When Do Corgis Calm Down? (1 mistake & 6 tips to know)

If you’ve landed here because you’ve got a hyper corgi on your hands, you’re in the right place.

This article explains when Corgis usually calm down, how to help, and explains one big misunderstanding owners must be aware of.

When Do Corgis Calm Down? (What Age)

Corgis may calm down only slightly on their own between the ages of 1 and 2.

It’s more important that owners take proactive measures in managing their Corgi’s energy levels if they want a calm and content Corgi.

The truth is that there is no sacred age that all corgis significantly calm down.

It must be said that it’s necessary for us to manage our expectations, as Corgis are naturally energetic and love to be active even into old age. So an energetic Corgi is essentially just a “normal” Corgi.

When asking Corgi owners about this, many of them pointed that it wasn’t until around 5 or 6 when they realized their Corgi was more “mellow” and chilled out. So while some say 1-2, others don’t really notice the difference until 5 or 6… This brings me nicely to something all owners should know.

Why Age Doesn’t Help Hyper Corgis

This is the misconception I mentioned earlier. The truth is that for energetic dogs like Corgis, age isn’t the factor that owners need to focus on. Simply waiting for a Corgi to calm down, is not the best way to raise a calm or content Corgi.

The reason is due to what I mentioned earlier: Corgis, for the most part, are energetic and active for most of their life, and you may not even see a difference until 5 or 6 years of age. And even then, it could only be a slight “mellowing”.

It’s crucial that owners take proactive measures to calm down their Corgi. Taking matters into your own hands will prove to be far more successful, and your Corgi will be calmer and better behaved significantly quicker, than if you just wait.

Why Do Corgis Have So Much Energy?

Why is that such a small dog has so much energy? The truth is that these little powerhouses are not lapdogs, they are working dogs at heart. Corgis were originally herders, and have a huge capacity to “work”.

For decades, if not centuries, Corgis would have been running around in fields and taking commands from their owners for several hours each day.

Living this way for such a long time is why today Corgis have so much energy and love to be active. This is the same for all similar working breeds.

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6 Ways To Help Your Corgi Calm Down

Let’s go to it! Below are 6 tips to help you, help your corgi calm down.

1 Exercise at the right time

Granted we all know that exercise is crucial for our dogs, but when you exercise your Corgi makes all the difference.

One sure-fire way to make your Corgi calmer for the rest of the day is to exercise them first thing in the morning before anything else. (even if it means waking up earlier).

Many owners wait for hours or even until the end of the day before exercising. This leaves your Corgi with all their pent-up energy from waking up. Exercise first thing and expend some of their energy for a calmer demeanor during the day. It really does make a difference.

2. Invite friends over with dogs (or visit doggy play centers)

How will this help with energy? Socializing with other dogs is perhaps the most potent form of mental stimulation (and can involve a lot of physical exercise too). This will wear out your Corgi like nothing else you could have imagined!

The more butt sniffing, play fighting, and chasing your Corgi can do with other dogs, the more satisfied they will be. And that means a calm content Corgi at all times.

A common theme among hyper corgis is under-stimulation, either physical or mental. Ultimately, not receiving enough stimulation will leave your Corgi on edge, bored, and frustrated ready to run rampant in the house.

3. Puppy pens can help calm your Corgi down

Puppy pens are excellent for a few reasons. In some ways, a pen is similar to a crate in that it keeps your puppy (or adult) confined to a small area, although pens are much more liberating.

By putting your Corgi in a pen you will limit their movement which will instantly calm them down. Not being able to run wherever they like will encourage them to settle down. However, pens are not so confined that they will frustrate or irritate your Corgi.

Be sure to build positive associations with the pen: throw toys and treats in there so your Corgi doesn’t think he’s getting punished. Make this a place your Corgi associates with taking a positive time out. Ultimately, this is a good way to help calm down your Corgi quickly.

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4. Puzzle toys

Interactive puzzle toys are great ways to keep your Corgi busy and entertained. One of the most well-known puzzle toys is the simple KONG toy. What makes it a “puzzle” toy? The fact that it has a hole in the middle which you can fill with treats, mashed banana, or peanut butter makes it a puzzle toy.

It will roll around in different directions while your Corgi tries to lick out the treat inside. A great tip is to mash banana or use peanut butter inside and freeze the kong toy for 1-2 hours. This makes the treat last a heck of a lot longer.

Other toys like the Star Mark Bob-A-Lot are another variation of the KONG toy which may keep your Corgi entertained for longer (the treats are harder to come out).

5. Plenty of command training

Basic command training like sit, stay, down, paw, and come here are often underutilized. One big mistake owners often make is stopping command training once their dog knows the command.

Even if your Corgi knows how to sit and stay, it’s still a great training session that you should continue every day. You can always spice it up and make it harder or more interesting (exiting the room before giving the go command) or increase the time your Corgi is waiting…

Short but frequent training sessions like this will provide valuable mental stimulation for your Corgi and will satisfy their desire to feel useful in the house (remember, these are working dogs at heart). Your corgi will be ready to take a nap after a 20-minute training session, instead of wandering around looking for things to destroy!

6. Calm environment

The calmer you can make your Corgis environment the better. Limiting noise and distractions will allow your Corgis to rest and chill out.

This is obviously different for everyone, and we all live in drastically different locations/environments.

Consider your area and whether or not it’s noisy or calm. Try keeping your Corgi in a part of the house that’s the quietest. You can also play the radio or playlist of calming music (which is actually proven to help calm dogs down!).

Will all these things work?

Absolutely. Instead of waiting years for your Corgi to mellow out naturally, which may or may not even happen, take action with the tips above. Your Corgi will calm down after a week or two if you implement these changes.

What all of these things have in common (apart from the last) is that they are stimulating. By providing enough stimulation your Corgi will ultimately be happy and content. Hyperactive behavior will no longer be a thing you have to deal with.

As I mentioned earlier, Corgis are working dogs at heart and this fact is often forgotten. Energetic working dogs must receive plenty of stimulation to be well-behaved and obedient. So if you provide enough of it, you’ll have no issues going forward.

FAQ Section

What age do corgis calm down?

Some owners say their corgi calmed down between 1-2 years old, but others say it’s only noticeable at 5-6. It’s likely that every Corgi is different and there’s no set age one will “calm” down.

Are female corgis calmer than males?

Female corgis tend to mature quicker than males so sometimes this will result in calmer behavior, sooner. It’s important to remember that this may not always be the case.

Why is my corgi so hyper?

If your corgi is excessively hyper then it’s likely they are understimulated in the current routine. This can mean either a lack of physical exercise, mental stimulation, or both combined.

What’s the best way to calm down my corgi?

The best way to calm down your Corgi is to exercise them sufficiently first thing in the morning, ensure they receive plenty of socializing with other dogs, and have activities throughout the day. Providing sufficient stimulation is how to calm down a corgi.

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Disclaimer

Before making any decisions that could affect the health and/or safety of your dog, you should always consult a trained veterinarian in your local area. Even though this content may have been written/reviewed by a trained veterinarian, our advice to you is to always consult your own local veterinarian in person. Please read our full dislcaimer if you have any questions.