Activities For Pembroke Welsh Corgis
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
According to legend, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was once the trusted and noble steed of Welsh Fairies. These fairies used the fluffy, resilient little dogs as war mounts and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi loved every moment of it. They even, to this day, still bear the slightly darker saddle mark right behind their shoulder blades as a memento to their mystical past. This story is not only fun, but it makes the Pembroke Welsh Corgi even more amazing (if that's even possible)! These little dogs are ranked as the 18th most popular breed according to the American Kennel Club, and it isn't hard to see why. Thanks to their bubbly personality, affectionate personality, and high energy level, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is incredibly fun to be around and makes a wonderful companion for just about everyone. While they used to be used mainly as herding dogs at the beginning, the Pembroke is now primarily a family pet; however, this doesn't stop them from loving adventure and multiple different kinds of interactive activities. If you are looking for a large dog in a small body who wants nothing more than to have a great time with you, then the Pembroke Welsh Corgi may be an excellent choice.
Tracking
Popular
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
2 hrs
Items needed
Cotton Drag Line
Treat Bag (and treats)
Harness
Tracking Flags
Tracking Scent Articles
Activity description
Tracking is an event that takes the natural habits of a dog and puts it to use. If you have been a dog owner for any amount of time, you know that dogs love to get their noses into anything (and everything) that they can. Because of this, tracking is a great activity to do with your dog that will get them outside and using their sniffer for good, instead of mischief! Although it seems like a lot of equipment is needed for this activity, really the only necessary tools are a long lead, a harness, and some flags to mark your path. The objective of tracking is for the dog to follow a scent trail laid out by a pair of judges. The dog is not allowed off leash at any time and must follow the track, finding the scent articles that were left along it. Judges follow the human and dog team to determine whether they are on track or not. If not, a whistle will be blown and the event is over! If the dog stays on track, however, and finds all of the articles, he passes and earns the tracking title for that level. While it may seem complicated at first, tracking is a great way to allow your dog to use their skills and hone in those noses.
Step
1
Train
Because your dog will need to pass levels (or stages) in order to advance in tracking, it is important to practice lots on your own! This is very easy to do it you have a field or forest near by. Just head out the day before and lay the trail with scent articles that your dog will need to find later. Then, you practice just like you would in a real competition. Lots of practice will help your dog understand exactly what he needs to do for the real deal.
Step
2
Check eligibility
According to the AKC, in order for a dog to enter a tracking event, they must be at least 6 months old and in excellent physical and mental condition. On top of this, the dog must have either an AKC Registration Number, a Purebred Alternative Listing, AKC Canine Partners, or Foundation Stock Service. The dog also cannot be a female in heat (both neutered and spayed dogs can participate), blind (deaf is allowed), or handicapped in any other form. If your dog has a clean bill of health and a lot of energy, they'll be ready to go for this activity.
Step
3
Find an event
Once your pup has practiced to perfection (or very close) it's time to find an event near you! It's easy to just Google for tracking events, and the American Kennel Club lists 22,000 annual events as well.
Muffin Discovery
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Rainy Day
Free
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Muffin Tin
Tennis Balls
Treats
Activity description
If the weather is bad outside and you aren't sure how to entertain your dog, this mental exercise is a great place to start. Very few materials are needed and the objective is simple; make your dog think about how they can find their favorite treats. Because the Corgi is not only physically energetic, but also extremely intelligent, it is important to take time to exercise the mind as well. So although Muffin Tin is easy, it is the perfect free activity for a rainy day. Oh, and be sure to have a camera ready, as there are bound to be a few picture perfect moments!
Step
1
Fill the tin
Place the muffin tin on a counter out of your dog's sight. Fill a few of the cups with some treats and place tennis balls over every single one of the holes. If you do not have tennis balls on hand, other objects such as balled up socks or paper could be used.
Step
2
Prepare your dog
Once the muffin tin is ready, call your dog over and have them sit. Put the muffin tin down and allow your dog to start sniffing for the treats! Some dogs may be slower at this game, while others nose-dive right into the correct cup. Either way, it will be a blast to watch.
