Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on June 16, 2009 at 4:42pm

What ended up working best for us, was putting Lance on a leash and making him lay down calmly while we ate our dinner. It probably isnt the best solution but for us it worked. He will just lay calmly under the table now with out any leash.

You could also designate a spot for your pup to go to during dinner time as well of course with training.

Good Luck, looking forward to seeing all the other responses, when we were training our pup we didnt have this wonderful website for all the advice.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Arrow and Pengu on June 16, 2009 at 4:52pm

That seems like good idea except that I just starting her leash training and forsee much thrashing about and frustration. I don't want the leash to seem like a negative thing right now. Maybe the baby gate could allow her to be by us but not on us.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on June 16, 2009 at 5:04pm

I agree, I wouldnt use the leash if you are leash training her. Lance was already past the leash training stage and probably about a good six months older when I used that method so it didnt phase him. It was like he knew I meant business with the leash on! I wish I would have kept a journal so I could look back on it now and remember exactly what age he was when he went through his stages.

As Lance got older and bossier with his barking I also used the leash to quiet him down. I put the leash on him and had him lay quietly by me and he did. He knew I was the boss then and not him, silly corgis, lol

Yes I would think the baby gate would be a good idea. : )

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Elaine on June 16, 2009 at 6:03pm

Well, Sable used to beg and stare at me when I was eating, before I lightly (a couple of times, I think) squirted him with water on the nose using a spray bottle. That seemed to stop the begging and staring, but he'd patrol beneath the table for crumbs, which was progress.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Beth on June 16, 2009 at 8:58pm

Awww, what a cute pup!!

I am sure other people with more experience than me might disagree, but I consider a squirt in the face with water a moderately severe correction, and one that I would save for times when I was pretty sure the pup knew what I wanted and persisted in the bold behavior, or for when a dog is older and doing something totally unacceptable.

Right now, she's still just beginning to learn what behavior is expected from her. Moreover, if she is still only a couple months old, she has the attention span of a flea.

When Jack was that small, he was horrible around food. And yes, we had to pen him every night at dinner. I would give him a chance each night, and as soon as the barking started, in the pen he went. He would sometimes persist in barking in the pen and I just ignored him. As his training progressed and he learned a little self-control and the meaning of "Ah-ah!" the behavior just evaporated. In fact, I can't even recall breaking him of it; it just sort of disappeared on its own. He will still on rare occasion talk at us if we are eating and he thinks it's something he should get, but it is not overly rude or bossy. And he's very talkative about everything else, too.

"Time-out" in a pen is not punishment for the pup, and you don't need to yell at her when you put her in. Give her one chance. Tell her "no bark!" or "Ah-ah" or whatever correction you use to let her know you're displeased, and if she does not respond I would simply put her away very calmly with a couple toys that she normally has when she's confined (no special toys or treats, or she will learn that being naughty gets her favors). It's not a punishment, as I said, but a way to break the fixation til she is more mature.

As she gets a bit older, "Shush" or "Quiet" is a command you can teach her, but that one usually comes after basic "sit, come, off" and such are already well under development.

Good luck with her! Don't be too frustrated; Corgis, as farm dogs, were selected to be both persistent and independent, and as puppies they can be a bit stubborn and bossy. Through consistent play, exercise, and short sessions of obedience training, you will gradually show her that she gets more attention and treats when she behaves than when she is bold.

When Jack was tiny, he had some protozoal infection and needed to take pills. On the first day, he had two pills and I wrapped them in cream cheese. On day two he only needed one pill. Well, I gave it to him and after he stood and barked at me for ten minutes because he remembered he'd had two the day before. I nearly peed myself laughing, because here's this little 9 pound puppy giving me lip for not giving him a sufficient serving of cream cheese! As I said, he outgrew it as he learned what behavior was acceptable.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Arrow and Pengu on June 17, 2009 at 10:37am

Yeah, I think I might be expecting too much for her age. When we put her in the pen it's not as punishment its just more to control the situation. I think I was' mainly kind of freaked out by behavior that seemed ready made!!! Anyways, I'm gonna try to give her a chance and then put her up. Maybe each day she can be out longer until her self control is stronger.

Your "Jack and the Cream Cheese" Story was so so funny!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Maddy & Keke on June 18, 2009 at 1:41am

Starting from the first day, I don't feed her whatever I am eating. When she stare I will give her a firm NO and continue eating. Now when I said No, she will walk away quietly although she still hope I will change my mind :)

• ▶ Reply