New Corgi for a New Life
Just a warning: this post is HUGE. I've broken it down into parts so you can read and respond to sections easily without feeling the need to respond to the whole thing. :]
Hey, everybody! I'm new to the site, and will soon be new to the world of dog ownership. I've only had cats growing up and have seriously wanted a corgi since I was 16 or 17, though I dreamt of owning one since I was 12. I'm 19 now (though I will be 20 by the time I can get a corgi), and a student at Virginia Tech. I'm moving off campus next school year specifically so I can have the opportunity of getting a dog.
Owner benefit: I've heard from a lot of people that college students shouldn't get a puppy. I disagree with that in my case. I'm an engineering student and have a LOT of homework to do. As such, I spend a lot of time in my room doing said homework. I'm not a party girl... I think the longest activity I do all weekend is play Dungeons and Dragons, and I can bring Waffle to that with no problems. I also have severe depression (and have had it for a while) and am finally seeking help. My medicine isn't doing anything except giving me insomnia... I was discussing the want and possibility of getting a puppy with my therapist. She seemed really positive and agreed with me when I mentioned how it would help me. The responsibility of taking care of a puppy would force me to get out of bed, go outside and exercise, be on a strict routine, and be mentally challenged but also immediately rewarded. So, Waffle would not only be a dream come true, but a treatment for this disease that's been plaguing me for years. Unlike medicine, it will actually work. Does anyone have any stories they can share about dogs helping depressed people function again? Just curious.
Expenses: Because I am a poor college student, money is kind of a big deal. I worked all summer at 7$/hr in a popcorn factory and managed to store $1000 in my savings account. This is and has always been specifically for dog purposes. I made an excel spreadsheet of all the things I would need for getting a dog initially. However, I am not sure of the biggest expenses at all. How much is neutering for a corgi pup? Shots? The corgi itself?? I snooped around the internet and guesstimated... Basically, does this expense sheet look right? If I forgot something IMPORTANT, let me know.
Moving: I can't move in to my apartment until August of 2010. As such, I really want to get my corgi in late spring/early summer so I can begin training him at my parents' house and he can be moderately well behaved and potty trained... It will be difficult (no, impossible) to return to my apartment every hour during classes, but doable every 3 or 4 hours. I was discussing this with my friend, and she brought up a slightly upsetting point. She has a friend who has a dog named Chubaca, not sure of the breed. Chubaca was a puppy that was trained at home and was brought up to Tech for living in an apartment. He was perfectly trained, but moving reverted him back to square 1--mostly peeing everywhere. Is this a problem for corgies? If so, or even if not, how can I minimize the trauma of moving and prevent this from happening? If it does happen, is there anything I can do to stop it besides getting super strict with the potty training?
Furry family members: I'm moving in with a friend from middle school and her roommate. They are both animal people, one studying animal science and one studying bio with intent to go to vet school, so of course they both want pets. VetSchool wants and is definitely getting a cat (I'm very happy about this!!), but AnimalScience wants to get a dog. She is unsure if she will be getting a dog, doesn't know what breed, and doesn't know what age. So, this is iffy but still a concern. Mostly, I'm afraid the other dog may ruin Waffle's training if AnimalScience isn't being very stern in making her dog a good citizen. I can eliminate the problem with toy stealing by keeping Waffle's all in my room... I also don't want them to eat each other's food. I don't know... Should I even be concerned?
Training: I'm really looking forward to training him and having that bonding time and control. I don't think I will be taking him to obedience classes... but I may if I'm having a hard time doing it on my own. (I watch "It's Me or the Dog" and am minoring in behavioral psychology... so I want to put my skills to the test before spending money.) Potty training, sit, stay, heel, drop it, leave it, etc are all basic and necessary. I was reading about "emergency recall training" on these forums and am definitely going to teach him that. Are there any other invaluable commands I need to teach him?
I think that's it. Of course I'll ask questions as they arise. :3
Hey, everybody! I'm new to the site, and will soon be new to the world of dog ownership. I've only had cats growing up and have seriously wanted a corgi since I was 16 or 17, though I dreamt of owning one since I was 12. I'm 19 now (though I will be 20 by the time I can get a corgi), and a student at Virginia Tech. I'm moving off campus next school year specifically so I can have the opportunity of getting a dog.
Owner benefit: I've heard from a lot of people that college students shouldn't get a puppy. I disagree with that in my case. I'm an engineering student and have a LOT of homework to do. As such, I spend a lot of time in my room doing said homework. I'm not a party girl... I think the longest activity I do all weekend is play Dungeons and Dragons, and I can bring Waffle to that with no problems. I also have severe depression (and have had it for a while) and am finally seeking help. My medicine isn't doing anything except giving me insomnia... I was discussing the want and possibility of getting a puppy with my therapist. She seemed really positive and agreed with me when I mentioned how it would help me. The responsibility of taking care of a puppy would force me to get out of bed, go outside and exercise, be on a strict routine, and be mentally challenged but also immediately rewarded. So, Waffle would not only be a dream come true, but a treatment for this disease that's been plaguing me for years. Unlike medicine, it will actually work. Does anyone have any stories they can share about dogs helping depressed people function again? Just curious.
Expenses: Because I am a poor college student, money is kind of a big deal. I worked all summer at 7$/hr in a popcorn factory and managed to store $1000 in my savings account. This is and has always been specifically for dog purposes. I made an excel spreadsheet of all the things I would need for getting a dog initially. However, I am not sure of the biggest expenses at all. How much is neutering for a corgi pup? Shots? The corgi itself?? I snooped around the internet and guesstimated... Basically, does this expense sheet look right? If I forgot something IMPORTANT, let me know.
