How To Prepare For A Corgi Puppy: What To Buy + What To Expect

Preparing for a Corgi puppy is an exciting and overwhelming experience.

Before you bring them home, it’s important to prepare your home and make sure it’s a safe and comfortable environment. 

This includes puppy-proofing your home, setting up a designated area for your puppy, and stocking up on essential supplies such as food, water bowls, and toys. 

In this article, I’ll walk you through the preparation steps. And I’ll explain why using a crate and implementing a routine will help your Corgi puppy transition seamlessly into your family!

Let’s go!

Key Takeaways:

• A list of Corgi puppy supplies to buy
• What to expect in the first few weeks after bringing your Corgi puppy home
• Why establishing a routine is so beneficial to both you and your puppy (with an example!)
• How to teach good habits from the beginning like basic commands, bite inhibition, socialization, and sharing toys and food (not resource guarding)

How To Prepare Your Home

Welcoming a new Corgi puppy into your home can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it is important to puppy-proof your home before their arrival. 

Here are some tips to help you create a safe and comfortable environment for your puppy.

Creating A Safe Environment

Corgi puppies are curious and energetic, which means they can get into trouble if you’re not careful. To create a safe environment before your Corgi puppy arrives home, you should:

• Remove any hazardous items that could harm your puppy, such as toxic plants, sharp objects, and electrical cords
• Use a playpen or baby gate to block off areas that are not puppy-proofed
• Keep your puppy away from stairs until they are old enough to handle them safely
• Provide a comfortable crate for your puppy to sleep in
• Consider keeping your puppy confined to one floor/area in the house to keep them safe (and prevent accidents happening elsewhere)

Buy The Right Supplies For Your Corgi Puppy

Choosing the right supplies for your Corgi puppy can make all the difference in their comfort and well-being.

Here’s a list of the must-have supplies:

The First Few Weeks With Your Corgi Puppy

Here’s how to manage the first few weeks with your puppy, establish a routine, and begin to teach them some basic commands. 

The First Few Days

Your Corgi puppy will need lots of attention when they first arrive home to help them feel secure in their new environment. Initially, I recommend keeping them confined to one room in the house, like the kitchen. That’ll make it easier for them to settle in and you won’t be worried about any accidents happening elsewhere in your home!

Expect plenty of cuddles, lots of sniffing and exploring, and possibly some accidents too. Try to keep your home as calm as possible to prevent your Corgi puppy from getting overwhelmed.

The First Few Nights

The first few nights with your new Corgi puppy will be the hardest. If they cry during the night, it’s because they need to go to the toilet or they need reassurance.

It’s up to you whether you want to keep their crate in your bedroom for the first week or two. But remember—your Corgi puppy has recently been separated from their litter. They’re not used to being alone and being close to you will provide them comfort. 

If they do start crying in the night, take them straight outside for a bathroom break. Keep your shoes, a coat, and some treats (to reward toileting) by the door to make this process as painless as possible for you. Once they’ve done their business, place them back in the crate. 

Your goal with the crate is to make it feel like a safe, relaxed space. If your Corgi continues to cry and your instinct tells you to cuddle them–do it! 

Don’t rush crate training—trust me, proper training will pay off in the future—and allow your puppy to use the toilet and/or provide reassurance during those first few nights. If you make the crate feel like a safe space (where they don’t go unignored), they will eventually get used to it.

Crate Training

As mentioned above, a crate offers your Corgi a safe space to retreat when they’re anxious, tired, or overwhelmed by a new situation like young children visiting the house for the first time.

Use bedding or towels and a dog bed to create a comfy environment for your puppy. To get them used to the crate, give them something stimulating to do while hanging out in there. For example, play with a KONG toy filled with peanut butter. 

In the first few weeks, feed your puppy their meals in the crate, too. This will help to build a positive association with the crate.  After you’ve done this a few times, feed them with the door closed, and open it immediately after they finish. Gradually, you can increase the time the door stays closed (but never leave them there all day).

