This week: There's a corgi in China who organized a jailbreak, a popular online pet-sitting site just got a lot more useful, and a conversation worth having about whether your dog's breed actually predicts how easy they'll be to train. This week also has a story about how dog owners are redefining what family looks like — and the numbers behind it are surprising. Let's get into it.
The Corgi Who Led Six Dogs Home
Seven dogs were stolen from a village in Changchun, China, loaded onto a truck, and likely headed for the black market. They escaped. Then they walked 10.5 miles home — across highways and open fields — while the internet watched in real time.
A passerby caught a glimpse of the group on video, which went viral: a corgi at the front, setting the pace, keeping the group moving. Behind him, a German shepherd who appeared to be injured, moving slowly but still going. Two golden retrievers, a Labrador, a terrier mix, and a Pekinese, all following. All seven made it back.
The comparisons to Homeward Bound were immediate and completely fair.
What makes this more than a feel-good moment is what it shows about how dogs navigate the world. These weren't dogs from the same household running on a shared scent trail. They were village dogs with different owners who apparently knew enough about each other — and about home — to organize and move together. The corgi's leadership wasn't accidental. He actively rallied the group, especially the injured shepherd.
Dogs have a stronger sense of place and social bond than we usually give them credit for. This story is a vivid, specific reminder of that.
Two Puppies at Once May Seem Efficient. It Usually Isn't.
If you've ever thought about getting two puppies at the same time so they can keep each other company, this is worth reading before you decide. Susan Garrett, a dog agility and training expert, makes a clear case against it — not as a scare tactic, but as practical reality. When two puppies grow up together, they tend to bond to each other more than to their humans, making recall, leash work, and basic training significantly harder. The critical socialization window gets split two ways, and it often doesn't go well for either dog. Even experienced trainers find it overwhelming.
Your Dog's Breed Doesn't Predict How Trainable They Are
The AKC ranks border collies and German shepherds as highly trainable, and shiba inus as notoriously independent — but experts say individual variation within any breed is enormous. A Lab can be just as stubborn as a shiba. A border collie can be harder to live with than a basset hound, depending on your household. The more useful frame is "biddability" — your dog's willingness to follow your cues — and that has as much to do with your relationship and your training approach as it does with genetics. Breed is a starting point, not a verdict.
From the Pack: Yes or no to pack walks?
Dog lovers are currently debating whether "pack walks" (group walks with multiple dogs and a trainer or handler) are genuinely useful for socialization or just visually impressive. The conversation is lively and the answer is more nuanced than either side admits. Done well with a skilled handler, they can help reactive or anxious dogs learn to behave calmly near other dogs without direct contact or interaction. Done poorly, they can reinforce the wrong things entirely. Here's a professional overview of when they work, and when they don’t.
Good Dog 🐾
If your dog pulls on leash and a standard collar or flat harness hasn't made a dent, a Ruffwear front-clip harness is worth trying. The clip sits on the dog's chest rather than between their shoulder blades, which redirects their momentum toward you when they pull forward instead of letting it build. It doesn't replace training, but it reduces the physical tug-of-war enough that actual leash work becomes possible. Best for dogs who are strong enough to drag you but not yet reactive. The Ruffwear Front Range is a well-made, widely available option.
Before You Go
The Guardian reports that one in three U.K. postal codes now has more dogs than children.
Good Housekeeping ran a story talking about how Rover, the app most people use to find dog walkers and sitters, has expanded into dog training. You can now find and book certified local trainers through the platform, all vetted by Rover and required to use positive reinforcement methods.
Canis Conference registration is open. If you're serious about dog behavior, this conference is worth attending.
That's the week. If you found the littermate syndrome piece useful, the Rover training news practical, or the corgi story genuinely moving — send this to someone whose inbox could use it.