The Welsh Corgi has been called
The Corgi breed is probably most famous for their association with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. The monarch has been raising and breeding the little dogs for over 60 years, a family tradition begun by her father, King George VI.
Officially known as "Welsh Corgis," the breed, obviously, originated in Wales. There are two types of corgis: Pembroke and Cardigan. (The Queen keeps Pembrokes.)
In some Welsh folktales, it's said that the corgis were a gift from the "woodland fairies." Cardigans have tails and Pembrokes do not. They appear to be otherwise identical, but there are actually some distinctions between the two types.
There are references to corgis in Celtic history going back thousands of years. The dogs were used both as companions, guard dogs and to drive cattle and hunt game.
Some experts believe that Cardigan developed from the same canine family as Dachshunds. They share several characteristics, including very short legs and a thick, elongated body. Most weigh 30-38 pounds.
Pembrokes are more popular in the US than Cardigans, and slightly smaller, weighing 25-30 pounds. It's believed that Pembrokes descended from the Swedish Vallhund, a Norse dog brought by the Vikings, and the Cardigan. Like the Cardigan, they are sturdy and well-muscled little dogs. They tend to bark more than Cardigans, making them a good choice as a guard dog.
Corgis are generally sociable and very active dogs, and do well with children. They are feisty and intelligent animals, and excel with the proper training. They do have a tendency to nip, so this must be addressed while training the young pups.
When training your puppy, it helps to remember how much they are like human babies, and the first six months of life are a critical time. Corgis have a tendency to be willful and bossy, so it's especially important to train them early on about who's really the boss!
Experts call the initial training you give your dog "puppy socialization." Simply put, this is the time when your little dog learns what's right and what's wrong. Be firm and most importantly, be consistent. That's the way to stop bad habits before they start. If you don't want your dog to sit on the sofa, don't let him sit there""not even once. (Not even when he stares wistfully at you with his sweet puppy eyes!)
TAKING THE RIGHT TONE
Dogs are exceedingly sensitive to sound. When you're training a puppy, what you say is less important than the words you use. Most dogs relate a low voice with a command, and a higher, more singsong tone with praise. Dogs also respond to sounds best when they're accompanied by a signal that indicates what the sound means. For example, practice saying "No!" along with your hand up in the "stop" position. Tap your side while you say "Come, puppy."
Stick to simple, one-syllable commands like "sit, come, stay." Don't try to teach more than one command at a time. Once your pup masters come, try stay. Then sit. Don't confuse him with too much input. Firmness, consistency and praise are the way to effectively train your Corgi pup. Corgis are devoted to their humans, and known for their exuberance and intelligence. It's a win-win situation for both of you when he succeeds in training""so don't be stinting with praise. Healthy food treats are good as a reward, but don't overdo them. Your love is the treat your dogs most crave.
HIS NAME
Learning his name is the first thing you should teach your Corgi. As soon as you get him home, begin using his name, so he'll come to associate it with himself. Start calling your puppy by his name immediately and frequently. Add it to all your commands. ("Sit, Rascal." "Time to eat, Rascal.") Don't use nicknames or any name variations until you're certain he knows his name. Don't forget to praise his every time he recognizes his name.
COMING WHEN CALLED
"Recall" (coming when called) is the second command to master. You can practice several times per day, including when your pup wakes up in the morning or from a nap, when it's time for him to eat, or when you want to practice various skills.
The puppy must come to you""not the other way around. If you chase after him when he runs away or hides, he'll confuse "recall" with a game, and won't respond correctly. Repeat the command and wait for your dog to come to you. Pups have very short attention spans, so keep your practice sessions short but numerous.
DON'T FORGET:
Young puppies sleep the majority of the day. If you have children in your home, are sure they know the pup is a "baby" and not to tease or annoy him while he's asleep.
Corgis will get along with other dogs, but have been known to have problems with cats. If your home includes a cat, introduce them slowly.
If your Corgi is like most puppies and loves to chew things, make certain to provide him with appropriate doggie chew toys. If you give him a ratty old sock to chew, he'll learn that socks are OK, and will invariably end up chewing your new socks.
