You’ve been spending a lot of time with your dog, but have you ever wondered what would happen to them and your home if you left them alone for a couple of hours or even an entire day?
While some dogs are practically trained to stay on their own when their owners are away, others are not so independent and tend to make a lot of mess. You have had your corgi for some time now, but you have to leave the house for a day, and your dog can’t accompany you. What do you do – can corgis stay home alone?
If you have a scheduled appointment to which you can’t bring your dog, and you don’t know what to do, continue reading this article, and we will explain what happens if you leave your corgi home alone and how to deal with this issue in the future.
Do Corgis Like Being Alone?
Many people tend to ignore their pets’ temperament and behavior and leave them home alone without even thinking about the consequences. This is not how you should handle the situation, especially involving a lively creature and fragile objects.
If you have been wondering whether your corgi can be left alone while you run errands, the answer is definitely not!
But why not?
The answer is pretty simple. If you are familiar with a corgi’s history, then you know that they were herd dogs in the past and that they can hardly stay put in one place.
Corgis are famous for their social personality, and they need a lot of attention and exercise, sometimes even more than once during the day. If you are not ready to keep up with your corgi’s needs, then you should certainly not leave them home alone. Who knows what they could do to your furniture?
One corgi can cause severe distress in the house. Imagine leaving a pair home alone.
One more thing, if you are too much time away from them: you have a demanding job, or you spend a lot of time in school, or university corgis can develop separation anxiety.
This has to do with their breed’s nature – as puppies, they become very attached to their owner, and you will notice their needy attempts as they grow up. If you don’t want your corgi to go through this, consider getting another breed that has no problem being left alone.
Are Corgis Okay To Be Left Alone? Exercise Is Key
Exercise is important for every dog. You, as an owner, need to make sure that they are in shape and healthy. However, some breeds require more running around their other – and this is where corgis fit in.
Some reports state that over 56% of dogs in America are overweight. We need to fix this statistic right away!
Don’t be fooled by their size. They have a lot of energy, and it needs to be channeled somewhere. Of course, mental exercise should not be avoided. They do not like being left alone, so if you do this, they will most likely develop a self-defense mechanism, and their behavior will worsen.
You can fix this by communicating with them using hand gestures, teaching them basic commands, and showing that bad behavior does not get you an extra treat.
Let’s go back to physical exercise and how to deal with it.
Corgis love being outside: walking, running, fetching a ball, and just having fun. For your corgi to stay in top shape and maintain its health, you should take him at least once a day for a one hour walk. You can also throw in some fun games in the park – they won’t mind.
Here are some ideas for a physical exercise you can do with your corgi:
Ideas For Physical Exercise
| Walking your corgi: | This is a great warm-up physical exercise. It would be best if you did it at least once a day with your corgi. |
| Taking your corgi hiking: | Corgis love adventure, and they sure love to hike. If you have an opportunity, go to the mountain with them and enjoy nature |
| Going swimming with your corgi: | Swimming in the lake, sea, or even your backyard pool is an excellent exercise for your corgi’s joints. Since they have a lot of problems with their hips and legs, this is a natural cure. |
| Going for a jog with your corgi: | If you are the type that likes to go for an early morning jog, bring your corgi with you. It will be a great way to start the day. Be sure to buy a hand-free leash for this occasion. |
| Playing fetch with your corgi: | Fetching is a classic with corgis. However, sometimes they will refuse to play without a proper treat. |
| Playing Tug of War with your corgi: | Tug of War is a great indoor exercise for your corgi. This will surely burn some calories. |
| Taking your corgi to sporting events: | Corgis are known to be very smart dogs, and taking them to some sporting events for dogs can be an excellent treat. These events have all kinds of different activities – a great way for your corgi to channel their energy. |
We also mentioned that mental exercise is also important for your corgi. They are already smart dogs, but there is no harm in training them some more.
Here is a list of suggestions for mental exercises:
A List Of Mental Exercises
| Going on exploration walks with your corgi: | There is no dog that doesn’t love to explore. Take your corgi to the woods or some isolated place and let him sniff and explore the territory. |
| Teaching your corgi some tricks: | Teaching your corgi some extra tricks is a great way to improve their mental health. They can be basic, but this will surely improve their memory and behavior |
| Accustoming your corgi to a healthy diet: | It is no strange fact that corgis love to eat a lot. Excessive eating can turn into obesity really, quickly, and you can prevent this by teaching them that every meal and treat has to be deserved by good behavior. |
| Buying your corgi some smart toys: | Recently, smart toys have become a hit with all dog breeds. They challenge them both physically and mentally. You can find all kinds of interactive dog toys for your dogs on Amazon. |
Don’t Worry About These Breeds
Unlike corgis, who have to have someone by their side, there are breeds that are practically trained to stay home all day without their owner.
Here are the top 5 breeds that won’t make a mess while you’re gone.
- Labrador Retriever – there is no hiding the fact that this is an ideal family dog. They are very loveable and well-behaved, and you should have no problem leaving this breed home alone, even for an entire day.
- Swiss Mountain Dog – these are very tolerant and hard-working dogs. A Swiss Mountain dog can be left alone, and he will surely manage. They are also very protective, so don’t worry about someone invading your territory – it is guarded well.
- Golden Retriever – a golden retriever can be left home alone for a couple of hours, but don’t go overboard and leave him for an entire day. They are such breeds that enjoy and crave a human companion.
- Bullmastiff – a bullmastiff is great for guarding your home while you are away running some errands. They don’t mind being left alone for some time, and their good behavior prevents them from making a mess.
