He bit me!

[Fluffypants]

You can also start the (slow) process of desnsitizing him to the clipping device. For a few weeks - show him the clipper once a day, every day, and give him a treat (no touching of Koda - just show & treat). When he actually looks forward to seeing the clipper, move on to the next stage - holding clipper and paw at same time (no touching of clipper to paw), and give treat. When ok with that - touch clipper to paw (no clipping) and treat . . . when ok clip one nail, treat, and clipper goes away. Then work up to 2 nails . . . 1 whole paw . . . 2 paws . . . and so on. It will take a LOOOONG time. But, since you just had them all cut, you have the time to work on it. Couldn't hurt, right?

[Dillydoodle]

I love that method,Jessica. it is a kind and gentle method that will take time and patience but it will work and make a lasting positive result.

One of the things i did in the begining was the minute Dillon would thrash, i would say NO firmly and then grab his paw again...and if he was calm even for a second he got a "good boy" and a cookie. This reinforced that being still and calm would get him a reward...the cookies got more and more spread out until he only got one when he was completely done. It took time.

It is freaky though how strong they are. I am 185 lbs and have spent quit a few years in the gym and my 27 lb monster just out muscles me with relative ease

I Totally understand that, when we play with Dillon and he gets squirmy, he is a real handful! They are very strong both in body and mind
Emilie

[adkmehrman]

Jessica & Emilie,
Thank you for the advice I had not really thought of that method I will start today. Unfortunetly niether myself or my wife are all that patient but we will certainly give it a try.

Emilie,
It's nice to hear that someone else has a hard time with the strength of their dog I don't feel like such a wimp anymore.

[LittlePonzo]

In response to the leash/biting incident, it's great that you called a trainer to help. Although he or she will probably tell you same thing that others on this site have already said, it totally helps to see it put into action and in person. When Ponzo was first starting to take walks, he used to protest so much about the walk being over. He quickly realized that us reaching our front yard meant no more walk! So as soon as we would set foot on the front yard he would start pulling and biting on the leash and then he would bite at the pants of whoever was holding the leash and hang on for dear life! We just looked down told him NO or OUCH and kept moving, most of time with him firmly clamped down on a pant leg, up the front steps, through the door. After about a week of this, it just suddenly stopped never to happen again. His tantrum was not about to dictate when our walk ended, and he just figured it out.
As for the quick snapping, Ponzo has never done anything like that in an aggressive manner, but he does do what we call "the Cobra" which he frequently gets scolded for. He will be on your lap or close to eye level with you all calm and then decide it's time to play which is when the Cobra strikes! He just juts his nose out and snaps at your nose!! Most of the time we know now when its coming and can immediately change the situation, but if you don't know it's coming it hurts!! We yell OUCH or No in his face and stare him down. He instantly knows he went over the line, the ears go back and he averts his eyes, but he continues to do it. SO it is something that we still are working with to correct even though it's not meant meanly, it's still unacceptable. If you get any handy tricks from you trainer, direct it this way!

[CorgiMum]

Originally Posted by LittlePonzo

When Ponzo was first starting to take walks, he used to protest so much about the walk being over. He quickly realized that us reaching our front yard meant no more walk! So as soon as we would set foot on the front yard he would start pulling and biting on the leash and then he would bite at the pants of whoever was holding the leash and hang on for dear life!

I just had a thought about ending walks when I read your post. Since my dogs were pups I have always ended every walk with a treat.They know that when they get home, inside the gate, there is always something in my pocket for them. And every once in a while I will not turn in the driveway, just walk a few houses past, to vary their routine.

And more importantly, when we get in the house I make sure I continue to give them attention for 5 min. or so. The 'actual end of the walk' doesn't seem to matter to them then at all. (Just thought I'd mention that while it was on my mind.)

[emma]

I dipped Oliver's leash in vinegar and that has certainly worked to prevent chewing on it! I have also been practicing walking on a leash with him. If he follows me I praise him and if he stops or tries to chew on things, I'll tug lightly and/or turn my head to ignore him which he hates. He is picking it up very quickly. I also taught him how to sit and now I make him sit before he gets anything like food or affection. We've had one or two "power struggles" since the biting incident and if he doesn't listen when I say "NO!" I take his collar and shake and that has worked well. He really reminds me of one of my students - sweet and adorable and smart but very headstrong. He needs to know who's in charge!