When it’s bedtime, naptime, or you need to pop out for a short period, put your Corgi puppy into the crate with a treat and close the door. Never use the crate as punishment. It should always be a safe, happy place.

Safety Precautions

If you prepared your home before your Corgi puppy arrived, you may already have this covered.

However, there’s nothing like bringing your puppy home and seeing them in their new environment to help you realize whether your puppy-proofing is good enough!

As your new puppy explores their surroundings, keep a close eye on them to ensure there’s nothing dangerous (or valuable) within reach. For example, mobile phone chargers lying around or small gaps that they can squeeze through! 

Feeding Schedule

Your Corgi breeder will have told you how often to feed your puppy and with what food. In general, puppies eat 4x a day until they’re three months old, when they drop down to 3x a day. They must be always fed at the same time each day. 

Effective Housebreaking

Patience and consistency are essential to effective housebreaking. In the first few weeks and months with your new Corgi puppy, take them outside every hour for a toilet break, after they eat, when they wake up from a nap, and just before bedtime.

You’ll also want to monitor their behavior so that you can catch accidents before they happen indoors. Walking around in circles or lingering in a specific spot might be a sign that your Corgi puppy needs the toilet.

When they do relieve themselves outside, reward them with praise, affection, or a treat. The more diligent and patient you are during potty training, the sooner your corgi will be house-trained. 

Read the article: 9 Simple Steps To Potty Train Your Corgi

What About Toilet Training Pads?

You may want to lay these down in your Corgi’s crate at night in case they have an accident.

However, many dog owners don’t recommend using them (outside of the crate) unless you really have to.

This is because your Corgi puppy may develop a preference for the texture of the pad (rather than grass, for example), which slows down potty training. 

Basic Training

Corgis are highly intelligent dogs that thrive on consistent training and the mental stimulation it provides. It’s essential for their development and will also help strengthen the bond between you.

In those first few weeks after you bring them home, gently introduce some basic training. Here are some areas you can focus on:

• Basic Commands: Teach simple commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, and ‘no’. Use positive reinforcement like treats or praise. Keep training sessions short and fun, as puppies have limited attention spans.
• Bite Inhibition: Puppies explore with their mouths, so it’s vital to teach them not to bite. If they bite, say “no” firmly and give them a toy instead. If they continue, end the playtime to teach them that biting leads to no fun.
• Leash Training: Get your puppy used to a harness and leash early on. Start by letting them wear the harness and then gradually add the leash. Practice walking indoors before moving outside.
• Prevent Resource Guarding: Teach your puppy to share toys and food. Practice trading items with them, offering something better in return to teach that giving up something leads to a reward.

Read the article: 6 Easy Training Tips for First-Time Corgi Owners

Setting Up A Routine

Corgi puppies thrive on routine. I recommend establishing a daily routine that includes a feeding schedule, potty breaks, exercise, and time in the crate.

Consistency will help your Corgi puppy learn what to expect each day, making the transition smoother for both of you.

Note: The routine below is for a 3+ month-old Corgi puppy. Before they’re 3 months old, you’ll probably be feeding them 4x a day (as opposed to 3x). Feeding times might be 7 am, 11 am, 3 pm, and 6 pm.

Here’s what that Corgi puppy routine could look like:

• 06:30-7:00 am: Puppy wakes up. Take them outside to the toilet immediately
• 07:00 am: Breakfast time. After they’ve eaten, take your puppy outside to the toilet
• Mid-morning: Spend the rest of the morning playing with your puppy and allowing them time to sleep in their crate. 
• Midday: As soon as your puppy wakes up from nap time, take them outside. Then feed them lunch, and take them outside for another potty break
• Mid-afternoon: More time for playing and napping. Whenever your puppy wakes from a nap, take them for a potty break
• 5-5.30 pm: Dinner time. After they’ve eaten, take them outside to the toilet
• Evening: Playtime and a final toilet break before bed
• Bedtime: A set bedtime will make housebreaking easier. It doesn’t matter if it’s 8 pm or 10 pm, as long as you stick to the same time each night. Take them to their crate and help them settle down for the night

Once your Corgi puppy has had all their vaccinations and is allowed to go outside (beyond your garden), you can incorporate short walks into the routine in the morning and evening. 

