How I’m Loose Leash Training My Corgi (8 Tips You Have To Try!)
Loose leash training means you and your Corgi will have better and more enjoyable walks. To get the most out of it, start the training inside, remember that YouTube is there to help you, and remain patient with your dog. Most importantly? Treats help. A lot.
Trying to walk a Corgi who is bad on the leash is pretty stressful. It makes the walk miserable for both of you, and you end up not wanting to go out at all. The whole point of walking the dog is so that they get to sniff and stretch their legs, and you both benefit physically and mentally from the exercise.
Training your Corgi to be good on the leash can be done fairly easily, but loose-leash training is where it’s at. It allows you both to relax more; it means your Corgi gets to sniff as much as they want, and it makes the walking experience a good one. As with any form of training, you’re going to need to be patient and remain consistent.
Need a hand? Here are eight tips for how I’m loose leash training my Corgi.
Key Takeaways
- Loose leash training can make walks more relaxing for both of you
- Use high-value treats and start training indoors
- YouTube had loads of great training resources
- Short and positive sessions have a greater impact
- Sniffing is the most important reward for your Corgi
Is Loose Leash Training Worth It?
Loose leash training is definitely worth it. Having your Corgi trot along beside you on a loose leash is incredibly relaxing, and I don’t know how I had good walks before I trained mine like this. It’s a more natural form of walking for both of you, and it literally lets them stop and smell the roses (mine love flowers, does your Corgi?).
It doesn’t matter how old your Corgi is; they can benefit from loose leash training. It’s not hard to instil in them, but it does take time and reinforcement to ensure they have the hang of it. You might not see results for a few weeks (or maybe longer than a month), but it’s worth the effort. It’s safer for you both (no more falling), and you’ll both be happier.
8 Tips For Loose Leash Training Your Corgi
These are the tips I have been using to loose leash train my Corgi. Hopefully, they are able to help you and your stumpy bestie get on the right track to happier, calmer walks. Just remember one thing – patience is key and punishment will get you nowhere.
1. YouTube Is Your Friend
One of the best ways I have found to get back on track with loose leash training is by watching YouTube videos. Now, I am always careful to avoid those who use cruel training methods such as shock collars and choke chains. Positive reinforcement has been shown to be the most effective method, and I stand against unethical practices.
Watching how others do it has been massively helpful on my journey, and I found the following videos to be especially useful:
Not all of these are Corgi-specific videos, but the message remains the same. The techniques used here are excellent and will help a lot in your training.
2. Start Training Indoors
Indoor sessions are the best way to start. There are fewer distractions, and it’s a familiar space, so your Corgi’s attention will always be on you. You can practice by keeping your Corgi on your right side while you walk back and forth across the room. Reward them with a treat and plenty of praise when they do a good job and walk nicely by your side.
What this does is show your Corgi what you expect of them and the type of behavior that gets rewarded when they do a good job. I recommend doing several indoor sessions before you head outside and try for the real thing.
3. Use High-Value Treats
Corgis love food, and it’s a great motivator for them. Loose leash training needs to be seen as desirable, which is why you should use high-value treats. It might be chunks of frozen chicken or delectable slices of sausage – the better the treat, the more willing your Corgi will be to follow instructions and learn what you’re teaching them.
Pro Tip: Remember that Corgis are prone to being overweight, so adjust their meals according to how many treats they get during training.
4. Sniffing And Treats Are Rewards
Treats aren’t the only reward for walking well on a loose leash. When your Corgi behaves themselves, you can offer them a high-value treat or allow them to stop and sniff a spot they are interested in. Walks are all about exploring the world through scents for dogs, and sniffing is a vital part of them. Allowing them to sniff makes loose leash walking desirable.
5. Keep Sessions Short And Positive
Training is a form of mental stimulation, and that’s just as tiring as physical exercise for your dog. They get bored and distracted, tired and grumpy, and it’s the same as when you’re teaching a child how to do something new. They’re animals, not robots, and they are going to need breaks, and they’ll get it wrong sometimes.
If you want to set your Corgi up for success, you need to keep training sessions to short bursts of 10-15 minutes. After that time, let them run around in the park and play or whatever else they find fun and rewarding. Keep the entire session as positive as possible. The more positive you are, the faster they will pick up their training.
6. Teach Leave It At The Same Time
Corgis, like many dogs, are terrible for being little piggies who want to eat anything and everything they come across on the ground. It makes them bad at walking on the leash, causes a lot of pulling and lunging, and it’s unsafe for them in general. You have no idea what they might be eating, and this is where leave it comes in.
Teaching it alongside loose leash walking means that you keep them safe while also helping them get better at walking nicely. You kill two birds with one stone, and the leave it command is very easy to teach so long as you remain consistent.
7. Always Be Patient
Training is always going to test your patience, especially with dogs who are as stubborn as Corgis. But you have to remain patient, calm, and gentle if you want to see results. Even when you have made great progress, there are still going to be slip-ups where your Corgi lunges, and you feel like everything is ruined (I’ve been there many times).
But getting angry and frustrated with your Corgi is only going to set you back (and it will set you back a lot), so you need to remain calm and positive. Progress is progress, and everyone has bad days – even Corgis. Take a moment to breathe, collect yourself, and get back on track.
8. Remember Training Is Ongoing
It’s never finished. Training will never really be over, and it’s an ongoing process. It’s true because once you stop reinforcing training, your Corgi will slip back into old habits eventually. Dogs aren’t perfect. They are silly, disobedient, complex creatures just like us. They have their own thoughts and personalities so it’s about learning to work with them.
Be patient, forgive them for their mistakes, and remember that this is a process you are sharing together, and you need to be on the same page. Once you accept this, you’ll find success, and you’ll find it so incredibly freeing (I know I did).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Corgis Hard To Leash Train?
Corgi’s aren’t hard to leash train because they are highly intelligent and actually regarded as one of the smartest dogs in the world. However, they are also very stubborn, which means you might find things a little frustrating if they don’t feel like listening. Remember to be patient and persevere – it pays off in the end.
Can Corgis Be Off Leash?
Yes, Corgis can be off-leash. As long as you train them properly and ensure they have excellent recall, there is no problem with letting them run around and stretch their legs. However, if they have a high prey drive or poor recall, you might want to consider using a long leash to allow them some freedom while also keeping control.
Does It Take A Long Time For Corgis To Be Leash Trained?
You can easily expect it to take 3-4 weeks before you start seeing results in loose leash training your Corgi. It’s all about being consistent, maintaining a firm yet friendly approach, and being patient with your pup. Training isn’t something that ever really stops, and you have to stay on top of things and reinforce them even when you start seeing the results.
Final Thoughts
Once you and your Corgi have mastered loose-leash training, you’ll see just how much it was worth the effort. Your fluffy friend gets to sniff more and trot along beside you, and you don’t have to worry about yanking the lead too hard or stressing out about how badly they are behaving. Instead, you get the walk you always dreamed of.
Now, these eight tips have worked wonders for me when loose leash training my Corgi. However, not all Corgis are the same, and if yours isn’t listening or you’re struggling with their stubbornness, there is no shame in seeking a trainer to help you. Training can be tough, and we all need help getting to grips with it sometimes.
