Corgis, or Welsh corgis, are cute, playful, and small dogs that make great family pets. The thing is that just as with any other dog, you might want to train them to be in a crate at certain times, especially if you’re planning to be away from them for a while.

If you do, crate training is a must because you can’t just expect your corgi to adapt perfectly the first time they go into the crate. It takes some training and preplanning, and this article is here to help.

Corgi Crate Training: Tips to Remember

The first thing you should know about crate training your corgi is to wait until the pup is old enough, which is usually around six months of age.

Up to that point, here are the recommended ages and tasks for them to master:

• 8-16 weeks of age: Start socializing your corgi and get them around other people
• Get them used to the grooming process
• Get them used to their environment and their world
• Teach your corgi how to play fetch
• By six months: Crate train and potty train your corgi
• Teach your corgi some basic commands

By the time that your corgi is one year old, they should be housebroken, be comfortable with their walking and feeding routines, and be good at basic commands. As far as crate training goes, here are the steps you can take to make that happen:

1. What Size Crate Does a Corgi Need?

Choosing a crate size is a very important first step, but even though most corgis are roughly the same size, this doesn’t mean that all of them will have the same size crate.

It also doesn’t mean that choosing the size is complicated. While your dog is in the crate, they should be able to stand up and be comfortable, as well as lie down when they wish to nap or relax.

You’ll want a crate that is big enough for them to fit in and be comfortable, but not so big that they are able to take a lot of steps in it.

If it’s too big, the crate simply won’t be effective because the dog will feel as though it’s outside and won’t think that they have to obey the rules for staying in a crate.

2. Set the Crate up to Pamper the Dog

The crate is your dog’s home and therefore its castle. Place a nice thick blanket or pad down on the bottom of the crate and place some favorite toys in there as well.

You can add anything else the dog loves, then place the crate in a location that gives them some peace and quiet while still feeling like they’re close to the family.

3. Lure the Dog Into the Crate

By using treats and throwing them into the crate, you can lure the dog into the crate. It may not happen the first time, but eventually they’ll walk in there because of the treats.

If you think that a toy will work better, use that instead. Teach the dog a specific command to let them know when they should go into the crate. “Crate” or “kennel” should work.

4. Make the Training Sessions Short

The first time that the dog goes into the crate, close the gate. Then open it and let the dog out again. Gradually increase the amount of time you keep the dog in there so they don’t start out being in there for too long.

This is something new for them, and they won’t like it at first. By gradually allowing the dog to have more time in the crate each time, they’ll get used to it much more easily.

Keep in mind that a crate should never be a punishment for the dog, and remember to praise them and always use positive reinforcement when training them.

Resist the urge to put the dog in the crate as a “time out” method. This will defeat the purpose of the training altogether. Be patient with your corgi and this will make crate training a lot easier.

What Is the Best Kennel for a Corgi?

Ideally, you should look for a crate that is 36 inches in size. The 30-inch kennels are usually too small because corgis like to spread out their hind legs when they sleep, and anything bigger than 36 inches is simply too big for most corgis.

Remember that they should have enough room to stand up in but not so much room that they can walk around in it.

Decide whether or not you’ll be using the crate to take your corgi with you when you leave the house; for example, when bringing them to the vet.

If this is something that you believe you’ll be doing, you should consider purchasing a portable crate, which is specifically made to make traveling with your corgi a lot easier.

Consider the type of crate as well. You’ll want to look for one that is easy to clean, which usually means a wire cage.

There are also plastic and soft cages, but if your corgi just happens to love to chew a lot, these may not be the best ones to buy. In the end, it’s up to you because all of these are high-quality crates. Some are just easier to clean than others.

Finally, you should look for a crate with handles because if you do take the dog anywhere by using the crate, these handles make it very simple for you to carry it from one point to another.

Conclusion

Corgis tend to be easy to crate train because they are smart and love to please their owners. They are also very energetic and training them to be comfortable in their crate is therefore a good idea.

While corgis shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time, you’ll occasionally find yourself in a position where keeping them in the crate for a little while is necessary.

Fortunately, if you take your time and exhibit some patience, training your corgi to be comfortable while staying in their crate shouldn’t be much of a challenge.