When you think of dogs with jobs, many people call to mind images of police dogs or search-and-rescue dogs. These dogs carry an important title in our society, but pet dogs can also benefit from having a job to do.
Giving your Corgi a job to occupy them and wear them out can make your life with your furry friend a lot more enjoyable.
Corgis are high-energy herding dogs who benefit from having a job to do. Without stimulation, Corgis tend to be destructive and can engage in unwanted behaviors like barking. Jobs like agility, hide and seek, cleaning up their toys, and even just basic obedience can help to improve your life with your pup.
If you think that you are ready to put your Corgi to work, here’s what you should know and a few simple ways for you to get started!
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Do Corgis Need a Job?
Many prospective dog owners claim that they want an intelligent dog to help round out their family. Unfortunately, many people do not necessarily realize what a burden it can be to have such a smart and highly capable breed in their home.
Corgis are indeed quite clever and can be extremely easy to train. They have the capability to make you an excellent companion, but they also have the drive to perform that requires them to have a job.
If you were hoping to have a dog that could double as a couch potato, you might be barking up the wrong tree. Corgis were originally bred to work long hours herding livestock. Their energy level is quite high.
When you combine their energy with their intelligence, it makes sense that these dogs are much happier when given the structure and routine of having a job.
A job grants your Corgi the mental stimulation that they need to prevent them from being destructive. Dogs with similar traits who do not receive the structure and stimulation they need will do their best to create it on their own.
They may bark excessively, annoying your neighbors in the process. They might also begin to experiment with destructive behaviors like chewing.
All Corgis can benefit from mental stimulation, but they also need a job that requires them to expend some of their incredible physical energy. You need to come up with a job that both you and your Corgi will enjoy together.
Some people like the idea of training their dog to do fancy tricks, run obstacle courses, and more. Ideally, your Corgi should have a minimum of one hour of exercise and physical stimulation each day.
In short, a Corgi could definitely benefit from having a routine job to do. It grants them the structure and purpose that they crave. The key is just finding a job that both of you will enjoy working on together.
Why Jobs are Good for Your Corgi
First and foremost, a job for your pet dog will help your Corgi to get rid of their excess energy. You have your work cut out for you if you are intending to expend all of your dog’s energy, but this type of work can at least help take the edge off.
A job also helps to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. Corgis without jobs are well-known to engage in behavior that can destroy your home and be bad for your dog’s health. They are known to become excessive barkers, backyard diggers, and furniture chewers.
You may also notice an uptick in negative social behaviors such as jumping on people or herding small children around the house by nipping at their heels.
Perhaps even more than this, working with your Corgi will improve the bond you have with your dog. You can become more in sync than ever before. Your intelligent canine companion will quickly become your right-hand man.
20 Jobs and Activities for Your Corgi
Not sure what kind of job will make your Corgi happy? Here are a few fun ideas to get you started!
Backyard Jobs
1. Agility Training
If you have a large backyard, you might want to consider setting up an agility course for your dog. You could build a teeter, set up a tunnel, create some weave poles, and give your dog small hurdles to jump. Even if you never get into competing in agility contests, you and your Corgi can still have great fun working on these courses at home.
2. Hide and Seek
While your dog is distracted in the backyard, take off and hide behind your playground or a tree. Wait to see if your dog is interested and comes looking for you. If not, you can make a small sound that gains their attention and encourages them to come find you.
This is great to play in a backyard that has lots of hiding spaces, but it can also be done indoors to give yourself more options for places to hide.
3. Toy Search
This is another variation on the idea of playing hide and seek with your dog. Hide their favorite toy somewhere in the backyard (or in the house) and encourage them to find it. When they do, reward them with a few solid minutes of their favorite game with their toy such as fetch or tug-of-war.
4. Flyball
If you have multiple dogs and want to engage in a fun sport, flyball is a popular type of relay race that your dog may enjoy. They run at full speed down a course filled with hurdles.
At the end, they press their paw on a box which releases a ball. They catch the ball and then return back down the course to their handler. As they return, the next dog gears up for his turn to run the course until all dogs have had a turn.
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5. Interactive Games
Giving your dog a job to do doesn’t have to be terribly difficult. Play a game where you spend time interacting with your Corgi one-on-one. Tug, chase, and fetch are all excellent options that increase your bond, expend their physical energy, and curb unwanted nuisance behaviors.
Indoor or Around the Home Jobs for your Corgi
6. Nosework
Teach your dog to do what they do best: explore smells around the home. Ask your dog to locate a variety of scents in exchange for a tasty morsel or a round of their favorite game. This is great for older Corgis who may not have the energy for agility work or flyball.
7. Obedience Training
Teaching your dog the basics of obedience is a necessity for their safety and your sanity. It can also give your dog boundaries and structure that they desperately need.
