One of the questions that comes up in both new and experienced corgi owners’ minds is how to keep a corgi entertained. They are energetic little creatures and we are always on the lookout for fresh ideas to keep them happy.
Even for those who have had dogs for a long time, inspiration sometimes runs dry. Fortunately, as a corgi owner myself, I will share with you some of my favourite ways to keep your furry friend happy and entertained, whilst occasionally being of use to you at the same time!
So, if you want to find out more, keep reading!
Puppyhood
From the moment our pup walks into their new home, it is crucial to keep their mind stimulated. Puppyhood is a formative period in which our dogs form habits, develop their personalities, learn boundaries and accept authority.
At the same time, it is a period in which they are the most free and led by their instincts, and thus prone to being unintentionally disobedient. If we understand this, we can approach them in the right way and get great results. Much like us humans, dogs learn best through playing and we should use that to our advantage. That way, we will be able to put together both having fun and training – what more could you want!
Another vital thing to keep in mind during your corgi’s puppyhood is its socialization. Corgis have a very specific personality and it is extremely important to get them used to both people and other dogs at a very young age, in order to prevent any problematic behaviour in future social situations.
Adulthood
If you have done a decent enough job during your corgi’s puppyhood, there shouldn’t be much trouble in terms of their character once they’ve become an adult dog. However, all dogs need to be entertained in order to be content, so finding ways to provide that for your doggo is always an important topic.
Luckily, there are many ways to make sure your pup isn’t bored throughout their day, you just need to discover what works best for you and your dog.
How To Keep A Corgi Happy?
Here are some of my suggestions:
1. Learning Tricks
Even though the best time to teach your dog the most important tricks is while they are a puppy, that doesn’t mean that that activity should stop once they are all grown up. Especially when it comes to corgis, a working breed, intellectual stimulation is incredibly important in both keeping your pup entertained and mentally healthy.
Since corgis were bred to be herding dogs, they have an innate need for working and being of use to those around them. Not realizing that potential can lead to your dog being unfulfilled, depressed and even destructive.
So, a great way to join both useful and fun is to do research and find new tricks you can teach your dog each week. I promise you, you will enjoy this process just as much as your puppy, and it will also serve as bonding time for the two of you.
If you haven’t had the chance to learn tricks with your dog while they were little, you can start from the more basic ones, such as sit, give paw, lay down and so on. They are relatively easy to learn and to teach, so they will give you both motivation to keep up your work.
Once you two have acquired the simpler tricks, you can move on to mastering those more complicated ones such as jumping through a hoop, bringing different items around the house to you, barking on command, just to name a few.
You can do some research on the many tricks you can teach your dog and choose the ones that seem interesting to you – it is important that both of you enjoy the learning process. Also, you can find ways to teach your pup how to help you in doing some everyday chores around the house. That way you will include them in more of your activities and make the job more enjoyable for yourself!
2. Playtime With Dogs
Dogs are social beings. They don’t like being alone, and while they love their humans, they need some time spent with their own kind. So, taking your corgi to the dog park at least a couple of times a week will be incredibly good for their mental health.
Also, spending time outside is beneficial for dogs in so many ways. Don’t forget that they are creatures of nature and that they thrive when rolling in some grass or chasing butterflies. And, if you can combine social time with other dogs with some outside time, you’ve hit the jackpot!
Another great option is to combine your hangouts with theirs. If you have a friend that is also a dog owner, arranging puppy play dates can be very fun. You and your friend will have time to hang out while your dogs will be enjoying each other’s company.
This is also great because sometimes, those trips to the dog park can seem a bit boring, so having company is a great way to overcome that.
3. Exercise
Just like for us humans, exercise is incredibly important for your dog’s health. Most dog breeds have a lot of energy and need something to channel it into. If you are a lover of sports or have been trying to get more into being physically active, your corgi can be a great companion.
As I’ve mentioned before, corgis are herding dogs which means they are athletic and love running. So, if you have been planning on going on daily or weekly runs, do consider bringing your dog along with you.
On the other hand, if you can’t quite see yourself running or have tried and sworn to never put yourself through that again, walks can also do the trick. Even though the most effective way for dogs to get their energy out is through running, walks can be great for their mental health.
Both you and your pup will return content and tired, which is just what you want. Dog parks also play a huge role in exercise. Sometimes we are not in the mood to exercise, so going to the dog park with your dog and bringing along a ball can be a great solution.
An important thing to remember though, is that you always have to carry water with you when you’re doing any kind of physical activity with your dog, since being hydrated is super important for our doggos.
4. Toys
Toys are a staple in any dog owner’s household. Whether we are at home or at work, there will inevitably be times during the day when we won’t be able to pay attention to our dogs. And while they will most likely use that time to sleep, they will probably be up for some playing as well.
Once you’ve collected a good amount of doggie toys, my advice is to switch them out from time to time. If they are all always available to your corgi, they will probably get bored of them eventually. This way, even the toys that have been in your house for a while can seem new again!
5. Another Puppy
For those of you that are feeling brave enough, getting your pup some company in the form of another dog can be the best decision you’ll make. So, if you have been thinking of adding another furry friend to the mix, your current puppy might love you for it.
However, you should be aware that the adjustment process might not be the easiest for your dog. Corgis can sometimes be possessive and protective of their territory and their people, so setting boundaries from the start will need to be a priority.
Some of the biggest benefits of owning two dogs are that they won’t be alone and they will have a best friend, meaning they will ever be bored!
Summary
We have established that there are luckily many ways to keep your corgi entertained. You can choose what best fits your lifestyle and implement that while making sure your pup is happy. So, here is a quick rundown of all of your options.
Being entertained is crucial for your dog’s mental health, so including stuff such as exercise, socialization with other dogs and learning tricks are all great ideas to ensure that your doggo is happy.
In addition to that, a more courageous option is to get another puppy and make sure that your beloved pet is never alone or bored again!
So, now that you are equipped with some fun new ideas, I’ll let you enjoy a nice walk or some park time with your furry friend. Just remember, there are many ways for your dog to be entertained, but the best time they can spend is with you.