I think my corgi hates me...
So, Chester is my first corgi and pet. Before getting him, I read different websites, books, etc. on how to properly train and raise a puppy. Unfortunately, I thought I was doing the right thing, and disciplined him a lot because of the recommendation from our trainer. I thought I was developing a relationship w/ him, but I guess I was wrong. Don't get me wrong, he is a really good dog; however, I feel that me coming home after work everyday doesn't excite him so much.
He will run up to the door, and greet me w/ a stretch, and since most corgi's don't have tails, I always look to see if his tail wags, but it never does. When I have guests over, he seems to be happy, his tail is just is like on rapid fire. LOL. and he just seems to be completely differerent. For example, when one of my good friends stayed over, CHester was GLUED to him. He wouldn't really listen to me, unless I had food in my hand. Its like CHester only knew him for a few days, but it felt like he was treating him as his owner. I know that he played w/ him a lot though.
Now, whenever I call Chester, he will come up to me and sit w/ his back towards me. He doesn't run or get excited, its just a slow walk.
Did I do something wrong? How can I establish a relationship w/ him. It will be about 1 year and a few months since I got him when he was only 8 weeks old.
Please advise.
Thanks.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen on
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I have read recently that physical contact is very important to a young animal. I cuddle with Charlie every night and we play and go for walks. I think we have a pretty good bond because of all the time and contact we have with each other. Maybe when he sits next to you, put your arm around him and touch him. Then as he gets more comfortable snuggle up next to him. I don't think Chester hates you, dogs love their owners deeply.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Turning his back to you may just be a sign of calm deference. If he did not trust you, he would not put his back to you while so close, I wouldn't think.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah C. on
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Dog's also wag teir tail because they're EXCITED not just because they're HAPPY. Your corgi is probably tickled to death to see you but new people are EXCITING.
I worried ab this with my first puppy because she was sooo mellow around me. But when she's scared, she comes to me first, and when she's not sure about people she would rather sit under me than any of the exciting people.
Dogs show love in different ways than just freaking out at you when you're around. :)
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Permalink Reply by Sky and Lyla on
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You've gotten some great advice on here. I just wanted to add that my Lyla does not get super excited when I come home either. Her little tail never wags and if by chance she is ever so excited that it does, it is just one or two tiny little wags. So I wouldn't be too offended. Just like people, dogs have personalities and Chesters just may be a little more low key.
As for the "discipline," I would learn some positive reinforcement methods and train with those instead. Also, instead of always getting on to him for doing something wrong, tell him what to do. So if he is jumping, for example, instead of disciplining or saying "no," teach him the command "off" and tell him "off" so he knows exactly what it is you want him to do. Again, the discipline varies depending on the dog. My Aussie is bolder than my Corgi, and so sometimes I use a little more correction with him, but it doesn't hurt his feelings. My Corgi, however, is very sensitive and if I so much as "ah ah" at her, she gets sad and doesn't want to work anymore.
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Permalink Reply by Katie on
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There is some geat advice here....I wouldn't worry that Chester turns his back to you when he is laying down...mine do that all the time or the will just ignore me when I call them to come sit beside me...corgis do have strong personalities! :) I've started doing obedience training with one of my corgis and I am absolutely amazed at how that has helped me bond with him. He has always been affectionate and a very strong personality, but since we've started dog training he has started getting excited about going to class, and he will now sit down beside me and just cuddle.
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Permalink Reply by ChestersMom on
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YES! Corgis are stubborn little poochies! My Chester NEVER came when I called him. They are fiercely independent too! But they love their humans......there's never a doubt about that.
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Permalink Reply by GoGoRainbow on
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I WISH I could teach Pooka to turn her back to me! I think it would be a cool trick! The thing with Pooka is that I teach her lots and lots of tricks so she is very intent on keeping her eyes on my face. If I try to teach her to turn her back on me, she can't stand turning around to see if there's a treat on its way.
If its really bothering you, you can do training where when you say their name they should make and hold eye contact with you and give them a treat/click for it. This is positive training and also will make your pup more inclined to look at you.
Good luck! sounds like Chester has a lot of respect for you as his alpha, more than a dependence/velcro relationship. He's probably a lot less anxious (I would hope) because of it =) More calm = less excited = less anxious!
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Permalink Reply by Chester on
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thanks everyone for your responses...i feel a wee bit better about my relationship w/ him. =)
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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on
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That is excellent news! :)
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on
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There are so many good comments here, and plenty of good advice!
I simply want to add encouragement for you to not worry, and
say "Relax, and ENJOY your Chester" - HE IS BEAUTIFUL -
and I'm sure you're a beautiful owner too!
Thank you for generating the discussion, for it benefits many.
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To be perfectly honest, I think some dogs just have different personalities. You didn't do anything wrong. Does he cower from you? Does he "submit" to you? ( sort of a bowing motion with his ears back) as if to say "I'm sorry". Does he run away from you? You said he comes to the door, that's more than my Chester ever did for me! :o) I think what you need to do is just spend more time with Chester, on his level. Instead of sitting on the couch, get down on the floor and sit WITH him. If you're watching TV, just sit next to him and pet him. Saying loving words in a loving tone will reassure Chester. When my Chester was little, I taught him how to give kisses. Yes, he would lick me on the face, or on the lips (hey, I'm a dog lover.....I've never gotten sick from it! - oh and Chester could never lick himself, he couldn't reach it. LOL )
Sometimes Chester would ignore me, completely! Don't take it personally. Your Chester is still young enough to teach new tricks - like kisses. My Chester would sometimes greet me by jumping up to me - which some people don't like, and train their dogs not to do it. Personally, I loved the greeting and if people came to my house, they knew Chester would jump once or twice to say hello. If you're not totally against this behavior, go ahead and re-teach him that it's ok to greet people that way. But that's up to you.
Mostly, just LOVE him with all your heart...........he'll KNOW that you love him........even if he doesn't return the love in a way you recognize........don't take it personally.
PS. My Chester crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 1-21-10. Just love your Chester and treasure him! :o)
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