- Chow Chow – all these fluffy dogs need is a couple of toys and a cozy pillow, and they can stay home alone for an entire day – they will probably sleep it off.
See Also: Do Corgis And Golden Retrievers Get Along?
Corgis & Other Breeds
The corgi breed can easily go from being a cheerful little dog to being overly protective and loud. This highly depends on their early training – meaning if they had some.
If you have trained your corgi and taught them some basic commands, they will behave well in a home to other breeds. However, if you missed out on the opportunity to tame their spirit a bit, you might find it hard to get them to do anything – there is something to think about.
When it comes to the corgi breed itself – they thrive and are the happiest when they are the center of attention, and if you neglect them, they can get pretty aggressive.
It is safe to say that corgis best get along with other corgis, no matter the breed – Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh corgi. It would be best if you got the two of them when they were puppies so that they can grow up together.
In this case, you will introduce the term “siblings,” and the two corgis will develop an excellent companionship over time. This good relationship between them also contributes in terms of training and exercises. They look up to one another and learn to play together, and wait for their turn.
Note: Be careful when giving away treats – they can get pretty jealous if the one gets a full bowl and the other one doesn’t munch on something.
When it comes to other breeds, corgis can behave badly and even show some signs of aggression – this is because they are not familiar with them. Of course, every situation is unique, and there are multiple possible scenarios. You can also learn how to stop aggression in corgis in this article.
If you properly introduce the other breed to your dog, they can learn to get along over time. If including another pet in your household comes rashly, there might be some unpleasant scenes with biting and barking.
How to achieve a peaceful companionship between a corgi and another breed?
The best way to achieve a good relationship between your two dogs is to:
- Treat them equally and pay equal attention to both.
- Separate their food so that they don’t fight over it.
- Buy enough toys for both of them.
- Take them on regular walks together.
Your corgi will probably get along better with someone their own size than some larger dog in terms of size. For example, a corgi is more likely to develop a good companionship with a pug rather than a Swiss Mountain dog, but every case is unique again.
Corgis & Kids
Although corgis are very playful dogs, they are not recommended for families that have children under the age of 5. Why is that?
Well, corgis are known as herd dogs, and they can act very bossy sometimes. Besides, we all know how small children react around cute little dogs – pulling their tails, screaming, squeezing their ears. Corgi’s temper will not tolerate this, and it might end up badly for your child.
More Aggressive – Males or Females?
When it comes to corgi’s personality, they can be very aggressive if you don’t set the very beginning standards. Now, the question is whether male or female corgis tend to show more aggression?
Believe it or not, female corgis are more aggressive than males. Female corgis have a terrible temper and are more likely to cause unpleasant scenes both in the household and outside. This is primarily because they are very protective of their territory and they will do anything to protect it if someone gets too close.
Male corgis can also cause aggression, but not as much as females. They calm down more easily and are not prone to making a mess around the house or in the park.
Even corgi puppies can show mere aggression signs, and this largely depends on the breeder. So, when you are buying one, pay attention to how this puppy behaves in your presence.
Some of the most common reasons behind corgi aggression are:
- Fear
- Genes
- Lack of attention
- Health problems
There are two ways in which you can deal with both male and female corgi aggression. You can either hire a professional to work with them, or you can devote your time and energy by yourself.
No matter what you opt for, it would undoubtedly be for a good cause.
Why Are Corgis The Best?
If you are not entirely convinced that corgis are the best choice for you, here are a couple more to make it crystal clear:
- Corgi means “dwarf dog” – this Welsh term explains exactly what they are and what they look like. How can you not love it?
- There are two types to choose from – you can choose between a Cardigan Welsh and Pembroke Welsh corgi.
- They have a fascinating history – corgi dogs have plenty of interesting historical anecdotes behind them.
- Corgis have a long lifespan – corgis can live from 12 to 15 years, which is considered a long lifespan for any breed.
- They are very smart – besides being adorable and cheerful, corgis are very intelligent dogs.
- Corgis are not hypoallergenic – this is very important because there is a small chance of having any allergic reactions.
- They are very loyal – if you prove to be a good owner, they will be very grateful and dedicated to you.
- Corgi’s energy can boost your mental help – corgis require a lot of loving, and they love playing with you. Having this type of positive energy around you contributes to your mental health.
See Also: Why Does My Corgi Follow Me Everywhere?
Conclusion
While some dogs are trained to stay at home and behave well, others are not so independent and can’t spend a lot of time without their owners. Corgis should not be separated from their owners. This is a breed that requires a lot of attention and they constantly need someone to be around them.
If they are home alone for a long time, they can develop separation anxiety. And let us remind you that corgis are not such a healthy breed. They can suffer from numerous diseases during their lifetime – some inherited and some developed.
The main reason why you can’t leave your corgi home alone is because they need a lot or exercises in order to stay healthy. You should take your corgi out for walks at least two times a day. They are small-size dogs and if they don’t get the exercise they need, they will become overweight.
Corgis also love adventure – you can take them hiking or jogging with you. Mental exercise is also important for your corgi. It would be good for you to teach them some tricks. You can also take them on some exploration walks.
Although corgis can’t stay home alone, you can freely leave breeds like the labrador retriever and the Swiss mountain dog on their own. They are trained dogs and can manage without making a mess.
Unfortunately, corgis are not so good with other breeds and kids. It is safe to say that they get along best with other corgis. Believe it or not, female corgis are more aggressive than male, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the middle of an unpleasant situation in the park.
Nevertheless, corgis are a great choice for your family because they have a fascinating history, they are loyal and they will surely boost your mental health because of their cheerful personality.
Learn More: How To Train A Corgi To Stay Alone?