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1710194 tn?1308931794

Welsh Corgi

Hello all. I'm new to this forum. My husband and I have an 8 month old Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Bowser! He is about the cuttest little guy in the world and we love him to death!! BUT, I recently found out I was pregnant and am starting to worry how bringing a baby into the house will affect Bowser. Since his breed is a hearding breed I know there is always concern with them hearding the children when they are older but I have NO IDEA how he is going to act around a baby. Does anyone have any experience with this breed and babies?

He also has a problem with nipping. He doesn't bite, so much as try and communicate with his mouth. When you are putting on his harness or leash he will put his mouth on your hands to let you know he doesn't like it or something. And if you are walking him and he doesn't want to go inside yet he will nip your leg (not your heel area but your leg). He is very well behaved but these dogs are very high energy and when he gets excited he just puts his mouth on everything. We have always told him no bite and tried to train him to sit when someone trys to pet him but he is just TOO excited and can't help it. Does anyone have any suggestions of what we can do to stop this behavior before the baby is born? I'm not due until early next year so we have time to work on things. Side notes he was just neutered and hasn't been able to go on his normal walks/park visits so we have noticed this habbit it definitly a lot worse when he doesn't get his energy out somehow.
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974371 tn?1424653129
Glad you are going to continue with the Obedience training as his brain is more developed now.  You do have to work on these things daily even if it's for 10 mins 3 or 4 times a day.  He will get bored if it's longer at his age.  Always end a session with praise!
Have you tried the Yelping/Ouch method when he nips/mouths you?  As soon as he does, yelp and turn away from him and do not give him any attention.  You can then give him a toy or something that is acceptable for him to chew on.  They learn from their littermates that a yelp is a sign of unacceptable behavior.  It takes patience, but don't put the leash or harness on until he sits quietly.  Give a reward.  He doesn't co-operate, turn away and ignore him.  Actually, some people use the *Mom* method and give them a shake by the scruff of the neck, which I've done, but it depended on which dog I was dealing with.  LOL!!  I often would use the word *Stop!!*, put my hand on the top of their muzzle (nose) and push down.  If they repeated the action, I repeated the same.  
Look up NILF on the Internet for some ideas on how to become pack leader.  
2 of my neighbors got Corgis within the past couple of years and they can be little handfulls.  They get excited when they see me but I do not allow them to jump on me and they have learned they do not get attention until they sit.  Ok, I usually have treats in my pocket and I think all the dogs in the neighborhood know that but they all sit when they see me.;  LOL!!!
Have fun
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1710194 tn?1308931794
That's awesome, we love our corgi too! He is our first but we have wanted one as long as I can remember! He really is a great dog!! We have actually already taken him to obedience class. We went pretty early on, I'd say he was 4 months when we first went to class it was a 6 week class and he already knows sit, stay, come, roll over, down, off, crawl, look at me... he knows a lot I'm sure I'm missing something. We are also already signed up for his second class as soon as he recovers from the nuetering. BUT for whatever reason even with the obedience training he refuses to stop biting or "nipping" as I call it. We have tried no bite from day one but I think he just thinks it means bite more? The trainer said the last resort would be a muzzle but I really want to take care of this without a muzzle. As I said before he doesn't "bite" he just kind of puts his mouth on you.

At this point I'm just not sure what to do. He is great with everything else, he always listens to the commands we give and he is VERY food motivated. Obviously we just aren't communicating our wishes to him properly. So that's my problem, lol! I really hope this second class we go to we can figure this out, we tried the first time around as well but again there was something missing there so I guess we will just have to see!
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974371 tn?1424653129
Well, let me preface this by saying I love Corgis!!  Actually, I am partial to the Herding breeds, mostly due to their intelligence.  I had Shelties for years and the temperament is very similar to Corgis and I had 3 kids (not newborns but they were young) and any other kid that wandered through here.  LOL!!!  You definitely have a puppy on your hands and he is expressing puppy behavior. Not too unusual for Herding dogs to do that nipping but you have to *nip* it in the bud now.  Assuming you are feeling pretty well, and I hope you are, now is a GREAT time to get into a basic Obedience Class.  I think this will help a lot with the behavior problems you are having.  You can pick up some good books, or search on the Internet, for suggestions as to training.  Bowser is definitely old enough to learn the basics of Sit, Stay, Down, No Bite, etc.  I used to show in Conformation and Obedience (much prefer the Obedience rings) and it was fun.  You do have to work with the dog daily and consistently but I'm talking a few minutes a few times a day.  
I think with training and teaching his limits, by the baby comes, he will be older and most Corgis and Shelties are good with kids when they are raised with them.
So, off to Obedience Class.  check to see if there are any available in your area either through your Vet's office, PetsMart (not my first choice) or if you have an All Breed Club in your area, they often offer classes plus there may be private kennels around that offer classes.  I would suggest going to observe one and see how they train and what methods they use.  If the training is too rough, etc. fine another one.  Harsh tactics with these dogs will not bring good results. The tone/sound of your voice will have the most effect.
Oh,now I want a Corgi.  LOL!!!
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