Activities For West Highland Corgis
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
What a combination this dog is! A mix between the West Highland White Terrier and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, they are a delightful personality and true companion dog. This small dog will want to be with you wherever you go. They will demand your attention and revel in it when they get it. The West Highland Corgi is a dog with a lot of energy which needs to be channeled in the right direction. They are highly intelligent, though and if you make training fun, they can be taught to do some amazing things. Vary their daily routine, take them with you when you go shopping, and include them in family meetings or outings. They want to be a part of your life; this dog is loyal and devoted. Repay these great qualities by sharing your time and attention.
Weekend Cabin Retreat
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
24 - 48 hrs
Items needed
Dog backpack
Dog Bed
Toys
Leash
Food and Water
Activity description
Sometimes it is just nice to head away for the weekend and stay overnight. Many accommodations welcome dogs but do check before booking. A couple of days in a cabin in the mountains sounds so relaxing. Your dog will be so excited to be included and will need to be secured in the car to prevent them jumping around the whole trip! You will need to stop every hour or so for your West Highland Corgi to get out and have a nervous (excited) toiletry stop (please clean up after them) plus a bit of a run. If you have children, plan ahead so you can stop at some fun places on the way for both children and dog relief. Then, once you get to your cabin, remember the goal is to relax and become refreshed! Your dog will have many scents to check out while you unpack. Just ensure they don't wander off while sniffing about!
Step
1
Travel day
How far you travel depends on your home location and where you want to go. It may only take an hour or two to get to the mountain cabin, or it could take half a day or more. The longer the trip, the more stops you will have to allow for. Try to make the stops in interesting places, not just a pullover at the side of the road. Plan ahead for some nice places to explore or even choose a café stop for lunch! When you arrive, you will be busy unpacking while your dog sniffs every bush, tree or corner of the cabin.
Step
2
Second day of fun
You have a full day to relax, hike, and explore this new part of the world. Get up while the day is still young, strap on your dog's backpack and your own, and head out along the trail to see what you can find. Whether leashed or free to roam, your West Highland Corgi won't mind at all. Just as long as you let them explore the odd bush or two and maybe chase a noisy bird! Stop at a stream for some fun splashing play, then move on. Take your camera for a few selfies with the dog and keep on the trail. When you return, its time for a campfire and sitting under the stars while you toast marshmallows.
Step
3
Time to head home again
If you can only stay for the weekend, then it's time to pack up and move on home. Have a quick walk first and enjoy the early morning scenery. Make sure you have all the dogs toys and … where is that dog! Don't forget the furry explorer. The trip home may be quieter for any humans in the car but your West Highland Corgi will still love it. They have to catch every scent and see every sight. Your dog is in heaven. Even when you get home, they will dream about this fun trip for a long time.
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Paw Print Keepsake
Popular
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Casting mix
Tray
Activity description
Many people take handprint casts of their children's hands as a memento. You can do the same with your dog's paw. You just need a pack of air hardening clay. Soften it up, and get your dog to sit quietly while you press their paw into the clay and then gently ease it off the paw to leave the print. The process is easy and you end up with a nice memento of your pup's prints. Many dogs are reluctant to have their paws touched, so work on this for a while to earn their trust before you try this activity. Throw in some lavish praise and a yummy treat or two, and your dog will do almost anything for you. Have a few practice sessions of squishing the clay onto their foot, or getting them to step into the clay and to stay put for a few seconds.
Step
1
Soften the clay mix
First, you will need to soften up the clay mix. Grab a good handful of the clay and work it into a soft ball. Your dog will be fascinated by what you are doing. Then comes the test - getting your dog to allow you to mould the clay around their paw. Have a few treats handy to bribe them to stand still while you mould the clay up around their paw. Get them to hold still for a while to allow it to really make a good print. Then, gently ease the clay off. Check the print and see if it is a good one. You may have to do this two or three times until you get it right.
Step
2
Allow the casts to dry
Now comes the patience part, you will have to allow the prints to dry overnight. While they are still soft, neaten the edges of the cast, and maybe press your dog's name into the clay. As a reward for your dog letting you touch their feet, you could produce a new squeaky toy that they can play with. Dogs soon learn that if they do what you want, they often get what they would like. Foster this thought and treat your dog for being so patient and trusting.
