New Photos of Rhys and a question for members!

[Robby1974]

Hello all:

Here are some pictures of Jeff and I's new pup (Sir Rhys Ivy of the Highlands) "Rhys" which is of course pronounced Reece.

We are currently in the process of potty training him and have not had a lot of luck. He is doing well though and Jeff and I are very careful about taking Rhys out to "do his business" at regular times and intervals. We are unsure however, how to train Rhys to let us know when he needs to go out. We praise him quite a lot when he is outside and does his business as well as giving him a treat that he likes a lot (Bil-Jac) when he comes back inside. We tried taking his treat outside with us but found that to be too distracting...Rhys would just sit outside and stare at us waiting for his treat instead of doing his business. We have not had many accidents and Rhys seems to know that he is supposed to go outside to do his business but we have not figured a way to bridge the gap between him knowing that he should go outside and him telling us that he needs to go outside. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. What worked for you? Rhys is an inside dog and does not have a backyard but goes out often. Thanks for your thoughts!

Kind Regards,

Robby and Jeff
Atlanta, GA

[PocketsMom]

He is gorgeous. Sorry no advice. I am still doing the training and Pockets doesn;t let me know either but we are coming along!

Good luck to you. Just had to let you kow he is gorgeous!

[dcole]

Hi guys,

Rhys is ADORABLE!! As far as the potty training tips, sorry, like Pocket'sMom, we too, are having limited success with Trevor. But, maybe someday we'll all achieve complete and total success!!

Good luck to the three of you!!

-Debi

[corgimom]

How old is Rhys? I am assuming he is only about 3 to 4 months old?? Didn't you get him around the first of July - and how old was he then? He is still a bit young for him to be "telling you" about when he may need to go. Sometimes, they get a bit anxious, start sniffing and turning in circles, that is your cue to say "let's go potty"

As for the treats, if you are wearing something that has pockets; shorts or pants, just stick a few treats in the pockets first thing in the morning, that way when you take him out to go potty, you can reach into your pocket and reward him immediately after going, and he won't be distracted seeing you take a treat as you venture outside and knowing that one is in your hand. Just keep it in your pocket until he goes and then reward him right away.

You could try hanging a bell(one too large for him to swallow) from a string at the door you take him out at and every time you tell him "lets go potty", ring the bell right before you go out - I had a friend that trained her dog to do this. It may be worth a try.

I think with his age, it is still going to take some time for him to let you know he has to go and some dogs never sit at the door or whine, etc; they just wait for their owners to take them out.

He is very cute.

Linda

[Michael Romanos]

Rhys looks wonderful and typically camera shy. What nice markings and you can't beat a solid black nose.
My Taylor has never told me he wants to go to the toilet. I have had other Pems who would go to the door and give out a few cry signals - that is the best. But with Taylor as a pup, and that puppy (seven months old but not house trained I had recently for two weeks, I just know from experience and also in wanting to protect the carpet, when it's time for a toilet walk.
A two-four month old pup needs plenty of these trees-posts walks up and down the road a little: when they are in an active-mode, woken up after a nap, and shortly after taking a drink or eating a meal.

[corginut]

I prefer to take my pem as a pup, always to the same spot and use a cue word. They soon understand wants wanted especially if the "done deed" is rewarded.

[CorgiMum]

I too trained in one spot and using a 'cue' word. It seems to make it simler for the pup to understand.

[ChloeLouise]

What darling photos of Rhys! Beautiful markings!!

Chloe is over a year old but she rarely "lets us know" when she has to go out - she never has accidents - we just take her out regularly enough, I guess! MY cue word is "potty" and she nearly ALWAYS performs for ME - however, my husband has little success in this regard! I guess she knows she can just wander around the yard with him! oh well.... Anyway, I like the bell on the door idea - wish I had thought of that!

[tandemgal]

what a pretty boy!

Emma lets me know when it's time to go out - either finds me and gives me the "look" or if I'm not paying attention she gives me a soft woof.

Chloe on the other hand just walks to the door and waits - hopefully I see her in time...

I tried the bell on the door BUT I was unable to train me to ring it everytime we went out so the girls never really understood why it was there.

[Robby1974]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! We are having daily breakthroughs in this regard already. Just yesterday Rhys barked at me and I asked him if he needed to "GO OUTSIDE"...his ears went up and he put his paws on the couch and barked again and then ran to the door. As soon as I opened the door he peed on the door mat! I was so excited that I left him outside and ran to the fridge for an immediate treat. Then this afternoon after his nap he did the same thing!!! I think he is finally getting the concept and while we still have work we are coming along nicely!

Thanks for the compliments also...we were unsure about his markings...we think he is beautiful (of course) but were unsure if his markings were "show correct" or not. Its nice to have other corgi owners say that he's pretty.

Robby, Jeff, and Rhys
Atlanta, GA

[Fluffypants]

He is gorgeous! What a sweet face! Hope the doormat doesn't become THE SPOT! Sounds like you guys are doing great - keep up the good work!

Jackie never lets me know, either . . . unless she has an upset tummy and there is an URGENT need to get outside (if you catch my drift). Then she whines pitifully. And, like Rhys, when I say "outside", "potty", or "walk", she gives me the corgi head-tilt, and a VERY interested expression!
(Hallelujah! The bi-ped FINALLY caught on! Sheesh they are slow!)

[PocketsMom]

I know nothing of 'show markings' either. I just think he is adorable regardless!