If you aren’t comfortable teaching your dog on your own, consider enrolling in a class where your Corgi can also receive some socialization.
8. Trick Training
Once your dog has the foundations of obedience down, you can move on to more advanced tricks. These are the type that you can show off at parties such as playing dead, roll over, or fetching the newspaper from the end of the drive. There are plenty of video tutorials on YouTube to help you figure out the process of training your Corgi to do these tasks.
9. Dog in the Middle
If you have a large family, gather everyone in a circle with your Corgi in the middle. Have each family member take turns calling the dog and then rewarding them for coming. This enhances your dog’s recall and keeps them mentally stimulated.
10. Clean Up
Does your Corgi have lots of toys that are all over the house? Teach them to “clean up” and put their toys back in the box. You can even scatter their toys around for them and then encourage them to put them back in their proper spot.
Jobs at the Park
11. Herding
Your Corgi was bred to herd, but you don’t want him to do it in your home or to your children. Take them to the park and let them herd the wildlife for a little bit. You can allow them off-leash if allowed and trained or purchase a long line specifically for this purpose.
12. Long Walks
The power of a long walk should not be understated. Keeping your dog in the heel position for a full hour forces them to use their mental energy. There is a time and a place for sniffing and exploring, but these walks are meant to give structure and mental stimulation.
13. Skatejoring or Bikejoring
Allow your dog to pull you along on wheels down the paths at your local park. You will need harness that comfortably allows your dog to pull you behind them on skates or on a bicycle. Because Corgis are a bit smaller, you may need to help them out a bit but it is still a fun exercise for them.
14. Pack for Your Hike
Your dog can help you carry your water bottles on your next hike. Not only will the walk tire them out mentally, but the act of physically carrying additional weight will wear them out physically too.
Remember that you need to take it easy at first. Only add a bottle or two of water and never add more than 10 percent of your dog’s weight.
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Community Jobs for your Corgi
15. Go Shopping
Get your dog out of the house for a little while and take them shopping. Be sure to keep them in the heel position instead of allowing them to wander in front of you. This is a great way to socialize your dog and reinforce basic obedience. You and your leashed pup can visit pet stores or even many home improvement stores.
16. Visit the Beach
Many dogs love to cool off in the water, so you can encourage your dog to swim in the ocean or a nearby lake. Consider purchasing them a life vest for extra safety.
17. Therapy
If your dog is relatively calm and sociable, she might enjoy therapy work. You can enroll your dog in a course to certify them for therapy work in schools, hospitals, and even libraries. Alliance of Therapy Dogs can help you to get started on this track.
Mental Stimulation for your Corgi
18. Puzzle Toys
Giving your dog puzzle toys is a great way to give them a job even if you aren’t home. You can give Kong balls stuffed with frozen peanut butter or cream cheese.
19. Work for Meals
Instead of pouring your dog’s kibble into their bowl, scatter it across the dining room floor. They will use their heightened sense of smell to ensure that they get every last morsel.
20. Find the Treat
Take three identical cups and place a treat under one of them. Shuffle the cups around and encourage your dog to find the treat you hid. This helps to improve their problem solving and wears out their active minds.
Conclusion
A Corgi with a job has greater confidence in their world around them. They can be independent dogs with excellent behavior when their minds and bodies are being regularly used. They will be happier and more confident dogs who engage in fewer unwanted behaviors. Giving your Corgi a job can really improve your life with your four-legged friend.
Related Questions
How do I keep my Corgi entertained?
The best thing you can do for your Corgi is to spend lots of time with him. They like to play interactive games that use their mental and physical energy. Find tasks that your dog enjoys doing and incorporate them into your daily routine.
Can Corgis be left alone for a long time?
Corgis are typically very high-energy dogs that should not be left alone for long periods of time without a job to do. You might be able to get away with leaving your Corgi unattended if you provide something for her to do while you’re gone such as playing with puzzle toys.
Is a Corgi a good house dog?
Corgis have the potential to be extremely good house dogs, but they must have a job to do. Without the physical exertion and mental stimulation, they can engage in seriously destructive and annoying behaviors such as barking and chewing. Make sure that you have time to dedicate to your new family member before getting a Corgi.
Do Corgis sleep a lot?
Many people are under the impression that Corgis are lazy dogs, but this could not be further from the truth. They are known for being energetic herding dogs that require lots of work to keep them active and happy.
Are Corgis high maintenance?
In addition to their grooming requirements, Corgis can indeed be quite high-maintenance. They require a minimum of an hour of exercise each day as well as mental stimulation. Make sure you are thoroughly prepared to tend to all of your dog’s needs before purchasing this breed.
