My 6 month old corgi barks at every dog he sees

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by CorgiMum

Looking for a puppy class...if you don't have any friends with dogs that can recommend a trainer I would suggest that you talk with your Vet's office and see who they would recommend.

Also, when you find a class, ask the instructor if you could sit in on one session before you decide to enroll, without your puppy.

DITTO from me on CorgiMum's suggestions and the others who recommended puppy classes. Sounds like socialization is something that he needs. Check with the local kennel club also for recommendations of training facilities.

The choke collar is an excellent training TOOL, but that is what it should be viewed as - a tool in training. When used correctly, very effective, when improperly put on or used incorrectly can cause more damage than it does good. I don't have "issues" with choke collars and do use them myself at appropriate times with certain dogs, but there are some alternatives that I use as well. One version that is pretty widely available is the type of collar used on the sight hounds. They're known as "greyhound collars, martingales, no-slip collars.

I'm not sure if you mentioned it or not, but has he been neutered? Six months that testosterone is going and behavioral changes can be seen as he exerts his new found manhood.

Debbie

[CorgiMum]

I like the Martingale collars too Debbie. And I prefer classes that are not in pet stores. With the public out and about with their dogs there is not the controlled situation that is needed for a young pup to focus, or the owner.
That's just MHO of course.

[Fluffypants]

sweetlychee -
We go to Port Chester Obedience Training Club. They are wonderful, and a LOT of people who attend there come from the city.

Check out www.pcotc.org

[sweetlychee]

Wow, awesome. I will give everything a try. There aren't any Petsmart close by. Petco is closest and they have the training classes only at night (when the store closes). Not as convenient I would say.

I asked some friends of mine and some didn't need to take their dogs to obedience school (lucky them!).

And yes, you are right that I have not have him neutered yet. I'm getting different opinions from people that his personality and temperament changes after he is neutered. Is this true?

He will be more calm but less joyful?
This is my first puppy as you can see so I'm trying to play it safe.

[corgimom]

I think everyone will have a different opinion in regards to the neutering, but
I had asked my vet before I got Cody if Neutering calms them down and he
told me that it was just a "myth", That it does not change their personality,
and in regards to the calming down, maturity and training will help with that.

Cody's personality has not changed one bit from his neutering - he is just
the same as he always was, just more obedient from training classes.

Linda

[sweetlychee]

I wish my dog was more obedient. Corgis are definitely a smart breed...sometimes too smart for their own good. I don't know why but my dog barks at a certain ethnicity of people too. It's so shameful! We aren't even racist and he's racist! I hear that it's common for dogs to bark at a certain ethnicity. Is that a myth or fact then?

[corgimom]

I have never heard of that before.

linda

[glencorgi]

Well, having had many a boy neutered and of a lot of different ages too - I can say in my experience there is a noticeable difference. Sometimes it is slight, but it is still there. Genetic temperament is not going to change, nor will basic personality, but it will take an edge or bite off a more over the top type personality. They are also not so hormonally driven or controlled which means they are not so inclined to go off in chase of the perfume of a neighborhood girl in season.

Having lived with an adult male that was intact around girls in season and the same dog after having been neutered, there was and is a difference in my experience.

Debbie

PS: But there is no substitute for training either.

[sweetlychee]

Everyone suggests having the pet neutered because they live longer and they won't start urinating or marking around the house. So, it's true they will live long if neutered? I wish in the future he could have a family but I'm not a breeder and have no clue!

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by sweetlychee

Everyone suggests having the pet neutered because they live longer and they won't start urinating or marking around the house. So, it's true they will live long if neutered? I wish in the future he could have a family but I'm not a breeder and have no clue!

Neutering lowers the risk of prostrate cancer, enlarged prostrate or testicular cancer. Those are health benefits for a longer life. He's already urinating around the house, but when he's reliably trained it will should cut down on marking. He won't be as prone to mark when taken to new places such as visiting friends for example.

Animals don't really view procreation as having a "family." That's the Disney version we've been fed about breeding. Males as general rule are not involved in rearing of puppies - the dam likely won't let him anywhere near the babies and many males don't tolerate puppies well. He won't miss not having sired a litter I can assure you.

Debbie

[Chip's Mom]

I had Digger neutered when he was 2. It didn't change his personality much but he was a much better companion. It is still too soon to tell with Chip but he is pawsitively perfect. LOL Last night I was playing with him and Maybelle on the floor and he proceeded to beat her up because she lets him and it was simply because she was on my lap. I had to stop playing and get off the floor. He is jealous! I will try again tonight.

[corgimom]

Cody is jealous when I call the cats. NO matter what he is doing, playing with a toy or chewing on a bone or even in another room, if I so much as call one of the cats to come by me, guess who makes it into my lap first?? He is very nosey.

linda

[sweetlychee]

So dogs are generally jealous? I plan to have kids in the future and I really hope Milo won't be jealous of them. I honestly feel he would be like an older brother or a great companion. I heard that it's easier when the child is over a certain age to be friends with the dogs. I hope corgis aren't very jealous.

[darci]

I think to depends on the dog and really how you handle them and introduce them to children.
Darci is very jealous of the cats but not so much Egan and she's wonderful with kids.



Your avatar pic is totally precious.

[corgimom]

When kids are older, they realize how to me more gentle to a dog, but I think it is good to teach them at a young age that hitting and kicking at a dog is not appropriate. I think some dogs are surrendered through no fault of their own.

linda