Meet Winston: Our Furry Companion’s Grand Debut

Allow us to introduce the newest, most delightful addition to our family: Winston! This charismatic little furball is a black tri-head Pembroke Welsh Corgi, whose mischievous charm has completely captured our hearts. Born on August 5, 2015, Winston officially joined our household in mid-October, transforming our lives in the most wonderful and sometimes chaotic ways. It’s been a whirlwind of puppy kisses, playful antics, and countless photo opportunities, leaving us barely a moment to sit down and share his story until now!

For those who adore puppies and find endless joy in watching their clumsy romps and hilariously silly behaviors, you’re in for a treat. Winston’s journey is one filled with learning, laughter, and the undeniable warmth only a furry friend can bring. We’re excited to share every wag of his tail and every quirky habit that makes him uniquely Winston.

The Rollercoaster Start: Fleas, Fears, and First Steps in Crate Training

The initial two weeks with Winston proved to be, without a doubt, the most challenging chapter of our puppy parenthood. Unbeknownst to us, our sweet Corgi puppy arrived with an unwelcome surprise: fleas. The discovery came swiftly during his first vet visit, just a day after bringing him home. The news sent us into an understandable panic. We immediately sprang into action, purchasing an arsenal of preventative and treatment supplies, and embarked on an exhaustive three-night cleaning marathon, meticulously sanitizing our home from top to bottom. It was an utterly exhausting ordeal, both physically and emotionally.

Compounding the flea crisis was our initial struggle with crate training. We had good intentions, keeping him in my office to provide company while I worked. However, this quickly devolved into me operating entirely on “Winston time,” constantly ushering him outside for potty breaks. When we did attempt to place him in his crate, his heartbroken cries were more than we could bear, leading us to abandon daytime crating altogether. This period felt like an immense mess, and I recall many days in my office, overwhelmed and shedding tears, unsure how to navigate his myriad issues, many of which we later realized were exacerbated by the discomfort from the fleas.

THANKFULLY, a turning point arrived. We finally “got it,” understanding the nuances of proper crate training. We discovered that Winston’s aversion to his crate stemmed from being able to see us and feeling left out. The solution, in retrospect, was surprisingly simple: we draped a blanket over the crate, creating a cozy, private den. And just like that, a miracle! He LOVED it. His crate swiftly transformed into his personal safe haven, a place he now willingly retreats to and cherishes. We have since established a consistent daily routine, which Winston knows by heart. He is remarkably attuned to this schedule, and on weekends, when our routine might deviate slightly, his subtle cues clearly convey his displeasure. Sticking to the routine has become our golden rule for a happy Corgi!

Winston’s Irresistible Personality: Spunk, Charm, and Quirky Fears

Winston is a vibrant ball of energy, embodying the true spirit of a spunky Corgi puppy. He possesses a personality that is undeniably grand, matched only by the even larger heart he carries. His affection for people and other dogs is boundless and immediately apparent. The moment he spots a friendly face or a fellow canine, his entire demeanor transforms; his adorable Corgi butt begins to shake with uncontrollable excitement, and he bounces up and down with sheer joy. He exudes a wonderful confidence in social settings, yet he maintains a humble awareness of his place, never becoming overly cocky. He’s a true gentleman in the making.

However, this brave little Corgi does have his moments of endearing trepidation, particularly when confronted with the unfamiliar. New sounds and objects can turn him into a bit of a “scaredy cat.” The whirring of a blender sends him scrambling around the house, sometimes leading to nervous accidents and quick retreats under the sofa for refuge. The sharp, sudden bursts of a food processor incite barks and growls, a comical display of his puppy protests. Even the formidable appearance of my DSLR camera, especially when adorned with its imposing 100mm lens, can make him go absolutely nuts. While he’s still a puppy learning to navigate the vast world around him, witnessing his hilariously exaggerated reactions to these everyday occurrences never fails to bring a smile to our faces.

A Paradox of Energy and Leisure

Winston is a fascinating paradox of boundless energy and profound laziness. He can switch from zoomies to deep slumber in an instant. When it’s time for him to emerge from the sanctuary of his crate after a long nap, it can sometimes take upwards of twenty minutes or more to coax him out. He simply doesn’t want to leave his comfortable lair! Our strategies range from enticing him with his favorite toys to, as a last resort, using a highly coveted treat. His absolute devotion to his crate and his love for curling up inside it is a testament to how much he cherishes his personal space.

