Neutering

My humans were thinking of breeding me, but after deciding that it was too big of a commitment and responsibility, they decided they wouldn't be able to breed me and I would need to be neutered.

I got dropped off at the vet first thing in the morning when they opened. Mom and dad were worried sick, but the procedure went smoothly and I was ready to go home in the early afternoon.  I was very groggy when mom picked me up from the vet, but I was lucid and happy to see her.  I even drank water and ate a little bit of food that same evening :) but there was lots of sleeping and petting. 

I do not appreciate this darned contraption!  But mommy pet me all night long and daddy fed me bits of food and treats.  I also got a warm compress on my nether-regions which was very soothing.

Corgi Beach Day October 2013

Corgi Beach Day was lots and lots of fun! 

I met tons of new friends, and got to frolic for hours in the sand and ocean! 

So Sleepy!!!

First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is pretty great! I'm thankful for having such loving humans, delicious treats, and awesome adventures!

Supervising the new furniture arrangement

Me and Auntie Helen < 3

Smells AMAZING!

Playing with my friend

First Beach Day!

Sorry I haven't posted for so long, I've been really busy with lots of adventures :)

My first time ever at the beach was Sept 15!

At first I was a little nervous with the waves rushing at me, but then I jumped right in!

Running with the waves and chasing the other dogs was so much fun and I can't wait to go back!!!

Mom took me in the ocean a little bit and I was able to swim!!! 

Corgi Naptime

Sleeping is one of my most favorite things!! 
I have three phases, normal laying down, laying on my side, then knocked-out spread eagle :)

Spoiled with Toys!

Bully sticks are kinda gross when you think about it, but dogs love it!

Rope toys are awesome and really help with teething!

3-in-1 toys!!! Stuffed animal, ball, and squeaky tail! Bones loves this little guy but killed the squeaker in 2 days. 

Nylabone - not his favorite toy, but works great when he is too excited and really wants to chew something 

Rubber and fabric!  Great for a teething puppy!! 

New Adventures: Puppy's New Friends!

Bones meets Haley the Border Collie

There are tons of new friends in line at the pet store!

A Day In The Life

A puppy's life is so difficult!! 

There's so much exploring...

And walking... 

And playing... 

Sometimes it just tires a puppy out. And so there's lots and lots of napping!!

Puppy's First Week Home - Training and Tricks

Thank goodness corgis are smart!  Bones is learning "sit", "stay", and "drop it".  Treats are a great motivator and so is playtime.  We both make sure to train him, and spend several minutes a few times a day practicing these commands.

Leash Training

"sit"

We're working on teaching Bones to be polite by making him sit before we allow him to eat the food that's been put down for him.  I've also invaded his space and put my hand and face in his bowl to make sure he doesn't get possessive of his bowl.  I found this great YouTube channel for training your dog and it's working like a charm on Bones.  He's sitting for longer and longer periods of time and we're working on "stay".

"Drop It"

"Drop it" has been the easiest command and something he picked up right away, mainly because he wants to continue playing ball.  I say it each time he retrieves the ball, that way he'll eventually recognize the command and use it for any object.

~With enough consistency, repetition, and treats, Bones will be our perfect little gentleman.~

Crate and Potty Training

Crate Training

I'll admit I'm a slightly obsessive mommy and did a lot of research before getting bones and even now.  There are two things you should know about crate training

1. It's supposed to be a safe place for puppy, do not close the crate on him when he's scared or anxious, he needs to be calm when he is in his crate
2. Never use the crate as punishment, EVER.

The first night of crate training was easy, the poor guy was so tired he didn't care where he slept as long as he could see us.  The second night was trickier and I was too tired to argue with Bones and get him calm and back in his crate, I confined him to the hallway where he could see us and go in his crate if he wanted to.  Night 3 was much better.  Bones was a little hesitant to go in his crate, even when lured with a treat, but after sitting with him for awhile, he accepted it.  When I got into bed he whined, but I tapped on the grate and said "quiet" and he behaved.  Night 4 was magic!

Asleep in his crate for the night

Bones likes to reorganize his crate and play with his squeaky ducky.  I had a wee wee pad on the bottom of the crate in case he had an accident - luckily for me he's an amazing puppy and has never had an accident in the middle of the night.

I folded an old pair of jeans and put them in the crate since it's too hot for a blanket, and I heard the scent of his owners will calm him while we're away at work.  I came home to find his rope toy in his crate and the wee wee pad rearranged, so he seems to be taking to the crate really well.  I put him in there when I vacuum and he stays much calmer.

Potty Training

***REMEMBER, it's not safe to let puppy on public grass or dog parks before he has all his shots!***

Potty training can be extremely frustrating and there's a lot of methods you can use.  Bones came to us at 9 weeks with a head start thanks to an awesome breeder.  We use wee wee pads in the house, and bought cleaner for any accidents.  The most important thing to remember is consistency.  Bones is taken out every time he wakes up, after meals, and before bed.  We take him out to the same area and praise bones as much as possible when he does his business outside and on the wee wee pad.  Accidents happen, but as long as we're watchful and can take him out when needed, he doesn't have any accidents.

Bringing Home Our Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bones!

For my 25th birthday, my amazing boyfriend got me a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, our very first dog.  Finding him was a bit difficult, especially with Corgis being so popular.  After a 2 hour drive, we met our little guy and got to see his parents.  We fell in love with the little guy right away, I mean who wouldn't love that face!!!  Making sure you read up on the breed and what to expect when owning a puppy is extremely important, so make sure you're well informed before buying or adopting!

Bones was amazing the entire trip home, and slept most the way with no problems (something I was a little concerned about).  We then took him shopping for all his basic needs at our local store, Super Pets (great store!)

• food and water bowl
• Food - Natural Balance
• Treats
• Brush for puppy
• collar
• leash
• poo baggies
• weewee pads
• crate
• bed
• doggy shampoo
• cleaner for accidents

After shopping we went to a BBQ! This turned out well for us, but I wouldn't recommend it for all dogs.  Bones did not like all the people petting him and went back to his "place" on the tile to stay cool and away from all the people.

During the BBQ I took him outside several times so he could do his business, praising him when he did.  Papa held him in the car ride home late at night, and we set up his crate for bedtime.  He was so tired he KO'd and slept the entire night.