Dogs – Page 4 – A Few Good Pets

Corgis have become extremely popular dogs in the United States within in the past few years. They are cute, cuddly and full of personality. Many people thinking about owning a corgi may be concerned about their barking habits. While it may not be important to some people, to others, excessive barking could be a deal-breaker. Do corgis bark a lot? For the most part, yes, corgis are known to be moderate barkers. While some corgis may not bark at all, the majority of them enjoy barking often and thanks to their herding nature, it is a part of their DNA. Even though corgis have a penchant for barking, they can be taught to limit their barking at certain times. Barking is a natural form of communication for almost all dogs and they sometimes just cannot help themselves. Usually, most dogs bark for a specific reason and this is no different for corgis. Thankfully, if you can understand the reason why they bark, you can learn how to train them to limit their barking when necessary. Why do corgis bark so much? Corgis will bark for a variety of reasons. They were originally bred as herding dogs and many corgis still help farmers herd their livestock today. This, along with their high energy and exceptional intelligence, corgis tend to bark more often than other dogs. A corgi, like most dogs, usually does not just bark to bark. Here are a few reasons why your corgi may be barking. (source) 1. To alert you that someone is outside or nearby. Corgis are very intelligent animals and will often bark to alert their owners that someone or some animals is outside or nearby. They will often bark facing the direction of the sound or smell that they have sensed. If they are barking at something, try to find out what they are barking at so that you can remove the object or calm them down. 2. They are bored. Thanks to there intelligence and high energy, corgis need mental stimulation to keep them occupied. If not, they may bark until either you play with them or give them something to do. Most dogs enjoy the company of their owners and will bark if left alone for hours on end with nothing to do. 3. They are being territorial. Corgis are known to be exceptionally loyal to their owners and they will bark sometimes to alert other dogs or people that they are entering their territory uninvited. This barking defensive maneuver can be very helpful in keeping you and your dog safe from intruders or dangerous animals. Most predators, human or animal, will move on when faced with a barking dog. 4. They are trying to get your attention. Corgis will often bark to let you know that something is wrong. They may not be feeling well, or they may need to go outside to potty and they will bark to let you know something is up. Usually, this bark will be directed straight towards you and you will notice that it is different from the defensive bark. 5. They have anxiety or fear. Some dogs have anxiety from being left alone for long periods of time or they are afraid of loud noises like thunder and lightning. Sometimes, anxiety and fear cause dogs to bark incessantly. Often, this can be remedied with training or with the help of a vet and calming medications. 6. Do corgis bark if well-trained? A well-trained corgi will often bark less than an untrained corgi. Typically, if they are trained, they will often have jobs to do, like herding animals on a farm. Just by training them, you are essentially giving them the job of obeying your commands. This does not mean that a well-trained dog will never bark, it just means that they will bark less and they will usually stop barking on command if they are trained properly. Ways to Reduce Barking Give them a toy Corgis need a job or task to do to keep their sharp minds active and their bodies in motion. Sure, they will get tired and rest eventually, but until then, you need to keep them busy to keep them from barking. You can find them a toy, preferably one that is high quality, intriguing and long-lasting. Steer clear of stuffed toys, they are no match for a corgi. Give them a job If you have farm animals, consider working with a trainer to teach your corgi to help you on the farm. Corgis make excellent farm dogs and were bred for herding, so they will be a great asset to any farm. While they may bark when herding, the job itself will wear them out and give them the exercise and fun they were wanting. This will, in turn, limit their barking habits in the future. If you do not have a farm, but you do have a backyard for them to play in, teach your corgi a game such as fetch and play with them daily. Take your corgi for daily walks If you do not have a farm to help give your dog a daily job, you should consider taking them for daily walks. This exercise is not only great for their health, but it also helps to relieve built-up energy that can lead to excessive barking. Get them to focus on you If your corgi appears to be barking at everything for no apparent reason, try diverting their attention towards you. Sometimes, all they need is a reminder that you are there and that will help stop the barking. Be careful not to reward the barking with love and cuddles. Just snap your fingers, make a strange noise, or touch them lightly to divert their attention. (source) Use positive reinforcement Most vets recommend using positive reinforcement to teach the dog to do something besides barking. For instance, you can teach your dog to sit or lay down on command. When they start barking, ask them to sit or lay down, then reward them for their good behavior. If you do this every time they bark unnecessarily, you can teach them that stopping and following your command is the desired behavior. What Not To Do About Barking Dogs Do not just yell at them Yelling at a corgi can cause confusion. They may think that you are simply joining in on the barking or they may not understand what they are doing wrong. Barking for dogs is their main form of communication so if you are yelling too, they may assume what they are doing is right. Avoid using citronella and shock collars Many people warn against using citronella collars and shock collars. They can cause more issues than you intended. You may stop some of the barking, but you may create a dog that is fearful or full of anxiety. (source) Final Thoughts Yes, corgis do bark a lot, but that does not mean that you should not own one. They are super smart dogs with a lot of energy that will keep you on your toes, but they will also be extremely loyal companions that usually love to snuggle and rest beside you when the day is over. There are plenty of ways to combat their moderate barking habits and help get them to an acceptable level without causing any lasting issues.