Observing Winston: From Hilarious Sleepers to Teething Troubles

One of Winston’s most charming and endlessly amusing traits is his repertoire of sleeping positions, which I absolutely love documenting. When he was younger, roughly between 11 and 15 weeks old, he had an adorable habit of sleeping soundly on his back, often with his paws comically splayed, anywhere and everywhere he pleased. More recently, however, he has been experiencing a particularly intense period of teething. A peek into his mouth reveals countless tiny teeth valiantly attempting to cut through his gums – a truly uncomfortable ordeal for the poor little guy! This discomfort has made it difficult for him to settle down, and consequently, he doesn’t lounge around the living room as much as he used to. Instead, his urge to chew everything in sight has become almost insatiable. To protect our furniture from becoming his latest chew toy, we sometimes have to crate him for short periods. While it makes us a little sad, we’re incredibly fortunate that he finds solace and comfort within his crate, making these necessary breaks much easier for everyone.

Winston’s Treasure Trove of Toys

It’s almost comical how many toys Winston possesses, especially considering that we’ve only personally purchased two out of his extensive collection of over twenty! We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our good friend, Amanda, and her husband. When they relocated to San Francisco and were decluttering, they discovered a treasure trove of dog toys their own dog had never quite taken to. Generously, they passed this bounty onto us, and these hand-me-down treasures have become some of Winston’s absolute favorites!

Among his most cherished possessions is a stuffed Angry Bird, the vibrant yellow character you can spot in the photo above. There’s also a wonderfully engaging log stuffed with squeaky squirrels, a thoughtful gift from our friend Megan, which provides endless entertainment as he “hunts” for the hidden squeakers. A durable rubber frisbee offers opportunities for energetic play, while his beloved squeaky lamb, affectionately dubbed “Lamby,” serves as a comforting companion. His collection also includes a favorite squeaky raccoon and a squeaky rabbit, each enduring countless hours of enthusiastic chewing and fetching.

With his recent teething struggles, Winston has developed a particular fondness for bully sticks, which offer a satisfying and long-lasting chewing experience, and his robust Nylabone, perfectly designed to soothe his aching gums. And then there’s his peculiar obsession: tags. He absolutely LOVES tags! We’ve had to meticulously snip the tags off all his toys, as he would relentlessly chew on them until they were completely ripped off. This peculiar habit eventually led me to a rather creative solution: I bought him a “taggie” – you know, those baby blankets adorned with tags all around the edges? Yes, I absolutely did that for my Corgi, and he adores it!

Conquering the Great Divide: Winston vs. the Stairs

A significant milestone in Winston’s development was his monumental conquest of the “big scary stairs!” Learning to ascend the staircase came relatively quickly to him; he grasped the concept of going up with impressive speed and confidence. However, descending proved to be a far greater challenge, requiring considerable patience and perseverance on his part. And honestly, I don’t blame him! Our stairs are quite steep, and from his perspective, looking down revealed nothing but hard, uninviting tile, which surely didn’t instill much comfort or security. It took many gentle encouragements and careful guidance, but he eventually mastered the art of going down.

Now, it’s one of his favorite pastimes – racing up and down the stairs with unparalleled enthusiasm! I particularly adore watching him descend. With his adorable, fluffy “bunny butt,” he appears to be charmingly bunny hopping from one step to the next, a sight that never fails to bring a smile to my face. This achievement not only showcased his developing coordination but also his growing confidence in navigating our home.

The Intelligent Corgi: Commands and Coded Words

Winston, like many intelligent Corgis, has proven to be a quick study when it comes to commands. He confidently knows “sit,” “down,” and “stay,” executing them with impressive precision. “Come” is a command he knows… when he feels like it, a testament to his independent Corgi spirit! What’s truly fascinating is his understanding of certain everyday words that hold significant meaning for him. He comprehends the word “bye” with uncanny accuracy, and he absolutely HATES it. The mere utterance of “bye” triggers an immediate response of nervousness and sometimes a full-blown freak-out, as he instinctively associates it with our departure.

This insight led us to a clever, albeit somewhat sneaky, trick. When we need to get him out of his crate, especially when he’s being particularly stubborn, we simply say, “Bye, Winston!” and begin to walk out of the room. Like a shot, he bolts out of his crate, eager to prevent our leaving. On the flip side, he also understands “night night,” a term that signifies bedtime and his peaceful retreat into his crate. It’s incredibly endearing to watch him respond to this gentle cue, knowing it’s time to settle down for the evening. These verbal cues highlight just how attuned and intelligent our furry friend is, constantly surprising us with his comprehension.

Winston’s Signature Moves: Hallway Sprints and Living Room Zoomies

One of Winston’s absolute favorite games, and perhaps his most effective method of burning off his abundant energy, involves an exhilarating full-speed sprint back and forth along our carpeted upstairs hallway. It’s a truly hilarious spectacle to witness him bolt from one end to the other, making sharp turns and repeating the dash with relentless enthusiasm. These hallway sprints are just one manifestation of his “zoomies,” or Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs), where he’ll suddenly burst into crazy energy spurts. He often transforms our living room into his personal obstacle course, weaving around furniture with impressive agility and speed. Seriously, watching him engage in these spontaneous bursts of playful energy is one of the funniest and most heartwarming parts of our day. It’s a vivid reminder of the sheer joy and vitality of a happy Corgi puppy.