Grooming

For the first few weeks after you bring your puppy home, it’s about getting your Corgi used to the look and feel of the brush on their coat.

A few times a week, (very) gently brush their coat for a few minutes. This will help prevent them from being scared of grooming in the future.

Vaccinations

Your Corgi puppy will have had their first vaccination between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Their next vaccination will be due 2-4 weeks later, depending on their age and the brand of vaccine. 

Speak to your vet about the timings. They’ll need to see your puppy’s paperwork, which a responsible breeder will have given you. About two weeks after their second vaccination, you can take them on walks outside.

Flea & Worming Treatment

You can put a flea and worming regime in place around the time of your Corgi puppy’s second vaccination. Add monthly reminders in your calendar for regular treatments like flea and worming tablets.

Microchipping

Update or register your puppy’s microchip with your information. Microchip regulations vary from country to country—in the UK it is mandatory—so double-check which rules apply in your region.

Socialization

Corgis need early socialization to ensure they don’t grow up too dominant or aloof. Socialization will increase their confidence, make them less fearful in new situations, and generally help them to become a well-rounded adult dog.

If your local park isn’t full of other dogs to socialize with, ask your vet or look online for puppy classes or ‘puppy parties’ as they’re sometimes called. They are a great opportunity for your Corgi puppy to meet other dogs.

Introducing Them To Other Pets

If you have other pets at home, it’s important to introduce them early on so they can begin to get used to each other. If you have a resident dog in the family, the first place they should meet your new Corgi puppy is somewhere neutral like the park. 

Ask a friend to come along so that someone can pay attention to each dog. They may sniff, circle or simply ignore one another. If they act strangely, don’t worry. There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ first meeting—it will take time for two dogs to become the best of friends!

If you’ve got a cat at home, the best way to introduce them to your new Corgi puppy will depend on their personality. If they’re timid, try using a baby gate to separate them. This will allow your Corgi puppy to observe your cat without getting too close. 

Another idea is to swap your Corgi puppy’s bedding or blankets with your cat—preferably before they’re under the same roof together. This will get them used to each other’s scent and build familiarity between them.

Read the article: How to Get Your Corgi Better at Being Around Other Dogs

Frequently Asked Questions

What essentials should I purchase before bringing a Corgi puppy home?

Before bringing a Corgi puppy home, it is important to have a few essentials on hand to ensure that your new furry friend is comfortable and safe. These essentials include a crate, food and water bowls, high-quality puppy food, a leash and collar, chew toys, and bedding. It is also a good idea to have a few cleaning supplies on hand for accidents and messes.

How can I effectively crate train my Corgi puppy?

Crate training is an important part of raising a Corgi puppy. To effectively crate train your puppy, start by introducing them to the crate gradually and making it a positive experience. Use treats and toys to encourage your puppy to enter the crate and spend time in it. 

Once your puppy is comfortable in the crate, gradually increase the amount of time they spend inside. It is important to never use the crate as a form of punishment and to always make it a positive experience for your puppy.

What should I expect when I first bring a Corgi puppy into my home?

When you first bring a Corgi puppy into your home, you can expect a period of adjustment as your new furry friend gets used to their new surroundings. 

They may be nervous or anxious at first, but with patience and love, they will soon settle in and become a beloved member of your family. It is important to establish a routine and set boundaries early on to help your puppy adjust.

Is a Corgi suitable for first-time dog owners?

Corgis can be a great choice for first-time dog owners, as they are generally easy to train and have a friendly, outgoing nature. 

However, it is important to remember that Corgis do require regular exercise and grooming, and may not be suitable for those with allergies due to their shedding.

What are some effective training strategies for Corgi puppies?

Corgis are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement training. Effective training strategies for Corgi puppies include using treats and toys to reward good behavior, keeping training sessions short and consistent, and using a firm but gentle tone of voice. 

It is important to be patient and consistent with your training, and to always make it a positive experience for your puppy.