Puppy Training... Advice?
Hello! I'm a new, first-time Corgi owner (and new to this site as well). Bowie, our Corgi, is about 11 weeks old. We've had him for just over 2 weeks now, and I'm so in love! He's very smart and learning quickly, but BOY is he a stubborn little man! Even the vet said he was especially strong-willed and recommended puppy classes. We're planning on taking him to classes, but we haven't had a chance yet. Here are a few things we're desperately trying to work on, but aren't going so well...
Biting/Mouthing: He loves to chew on hands. Hard. And hair... he LOVES biting and pulling on my long hair. I know this is normal puppy behavior, and I've tried basic things... the "yipping" trick, a stern "no," replacing my hand with a good toy, etc... but we haven't made too much progress.
Getting him to come to me: Now, I KNOW he knows his name and what "come" means. Sometimes he'll come when called. He ALWAYS comes when he knows a treat is involved. But most of the time, this stubborn little man will NOT come, or he'll take off in the opposite direction. How do I fix this? I tried to teach him with a leash, which went horribly, see below...
Leash Training: Bowie has gotten used to wearing a collar all the time, but when I tried to put a leash on him (one of those retractable ones), he completely freaked out. He would pull against it, jumping around like a maniac, which just hurt him even more. Even with a treat, he would not come (!). Is there a better/healthy way to get him used to a leash? I'm planning on getting him a halter so he doesn't hurt his neck.
He's also had some problems being held/carried (he likes to struggle), infrequent growling at people while being handled (like at the vet), and in the car.
Suggestions on how to deal with a stubborn little boy? Thank you!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jen Giammona on
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Congratulations, you have a corgi! Linus was described by our breeder as "ornery". It sounds like you are doing the right things, but it will take time. He's still a baby. Linus was a stubborn, crazy little puppy. We just started classes with him at 14 months and he's doing great. He's 16 months old and still doesn't always come when called (corgi selective hearing). Give him some time to get used to everything.
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Permalink Reply by Andrea on
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When Ein bit or nipped me I turned my back to her and walked away. She stopped biting in just a week. Leash is the hardest thing to learn. Invest in an Easy Walk harness until you can take puppy class. The coming to you thing will also come eventually. I highly suggest doing a quality training course. Just remember no classes or public places till all parvo shots are done!
Oh, and no flexi leads. They can cause serious injury, more so if they pull. Flexi leads only come once they are properly leash trained. I use a high quality leather leash for my pup. GL
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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Mouthing - try giving a stern NO! and immediately turn your back and ignore him. If he persists, a 5-10 minute time out in a puppy safe room worked great for us.
Come - Most dogs won't have a decent recall until they're around a year old, and that's working on it constantly. He may know what it means, but the hard part is getting them to actually do it, lol. I would not use the word "come" unless he is already running towards you, or you have him on a leash and can pull him to you if he doesn't listen.
Leash training - I'm not a fan of retractable leashes. I've seen 5 lb. dogs snap those things off at the end - IMO they are not safe. They also sort of pull at the dog's collar, which isn't ideal for a new puppy. I would get a regular nylon 6' lead and just let him drag it around the house until he gets more used to it. I do not recommend a harness as it can teach them to pull. more.
Handling - treats treats and more treats. Expose him to lots of people and let them give him treats. He will learn that being pet isn't so bad. I wouldn't carry him around though.
Puppy classes will be very beneficial!
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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I had one like that! His name was Sparty and he turned out to be the best dog ever until the day he lost his battle with cancer at 13. For sure do classes, more than one session. A puppy with opinions needs a consistent and positive owner. Always have treats and at least initially don't use "come" unless you have treats or can bring him to you with a leash. Retractable leashes are really only good for trained dogs. It does help to sound really excited and step back a little when you call him. At this point he is still an infant and training should be in short spurts and very fun.
We used to call Sparty "Jaws" when he was a baby. A very high pitched dramatic yelp when teeth touched the skin and a short time out in a puppy proof, boring place if it continued (every time) will break him of this.
He was always a little touch sensitive but I would pick him up when he was tired from our frequent, short walks and hold him. Eventually he came to like it and would seek us out when he wanted to cuddle.
Leash training at this age should be short walks with you going mostly where he wants to go with you gradually encouraging him to go your way with a fun voice or treats.
Work on basic commands for treats and food time such as sit or shake. For sit: Take a treat and hold it in front of him and slowly raise it up until he sits. Say sit and give treat. A smart corgi like yours will need to be trained as many tricks as possible to both assert your leadership and keep his brain stimulated.
Avoid forceful corrections as much as possible as a very strong willed dog will often become dangerous instead of compliant. Remember corgis were bred for generations to tell one ton animals what to do and keep critters out of the garden. Many today still have that very strong willed personality that made them good at those jobs. They require an owner that is willing to put in the time.
Good luck and by the way, I live in Haslett, Go Green!
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Marie on
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Thank you all... this is great advice! Bowie already knows "sit" and we're working on "down." I'll definitely switch to a regular leash, I think everything else will mostly take time and patience.
Bev, that's awesome that you're from Haslett! Small world. I just graduated from MSU but I'll be student teaching in Utica this year!
Speaking of which... I'm going to have to leave Bowie home alone for long days while I'm at school :/ I'm nervous because he's still so young, and I won't have time to drive home on my lunch break to let him out. So far he's been absolutely FANTASTIC with potty training, but 8 or 9 hours is a long time to leave him without a break. Any advice? (Other than find somebody who can come let him out... I'm not sure if that will be possible in the area I'm moving to)
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Weippert on
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This chica has some great tips, tricks, and advice. I love her philosophies. Three days after I got Nemo I knew I couldn't wait 2 weeks for puppy class to start training. Her techniques have been working briliantly for Nemo.
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8 to 9 hours is really long for a young dog to be alone. Check with a local pet or pet supply store to see if there is a walking service or doggie daycare by you. Most services don't charge that much for a 1/2 hour walk. Otherwise plan on at least 45 minutes of vigorous play or walk every morning before you go to work.
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Permalink Reply by Doglover on
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Hi there! Sounds like you've got a stubborn one just like mine! My Corgi was the most stubborn, bossy, and mischievous dog I had ever known, and there were times I was really fed up with her. She had all of the problems you described including biting, jumping, incessant barking to demand what she wants, inconsistently coming on command. Personally, I did not find obedience classes to be helpful - I think that will depend on if you get a good instructor. Your puppy is only 11 weeks old...quite young! It will take a lot time and consistency. She'll quickly grow used to wearing a leash when she associates wearing one with going outside for potty breaks and going for a walk. We also changed from a retractable leash to a regular one for better control. A lot of it just takes time...We got our puppy at ~11 weeks and she was wreaking havoc in the household and I thought that the craziness would never end. All of a sudden, around 10 months of age, she suddenly settled down a lot and was so much more well behaved. In the past, I could never sit down on the sofa without having her jump all over me, bite and bark at me...but now she actually curls up on the sofa next to me! That's not to say that she doesn't still have her moments of naughtiness - believe me, she does - but as long as you keep teaching her the same things over and over and being consistent, she will behave better with time!
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