If you want to stop your Corgi from barking once and for all, it often comes down to changing their association with the doorbell. You can train them to stay quiet with treats or redirect them to pick up toys instead of barking. The choice is yours, and the training is simple.
My Corgis are the unwavering guardians of my home, and I love them dearly. The only problem is they can get a little loud when the doorbell rings. I know they are just alerting me to a new presence at our home, and they are being protective, but it can be a bit too much on the eardrums. That’s when I knew it was time to start training again.
Sometimes, it’s because it hurts our ears, and other times, it’s because we have neighbors who don’t understand that dogs bark sometimes. Whatever the reason for wanting your Corgi to stop barking when the doorbell rings, the training process isn’t as gruelling as you might think. Want to stop your Corgi from barking at the doorbell once and for all? I’ve got you covered.
Key Takeaways:
- Corgis are vocal dogs, which means they bark a lot
- It’s possible to train them to stop (but they’re stubborn)
- Redirection is one of the best training methods
- Always use positive reinforcement and never yell at them
- Having multiple dogs in the home can make things harder
Why Do Corgis Bark At The Doorbell?
Your Corgi barks at the doorbell because they are letting you know someone has arrived. A new person is in their territory, and it’s essential you know about it. If it’s a stranger, they might be barking to warn or protect you. If it’s someone you know, they might be barking through excitement instead. Either way, they’re telling the whole household to check it out.
Pro Tip: I’ve noticed my Corgis have a different bark depending on whether it’s a stranger or a friend. See if you can tell the difference with your dogs.
How To Stop Your Corgi Barking At The Doorbell
We have a great guide on how to stop your Corgi from barking excessively if you need it, but if you’re good with just the doorbell, then stick around. I have some fantastic steps you can follow to make training easier and get your Corgi to stay quiet when someone arrives.
Simple training steps to stop your Corgi barking at the doorbell once and for all:
- Get your Corgi to sit by the door and wait
- Ring the doorbell. If they do not react, praise them and give them a treat. If they do react, calmly show them the treat, get them to sit, and ring the doorbell again.
- Whenever they react calmly, give them the treat (but only after a calm reaction).
- Repeat the process as many times as possible until they no longer react to the doorbell when it rings.
It is important that you keep training sessions short and sweet so that they retain information and don’t get bored. Restless dogs don’t listen well, and you want them to be focused. Always stay patient and calm, and never yell at them for barking (it will make it worse). Positive reinforcement is the only way forward, and it might take a while.
Making Your Doorbell The Cue For Good Behavior
The whole point of training them to stop barking at the doorbell is that the bell becomes the cue for them to be quiet and do as they are told. In some cases, it might be the cue to go to bed, and in others, it might be the signal for them to pick up a toy to silence them. Either way, they get a reward through a treat or praise until they associate the bell with their cue.
Pro Tip: Have a jar of treats readily available near the door so that they can be treated on occasion when unexpected guests arrive at the door.
If you’re enjoying this, check out our article on 7 Common Corgi Behavioral Problems & How to Solve Them!
What If You Have Multiple Dogs In The Home?
If you have multiple dogs in the home, then training your Corgi is going to be a little harder. If everyone gets excited and noisy over the doorbell, trying to teach them all to be quiet becomes a huge challenge. However, there is a way around it. The only problem is that it takes a lot more time and effort to get the job done.
What you need to do is separate the dogs. Take one into the room with you to be trained and shut the other one out so that you have their full focus. Once you have one responding to the doorbell the way you want them to, you can move to the other. Then, when both of them start behaving, you can try the doorbell with them both in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Corgis Vocal Dogs?
Yes, Corgis are very vocal dogs. Since they are herding dogs and bred to keep cattle in line, they bark to let the cows know they need to move. They are naturally loud, which means it can be harder to train it out of them when you need them to be quieter. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to make them stop.
Do Corgis Bark At Everything?
It’s true that Corgis bark at a lot of things, but every dog is different. Some Corgis might bark at everything, and others might be rather quiet. A lot of it depends on their personality as well as the way they were trained. Similarly, if a Corgi is particularly anxious or nervous, then they might be more prone to barking.
Are Corgi Puppies Noisy?
Yes, Corgi puppies are often noisy. They make noise to get your attention and let you know they need something, and they also tend to cry a lot more than older dogs. It could be that they are lonely, or they miss their litter, or it might be because they are hungry or want to go outside. This is also the stage when they are learning more about how to bark and when to do it.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these tips have helped you on your journey to a quieter Corgi. Their little songs can be incredibly sweet, but when the doorbell goes, the last thing you want is total chaos when you’re trying to navigate everything else. Training can be tough, but it’s worth it for the results (and a much calmer house when the bell rings).
If you’re struggling with training your Corgi, remember that there are always professionals you can rely on. Hiring a dog trainer can be a great move if you’re having a hard time getting through to your fluffy friend and you need some advice. Not every Corgi is easy to train, and even I have needed trainers to help me with certain aspects of their behavior.