Frequently Asked Questions

On this page we’ll provide some answers to questions. We will also ask some questions to help you decide
if this is the right time for you to get a dog. Have a question but don’t see it answered here…. please ask!

Do corgis shed?
Yes! Corgis have a double coat and shed year round and also “blow” their coat spring and fall, when they lose large amounts of fur. Regular brushing helps keep shedding under control. There is a link on our Breed Information page that shows pictures of a corgi being groomed so you can get an idea of how much fur they shed.

Do you only place dogs in the St Louis area?
We spend a lot of time caring for our dogs, screening families to make the right match, and providing support for adopters. We also have in our contract that if for any reason for the life of the dog that you cannot keep him/her the dog MUST come back to us. All of this is time consuming and great distances can make it a challenge. We understand there are some fantastic families out there wanting to adopt corgis, that don’t live in our area. We will consider placement outside of this area, unless a note appears on the particular dog’s bio. We do not ship dogs – you will have to come to St. Louis to pick up your new dog.

Where do the dogs come from?
Frequently our dogs come from area pounds, shelters, and occasionally from owners who can no longer keep their pets.

Where do the dogs stay?
We do not have a kennel or shelter so the dogs stay in our volunteers’ homes. We treat any known illnesses and medical conditions they may have, bring their vet care up to date, brush up on house manners, and get them used to being loved and cared for again.

How do you train them – what methods do you recommend?
We recommend and use positive reward-based training such as “Clicker Training”. To learn more about these training methods please see our Behavior and Training Page.

What is the big deal about toys? You guy seem really fond of them!
Toys are stimulating to both dogs’ minds and bodies. If you do not provide toys for your dog he will find neat toys on his own. Some of the common choices of dogs are facial tissue, bathroom tissue, remote controls, panty hose, human underwear, shoes, baseboards, flooring or contents of trash cans. Dogs that are not kept busy with toys can become bored and destructive. Some dogs end up in shelters or on the street simply because their owners neglected to provide them with an outlet for their NATURAL dog behavior!

Why do you need to visit my home before I adopt?
Home visits are not meant to be obnoxious or intrusive. They are simply so we can check out where your new dog will live and to meet the whole family. They also give us a chance to make suggestions, such as putting up the CD filled wicker basket so Barkley doesn’t get confused and think that it is a new doggy toy, or putting the trash can out of reach of Fido.

Why do you guys recommend using a crate? I was told they are cruel and I’d rather my dog be out and have free run of the house.
· They keep your house safe and your dog feeling safe and content in his or her own “space”.
· Crates work with your dog’s natural “den” instincts. Most of our dogs will choose to be in their open crates even when we are home and they have the run of the house.
· It may be the only familiar thing for your rescue dog when he comes into his new adoptive home, and it will help him transition more easily.
· For young or adolescent pups it will speed up the training process- they can’t get into mischief if they are secure in their crate with the toys that you have provided to keep them content and occupied.
· Use the crate whenever you cannot supervise your dog. This will also help in house training your corgi… Using your dog’s own natural instincts to keep his den clean, he won’t want to soil in his crate.

Do I have to go to training class with my dog? I don’t want or need a dog that knows how to heel or stay!
A good training class isn’t just a basic sit, stay, and etc class. The class should also help you with whatever quirks might arise such as rushing at the door, jumping up, etc. Classes are designed to help you enjoy your dog! If heels and stays (Obedience) aren’t your thing, there is Flyball, Agility, Lure Coursing, Good Citizen and Herding just to name a few!

I have a book about training dogs, can’t I just do it from the book?
Many books/methods are out of date. There are some exciting new things going on in the training world. Plus, going to class is fun! Your dog will love it and you will too. As an added bonus, your dog will come home with a lot of things to think about and should be pretty tired. Classes will also help polish his social skills. A winning situation if there ever was one!

Are my donations tax deductible?
YES! We are a 501 (C)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.

How do I know my dog will be safe around children?
You don’t. We don’t. That is why you should never ever leave a dog and a child unsupervised. Things happen and they happen fast. Children naturally make noises and movements that some dogs find stimulating. Accidents do happen as well and many dogs aren’t fond of getting stepped on, poked, and prodded by children. Some children do not appreciate what dogs naturally do around them – sniff, lick (sloppily), take food from them, herd them, chew on their toys, and bounce on them.