Redbriar Farm
AKC Pembroke Welsh Corgis
What we feed: Our dogs are fed Diamond Naturals dry dog food and the pups are fed Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy food. It's a premium dry food without the premium price. We have fed Diamond for over 20 years. We've tried others, and always go back to Diamond. There are many quality dog foods on the market now. I have no objection to a new owner changing food, just please stay away from inexpensive supermarket brands as well as super expensive grain-free boutique foods. Grain-free has been link to a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy. We do not feed canned food except in extreme situations (old dog with no teeth, new mamas, sick dogs that don't want to eat) and don't recommend it. Our adult dogs are mostly fed "free choice" - they always have a bowl of food available to them. It has always worked for me, and my dogs maintain a healthy weight. It may not work in every situation. I also must admit I'm a rebel. My dogs get some table scraps. I admit to cooking extra spaghetti because the dogs like it. And they always get the pizza crust. BUT...none of them get very much and certainly not on a daily basis. No grapes, no garlic, no onions, and even if it wasn't bad for them, I wouldn't give them my chocolate!
Flea and Tick Control: For years we battled both. On a farm it's simply not possible to treat the "yard". And then I discovered Bravecto. What a Godsend! The stuff is simply amazing! One chew-able tablet is good for at least 3 months. I haven't seen a flea in the house in years. When I find a tick on a dog it's already dead. Puppies have to wait until they're 6 months old before they can get started on it. Until then, Nexgard is probably the best bet.
Crate Training: Get a crate. It'll save your shoes and furniture and make housebreaking so much easier! A crate is never punishment, it's a safe place for your pup to be when you're not there to watch him. All of my dogs are crate trained, though once they are adults and trustworthy they rarely, if ever, need to be crated. There are a million and one online crate training articles.
Puppy Pads: I suppose they work for some people, but I suggest saving your money and using newspaper.. I've tried them. Puppies think they're great fun to shred into little pieces. At least if they shred newspaper and eat any of it, it won't hurt them. For in their crates, I suggest using a hotel-type terry cloth bath mat or an old towel. Both are inexpensive and easily washable if accidents occur.
Toys: Have fun y'all. Corgis love their toys! Puppies seem to like floppy toys that they can shake the best. The first toy we ususually throw the babies is a knotted sock. "Jax and Bones" rope toys are pricey, but hold up pretty well, even when they bear little resemblance to the animal they once were. Original Kongs are good, but in Corgi size you might be fetching them from under sofa quite often! Be warned- if you buy squeaky toys that you may be creating a monster that will drive you insane with incessant squeaking...
The "I Don't Wanna's": At some point, your sweet little corgi puppy will probably turn into a Gremlin for a while. Refusing to be caught, leaping out of reach just as your hand gets close. He might talk back or just pretend he didn't hear a word you said. They usually do this type of thing when you're in a hurry to go somewhere or do something. Then when you finally catch the little monster he'll lick your face like nothing ever happened. Kinda like toddlers or teenagers. Don't worry. It's normal...
Flea and Tick Control: For years we battled both. On a farm it's simply not possible to treat the "yard". And then I discovered Bravecto. What a Godsend! The stuff is simply amazing! One chew-able tablet is good for at least 3 months. I haven't seen a flea in the house in years. When I find a tick on a dog it's already dead. Puppies have to wait until they're 6 months old before they can get started on it. Until then, Nexgard is probably the best bet.
Crate Training: Get a crate. It'll save your shoes and furniture and make housebreaking so much easier! A crate is never punishment, it's a safe place for your pup to be when you're not there to watch him. All of my dogs are crate trained, though once they are adults and trustworthy they rarely, if ever, need to be crated. There are a million and one online crate training articles.
Puppy Pads: I suppose they work for some people, but I suggest saving your money and using newspaper.. I've tried them. Puppies think they're great fun to shred into little pieces. At least if they shred newspaper and eat any of it, it won't hurt them. For in their crates, I suggest using a hotel-type terry cloth bath mat or an old towel. Both are inexpensive and easily washable if accidents occur.
Toys: Have fun y'all. Corgis love their toys! Puppies seem to like floppy toys that they can shake the best. The first toy we ususually throw the babies is a knotted sock. "Jax and Bones" rope toys are pricey, but hold up pretty well, even when they bear little resemblance to the animal they once were. Original Kongs are good, but in Corgi size you might be fetching them from under sofa quite often! Be warned- if you buy squeaky toys that you may be creating a monster that will drive you insane with incessant squeaking...
The "I Don't Wanna's": At some point, your sweet little corgi puppy will probably turn into a Gremlin for a while. Refusing to be caught, leaping out of reach just as your hand gets close. He might talk back or just pretend he didn't hear a word you said. They usually do this type of thing when you're in a hurry to go somewhere or do something. Then when you finally catch the little monster he'll lick your face like nothing ever happened. Kinda like toddlers or teenagers. Don't worry. It's normal...