He is just amazing! I just can't believe how smart these dogs are. He is only 11 weeks and in less than a week he has learned so much (and my trainer hasn't even come yet!) I am really looking forward to learning more. I've been trying to teach him "come" and "stay" but he just always seems to sit.

I will definitely share any "goodies" I learn from the trainer...

[Tex and Me]

Your little Oliver is such a cutie!!!

I've been in the same situation. . it's been something Tex and I are working on. . the nip, bite, and "grab & run." . . . it's definitely something that I haven't been able to correct overnight. It'll take time, but we'll get there.

As for the clipping, I usually will do it when I wake Tex up. . or when she's just calm period. .I give her a treat or a toy to gnaw on and quietly clip her nails. If she turns around to see what's going on, I redirect her to her toy or treat and keep going. No chance of doing it when she's in play mode. . hehe

I'm also a first-time dog owner, even though I've puppy-sat many times. I get that frustration/guilt/"my puppy don't like me" feelings a lot. . but then when I take her out of her crate for her morning stretch, and she stretches towards me and licks my hand. . I pick her up and she gets my face. . .then I know there's love after all. :-)

Congrats on the training milestones!! Nothing makes a puppy owner happier than completing the command steadily for the first time. . .

Before you know it, little guy will be Belly Crawling to you!

[glencorgi]

In response to Barbara's question about the slip lead (used in conformation and also by your vet's), those are a pretty good tool and can be very useful. In many ways they do give you more control over your dog/puppy - because when fitted correctly you get more control of the head and when you control the head, you control the dog. My lassoing abilities have improved over the years.

Some excellent tips and advice have been given on the nail segue the thread has taken. Now Adkmehrman, there is no sense in a corgi having to be sedated in order to cut his toe nails and for someone, a groomer, to make the suggestion should give you a tid bit of insight into the behaviors you have allowed Koda get away with. Anytime I post that corgis, especially Pembrokes, don't have the best of reputations and are thought of as snarky little biters is usually met with disbelief, well folks here is a prime example of where that reputation comes from. I'll be the exception in the responses that the groomer charged you full price for doing basically nothing - she earned her pay. She had to deal with a dog that tried to bite her the entire time she was attempted to handle him and do what was needed to be done. She deserved every cent she got. So for you, I'm going to suggest getting into Nothing In Life Is Free training with Koda, as much for you to learn to be a leader, as it is for him. You and your wife both need to work on patience skills, it will be of great benefit to Koda in the long run, he's not going to win. Get a muzzle, I have several and I'm not afraid to use them. None of my own dogs offer to bite me - I do have a real drama queen and sometimes it looks more like a WWF match during nail time than a grooming session, but they all get their nails done. I have had fosters who've threatened to bite or even put teeth on my hand, the dremel and/or the clippers and scissors, kind of like a child hitting back when they don't want to do something. Muzzle takes care of the problem, keeps me safe, and the dog too - don't want a tongue tangled up in a dremel. Koda needs to be gotten on top of now while he is still young and learn that there are things that do have to be done whether he likes it or not. What he has learned to this point, is IF he doesn't want to do something, all he has to do is bite or threaten and he's going to get his way. This does not bode well for vet exams in the future or should he need to be boarded at any time - lots of instances and situations where he could earn the label - biter. Just some food for thought.

Another trick in the desensitizing/distraction nail trimming time, and these take two people. Cover a spatula with peanut butter; have the second person hold it just at mouth reach for the corgi and let it lick off the peanut butter, while the second person does nail. A can of squirt cheese also works for this distraction method.

Debbie

[Chip's Mom]

Excellent post Debbie. Chip was getting out of hand with my attempts to clip his nails but it was my fault - not Chip's because I laughed the first time he growled at me. Thankfully, The lady at obedience class helped me out with that situation and now I can clip his nails. He isn't a happy camper yet but he doesn't fight or growl either. I agree no dog should have to be sedated.