Welcome Dewey

[corgimom]

Originally Posted by Dewey

I got Dewey from a breeder Anne found for me; must be a friend of her mother or some she found through various contacts. My cat has already stopped with the creepy Exorcist-type noises but he did swipe at Dewey (no claws) earlier this afternoon. For an hour or so after the indicent, Dewey would not come to me if he had to risk coming within close contact of the cat. He quickly warmed up and now the two seem to be 'ok' but I will not allow them in the same room without my supervision. I let them sniff each other for a few seconds and then I seperate them.

I have a book on Pembroke Welsh Corgis - Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series) by E. Hywel Burton - and I've been reading it over and over for the past few weeks. I started the Success Crate Training method. The first two times in the crate Dewey cried and whined but the two times after that he started to go to sleep. If he actually does go to sleep should I leave him in the crate or let him out after the five minute time limit?

The book says punishment is sometimes necessary but it never says how to punish for bad behavoir. What do you all recommend I do?

Also: How to tell if he's bored? I guess I'll know when I see it but he grew up on a farm where he was free to roam. Now he's in an apartment. Whenever I sit down to type at my computer or watch TV for a few minutes, he roots around and then lays down and eventually he falls asleep. I figure since he's technically a baby he's going to sleep a lot but I don't want to bore him to sleep. I can take him out and I'm not too lazy to do it. I'm just afraid I'll spoil him somehow...

I am a bit confused - what is the 5 minute time limit you are referring to in regards to the crate? If he is willing to sleep in his crate then let him sleep in it - it will be like a den to him where he will feel safe and cozy. If he has fallen asleep in his crate, don't take him out because 5 minutes are up; just let him rest peacefully. Don't use his crate as a place for punishment. Is his crate the thing you are using for sleeping at night?

He is still young and he will sleep when he is tired - If he wants to sleep, don't wake him up because you worry he will become bored. When he is up and ready to engage in play he will let you know; and playing with him will help build a positive bond between you two.

Some places offer puppy training classes for pups as young as 3 months; what are your plans for him regarding puppy training?

[Jhemphill]

You should be very careful taking him out until he gets all his shots, you do not want to expose him to anything that is left by other animals. I am not trying to scare you, but be careful with out door adventures until he is fully immunized.

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by corgimom

I am a bit confused - what is the 5 minute time limit you are referring to in regards to the crate? If he is willing to sleep in his crate then let him sleep in it - it will be like a den to him where he will feel safe and cozy. If he has fallen asleep in his crate, don't take him out because 5 minutes are up; just let him rest peacefully. Don't use his crate as a place for punishment. Is his crate the thing you are using for sleeping at night?

He is still young and he will sleep when he is tired - If he wants to sleep, don't wake him up because you worry he will become bored. When he is up and ready to engage in play he will let you know; and playing with him will help build a positive bond between you two.

Some places offer puppy training classes for pups as young as 3 months; what are your plans for him regarding puppy training?

In the training book I read, it said to signal crate time for the pup and to place him in the crate. Sit in the room with him for five minutes and let him out, praise lavishly and offer a treat. If he whines, don't let him out until his stops. Repeat several times a day. Increase the time by five minute increments everyday.

I'm not waking him up because I think he's bored -- I'm afraid he's going to sleep because he's bored.

I work at petsmart. I get free dog training classes. I'm good friends with the two dog trainers at our store.

[corgimom]

My advice to you is just relax a bit - you just got your Dewey last night - don't worry so soon about him getting bored - he is just beginning to adjust to his new surroundings and you.

[Dillydoodle]

Puppies need sleep. Just like with little kids who THINK they still want to be up to play, they need naps. Don't feel that you must entertain Dewey every single moment. What have your petsmart trainer friends told you so far?

[Hayashi_eri]

CONGRATS!!! I am so glad you got Dewey at last! I have read seen your previous thread & know how tough it must have been for you so glad you have your baby at last Dewey is really cute!!! Good luck on the puppy training & your cat

[Michael Romanos]

Yeah. Remember to relax and your Dewey will feel more at ease - and probably your cat too. I like Dewey in picture number 2 - it shows him at his best. Good choice. Your cat will probably want to maintain his/her bossiness over Dewey for ever more. What you are reading sounds like real good advice.

[Jespah]

Puppies not only spend energy playing and being stimulated by the world around them, but they grow at an extraordinary rate compared to humans. They tend to play then "crash" and be sound asleep. They are pretty good about doing what feels right, if he's tired he'll sleep - it's just nature. Puppies that are bored don't tend to sleep - but they tend to find things to do that are usually not good - ripping up stuff and getting into trouble. I agree with Corgimom and Michael, relax, enjoy him just doing his thing - he'll grow so fast you won't remember these early days!

[Fluffypants]

It's funny how quickly you forget about those early days. I had forgotten how Jackie would be romping and playing like the crazy pup she was (is) . . . I would blink . . . and she would be passed out, sleeping like a fluffy little rock. I wish I could do that!