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Corgis, known for their adorable fluffy butts and happy-go-lucky personalities, have become a favorite among dog enthusiasts. They are intelligent, loyal, and playful.
However, there are times when even the sweetest corgi might exhibit aggressive behavior.
This sudden change in behavior can be confusing and alarming for corgi owners, who might not know what to do to address it.
But why do corgis become aggressive? And how can you stop aggression in your furry friend?
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind corgi aggression and provide some effective strategies to correct this behavior and train your corgi puppy.
Are Corgis Aggressive?
Corgis are overall not a particularly aggressive breed.
They are friendly, outgoing and sociable dogs.
However, like any other breed, there can be exceptions, and some corgis might exhibit aggressive behavior.
Aggression in corgis can be triggered by various factors, such as a lack of training, poor socialization, dominance issues, fear, or pain.
As a corgi owner, it is essential to understand the root cause of the aggression before you can begin to address it.
Understanding Corgi Temperament
Due to the rise in popularity in social media, Corgis have been portrayed as goofy couch potatoes.
However, this is not an accurate representation of what Corgis truly are.
Corgis, both Pembroke and Cardigan, are herding dogs.
This means that they are built to work and herd livestock.
As a result, Corgis are full of energy and have a strong sense of independence, intelligence, and stubbornness.
They are also predisposed to bark and nip, which may be misconstrued for aggression.
Why Corgis Become Aggressive
There are several reasons why corgis become aggressive, including fear, dominance, resource guarding, pain, and territorial behavior.
Fear-aggression is often triggered by loud noises, unfamiliar people, or other dogs.
Dominance aggression, on the other hand, is most common in male corgis that have not been neutered.
Resource guarding is a behavior where a corgi becomes aggressive when someone tries to take away their food or toys, while territorial aggression occurs when a corgi perceives their living space as their own and becomes defensive of it.
Lastly, pain aggression may occur when touching or reaching towards a sensitive area of the body.
How to Recognize Signs of Aggression in Corgis
If you are a corgi owner, it is crucial to know how to identify signs of aggression.
Some typical signs that your corgi might be aggressive include growling, snarling, biting, lunging, or snapping.
Other signs of aggression include raised hackles, staring, and lunging. If your Corgi exhibits any of these behaviors, especially around other animals or people.
These behaviors can be triggered by a variety of things, such as when your corgi is anxious or frustrated, but it’s important to take action as soon as possible.
How to Stop Aggression in Corgis
When it comes to aggression in any animal, I always recommend reaching out to a trained professional.
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers is a great resource to find and connect with reputable and certified dog trainers.
Hiring a professional trainer is critical because aggression can place both the owner and animal in an unsafe position if not cared for appropriately.
Once you have consulted with a professional, the first step in correcting aggression in your corgi is to identify the source of the aggression.
Once you’ve determined why your corgi is acting aggressively, you can take measures to prevent it.
This can include slowly introducing and socializing your corgi with other dogs and humans.
You should also use positive reinforcement methods to train your corgi and avoid triggering situations that may cause your corgi to become anxious or territorial.
If you think pain may be a contributing factor, you should take your pup to the vet for a checkup.
There are also many ways to stop your corgi from nipping and barking.
How to Discipline an Aggressive Corgi Puppy
If you have identified signs of aggression in your puppy, you may be inclined to discipline them.
This is not the correct approach.
Instead of ‘disciplining’ your corgi by using things like alpha dog theory and dominance training, you should work to ‘correct’ their behavior by using positive reinforcement techniques.
The stance of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior on the topic is that:
“reward-based techniques should be used for teaching common training skills as well as to address unwanted behaviors. The application of aversive methods – which, by definition, rely on the application of force, pain, or emotional or physical discomfort – should not be used in canine training or for the treatment of behavioral disorders.”
Furthermore, AVSAB states that “There is no evidence that aversive methods are more effective than reward-based methods in any context.”
Using positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewarding good behavior, are especially effective in correcting your corgi’s aggression because it addresses the problem without further escalating their aggression.
These techniques are also more effective in the long-term, as your corgi will learn to associate good behavior with positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
How to Prevent Corgi Bites
Corgi bites are a common behavior that owners may need to address.
This may be caused by their strong herding instinct or by poor handling techniques.
To prevent or correct corgi bites, it’s essential to first contact a professional to understand what is causing your dog to bite and how to prevent it.
In general, if you are noticing unwanted behavior in your pup, they may be acting out due to under stimulation.
Corgis are a working breed that need at least an hour of physical and mental stimulation each and every day.
If their needs are not met, they may start acting out in ways that may seem aggressive.
To fix this, you can try going on walks or runs, training, or playing games with your pup.
Corgi enrichment is vital to a well behaved dog, and there are plenty of ways to enrich their life.
Some of which are agility training, fetch, hide-and-seek, or even giving them puzzle toys.
There is no excuse, so get out there and have fun with your corgi!
Final Thoughts
Corgis are a delightful breed that brings joy to many families.
However, like any other breed, they can develop behavioral issues, including aggression.
It’s important to understand why corgis may become aggressive and take measures to prevent it.
Socializing your corgi, using positive reinforcement methods, and setting clear boundaries can help you train and correct your furry friend effectively.
Remember, your corgi’s behavior is a reflection of how you’ve trained them.
Take the time to educate yourself, rely on professional dog trainers, and train them properly to prevent and correct aggressive behavior.