The Ongoing Saga of Leash Training and Outdoor Adventures

While Winston thrives indoors, our outdoor walks continue to be an ongoing challenge and an adventure in patience. For him, the world truly is his oyster, a vast tapestry of scents and sensations demanding exploration. This means our walks are punctuated by frequent stops – sometimes every five steps – as he meticulously sniffs every intriguing blade of grass, sidewalk crack, and lamppost. His exuberance for discovery also translates into quite a pull on the leash, making him a less-than-ideal walking companion at times.

We’ve embarked on an extensive trial-and-error journey, testing over five different types of collars and harnesses in our quest for a smoother walk. The Gentle Leader was met with outright hatred, and while we tried a Gentle Walker, the leash attachment positioned at the front of his chest meant the leash perpetually dangled right in front of his face, prompting him to simply chew on it rather than walk. Currently, a traditional collar serves us best for short excursions. However, for longer walks, we opt for a harness to mitigate his strong pulling, ensuring he doesn’t inadvertently choke himself with a standard collar. We hold onto the hopeful expectation that with age and continued training, he will gradually improve his leash manners, eventually choosing to walk politely by our side rather than leading us on his olfactory expeditions.

Puppy Kindergarten: Socialization and Learning Fundamentals

To further aid in his development and socialization, we enrolled Winston in an 11-week puppy kindergarten class. While we certainly gleaned some valuable tips and tricks for effective puppy training, we admittedly found that a significant portion of the curriculum covered concepts we had already researched or intuitively applied. Nevertheless, the experience was incredibly beneficial for Winston’s social development, allowing him to interact with other puppies and learn appropriate play behaviors in a controlled environment. And, of course, the highlight was his official graduation – a proud moment for our little Corgi! It reinforced our understanding that training is an ongoing journey, and even familiar lessons can be valuable reminders.

Grooming Routines and Future Anticipations

When it comes to grooming, Winston has proven to be remarkably tolerant. He generally takes everything in stride. Nail clipping, for instance, is a team effort: I handle the trimming while Jason distracts him with the irresistible lure of string cheese. It’s a system that works beautifully! We haven’t had to rely heavily on the Furminator yet, as his adult coat is just now beginning to emerge, but we anticipate that will change as he sheds his puppy fur. He doesn’t exactly adore baths, but he doesn’t outright hate them either; he simply tolerates the process with a resigned acceptance. Similarly, having his ears cleaned doesn’t seem to bother him in the slightest, making routine hygiene a relatively stress-free affair.

As February approaches, Winston will celebrate his six-month birthday, a significant milestone that also brings with it a necessary surgical procedure: his neutering. We’re bracing ourselves for the inevitable “cone of shame” he’ll have to wear and are fully prepared for potentially sleepless nights as he adjusts to its restrictive nature. We anticipate he might be restless and cry in his crate, unable to turn around comfortably. Thankfully, our thoughtful friend Amanda provided us with a soft e-cone, which we hope will offer a much more comfortable alternative to the rigid plastic version, easing his recovery.

Reflecting on his growth since we first brought him home is truly astounding. Winston, who weighed a mere 8 pounds as a tiny puppy, has now impressively doubled in size, tipping the scales at a healthy 16 pounds! He’s also grown considerably longer, his paws have expanded, and he’s gained a bit of height, though not by much, maintaining that charming low-slung Corgi silhouette. All his necessary vaccinations are complete, and he is officially registered with our county. Winston is, without a doubt, officially a dog! A very loved and cherished member of our family.

Our Journey with Winston: A Love Story in the Making

Phew! That summarizes the exhilarating, challenging, and utterly rewarding past few months with our little guy. From the initial hurdles of flea infestations and crate training woes to the daily delights of his spunky personality, hilarious antics, and the unconditional love he brings, every moment has been a testament to the profound impact a dog can have on a household. We love Winston more than words can express. And while he certainly has his mischievous moments and puppy quirks, there is absolutely no way I can now imagine our lives without his cheerful presence, his waggling tail, or his comforting snuggles. Our home feels complete with him in it.

I have officially transformed from someone who simply appreciated dogs into a devoted dog lover and, perhaps even more importantly, a proud dog mom. This journey has been an incredible learning experience, filled with immense joy and unconditional affection. Winston has truly enriched our lives in countless ways, reminding us daily of the simple pleasures and boundless love that come with sharing your home with a furry companion. Here’s to many more adventures with our beloved Winston!