Moving: I can't move in to my apartment until August of 2010. As such, I really want to get my corgi in late spring/early summer so I can begin training him at my parents' house and he can be moderately well behaved and potty trained... It will be difficult (no, impossible) to return to my apartment every hour during classes, but doable every 3 or 4 hours. I was discussing this with my friend, and she brought up a slightly upsetting point. She has a friend who has a dog named Chubaca, not sure of the breed. Chubaca was a puppy that was trained at home and was brought up to Tech for living in an apartment. He was perfectly trained, but moving reverted him back to square 1--mostly peeing everywhere. Is this a problem for corgies? If so, or even if not, how can I minimize the trauma of moving and prevent this from happening? If it does happen, is there anything I can do to stop it besides getting super strict with the potty training?
Furry family members: I'm moving in with a friend from middle school and her roommate. They are both animal people, one studying animal science and one studying bio with intent to go to vet school, so of course they both want pets. VetSchool wants and is definitely getting a cat (I'm very happy about this!!), but AnimalScience wants to get a dog. She is unsure if she will be getting a dog, doesn't know what breed, and doesn't know what age. So, this is iffy but still a concern. Mostly, I'm afraid the other dog may ruin Waffle's training if AnimalScience isn't being very stern in making her dog a good citizen. I can eliminate the problem with toy stealing by keeping Waffle's all in my room... I also don't want them to eat each other's food. I don't know... Should I even be concerned?
Training: I'm really looking forward to training him and having that bonding time and control. I don't think I will be taking him to obedience classes... but I may if I'm having a hard time doing it on my own. (I watch "It's Me or the Dog" and am minoring in behavioral psychology... so I want to put my skills to the test before spending money.) Potty training, sit, stay, heel, drop it, leave it, etc are all basic and necessary. I was reading about "emergency recall training" on these forums and am definitely going to teach him that. Are there any other invaluable commands I need to teach him?
I think that's it. Of course I'll ask questions as they arise. :3
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ashley on
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You are definitely very prepared. I am in a similar situation so I understand completely. If possible, I would suggest buying a Lupine leash ( http://www.lupinepet.com/ ). We started by buying a regular leash from Petco and Jet has already chewed on it a lot. With the Lupine leashes, they have a lifetime guarantee on them even if chewed. So last week I went ahead and got one. In my area it was $13, but when looking at the prices it was only $1.50 more than the original leash I bought. It is definitely worth the extra money to get something that will be replaced for free when my corgi damages it. They also have collars but I didn’t feel the need to have a matching collar and leash (They are both blue colors though), so Jet is still using his cheaper Petco collar.
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Permalink Reply by Rachael & Waffle on
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Hey thanks for the link! I checked out the site and hope I can find one in my area, though I can always buy one online I suppose. Lifetime guarantees are always a joy, heh.
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Permalink Reply by Kathryn Graham on
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I am glad you are thinking about a Dalarno corgi. My Madoc is a Dalarno corgi, and I can't say enough in praise of Carrie Harris and her love and concern for her dogs and puppies. Don't you love her website! I still visit it a lot to look at new puppies, puppies with their new families, etc. As to puppy kindergarten, Madoc had very reasonably priced lessons from Rosie Higdon in Blacksburg. She meets in convenient places and keeps the classes small. Her web site is http://www.hi-d-ho-dogtraining.com/index.html if you want to check out her schedule, classes, prices, etc. We've done puppyK, obedience I, and are now in beginning agility. I think there is also another breeder in Lynchburg, VA. Glad to have another VT corgi fan in the group!
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I do love her website! I first learned what to look for in a breeder from there, heh. I think I will have to do the puppy training at home in VBeach, but she looks like a good teacher for any higher level stuff. I want to get my corgi into agility too, for the exercise and the fun. :D I looked and couldn't find a breeder in lynchburg, but I did find another somewhere else in Virginia (though the name and place escapes me.)
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Permalink Reply by Laura Jones on
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 I think you are totally more prepared at 19 then I was at 28 when I got my corgis. Iam by no means an expert or even very knowledgable lol. But I would definately do the crate training, I personally like the metal ones that fold down for travel & storage
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 we travel to grandma and grandpas a lot and the dogs love having something familiar if they start to feel upset about anything and for sleeping. forgive my multiple posts my phone only lets me type short blurbs.
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 also, maybe you can find an older puppy that wasn't a good fit in it's 1st home for a little less $? And although I totally agree with wanting a puppy, remember the teenage years (1-2 yrs.I think) can be challenging also. Less potty training....
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 but still need training. Maybe less $ up front and easier while in school. And remember: Corgis are like potato chips, you can never have just 1. So maybe older 1 now that wld handle ur schedule better and a puppy would be the best graduation present!
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Good idea...what a graduation present!!!!!!
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I'm planning on using the crate for him, though I didn't think of the benefits it would provide when we move back and forth for holidays. :] Thanks for your input!
And yes, a new dog would make an excellent graduation present. <3
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Permalink Reply by Ginny and Diggory on
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and you could name him/her "Bacon"... you know. Waffle and Bacon - that would be cute
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I think naming a dog Bacon would be slightly cruel, lol. (But not as cruel as naming a pig that.) I have a lot of weird food names for dogs I want to have eventually-- for example, Potato for a bull terrier.
Also, if I ever get a pug, he will be named Winston Churchill and I will make him some stuffed-animal cigars. I don't want a pug, really, but I think that would be a great name for one. Hahaha. -
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