From the Queen of England to #corgisofinsta, everybody seems to be in love with Corgis these days.
This dog breed is now more popular than ever before, which means more and more people are looking at getting Corgis as pets.
However, there’s more to Corgis than their adorableness.
Known for its intelligence and its long-and-low build, the Corgi dog is a unique herding breed with its own unique needs.
Corgis, as a breed, are also known to be mischievous, but not malicious.
As long as they’re well-trained, these wiggly-bottomed dogs can make excellent companions.
Are Corgis Easy to Train?
Yes and no, but mostly yes! Corgis are very intelligent and known to be fast learners, but they are also independent and strong-willed.
They have the ability to learn commands quickly. With consistency, patience, and the right training techniques, Corgis can be relatively easy to train.
As smart as they are, their intelligence can often get in the way of their trainability, especially if they’re bored.
Bored dogs tend to have bad manners and the potential to be destructive. This is especially so if they suffer from separation anxiety.
Thus, it takes the right kind of owner with the right kind of training to turn a Corgi into a good family pet.
It all starts with understanding the breed’s origins and the Corgi personality.
Corgi Background
“Corgi” encompasses two different breeds, the Pembroke Welsh and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Both originated in Wales as cattle herding dogs.
Specifically, they worked as “heelers,” nipping at the ankles of their bovine charges to keep them in line.
Their short stature and thick skulls are ideal for dodging hooves, and their endurance gives them enough energy to keep up with the herd all day long.
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi, purposefully bred with shorter tails than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, was also docked to reduce the chances of having their tails bitten off by cattle.
Today, docking is deemed unnecessary even in working Corgis.
In the United Kingdom, intact Corgi tails are accepted in shows, while the American Kennel Club requires a docked Pembroke Corgi to meet the breed standard.
Because they were bred to be working dogs, Corgis need an outlet for expressing their herding instincts.
Unfortunately, not every family lives in a cattle ranch, so a Corgi pup raised as a house pet needs to get their mental and physical stimulation elsewhere.
That’s where proper dog training comes in.
Corgi Temperament
Corgis are generally alert, affectionate, and loyal.
Even as a Welsh Corgi puppy, they can also be headstrong, and they will try to assert themselves as the boss if the owner doesn’t assert themselves first.
Keep in mind that Corgis are used to bossing around entire packs of animals that are much larger than they are.
Like a lot of small breeds, Corgis definitely suffer from “Small Dog Syndrome.” Their compact bodies actually contain a whole lot of personality.
Still, they have an overall desire to learn new things and please their master.
With this type of temperament, Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners should meet them in the middle with a firm but guiding hand for the best training experience.
Corgis and Aggression
Corgis tend to nip, especially smaller children.
Their bark, bred to intimidate and alert out in the fields, can be pretty startling to someone who isn’t used to being around them.
Because of these unique quirks, untrained Corgis can be misunderstood and mislabeled as aggressive dogs prone to excessive barking.
On the other hand, Corgis have just as much potential to become aggressive as any other dog.
The best way to discourage any so-called aggressive behavior is to form good habits early on, for both the Corgi and the owner.
Below are some training tips that are principally tailored for the novice Corgi owner.
Tips for Corgi Training
Start Early
It’s best to start training Corgis as puppies to establish good habits and manners.
Along with basic obedience and house training, they should know how to sit well for nail trims and brushing.
They should also have playdates with other dogs to develop social skills.
After receiving his vaccinations, the local dog park is the perfect place for a Corgi to get socialized.
Start with the Basics
Corgis should also demonstrate basic obedience skills such as sit, stay, and come, along with understanding the word “no,” and the rules of the home.
Obedience training helps dogs understand who the boss is, and where their place is in their family’s hierarchy.
This is important for the free-spirited Corgi.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is simply the practice of rewarding desired behavior with treats, praise, or head scratches.
Research consistently shows that positive reinforcement is more effective at training dogs than using force or discipline.
This method helps the dog learn new tricks and commands while taking away any frustration or fear that harsh discipline can impart.
Have a Daily Routine
Surprisingly, as a dog breed, Corgis thrive on structure.
They feel more secure and confident when they understand what’s expected of them, which usually results in a better-behaved dog.
Establish and stick to mealtimes and bedtimes, designate a special spot for their food and water bowls, and take them on their walks at the same time each day.
Give Them Something to Herd
A bored male or female corgi with strong herding instincts might start herding any children in the home.
Given their status as healers, it’s a less-than-ideal outcome.
To combat this, provide Corgis with three or more balls to “herd” instead. That should keep their herding dog instinct happy!
Don’t Forget Exercise
In spite of its stumpy legs, a Corgi puppy is a very agile and energetic dog. They are used to running all day long, outside, and in all different types of weather.
Being cooped up inside all day will make them feel frustrated and lead to destructive behaviors like digging and chewing.
Frustrated dogs are also much more difficult to train. For this reason, Corgis need at least one walk a day and a home with a backyard to play in.
Know When to Call a Professional
Overall, Corgis are wonderful dogs to have as pets, but their high intelligence can make them a handful.
Therefore, they’re not exactly beginner-friendly for first-time dog owners.
Corgis require lifelong, consistent training to truly reach their potential.
If a Corgi owner is trying their best and still seeing behavioral issues, feeling undue stress, or resorting to cooping up their Corgi in a crate, it’s time to call a professional trainer for help.
We keep hearing amazing feedback from people who took the Brain Training for Dogs program.
Their short video below shows what’s possible.
The Right Kind of Owner
So, are Corgis easy to train or not?
In the end, it all depends on who the owner is. Corgis love being active and in the company of their family.
The right kind of owner is someone who has the time and energy to provide the type of home a Corgi needs.
As long as his human is suitably prepared for the lifelong commitment of Corgi ownership, Corgis should be and are rather easy to train.