Step
3
Paint it to seal the clay
Once dry, you can paint the paw print and even seal it with a fast drying coat of varnish or lacquer. The finished product can be used to sit on your desk to hold small clips. Another way to get a print of your dog's paw is to dip their feet in non-toxic paint and press it onto a sheet of paper. Then clean your dog's paws before they decide to take off and leave their painted paw prints all through the house. These fun activities build trust and strengthen your bond with your amazing dog.
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Garage Cleanup
Popular
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Sunny Day
Free
Normal
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
Baskets
Activity description
At certain times of the year, you just have to tackle the garage. This space is often used as a dumping ground for all sorts of stuff. Before long, the car barely fits in the garage. So time to clean up your act, and who better to help you than your trusty dog? Your West Highland Corgi is like most dogs, they are nosy little critters and they will love poking around in the boxes or helping you to rip boxes apart! You may be amazed at how useful they are. You can teach them to carry out stuff and drop it in a container, or drag out a few clothes or covers that are lying loose on the floor. Make sure there is nothing toxic that they can get into such as cleaning products. They will feel so important helping you with this task. And it is a sneaky way to train them and have them focus on what they have to do. Before long, that garage will be as clean as a whistle.
Step
1
Cleanup time
Okay, its that time again, garage cleanup time. This time you have a secret weapon - your dog! Your West Highland Corgi loves to feel important and you can teach them to help you drag stuff out of the garage, or carry some small objects and drop them in a basket. They will love nosing around amongst the stuff. The West Highland Corgi is an inquisitive, busy canine and will be content to nose about for hours. Just ensure there are no toxic chemicals or cleaning products within their reach. For fun, they can rip cardboard boxes into pieces that can then be put in the recycling bin.
Step
2
Making progress
Make piles of stuff that need to be either put away neatly, fixed, or thrown in the garbage. While you work at sorting the stuff, throw a handful of treats in the garage and let your dog find them. Keep the cleaning fun and you will have all the help you can get. When you sweep the floor, encourage your dog to chase you and the broom. Who knew that cleaning out a garage could be so much fun!
Step
3
Finished at last
Finally, get everything put away, the floor swept (with the help of your dog) and all things stored in the right place or thrown in the garbage bin. You could have a game of tug of war with a clean old rag and see who wins. It won't matter if it rips! But finally the job will be done, and then you can settle down in a comfy chair with your pup and have a snuggle session watching television. Cleaning can be very tiring and before long, your little helper will be snoozing and snoring.
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More Fun Ideas...
Off Leash Play
Your West Highland Corgi has plenty of energy to use up, especially if they are a younger pup. A secure dog park is an ideal place to let them off the leash to go and run with the other dogs there. Maybe they will make a doggie friend or two? When dogs get together they can have a lot of high energy fun with chasing each other or a ball or whatever. It is always full on and this outing is a good socializing event. Just make sure your dog is obedient and remembers the command to come back to you!
Car Trip
There is nothing so liberating for a dog as riding in the car, window rolled down a notch or two, feeling the breeze and sniffing the smells! Whenever you have to go out for groceries, or maybe to pick the children up from school, take your pup along with you. It is the simple things like a short trip that will make your dog's day. They don't need much, they just need your company.
Obedience Training
Training keeps your dog on their toes and you will both benefit from a dog who will obey. The dog has guidelines and respects an owner who is consistent and firm but fair. In return, you have less stress with a dog who comes when you call. The better communication between owner and dog will increase your bond from the time you spend together. Additionally, it is always a delight to see a well-behaved dog who respects their owner.
Conclusion
Cute as a button, the West Highland Corgi is blessed with good looks and abundant energy. They will entertain you for hours and while they don't need every minute of the day to be planned, they do enjoy a surprise road trip, a day at the beach or the chance to help you to reorganize the garage. As long as you are there, that's all that matters to this devoted pooch. Treats and high praise will be all this dog requires to be motivated to learn. When training is not fun, you may experience this canine's stubborn side. Use new toys as a way to add fun, or set up an obstacle course in your back yard. Teach them a bagful of new tricks and their smile will be wide, their tongues long, and their tail (what they have of one) will wag continuously.