Corgi sized hampster wheel

[monkeyman]

So I was watching this show and it had hampsters on it running around in their little wheel and it gave me a thought.

I'm pretty handy with tools and I know I could build one which was safe, but do you think a corgi would ever use a dog sized hampster wheel? When I move to Utah and get my Corgi its not going to be the largest apartment in the world. I plan on taking him for plenty of walks during the day, to the park, etc. But I thought something like this might give him an oportunitly to burn off some extra energy (and stay in shape) when I am at school, asleep, sick, etc.

Think they would use something like that?

[corgimom]

why don't you just get him a treadmill.

I hardly think a Corgi would find running around a wheel interesting or
exciting, but I may be wrong.

Linda

[Jane Austen]

I think it was an interesting idea but not likely to work for most corgis. I bet some would take to it.
The area where I live got 15 inches of rain from Friday to Monday. Today we saw the sun for a half hour. Duchess is getting anxious to be outside, chasing chipmunks. I have taken to throwing kibble down the stairs and the hall to give her some exercise.

[Michael Romanos]

I think the idea is perposterous. Corgis are not designed for such actions, would in no way find it enjoyable, stimulating and fullfilling, and unless they were brain damaged, would not even entertain it.
Compelling Corgis to spend time on treadmills is bad enough.

[corgimom]

Michael,

the treadmill comment was a "joke", I too, thought that a hampster wheel
was in no way entertainment for a Corgi and certainly would never put one
on a treadmill.

linda

[Jane Austen]

Keep thinking Monkeyman your ideas may earn you big bucks some day.

[Jhemphill]

To entertain and exercise your Corgi while you are in school, why don't you leave some treats, low fat of course, hidden around you apartment, if you are going to let your Corgi have run of the apratment. Michael says that Taylor like to track for his food, this would probably entertain he/she for a while whlie you are gone. I would be afraid to leave a Corgi or any other animal alone with a item that they could get hurt on, a treadmill or doggy running wheel, where they could get fur or feet caught in the item. Making sure that he is walked and exercised when you are home will probably take care of his needs. We play fetch with Maxi down the hall when he can not go out and play in the yard.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Jhemphill

To entertain and exercise your Corgi while you are in school, why don't you leave some treats, low fat of course, hidden around you apartment, if you are going to let your Corgi have run of the apratment. Michael says that Taylor like to track for his food, this would probably entertain he/she for a while whlie you are gone. I would be afraid to leave a Corgi or any other animal alone with a item that they could get hurt on, a treadmill or doggy running wheel, where they could get fur or feet caught in the item. Making sure that he is walked and exercised when you are home will probably take care of his needs. We play fetch with Maxi down the hall when he can not go out and play in the yard.

The leaving treats around in hidden locations is a great idea. Once he is good and house broken I plan on giving him free run of the apartment. Which reminds me of another question I wanted to ask...

I last time I housebroke a dog the books I read said using a crate was a good tool to help do it. First, is this still common and recommended? Second, once they are housebroken, do you keep the crate around and unlocked? I know when things got chaoitic around the house my beagle would disappear and I would find him lying in his crate. Is this a good "home/base" for a Corgi?

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

The leaving treats around in hidden locations is a great idea. Once he is good and house broken I plan on giving him free run of the apartment.

Which will be not for some time. Even though he might be housebroken there is also the matter of all the things he could get into which are risks to his health and life. Wires and cords to computers, TV's, lamps, phones ... IF he turns out to be a chewer, are all hazards - among a multitude of other household items. Confinement in a safe area either with an x-pen or baby gates is much safer.

Originally Posted by monkeyman

Which reminds me of another question I wanted to ask...

I last time I housebroke a dog the books I read said using a crate was a good tool to help do it. First, is this still common and recommended? Second, once they are housebroken, do you keep the crate around and unlocked? I know when things got chaoitic around the house my beagle would disappear and I would find him lying in his crate. Is this a good "home/base" for a Corgi?

Yes, crate training <IMHO> is the best way to go. Reviewing some of the current threads might also give you some good insight into new puppies and some of the trials and tribulations their owners are experiencing. A crate is also a good "home/base" for a corgi.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

I've never had a Corgi who has chewed anything dangerous - other than meat bones and a whicker basket, Never any wiring, electric cords etc. But that doesn't mean to say other Corgis won't do it if they are home alone, bored and desperate for human companionship. So confining them at such a young age when inside the house whilst the house is otherwise unoccupied, has to be an obviously good idea. Once they get to a maturity stage where they can be trusted, then the "run'" of the house is fine. I frequently leave my budgies flying around and Taylor in charge of the house. My immediately previous Corgi use to play with the budgie we had at the time and the budgie would go for rides on his back. All this alludes to the fact that Corgis can be trusted but only after observation of their personality, character and traits.

[Fluffypants]

Yes, crate training <IMHO> is the best way to go. Reviewing some of the current threads might also give you some good insight into new puppies and some of the trials and tribulations their owners are experiencing. A crate is also a good "home/base" for a corgi.

Debbie[/quote]

I agree Debbie. Jackie has been crate trained since she was 7 weeks (the breeder started before we brought her home), and she LOVES her crate. It is her own personal den. She sleeps in there all night without a peep, and never clamors to come out at all. In addition, it is a place where I can put her during stressful times (like when we had our new appliances delivered, or when we have a bunch of people over & I can't keep as close an eye on her - or them! - as I normally do), and she feels safe and secure. No matter what is going on outside the crate, inside the crate is a safe haven for her. I have even had people comment on how peaceful she is in there. They can't believe she's not whining to come out.

Monkeyman - During the day, I use a gate to keep her in the kitchen. Her crate is in there (open), plus she has a bed, her water bowl, and all of her toys. In addition, I have several "home alone" toys (kongs, buster cube, etc.). I give her one (filled with kibble and/or treats) when I leave for work in the morning. And I leave another for my dog walker to giver her when she leaves after walking her in the early afternoon. This system has kept Jackie happy & busy during the day, and we have not had any "accidents" or inappropriate chewing / destructive behaviors. (she's almost 11 months old now) I keep her weight in check by reducing the amount of food she gets at mealtimes to compensate for the kibble she gets during the day.

Just my personal method.

[corgimom]

Fluffypants,

You sound like a very caring dog mom - you seem to have covered everything.

Linda

[Fluffypants]

Thanks Linda - I try. I have wanted a corgi since I was a little girl, so I have been researching them forever. And I was determined that, when I got my corgi, I was going to make sure that he/she had a good life. I know you gotta keep 'em busy!

ps - I got the Babble Ball at Only Natural Pets, and Jackie LOVED it . . . for about 10 minutes, then it broke.

[corgimom]

How did she break the babble ball?? Mine is still going strong and it is thrown
on our tile floor? When you say break, do you mean it stopped making noises?
Because sometimes you have to re-set it with that plastic strip or did the
whole ball crack??

If it cracked, I would ask for your money back because afterall, it is a dog
toy and should last for more than 10 minutes. Cody loves his. I also got the
other balls that are shaped like a "bulldog head"; one makes the same sound
as the "babble ball", and the other one makes "farting noises"; pardon me.

He loves all three of them!!

There are some other web sites that sell dog toys at discount prices and they are:
www.jbpet.com

www.jefferspet.com

www.thepupppyshop.com (this one has a babble ball that makes 20
different animal sounds and you can
replace the battery>)
Linda

[Fluffypants]

It stopped making noises. Didn't know you could reset it, but I didn't keep that strip anyway. They are sending me a replacement, so if that happens again, I will try to reset it. Thanks.