Comment

Comment by Ludi on September 6, 2011 at 5:31am

Beth, that is very comforting. I have had pretty much the same thought process with Ace, but it's good to know that I was in the wrong and he just needs time. I can get him into a room with almost nothing to sniff or look at, and he'll still amble around listlessly instead of focusing on any one thing. I'm relieved to know that I should just hold out for when he'll settle!

Comment by Beth on September 5, 2011 at 10:45pm

Give him time.  Moving is very stressful to a puppy.  "Where's my mom?  Where's my litter?  Where's that nice lady who used to call "puppies puppies puppies!!" and we'd all come running in a heap, tripping over each other and jumping over each other and piling into our nice safe pen?  Who are you?  What are those noises you are making?  Are they important?  Why are you waving things in front of my nose? Is this my bowl?  Will someone try to take my food?"   Etc.

 

Jack is the smartest dog I've ever had, hands down.  He was a very clever pup who learned most new things in one to two five-minute training sessions.  But when we first brought him home I thought he was a bit... er, "challenged" in his mental capacity, as he seemed to wander around vacantly and was ready to roam off up the street or go off with any ol' stranger and didn't really seem to want to do much but dig a hole, or chew on a stick, or eat mulch.  

 

 

Comment by Jane Christensen on September 5, 2011 at 4:37pm

Cheese is the attention getter in our house! Just a thought!

Comment by Ludi on September 5, 2011 at 4:33pm

Aye, I guess I was just expecting both of us to get into the swing of things after a couple of days but that's why I'm here, to learn! As for training games, I have been doing those in vain largely because of his disinterest in food rewards, and his attention span of a gnat. I suppose once he's settled in more, he'll be more generous with paying attention to me?

Comment by Jane on September 5, 2011 at 3:34pm

I would give him a few weeks to adjust and don't expect too much out of him right away. That's a lot of change for a young pup and he may not be totally comfortable yet. I would just play mainly fun training games with him for the time being.

Comment by Sarah C. on September 5, 2011 at 3:13pm

You'll have to wait and see. It's hard to judge what you're dog's going to be like when things are still so new. :o

Comment by Ludi on September 5, 2011 at 1:29pm

Thank you all for the information; I really had no idea that it could take him longer than a few days to acclimate and relaunch "funtivities" like playing with toys. He's also showing almost no interest to food rewards, even when I bring out the big smelly guns like bits of hot dog. I'm trying to get him to walk politely on the leash by giving him some incentive, but it's difficult when he is just kind of "meh" about food. He'll take it, but it's not like he's gazing upwards with eyes full of longing and hope. Is that part of his "getting used to" process or do I just have a corgi who isn't crazy about food?

Comment by Jane Christensen on September 5, 2011 at 12:00pm

Yes, he is just getting used to his surroundings and maybe his teeth hurt too much to chew right now.I would suggest keeping them out and around  and he may decide he likes them at some point. If I only had Wynn we would have every toy I ever bought him left as he prefered to just sleep with them.

Comment by mia, herky, & kim on September 5, 2011 at 11:37am

advice I got from mycorgi people after Mia chewed my computer cord: when starting to chew inappropriate item, take it and replace with toy or whatever item is ok to chew.  It will help them get the idea of what is ok and what is not.

This really worked for me, although we did lose several shoes before WE were trained to pick them up!

Comment by Rachael & Waffle on September 5, 2011 at 9:38am

I've heard wetting then freezing a washcloth is a really good teething tool.  

As for the toy problem in general, he's still getting used to his new surroundings and probably doesn't feel like playing now.  Waffle didn't really play with toys until we had him for about 2 weeks.  Then, about half of the toys I have for Waffle he doesn't have any interest in.  Ropes, the Kong (if it is stuffed too difficultly), fleecey squeak stuffed toy things.... untouched.  Useless.  His favorite toys are cat toys and the Chuck It! Flying Squirrel.  You may have a picky puppy on your hands, but it's too early to tell now!