If you live in an apartment and are thinking about getting a dog you may be wondering if a Corgi would be a good fit for your lifestyle. Or maybe you’re thinking about moving to an apartment and are curious if your Corgi will be able to adjust to living there.
Corgis are very adaptable dogs who can usually live in apartments with no major issues. However, they will likely require some training to make apartment living more suitable for them.
Corgis are small, happy dogs who luckily aren’t too hard to train. With the right conditions and by making some special considerations, you can easily and happily live in an apartment with them.
Corgis In Apartments: How To Make It Work?
If you already live in an apartment and get your Corgi as a puppy your training process should be fairly easy since they likely won’t know another lifestyle. Redirect any negative behavior like barking and other excessive noise and praise all good behavior with treats and lots of positive attention.
However, if you bring an older Corgi into an apartment your training process may be a bit of a longer struggle. Again, continue to give your dog positive praise when they do things right, and keep them on a schedule as best you can so they’ll know what to expect.
Consult your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for more information about tips for helping your older dog adjust to apartment living.
Best Home Environments For Corgis
Any space with a large yard is always the best living environment for any dog. But most dogs are adaptable — especially Corgis — and can adjust to living in most types of housing.
Cons Of Living In An Apartment With A Corgi
Of course, the lack of yard space and potential noiseboth from your Corgi as well as from those living around you are cons of living in an apartment with a Corgi. But as mentioned there are certainly ways you can work around this.
Apartment Features Suitable For Corgis
If you have a Corgi and find you must move to an apartment there are some features in apartments you should look for which would make it more suitable for a Corgi.
Large Balcony Or Yard. If you can, look for an apartment with a large balcony — big enough for your Corgi to roam around and be able to play a bit. And if you can find a ground floor unit that opens up onto a grassy area, your Corgi will certainly appreciate that.
Your Building Must Accept Pets. Since you will be taking your Corgi out for a walk at least a few times a day, there’s no concealing the fact that you have a dog living with you. So, you must live in a building that accepts pets.
Use Plants And Gates To Block Areas Off. If your Corgi barks at strangers or at every single movement they see outside it may not be a bad idea to block off access to windows so they won’t see these things as easily. Use gates to keep them contained to certain rooms, and put up some plants (dog safe plants) in front of windows or patio doors to block most of their view.
Use A Noise Machine. Consider a white noise machine or some other background noise to block some noise your Corgi may hear coming from the outside or from another unit, which may cause them to bark or run around.
Training Corgis To Live In Apartments
As mentioned above you can train your Corgi to live in an apartment setting, no matter their age. Here’s what you should know before you move.
Prepare Them In Advance. If you live in a house in a quiet neighborhood and are going to be moving to an apartment in a busier area you should prepare them for their new environment in advance. If possible, take them for walks in their new neighborhood and take them to the parks they’re going to be going to before you actually make the move so that not everything is new for them all at once.
Bring Their Favorite Things. Bring your Corgi’s bed and favorite blanket(s) as well as any toys and other items they love and make sure they know where they are.
Get Them New Toys. Gift your Corgi with some new toys to entertain and distract them during this potentially tough transition.
But of course, having a Corgi in an apartment isn’t just about adjusting their behavior. You’ll simply need to do some potty training too:
Get Into A Routine. Feed your dog and take them for walks at regular times each day. This will you’re your dog realize when to expect to be able to eat and use the bathroom, and their bodies will adapt to this schedule.
Keep in mind that puppies have smaller bladders so you’ll likely need to walk your Corgi more when they’re little then adjust accordingly as they get older.
Use Potty Pads. When your dog is young and just learning, there’s bound to be some potty accidents. Get some potty pads and make sure your dog knows where they are as well as how to use them. If they have an accident elsewhere in the house don’t punish them, simply re-direct them to show them the potty pads again. Give rewards and praise when they do use the potty pads correctly.
Watch For Signs They Need To Go. Watch for your puppy to start doing the “potty dance” or standing near the door. This means it’s time to take them out. Watch for patterns and adjust your times to take them out if you need to.
Living In Cramped Quarters — Health And Exercise
Living with a Corgi in an apartment can be a concern for many because of the lack of yard space — and therefore a potential lack of exercise. Here are some things you can do to continue the good health of your Corgi when living in an apartment.
Give Them Daily Exercise. As mentioned, you should keep your Corgi on a routine so they will know what to expect. This routine should include at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Consider A Dog Walker. If your lifestyle makes it tough for you to take enough time every day to give your Corgi enough exercise consider getting someone else can do it. Maybe another family member can do it, or a close friend. But most areas have dog walkers you can hire that would be happy to pick up your Corgi every day and give it the exercise it needs.
Give Them Active Toys. Nothing is better than a walk outside, but getting them some toys that help give them exercise will keep your Corgi entertained and active. Playing tug of war or encouraging them to chase something around are always popular.
Is It OK For Me To Leave My Corgi Alone?
As long as your Corgi is trained well enough, they can be left alone. It’s preferable to only leave them alone for short periods of time, instead of long days, but they can be left alone as long as you have potty trained them (or at least trained them to use potty pads), and can be fairly sure they won’t bark and annoy your neighbors too much.
Will My Corgi Bark Too Much?
It is possible your Corgi may bark — and annoy your neighbors. They may bark if they see things outside, hear other people, or simply because they’re frightened of their unfamiliar surroundings.
After moving into your new apartment, try not to leave your Corgi alone until they feel more comfortable. And when you do, leaving them with toys to entertain themselves, a way to block their view, and possibly a noise machine to block out any noise from neighbors.
Is My Apartment Big Enough For The Both Of Us?
Corgis aren’t big dogs and although you will need to give them some space to rest and play, you don’t need to have a large place to safely and happily accommodate both of you.
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