Teaching your Corgi puppy to be comfortable in a crate is about two things. 1) Ensuring the crate is big enough and 2) Using treats and toys as exciting rewards for being inside. If you make it a positive experience with plenty of bedding and positivity, you’ll be on the right track.
Crate training has a lot of controversy around it for puppies. One of my Corgis hated it, and I didn’t make him stay in the crate because he would scream until he threw up. He grew up to be the best dog in the world and he was beautifully behaved. The other loved her crate, and she stayed in it all the time because she wanted to.
I always kept them both in crates when I was out for their safety. However, my main concern was always whether or not it was comfortable enough for them. Your Corgi puppy will never be happy in their crate if they aren’t comfortable, and everyone deserves to have a place to sleep and relax that makes them feel good – even Corgi puppies.
If you want to teach your Corgi puppy how to be comfortable in a crate, you’re in the right place. I’ve got you covered.
Key Takeaways:
- Crate training can be beneficial for puppies
- Not all puppies will enjoy it (and it’s not suited to all of them)
- Making the crate positive and exciting is important
- Use treats and toys to make it feel comfortable
- Get plenty of plush bedding so they can build a relaxing den
Is Crate Training Beneficial For Your Corgi Puppy?
Crate training can be really beneficial for your Corgi puppy. It keeps them safe when you leave the house, and you don’t want them to chew through anything. It also gives them somewhere to sleep that keeps them calm and relaxed. Dogs love dens, and puppies need the warmth and comfort that comes with a crate nest.
Not every puppy is going to enjoy crate training, and you should never force it. For those that do, you end up with a permanent space that’s comfortable for your puppy as they grow. Even adult dogs enjoy sleeping in their crates and having somewhere they can go when they need to get away from everything else in the house.
How To Teach Your Corgi Puppy To Be Comfortable In A Crate
Teaching your Corgi puppy to get comfortable in their crate is actually easier than you might think. Corgis are stubborn but very smart. This means they are easy to train with the right motivation and plenty of positive reinforcement. These are my tips for making the crate comfortable, and they’ve worked every time.
1. Get The Crate Ready
The crate should be large enough for your Corgi to be able to stand up, turn around, and lay on their side with their limbs extended. If it’s much bigger than this, there’s more chance of them using half the space to sleep and the other half as a toilet. There’s a handy guide to crate sizes here.
You should set it up in a quiet part of the house that’s out of the way and easy to darken when required. Add their bed, blankets, and some of their favorite toys to make it especially appealing.
2. Make The Crate Positive And Exciting
Let your Corgi puppy explore the crate in their own time. They should be able to sniff around it and go inside freely without you closing it or making them feel pressured to go in. Add some of their favorite treats inside to make it more exciting, and use plenty of praise when they have a positive interaction. Positive reinforcement is everything here.
3. Encourage Your Corgi Puppy To Go Inside
Once your Corgi puppy is relaxed around the crate, you can start enticing them to go inside. Start by dropping treats through the top of the crate and using gentle (but excited) words of encouragement to get them in the crate. It’s important you don’t close the door yet and you use this encouragement at different times of day to familiarise them with it.
If you’re enjoying this, you’ll like our article: 9 Simple Steps To Potty Train Your Corgi
4. Reward Them For Getting Settled
Once they are settled in the crate, you can give them a treat and praise them for being inside it. Try to keep the praise calm yet happy so they understand that they’re doing something good without getting too riled up. Offer them a toy they love as an additional reward and something to keep them occupied while they are in the crate.
5. Close The Door (Or Leave It Open)
Once they are comfortable and happy, you can close the crate door and shut them inside. This helps them get used to being locked in while you are out or everyone is in bed. Other times, you can leave it open to show them that the crate is a bed they are welcome to use whenever they like and that it’s not always a place they are shut into.
6. Step Away And Let Them Rest
As soon as your Corgi puppy is relaxed with the crate door closed and occupied with their toy, you can step away and allow them to rest. Make sure you move away slowly and quietly; you don’t want to get them excited, and you definitely don’t want to make a big deal out of leaving. Let them relax and rest for a while, and let them out once they’ve rested.
When To Use A Crate Or A Playpen
All dogs have different needs, and your Corgi puppy is no exception to this rule. So, when do you use a playpen and when do you use a crate? They’re very similar things, which means it’s not always easy to know which one to get ready. I’ve got a few tips to help make the process easier for you.
When to use a crate:
- Creating a den that will become a comfortable and positive bed
- Ensuring they have a quiet space that can be darkened when needed
- Helping them feel relaxed when things become stressful for them
- Providing a safe, calm space that can be taken with you when you travel
When to use a playpen:
- Trying to help a puppy get used to a home environment in a larger space
- Letting them run free while also restricting their access to areas of the home
- Helping make introductions to other dogs and animals much easier
- Making housetraining easier and keeping messes contained
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Corgis Do Well With Crate Training?
Yes, Corgis can do very well with crate training. While it is down to the individual dog, most puppies enjoy being in a crate so that they can build a safe and comfortable nest to sleep in. For those who don’t enjoy it as much, there is the option to put them in the crate while you are out to keep them safe and stop them from getting into mischief.
Is Self-Soothing A Good Idea For Corgi Puppies?
Self-soothing isn’t always a good idea for Corgi puppies. Some puppies can soothe themselves fairly quickly, but there are others who are inconsolable. It can cause them to become very distressed, and they might even end up throwing up or soiling themselves because they are so upset. This level of self-soothing can be damaging.
When Do Corgis Stop Being Puppies?
Corgis stop being puppies at around 12-18 months of age. This is when they start to become more mature, and their bones finish developing (which is why it’s safer to neuter around this age). However, when a Corgi stops being a puppy, it doesn’t mean they stop needing their crate. For Corgis who love their crate, it can be a lifelong bed.
Final Thoughts
Your Corgi puppy is going to have a great time in their crate. You’ve made them a comfortable place to sleep, relax, and restore their energy so they can get up and play again. It gives them somewhere that’s out of the way to decompress, and it also means that any older dogs in the home get a break when they’re asleep.
Teaching them that the crate is comfortable also means they get plenty of treats and access to their favourite toys as an awesome reward that motivates them to stay in the crate. It makes the experience better for them, which increases the comfort levels within their crate. Overall, it’s a situation where everyone wins and you know your Corgi puppy is happy.
