Are Corgis a manipulative dog breed? It may seem so, but let’s double-check that assumption. It’s time for a quick look into this breed’s personality traits.
There’s a fine line between a dog that’s smart and a manipulative dog. You know for a fact that the Corgi breed is intelligent. But are Corgis manipulative?
Yes, they are, and you’ll have a chance to see Corgi’s manipulative side if you don’t show authority right away. With this breed, you need to be strict from the moment you start training it.
If this intro got you interested, don’t go anywhere.
Stay until the end to learn where this manipulative nature comes from and what you can do about it. You will also have the opportunity to pick up a few helpful tips!
Strong-Willed Or Manipulative?
People often mistake being manipulative with being strong-willed. That is certainly not the case with Corgi dogs.
You should know that Corgis are not naive and often use their manipulative nature to get something they want.
It’s interesting because we often associate this personality trait with children. It turns out that kids and Corgis have a lot in common, huh?
However, Corgis’ manipulative nature comes from the past and how they were trained back in the day.
The Corgi breed has a vibrant history, and they have lived through a lot. Being manipulative and assertive is how they managed to survive all these years.
But before they became world-famous, Corgi dogs had a huge responsibility:
These dogs were in charge of looking after the cattle. They even defended various animals from potential predators.
Don’t be fooled by their size; Corgis’ personality is strong enough to do the hard work.
Signs Of Dog Manipulation
If you are afraid that your dog will become manipulative, you should be on the lookout for:
- Head tilting
- Whining
- Wagging tails
- Raising paws
- Trying to mimic you
- Making a mess when left alone
- Clowning around during training
- Constant barking
Even though it doesn’t seem that way, these are all red flags.
Don’t let the playfulness of the Corgi breed fool you.
If you haven’t started with adequate training methods, the signs that I just mentioned will become apparent sooner than you think.
In the future, after your Corgi has grown up, you will become aware of how challenging it is to deal with these red flags. It may not be too late – but it will be tough to establish authority over your dog when it has passed a certain age.
Here’s a fact: Owners often go and blame the dog breed itself for not being able to establish authority. You should know that this has little to do with the actual dog and much to do with how you train that dog.
Your Corgi will show loyalty only if you use the proper training methods.
For more information on this, go check out this article: Are Corgis Loyal Dogs? Training A Corgi To Be Loyal
Corgi Barking: A Sign Of Manipulation?
I mentioned constant barking as one of the signs of manipulation, but is this the case with all dogs?
If you have a Corgi, you’ve probably had a chance to hear their loud bark. You even probably prayed for it to stop most of the time.
After you’ve had your Corgi for some time now, have you ever thought about this:
Why does my Corgi bark all the time? Is this a sign of manipulation, or is it just a thing that Corgis do?
If I’m being honest, it can be both. Now read carefully, because I will explain the difference between these two barks.
Your Corgi is naturally loud, and this is one of the characteristics that set them apart from other dog breeds.
Here are a few reasons that DON’T indicate manipulation:
Communication Purposes
In most cases, your Corgi is barking because it wants to communicate with you or another dog. That seems pretty obvious, right?
This kind of barking won’t last too long, and your Corgi won’t have an aggressive facial expression while doing so.
You will have to accept the fact that these are loud dogs.
Herding Instincts
As I mentioned earlier, Corgis have a vibrant history and a lot of experience with other animals. And in the past, Corgis kept things under control by barking.
It was mainly directed at the cattle they were looking after, so if you find yourself somewhere in the countryside, a bit of barking is bound to happen.
Attention!
Manipulative barking has a certain “flair” to it. A Corgi that barks for manipulative reasons doesn’t stop after a couple of minutes. It can go on, and on, and on…
You will experience this when something doesn’t go their way. The reasons are countless – from limiting treats to not spending enough time with them.
These dogs know how to get on your nerves, and making noise seems like the easiest way.
The minute you give them what they want – whether it’s another treat or your attention – they will stop.
You must not allow this kind of behavior because it can turn into aggression, and that’s where the real trouble starts.
You should also check out: How To Stop Aggression In Corgis?
Dealing With A Manipulative Dog
It is paramount that you learn how to deal with a manipulative dog in time. You should also know that this doesn’t necessarily involve strict behavior modification. All you have to do is:
Show Authority
I have already mentioned this a couple of times. Assigning yourself authority is crucial when it comes to the Corgi breed.
You can have the best of both worlds. You can be the best owner in the world and provide unconditional love – but at the same time, be an authority figure.
That does not happen overnight, though. If you want to show that you’re the boss, you’ll have to stick to proper training methods and have patience!
Watch Out For Red Flags
Don’t ignore behavior that is not typical of your dog!
Keep an eye on when your Corgi starts behaving unnaturally, disrupting your daily routine, or even harming people around you. It is possible that it is doing this for manipulative reasons and just wants to get your attention.
If you scroll up, I’ve listed the most common red flags that will help you notice manipulative behavior. Feel free to check them out once again if you’re feeling doubtful.
Ignoring the problem does not solve anything. It only makes the situation worse!
Treat Your Pets Equally
Feelings of neglect can be a trigger for manipulative behavior.
So, if there is more than one dog in your household, treat them all equally. Favoring a particular pet can have a terrible effect on others.
Corgis are very affectionate dogs, so even the slightest hint of neglect can make them manipulative and bring out the worst of this breed.
And trust me, you don’t want to see that!
Owning A Corgi: Pros & Cons
This manipulative side surely made you wonder: Is Corgi the right breed for me?
Well, this depends on what you are looking for in a dog. Therefore, I decided to show you both the advantages and disadvantages of having a Corgi.
There is no such thing as a perfect dog. Owning a dog means that you’ll get to enjoy many things – but it also means that you’ll have to go through some not-so-fun ones.
Here’s what you signed up for if you decide to get a Corgi.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good at learning new tricks. | Need a lot of exercise. |
| Get along well with kids. | Shed multiple times during a year. |
| Loyal to their owner. | Extremely stubborn. |
| Love adventures. | Have aggressive outbursts. |
| Easily adaptable. | Like to be dominant. |
| Highly intelligent. | Prone to overeating. |
| Affectionate. | Manipulative. |
Are Corgis Manipulative? Conclusion
When it comes to “are Corgis manipulative,” your doubts have been confirmed. The Corgi breed is indeed manipulative. Nevertheless, you can learn how to deal with this.
Although they are extremely loyal pets, Corgis have a problem with accepting authority. If being manipulative will get them what they want, then that’s exactly what they’ll strive for.
Your pet Corgi will express its manipulative behavior in many ways. It is up to you to notice the red flags on time and put a stop to this. I’ve even mentioned a couple of ways you can do so.
The most important thing is that you don’t let this behavior turn into something much more serious.
