AKC Dog Care & Training Book

[lovegem]

Anyone read this book? is it a good book for beginners? I am doing research to prepare myself for a pet. I am interested in getting a corgi. another input on readings (i.e. books and websites) would be greatly appreciated. thanks guys. You are the best.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Hi there - good for you for trying to learn as much as you can before getting a dog! They are a huge commitment, and can be very rewarding, but are a lot of work, especially an energetic, smart breed like a corgi.

I''d STRONGLY recommend anything written by Jean Donaldson or Ian Dunbar - these are both really excellent positive-reinforcement trainers with awesome animal behavior backgrounds, and their stuff is just amazing. I train dogs at my local shelter and we use these techniques and they work so well - I have people that come to me with training issues and are always astonished at how well these techniques work.

Also, I don''t know if you are getting your doggie from a breeder or a rescue? If from a breeder, you''ll have to check very carefully to make sure that its a reputable breeder. This is absolutely ESSENTIAL if you want a healthy dog who will behave like a corgi is supposed to behave. This website has a bunch of really excellent articles to help you think through what is the best source for your dog and help you find a good breeder if you decide to go that route.

Good luck!!

 

[lovegem]

Thanks Amber.

I am reading the website you posted. It actually answered many of the questions I had in my mind. Thanks again.

 

[elrohwen]

I love Brian Kilcommons for his common sense, positive approach. He has a great puppy book, My Smart Puppy, that really runs down what your puppy is able to learn and when you should be teaching him. I like his book Good Ownders, Great Dogs for older dogs.

And I love corgis! My FMIL has one that is very sweet. She can be nippy (she came from a pet store

so no one knows what her parents were like), so I agree with AmberGretchen that finding a good reputable breeder is key. And I''d recommend starting young to teach it not to nip. Puppies love to nip, but allowing a corgi to get away with it long enough could turn it into a bad habit.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 1/6/2009 4:54:07 PM
Author: lovegem
Thanks Amber.


I am reading the website you posted. It actually answered many of the questions I had in my mind. Thanks again.

lovegem I am so glad that that website is helpful - I''ve definitely found it to be a great resource. The two trainers I recommended also have websites: here is Ian Dunbar''s, and Jean Donaldson''s is here.

I totally ditto what ehlrhowen said about training - with herding breeds especially, because they tend to be very smart and very active, its SUPER important to start training early and to be disciplined and consistent about it.

Another thing to be very careful of with Corgis is their weight. I''ve probably personally helped train about 10 corgis, and I would say that at least 4 of those were significantly overweight and they all had health issues because of it. So keeping them at a healthy weight with a good, high-quality diet and plenty of exercise is key.

This website has, IMO, hands-down the best dog-food ratings - you absolutely want to feed a top-rated food, so much better for your dog and will help prevent other health issues down the line.