Westin Needs a Friend.

[KJohnson]

Our puppy Westin ((14 weeks today!)) is quite energetic. In fact, maybe a little TOO energetic for us. We are concidering buying him a friend/brother or sister so that he will have someone he can play with all the time and burn some of that excess energy. I don't know if we want another Corgi so they have the same energy level, or if we should get a less energetic dog so it teaches him to calm down! Any thoughts?

[Louwants]

Oh, another corgi.......but of course, I'm partial. Just the frapping between the two will be worth it. LOL! I have a corgi and a corgi/chow, and they do play some, but the mix isn't as energetic as Duncan; but the dog needed a good home, so we took her. She is much more mellow, and NONE of that has rubbed off on Duncan.

[MyPemCharlie]

Well two would be double the fun and double the work! I can't imagine handling more than one myself, but we play for hours in the backyard and walk a couple times a day now, so Charlie's pretty calm in the house. He does like to play with my one cat (of three) who likes him a lot.

Until you decide if and what type of "buddy" you want for him, you might look into puppy or small dog meetups in your city (if you have time). I joined a small dog meetup and an off-leash meetup group here that meets every Saturday (when it's not raining). Second thought...you don't want to start these until Westin finishes all his puppy shots.

[Vannette]

I did that. Don't. It's way too hard to train them. Wait at least 6 months more like a year. If I had to do it over again I would wait. Trust me. But there is a meetup right in your neighborhood. I belong and there are puppies. Wait till he has his shots. Fun time with your Corgi (Kirkland, WA) - Meetup.com Fun time with your corgi. We do a meetup once a month at Marymoor park Usually 1st Sunday of the month except Dec its the second Sunday. Maybe an older one but don't get one the same age.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Vannette

I did that. Don't. It's way too hard to train them. Wait at least 6 months more like a year. If I had to do it over again I would wait. Trust me. But there is a meetup right in your neighborhood. I belong and there are puppies. Wait till he has his shots. Fun time with your Corgi (Kirkland, WA) - Meetup.com Fun time with your corgi. We do a meetup once a month at Marymoor park Usually 1st Sunday of the month except Dec its the second Sunday. Maybe an older one but don't get one the same age.

I agree with Vanette, wait till he's older. It's much easier to raise one puppy at a time.

When he's grown, and trained, and maybe closer to a year old then you can think about another one.

But only get another dog if it's YOU (and the rest of the family) that wants another dog. Dogs are quite happy with their humans as their packs and they don't need other dogs for companions. And some prefer that they don't have other dogs in thier homes. Give him some time to grow up and see how he is with other dogs. (And as a puppy he will be ok with other dogs, differences if they're going to develp are usually between 12 and 18 mos of age. Give or take.)

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Ha, ha. I can just imagine. Can't manage the output required with one puppy - so lets get another.

[Louwants]

If you can stand the noise, you can get a plastic ball that you put kibble in, and as he rolls it, it will drop out as a reward. Something along the line of this:
Petsmart.com - Dog: Toys: Tricky Treats Ball Dog Toy by Omega Paw

I give Duncan his to keep him busy. Don't forget to subtract the amount of kibble you put in there from his daily ration. Don't want a fat corgi (or in Duncan's case, fatter)

[KJohnson]

thanks for all the suggestions! Our reasoning for getting another (besides the fact that we absolutely adore our first) is that he seems to enjoy playing with other dogs a lot, and usually just plays and plays and plays until he wears himself ((or the other dog)) out! But I think that you all make a good point about waiting until he is a little older, training two puppies would make me go crazy!

--we have TONS of toys for him that we switch out every week, and he LOVES his frozen peanut butter ball/Kong. we can keep him busy and entertained, it's just that when he gets tired of toys and wants to play with us, he never quits!

I just want him to be able to play as much as he needs to, and not feel bad when I'm tired and can't play with him any more! Plus, I'd love another!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by KJohnson

thanks for all the suggestions! Our reasoning for getting another (besides the fact that we absolutely adore our first) is that he seems to enjoy playing with other dogs a lot, and usually just plays and plays and plays until he wears himself ((or the other dog)) out!

That's a typical puppy trait, not just corgis but puppies in general. Like kids they like to play with others. But as adults it might not be the same. Even if they grow up together.

But I think that you all make a good point about waiting until he is a little older, training two puppies would make me go crazy!

--we have TONS of toys for him that we switch out every week, and he LOVES his frozen peanut butter ball/Kong. we can keep him busy and entertained, it's just that when he gets tired of toys and wants to play with us, he never quits!

I just want him to be able to play as much as he needs to, and not feel bad when I'm tired and can't play with him any more! Plus, I'd love another!

He will adjust. Don't feel bad if you can't play with him every minute. He'll be ok. Give him something to chew on. He can learn to amuse himself.

Peggy

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by KJohnson

thanks for all the suggestions! Our reasoning for getting another (besides the fact that we absolutely adore our first) is that he seems to enjoy playing with other dogs a lot, and usually just plays and plays and plays until he wears himself ((or the other dog)) out!

As Peggy said, that's a puppy thing.

But I think that you all make a good point about waiting until he is a little older, training two puppies would make me go crazy!

Given what you've said about not being able to keep up with the one you do have, I agree. Follow up on Vanette's suggestion of joining in the meet ups and play dates.

I just want him to be able to play as much as he needs to, and not feel bad when I'm tired and can't play with him any more! Plus, I'd love another!

He will learn to amuse himself, it is up to you as a responsible owner to set boundaries and limits and that includes playtime with you.

Debbie