Corgis are extremely bright, energetic dogs with a heart of gold and a willingness to please. Yet even with all of that going for them, like any dog, they do best if they are well-trained. A dog that has proper obedience training and socialization is a great companion. The biggest challenge in training Corgis is often their small size. Towering over a small dog and having to bend to correct errors is hard on the owner's back, and delayed corrections can easily be misinterpreted by the dog. There are a few tricks to make basic training easier on both your back and your Corgi.
Things You'll Need
- Slip collar
- Leashes
- Chair or table
Instructions
Training Your Corgi
Know your dog. Every breed has its own disposition and temperament according to what the dogs were bred to do. Even if your situation is far removed from the types of activitiesm your dog is programmed for those tendencies remain a part of his attitude and demeanor. According to the AKC, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a cattle-driving dog and the smallest of the herding group. This gives your little companion a lot of drive and desire to push, rather than to follow. This attitude can cause some frustration if you do not realize it for what it is and take it into account. Your Corgi is not being obstinate; he's being a Corgi.
Put the slip collar on your Corgi. When placed on your dog's neck in the correct manner, this collar is not a cruel device or a "choke" collar, as it is sometimes referred to. It will snap and release, rather than constrict and hold. The proper way to apply a slip collar is to slip the chain through one of the end loops and hold it in the shape of a "P" in front of your dog. The chain end should fall along your dog's right side, as shown in the illustration.
Place your Corgi on a table covered with a piece of rubber to avoid slipping, or on a padded chair. By raising the dog up to your height, it is much easier to teach simple, stationary commands, such as "sit," "down" and "stay." Teach him these skills first, to get him in the habit of obeying your orders, and also to help get him accustomed to learning. With your dog on the table or chair, command him to sit. Hold the end of the leash in one hand and place your other hand firmly on his rump until he gives into the pressure and sits. Slowly lengthen the amount of time he remains in that position until he can hold it for several minutes. Always "release" him by giving them the "OK" word of your choice. Whatever word you use to release your dog from a training exercise should be something you would not normally say while training. "Done," "That'll do," or any word or combination of words will do fine, as long as you are consistent in the one you choose.
Place your hand behind your Corgi's front legs when she is in a "sit" position and command her "Down" while at the same time pushing forward behind her front legs to encourage her to lie down. Slowly lengthen the amount of time in the position until she can hold it for several minutes.
Place your Corgi on the ground and repeat the above commands. Now that he has mastered "sit" and "down" on a raised platform. it will be easier on your back, and he should complete the actions easily with simple verbal commands. If he backslides a little, simply place him back on his training platform (table or chair) and go back to the basics until he realizes you still mean the same thing.
Command your Corgi to "stay" while she is in any of the above positions ("sit" or "down") and take a step away. If she moves, return to her and gently remind her of the position you wish her to be in, repeating the command for that position. Repeat the command "stay" and step away. Slowly lengthen the amount of time and the distance away from her until you can walk out of sight (around a corner to a different room, or out of her line of sight outside) for several minutes.
Attach a 24-foot leash to the slip collar and stand with your Corgi sitting at your left side. Take a step and say the word "heel" at the same time. Let your Corgi do whatever comes naturally; in many cases, that will be run ahead of you to the limits of the leash. Keep walking forward, but hold the end of the leash firmly. When your Corgi hits the end of the leash, it will correct him. Turn immediately and walk in the opposite direction. Allow your Corgi to run to the end of the leash as often as it takes him to learn that it is much more fun to be at your side. Turn and walk in a different direction repeatedly. Since you are constantly changing directions, he will quickly learn that he needs to pay close attention to where you are going at all times. Soon, he will be at your heel every time you command him to "heel" when you walk.
Attach a 6-foot leash to the slip collar and repeat the "heel" exercise. Your Corgi should be able to walk calmly at your side with a slack leash. If she begins to move away again, go back to the long leash and repeat the exercise in Step 7.