Soon to be corgi mom

[emma]

Hello. My name is Emma. I just met my corgi yesterday! Actually I met the entire litter and the breeder is not sure which one(s) she is keeping until they are assessed by a handler. But I got to hold and play with the whole bunch and they are adorable! I get to pick mine out next week and take him/her home in 5 weeks! I am so excited. I have never owned a dog before in my life so this will all be new to me.

[Dillydoodle]

Congrats! I bet it was so much fun playing with all the little puppies- how old are they now? Well there are lots of tips here on housebreaking, and all kinds of stuff so you can start reading up and by the time you have your little pup at home, you will be ready! They are a handful but sooo much fun. You will have to post photos when you get some.
Emilie

[tandemgal]

Yeah Emma!

deleted by T-Gal

[emma]

I get him/her in 5 weeks. He/She will be 10 weeks old!

I have a question about where to keep my puppy. I plan to use a crate and keep it in my bedroom. But I work full time (leave at 6:30am, back by 4:00pm) and haven't decided where to keep him/her during the day. Should I put her in a pen (like a playpen) or a crate or a cordon off a room or let her have run of the house? When she/he gets older, does she still have to stay in only a portion of the house when I'm at work? I'm going to go shopping soon and get all my supplies. I definitely want to have a plan before I get him/her. I have been reading books and articles, but they all say something different...

[Jespah]

Hi Emma and welcome! I bet you're so excited!

There have been a few threads on this question lately. Here's one you might like to check out:

http://www.gocorgi.com/forums/genera...st-option.html

[aircooled53]

Cooper is a stay at home Corgi also, as I work and so does Sharlla. We take him out in the mornings before we leave for work and some days neighbor checks on him. He has an area in front of house that is entry/kitchen and my office so he can look out the window.We have child/gate that blocks the rest of the house off. He is house trained so if he needs to go we have a small area that he uses.It does work well, but every once in a while he will have accident, that is just what happens. You have to understand and do not scold your new puppy for this or he will not be easy to train.

Good Luck with your new puppy, Cooper says (woof).

[tandemgal]

Emma,

I think the general consensus here is this:

Use the crate at night for sleeping and naps - the crate is their own little safe den and most dogs like the crate. I have a towel over mine so they have a more den feel.

During the day while your at work keep the puppy in a gated off area like a bathroom (leaving the door open and use a gate across the door seems to keep the puppy happier) or gate off a place that is easy to clean floor like the kitchen. Keep newspaper or puppy pad down and if your gone all day some water too. Some toys and treats should keep the puppy busy till you get home.

Even after the puppy is potty trained most of us don't let them have the run of the house while we are gone. Too many temptations and accidents could still happen.

Keep us posted.

[Hayashi_eri]

Hi Emma, congratulations!!

[Michael Romanos]

Hi Emma. How exciting for you all this is and you have asked the very question that Go Corgi is most expert in. Congrats.
I am always the voice of gloom in this business about where to leave your new or relatively new puppy. Of course I'll say that puppies should not be left alone for many hours. That they should get four meals a day that can be reduced to three several months later - and these meals are spread through the day. That they should have someone at least to call on them for an hour - or for two half hours during the day - pref mid morning and at lunch time - for feeding, playing and toileting. Have you friends, relatives, neighbours who can take turns maybe in giving your lovely pup some attention as described. Your coming home at four is a bonus as it give you and the pup more daylight time together. Your early morning rise is going to be even earlier which is good for housetraining purposes.

[Dillydoodle]

I agree with Michael on this one, at least one lunch time visit would be best...They should not be left alone that long. Can you go home on lunch? if not, is there anyone you know who could come over and spend a little time playing with the puppy? There are even pet sitters that can be called to do that as well. I do agree with the idea of crating at night and gating during the day in a room with an easy to clean floor...

Emilie

[sweetlychee]

Hi Emma,

Congratulations! I'm a first time corgi owner and boy, did I learn a lot.

First, a puppy needs to go potty every 2 hours. Do not keep your corgi in the crate because accidents can happen. They will find the crate a safe place and will love to go there for sleeping. Keep your corgi in the kitchen and gated. Provide lots of water, treats, food, and have a pee pad for them (get them in Target or a pet store). And teach them house training rules everyday. A puppy will sleep most of the time so no worries.

Good luck and read up as much as you can.

[Fluffypants]

Originally Posted by tandemgal

Emma,

I think the general consensus here is this:

Use the crate at night for sleeping and naps - the crate is their own little safe den and most dogs like the crate. I have a towel over mine so they have a more den feel.

During the day while your at work keep the puppy in a gated off area like a bathroom (leaving the door open and use a gate across the door seems to keep the puppy happier) or gate off a place that is easy to clean floor like the kitchen. Keep newspaper or puppy pad down and if your gone all day some water too. Some toys and treats should keep the puppy busy till you get home.

Even after the puppy is potty trained most of us don't let them have the run of the house while we are gone. Too many temptations and accidents could still happen.

Keep us posted.

Yep - ditto! Well summarized T-Gal!!!! I also agree with Michael & Emilie above in regards to having someone stop by to walk and play with the pup around lunchtime.
Welcome to the site Emma. Can't wait to see pics of your new pup!!

[Cardiguy]

Originally Posted by emma

I get him/her in 5 weeks. He/She will be 10 weeks old!

I have a question about where to keep my puppy. I plan to use a crate and keep it in my bedroom. But I work full time (leave at 6:30am, back by 4:00pm) and haven't decided where to keep him/her during the day. Should I put her in a pen (like a playpen) or a crate or a cordon off a room or let her have run of the house? When she/he gets older, does she still have to stay in only a portion of the house when I'm at work? I'm going to go shopping soon and get all my supplies. I definitely want to have a plan before I get him/her. I have been reading books and articles, but they all say something different...

At 10 wks old I would make some kind of plans to have someone check in during the day. If they are in a crate they will not be able to hold it in all day.

[emma]

I think I've finally distilled all of the information I've been able to absorb here and elsewhere. My plan for the puppy is this: She will be crated at night. I will wake up early and take her potty and excercise her. Then she will gated into the kitchen with a small area with newspaper for "accidents" along with her crate and toys.

Thankfully, I'm a teacher so I get lots of vacation time and have good hours. This will allow me some extra time to spend with her. I will look into getting a dog walker. I'm thinking of going to PetSmart near my house and posting an ad...

Thanks for the advice. 31 more days until I get her!!! (Not that I'm counting or anything!

[Fluffypants]

That sounds like a great plan to me Emma! The clock is counting down!