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Education

A Corgi's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside… for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements… and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth… though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land… for you are my god… and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest…and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

Housebreaking

When we say a dog is “housebroken” it could be more accurately put that they are trained on where to eliminate in the context of their current home.  When a dog comes into a new environment a refresher course in housebreaking is always in order.  Corgis are very smart and easy to housebreak, all it takes is consistency.

Housebreaking
Training
Suggestions

What to Do

  • Take the dog outside frequently.  Every hour to an hour and a half initially.  Extend the time between trips outside gradually.
  • Tell the dog what you want it to do using the same word (or words) every time such as “go potty”.  Although it may not make sense now, at a later date when you push a reluctant dog out into the rain, or when you are traveling by car, this training will come in handy.
  • Wait outside (quietly not distracting them) and praise them heartily when they go, and treat them as soon as you can.
  • Limit the lowrider’s access inside the house to rooms that you currently occupy.  In other words, do not let him wander the house at will out of your sight.  A dog’s natural inclination is to go to a remote area to do their business.  They will sneak off into the spare bedroom and make a deposit on the far side of the guest bed.  They don’t want to smell it either.  Corgis are crafty little buggers.

What Not to Do

  • Do not give your dog free access to your home when you are not there.  Confine them to a small area, preferably not carpeted.  Ideally, a crate should be used for this purpose.

    Corgis love their crates, so you are not harming or excluding them by crate training. You may also choose to put a baby gate and confine them to a laundry room for example if you do not have a crate.

  • Take the pupper out as soon as you get home – first thing.  Also, take the dog out after they eat.

  • Put your dog on a leash and walk as frequently as possible. Thirty minutes a day is optimum.

  • Pick up your puppy’s water dish about two and a half hours before bedtime to reduce the likelihood that they’ll need to relieve themselves during the night. Most puppies can sleep for approximately seven hours without needing a bathroom break.  If your puppy does wake you up in the night, don’t make a big deal of it; otherwise, they will think it is time to play and won’t want to go back to sleep. Turn on as few lights as possible, don’t talk to or play with your puppy, take them out, and then return them to bed.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke in corgis is a very serious condition that requires IMMEDIATE medical attention. Once the signs of heat stroke are detected, there is very little time before serious damage, or even death, can occur.
Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans. They release heat primarily by panting and sweating through the pads of their paws. If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. A dog’s normal body temp is 101.5° F and any time the body temp is above 104° F, action is required. Once the temp is higher than 105° F, a true emergency exists.

Signs of Heat Stroke

  • Rectal temp above 104° F Excessive and/or vigorous panting
  • Thick saliva and drooling excessively Dizziness or disorientation
  • Restlessness and/or appearing distressed
  • Dark red/blue/purple gums (due to inadequate oxygenation)
  • Tacky or dry gums
  • Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up
  • Collapse and/or loss of consciousness

How To
Respond
To Heatstroke

What to Do

  • Move the corgi immediately from the heat and away from the sun to a shaded and cool environment.
  • Offer your lowrider cool water if it is interested in drinking, but do not force water into the pup’s mouth
  • If possible, determine the rectal temperature and monitor it while cooling.
  • If the body temp is above 104° F, begin cooling by using a water hose or placing cool, wet towels on the body, especially the back of the neck, around the head, in the armpits, groin area, ear flaps, and paws. Do not leave towels on the corgi – remove them, rewet and place them back on the pup repeatedly. Directing a fan on these wet areas will help speed evaporative cooling.
  • Transport your corgi to the closest vet immediately. Be sure to turn the A/C on and open the windows during the drive to the facility. Even if your pup seems better and there are no apparent signs of a problem, internal damage may still be present, so an exam is necessary, and further testing and treatment may be recommended.

What Not to Do

  • DO NOT use very cold water or ice for cooling. Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body’s core from cooling, and may actually cause the internal body temp to further rise initially. This could lead to hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems.
  • DO NOT over-cool your corgi. Once you get the body temp down to 103° F, stop the cooling efforts.
  • DO NOT leave your lowrider unattended for any length of time.
  • NEVER leave your corgi alone in the car on a warm day, regardless if the windows are open. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the inside of your car acts like an oven, and temps can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes.

10 Reasons Why You
and Your Pup Need Dog Training

Since dogs are pack animals, they will establish dominance if their owners don’t portray themselves as the leader. A Corgi puppy will test their owners to see what they will let them get away with. Be sure to stay consistent with training and stand your ground when it comes to disciplining this breed.

