Coronation Corgi...
One of the subjects of my last article was the sad loss of our old Labrador, Rye. Don’t worry, I won’t turn this into a eulogy, but it did bring into focus that with the passing of a pet, often comes the dilemma of if, or when, to get another addition to the family. Many people feel guilty about looking for another pet shortly after losing one because it can feel somehow disrespectful to the one that they have lost. My advice here is that there is no right or wrong decision to be made and you should do what feels right for you. I deliberately avoided using the word “replacement” because another pet is a new character, a new personality and will add a new dimension to the household that they enter - even if they are the same species and breed as their predecessor. Acquiring a new pet does not diminish the memories of another and if you have a household where there has always been a four legged friend it can feel decidedly empty without one.
Despite seeing many puppies of all shapes and sizes every week, it wasn’t until taking possession of our new short-legged friend that is became so apparent how different a Corgi’s mentality is from a Labrador, and indeed how defined some of the traits that different breeds exhibit are. Rather than being happy for any attention and being prepared to circumnavigate a reservoir for a treat, young Jorge definitely needs more incentive than a pat on the head and a “Coachie” to motivate him! Temperament is another area which can vary widely between dogs – even of the same breed. Some are boisterous, some are reserved, some are anxious from the get-go, some are wilful, some are obliging. There is definitely an element of nature and nurture here – and certainly getting a puppy at around 8 weeks will allow training “good habits” in the most formative time of their lives.
We acquired Jorge at 10 weeks and he was definitely of the more “nervous” disposition. A new human or canine face would often precipitate a piddle on the floor, so needless to say we’ve gone through a few cans of Vanish pet-friendly carpet cleaner! What was very useful were the puppy socialisation classes run by our nurses Lauren and Hayley on Tuesdays at Partridge Green. Three sessions of buddying up with a Daschund, a Vizla and a Jack Russell along went a long way to improving Corgi confidence. The sessions are also a great opportunity to get advice on all aspects of puppy training and care from our knowledgeable team – just get in touch if you are interested.
Overall, owning a new puppy is a great experience, but also a reminder that while it can be hard work at the beginning, early training will pay dividends in the long run. The consolation is that I’m confident Jorge won’t be leaving any deposits on our kitchen floor within a few weeks. In contrast, Annelise’s attempts to train the male members of our household to put the toilet seat down have been going on for years, with no feasible end in sight!
