9 Ways To Keep Your Corgi Happy And Healthy
If you’re anything like me, your corgi’s happiness is your number one priority. But besides yummy treats and lots of cuddles, how else can we keep them as happy as can be?
Corgis thrive on human companionship and lots of stimulation. To keep your corgi happy, make sure they get enough daily exercise, have a few puzzle toys to play with, and get to spend lots of time with you.
That’s the short version! Now let’s explore in more detail all the ways to keep your corgi happy and healthy.
Here are the 9 ways to keep your corgi happy
- Spend time with them
- Give them lots of exercise
- Stimulate their mind
- Feed them the right food
- Stick to a routine
- Don’t leave them alone for too long
- Train them well
- Groom them regularly
- Expose them to new experiences
1. Spend time with them
Originally bred as herder dogs that worked closely alongside their (farmer) owners, corgis have an innate desire to spend lots of time with humans.
That’s why corgis are best suited to people who work entirely or mostly from home or those who can bring their corgi with them to the office. Almost any dog that spends too much time on their own is prone to depression or changes in temperament. But I know from experience that corgis are particularly clingy.
Their happy place is curled up at your feet while you work or on your lap while you watch the TV. Corgis like their humans to be in the same room as them—and ideally in the same room as each other. That’s their natural herding instinct kicking in!
If you don’t work from home and still want to get a corgi, research local dog walkers and doggy day care centers in your area to give your corgi the companionship they need when you’re not there.
2. Give them lots of exercise
A big misconception that people have about corgis is that they’re lazy, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
While some corgis are more chilled out than others, most are very energetic dogs that need lots of physical stimulation. At least 60 minutes of exercise each day is ideal. This will keep your corgi happy and prevent them from adopting any destructive behaviors caused by boredom.
I take Winston the corgi for a 30 minute walk each morning and afternoon. Throughout the rest of the day I play games with him like tug of war and fetch.
At the weekend we go on much longer walks together, sometimes as long as 4 or 5 hours. That’s the great thing about corgis — they have lots of stamina. They’re the ideal hiking partner!
3. Stimulate their mind
As well as lots of exercise, corgis also need mental stimulation to stay happy.
That’s because they’re highly intelligent dogs who enjoy problem solving. However, they can also be very strong-willed! With the right stimulation and obedience training, corgis will pick up new commands and learn tricks quickly. Without stimulation or training, you will have a bossy corgi on your hands that does exactly what they want!
To keep your corgi’s mind busy, I recommend the following puzzle toys:
Puzzle Feeder Toy for IQ Training
FOSSA Puppy Toy
Outward Hound Treat Puzzle Toy
4. Feed them the right food
Corgis are prone to obesity and can experience sensitive stomachs. To ensure your corgi stays healthy and happy in the food department, you might need to experiment with a few different brands.
If you get your corgi as a puppy, the breeder will probably give you some suggestions based on what they feed their dogs. If your corgi enjoys this food, you can simply transition to the adult range as they grow up.
If, however, they show any signs of disliking their food or suffer from an upset tummy, it might be worth trying a hypoallergenic brand like Royal Canin or fresh dog food like Butternut Box.
Here are 4 dog food brands for corgis depending on their nutritional needs:
| Barking Heads Puppy Days | Best for puppies |
| Royal Canin Veterinary Hypoallergenic Dog Food | Best for allergies |
| Diamond Naturals Senior Formula Dry Dog Food | Best for senior dogs |
| Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Recipe Dry Dog Food | Best for weight loss |
At about two years of age, my corgi started vomiting a few hours after each meal. After a trip to the vets I discovered that he was allergic to his dog food. I switched him over to hypoallergenic food and the vomiting stopped completely.
5. Stick to a routine
Corgis are intelligent, spirited, and strong willed dogs. Aside from training, one of the ways to keep them happy (and you!) is to implement a routine from an early age.
Each day, stick to the same time for feeding, walks, toilet breaks, snacks, and cuddles! Your corgi will enjoy the security of a structured routine.
Here’s the ideal daily schedule for a corgi:
| 7.00 – 7.30 a.m. | First toilet break of the day |
| 7.30 a.m. | Breakfast time |
| 7.45 a.m. – 8 a.m. | Training time |
| 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Morning walk |
| 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Lunchtime toilet break |
| 1.30 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Puzzle games, socialization, time spent with you |
| 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Dinner time |
| 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Afternoon/early evening walk |
| 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Play time or relax |
| 9 – 10 p.m. | Last toilet break of the day and wind down for bed |
6. Don’t leave them alone for too long
There will be times in life when you need to leave your corgi at home.
Maybe you’re going somewhere that prohibits dogs, maybe the weather is awful, or maybe you just want to pop out on your own for a few hours. In those instances, try not to leave your corgi alone at home for longer than 3-4 hours.
While some people say that adult, house-trained corgis can be left alone for longer than this, I wouldn’t recommend it. If it happens (very) occasionally, that’s ok. But corgis are extremely affectionate dogs that like to spend as much time as possible with humans.
If you want your corgi to be the happiest, healthiest version of themselves, don’t leave them on their own for extended periods very often.
7. Train them well
Training is an important part of your corgi’s life.
It provides them the mental stimulation they need to be happy and if you’re using rewards-based training methods, your relationship will be stronger as a result.
You can start training your corgi around 8 weeks old. Start by getting them used to grooming, potty training, and socializing with other dogs. Then move onto fetch, basic commands, and impulse control. If you’re struggling with training or want more opportunities to socialize your corgi, research puppy classes in your local area.
Between the ages of 3 and 17 weeks, dogs have a ‘critical socialization’ period. This time is essential in teaching them to learn social cues and how to behave appropriately with other dogs.
8. Groom them regularly
The great thing about grooming your corgi regularly is that it’s going to make you as happy as it makes your corgi.
Because nobody wants white corgi hair covering every available surface of their home, do they? That’s exactly what will happen if you don’t keep on top of your corgi’s shedding.
Regular grooming will keep your corgi cool in summer, reduce matting, and give you quality time together.
9. Expose them to new experiences
Corgis love structure, but you know what also makes them really happy?
New experiences.
That’s because corgis are very adaptable dogs. As long as they’re with you, they will love learning new tricks, trying new treats, and going to new places. Balancing new experiences with routine is important to keep your corgi happy and stimulated (and not bored!).
This is one of the reasons why corgis make such great family dogs. They can handle new situations and the chaos that comes with young family life very well.
When I lived in Portugal for three months, I took Winston the corgi with me. I worked with a pet travel company who helped me to organize his flight arrangements and all the necessary travel documentation.
Despite my nerves, Winston was absolutely fine during the flight and landed in Lisbon a few hours after me. He got used to his new life in Portugal very quickly and was extremely popular with the locals!
Related questions
How to keep your corgi healthy?
To keep your corgi healthy, feed them high quality food and make sure they get at least an hour’s exercise each day. Corgis are more susceptible to back problems due to their long backs and short legs. Try to prevent them from jumping down from high surfaces or running up and down stairs and speak to your vet if you notice any signs of discomfort.
How to keep a corgi busy?
Corgis are highly intelligent dogs that need lots of stimulation. Keep them busy by exercising them for at least 60 minutes each day and keep them mentally stimulated with games like fetch, puzzle toys, or a stuffed Kong.
The best way to tire out a corgi?
The best way to tire out a corgi is to give them at least an hour’s exercise each day and as much mental stimulation as you can fit in! Corgis are smart dogs with lots of energy. They love long walks and playing with puzzle toys, and thrive with consistent training.