Step
3
Do it again
Since this is a relatively quick activity, you can either start over from the begging again right away, or later on that same day. Your dog won't really care as long as they get some yummy treats!
Pick Up
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Toys
Treats
Activity description
If you've every gotten tired of picking up after your dog, this game is going to be a lifesaver! The idea is to teach your dog to pick up their own toys with positive reinforcement. Not only is it a great way to bond with your pet, but it makes picking up toys rewarding and fun. The only tools required are treats, scattered toys, and a bunch of patience! Depending on the dog, this activity may take a long, or very short, amount of time to teach. But once your dog catches on, there is no doubt that they will love picking up their toys; not only for treats, but to please you.
Step
1
Choose toy box location
The first thing you'll want to do is decide where the toy box is going to be located. You won't want to change this around until your dog get's the hang of placing the toys in their special spot. This will avoid any confusion in the future.
Step
2
Association
Next, bring your dog over to the toy box and offer a toy for them to hold in their mouth. If your dog is not great at holding the toys in their jaws for a period of time, you can try initiating it with a game of tug-of-war. Once they have the toy tight in their mouth, move on to step three. Snap your fingers over the mouth of the box so that your dog leans their head inside. As soon as they do so, issue the command (such as "tidy" or "clean up"). Then, offer the dog a treat. This should prompt the dog to drop the toy and take the treat.
Step
3
Repeat the process
Repetition is going to be your best friend in teaching your dog to pick up their toys. Upon teaching the command, repeat the same process at least four times to help solidify how the trick is supposed to work. After that, be sure to practice Pick Up every day, once or twice a day. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very smart and love to please their owners, so it shouldn't take long at all for your dog to catch on and thoroughly enjoy playing this game.
More Fun Ideas...
Jogging
Although the Pembroke has rather small legs, that doesn't slow the breed down any! Going for long walks or a brisk jog every day is an excellent way to help burn off energy and keep your dog in shape. Just keep in mind that while the Pembroke Welsh Corgi may believe he can go forever, their small legs don't allow them to be as capable as say, a Siberian Husky. So get your running shoes on and go for some great exercise, just pay attention to what your Pembroke is telling you so that everyone can benefit from the activity as much as possible!
Pet Visitation
If you were feeling down on your luck, don't you think seeing an adorable little Corgi would boost your spirits? That's what we think too! Pembroke Welsh Corgis have big ears and a big personality to match. Even though they can be a bit wily and can be stubborn from time to time, they are an extremely intelligent breed with a lot of affection to give. Because of this, Corgis are a great breed to take on pet visitations. Their small size and fluffy coat make them perfect for cuddling while their smiling faces can lift even the saddest heart. So if you are looking for an easy and free activity to do with your Corgi, visiting the sick or elderly may be a great thing to look into.
Herding
Once upon a time, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was originally used as a herding dog. From sheep to cows, this little rascal did it all! Nowadays, this may not be an activity that the breed is well known for; however, if you are interested in this activity or have the need for a herding dog job, the Pembroke will be more than up to the task. With a bit of training and guidance, this peppy breed can fall right back into the paw prints of their ancestors and assist with getting that livestock in line. This is a great bonding experience and even if you don't use it as a real job for your dog, the Pembroke will have a great time burning off energy in this way.
Conclusion
Now that we know a bit more about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the fun activities that can be done with the breed, it is important to think about when and how long these activities will be performed. Although the Corgi is quite full of zest and pep, the breed has rather small legs, so don't be fooled by their paw-sitively zealous nature!  When going on a jog or practicing tracking skills, it is very important to keep lots of water on hand and allow your pup to take a break when needed. The Corgi will do it's best to keep up with us, but as one of our best fur-iends, it is our job to look out for their best interest. So hit the trails and let that furry Corgi tail-end skip through the wild; just have a 'Plan B' in mind just in case those little legs decide it's time for a nap!