Additionally, make sure that all family members are on the same page in regards to puppy training so that your dog doesn’t become confused or try to get away with something when one family member isn’t looking.

Knowing how to communicate with your pupper can stop bad behavior and encourage good manners. Here are reasons why behavior training is important:

1

Early reward-based training sets you and your pet up for success by teaching you how to redirect inappropriate actions and reward good behaviors.
2

Early training encourages your pet to continue to learn from you.
3

Training builds a positive bond between you and your lowrider and can strengthen your relationship for a lifetime of trust.
4

Training makes your pet more confident, which is very helpful for shy or timid pups.
5

Training provides solutions for your lowrider’s inappropriate behaviors, such as, nipping, jumping up, inappropriate potty habits, bolting out the front door and many more.
6

Dogs need both physical and mental stimulation. Training keeps them from getting bored and mischievous.
7

Training is rewarding and fulfilling, especially when your pet finally masters targeted cues.
8

Training allows you to take your dog with you more often. Being responsive to your cues in many different environments and walking nicely on leash are just a few benefits of training.
9

Training is worth showing off. Nothing is more impressive than a well-trained dog who is having fun showing off their skills!
10

Training helps keep dogs in forever homes. Corgi parents who do not train their dogs are more likely to surrender them to shelters because of behavior problems.

North Texas Corgi Connection recommends PetSmart Training from Puppy courses to Advanced programs – even a Therapy Dog prep class – so you and your best friend can learn and grow together. The pet trainers are also well versed in canine communication and will make your experience fun, effective and rewarding.

Spay &
Neuter

By spaying or neutering your Corgi, you’ll not only help control the homeless pet crisis, which results in millions of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized each year simply because there aren’t enough homes to go around, but there are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (females) and neutering (males).

Medical Benefits

Your female lowrider will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections, breast tumors which are malignant or cancerous in about 50% of dogs, and other cancers of the reproductive system. Neutering your male Corgi prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.

Behavioral Benefits

Your spayed female won’t go into heat. While cycles can vary, females usually go into heat by age six months, and the cycle lasts generally 2-4 weeks during breeding season, which is twice a year.  Intact females can also exhibit dominant traits as well as excessive barking.

Your male lowrider will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.

Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered Corgis are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine throughout the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects after he’s neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering, generally around 6 months.

Spaying/neutering your puppers is also highly cost-effective. The cost of the surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter.

Debunking Spay/Neuter Myths and Misconceptions

Spaying or neutering will not cause your Corgi to become overweight. Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds. Your pup will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.

Getting your lowrider spay/neutered will not change their fundamental personality, like their protective instinct of their family.

Neutering is not a quick fix for all behavior problems. Although neutering your pet often reduces undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone, there’s no guarantee that your dog’s behavior will change after he’s neutered, especially if these behaviors are earned or have become habitual.

When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

The traditional age for a spay is six to nine months, and puppies as young as twelve weeks old can be neutered as long as they’re healthy. Corgis can be spay/neutered as adults as well, although there’s a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in older dogs, dogs that are overweight or have health problems.

Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet. All puppers in our foster program are spay/neutered before they are adopted into their new homes.

Helping Your Pet Before and After Surgery

Your veterinary clinic will provide pre-surgical advice and post-operative instructions that you should follow. In general, avoid giving your pet any food after midnight the night before surgery. Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, your veterinarian can take various measures to control pain. Depending on the procedure performed, medication for pain may be sent home with your pet.

Tips For a Safe and Comfortable Recovery

  • Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
  • Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to two weeks following surgery, or as long as your veterinarian recommends.
  • Prevent your pet from licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by distracting your pet with treats or by using an E-collar.
  • Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after surgery.
  • Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.
    If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea or any other concerns following surgery.

Please visit our Corgi Resources page to find spay/neuter options in your area.

Low Cost Spay/Neuter Surgery

Surgery costs can be difficult for all to manage, but should not be a reason to forego spay/neuter. Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP) is a nonprofit organization that supplies low-cost services, using contracted and licensed veterinarians who have extensive surgical experience and well-versed in preventative animal care. TCAP offers low-cost vaccines, microchipping, and heartworm testing on a walk-in basis at each of its locations.  For more information, visit texasforthem.org.