can find out what DouBao will choose on her own.

(Hey, DouBao! Give your mom a break! Go lick her toes for half an hour.)

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