Can Corgis Be Left Alone (All Day)? What You Should Know

So, you’re wondering if you can leave your corgi alone all day.

And you’re thinking if this will have any consequences on the dog.

This is a common question that comes from a lot of people looking to adopt or get a corgi.

We’ll cover common topics like:

• Whether you can just leave your corgi alone
• How long corgis can tolerate being alone
• How to keep your corgi from becoming destructive
• Separation anxiety and corgis
• And more

Let’s dive right in and explore corgi and separation anxiety.

Can corgis be left alone all day?

The quick answer is “no.” Corgis should not be left alone by themselves all day.

The reason behind this is because they’re bred as a herding breed, which means they were used to herd sheep or other animals while working with their master.

Both Pembroke and Cardigan corgis form tight bonds with their owner or family (as the corgi can be a multi-owner dog). If the owner isn’t present to exercise or keep the corgi busy, the dog will become depressed, stressed, and destructive.

This is why it’s important that you always keep your corgi busy with exercise. They need both physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day.

As long as you can provide this, your corgi should be happy and healthy.

Think of this way: The more stimulation you provide your dog, the longer you can leave it on its own.

If you exercise your dog before work and do some mental tasks, you’re okay with leaving it alone for a whole shift at work.

When you come back, repeat the process by taking it on another strenuous exercise regimen.

Play with it. Teach it commands. Make it work. Hard.

This will help stop the dog from becoming bored and eventually depressed and destructive.

Do corgis get separation anxiety?

Corgis get separation anxiety and hate being alone for long periods of time.

If you’re working a full-time job, going to school, or doing something that forces you to be away from your home most of the day, make sure you provide plenty of exercise for your dog on a daily basis.

If you can’t do this, you’re better off with another breed that doesn’t mind being alone.

Do corgis need to be with people?

Corgis will get very anxious and destructive when alone in the house.

This is why you should keep the dog exercised by tiring it out so it can catch a nap or feel satisfied during the time you’re away.

But you should never be away from the dog for more than a typical shift. Even an 8-hour shift is pushing it.

Corgis are social dogs and are best off with a companion, whether it be another dog, pet, or human in the household. They can be pretty high maintenance dogs.

They’re herding dogs and like to see all of their family in one place. They’ve been known to even nip at the heels of kids and family members to “herd” them together.

Are corgis a social breed?

Yes, corgis are considered to be a very social dog breed that requires the companion of family.

They’re bred to herd animals and work with a family of owners, so it makes sense that if this is how corgis were made, they need the companionship of their master.

They’re also known to do well with other pets and dogs, even if they’re different breeds.

How long can corgis be left alone?

That depends on the corgi’s age.

If it’s still a puppy, you should eliminate time away from the dog as much as possible.

This is to properly housebreak the corgi puppy.

The younger the dog, the more often he’ll have to pee. The rule of thumb is:

“Puppy’s age in month + 1”

So if your corgi is 2 months old, adding 1 would mean that it needs to pee every 3 hours.

Puppies need housebreaking training and socialization

This is the problem for corgi puppies. Leaving them alone with no one to take them out for housebreaking training can really hinder progress.

Besides, when the puppy is young, you should be socializing it from weeks 8-12 and spending as much time with it as possible.

Otherwise, it’ll grow up neglected and could develop phobias due to poor socialization. This can lead to excessive shedding, nonstop barking, and other behavioral problems.

Adult corgis can be left alone for longer periods

For adult corgis, they can be left alone for much more time provided that they’re well-socialized.

Some busy corgi owners work full-time jobs and have other commitments and still manage to have their corgis do fine.

As long as you can exercise the dog well (twice per day), it should be okay. A typical 8-10 hour day should be the maximum time you’re away.

You can do one exercise session before your job, and another one afterward. Or you can group them together for an extended and strenuous session.

If you can’t commit to this, consider hiring a dog walker or finding a companion for your corgi.

Corgis aren’t relaxed dogs and will be full of energy so they’ll need walks and playtime to keep them sane.

How to reduce corgi alone time

There is no substitute for spending quality time with your dog.

But for those days where your schedule is too hectic, here are some alternatives:

• Hire a dog sitter or dog walker for busy days
• Have a trusted neighbor spend time with your corgi
• Use automated dog toys
• Get family over to your home
• Adopt other dogs or pets
• Rearrange your schedule or adjust the hours
• Do some basic time management and make time for your dog

Sure, it can be hard to manage so many things at once.

But then again, this is something you should be considering before you get a corgi- not after. If you happen to get a dog and you had no idea how little time you actually have, that’s a poor decision on your part.

This is why it’s imperative to always do your research beforehand.

Further reading

You can check out these resources for more tips:

• Advice on Leaving My Corgi Home All Day – MyCorgi
• Question about Corgi alone time – Reddit
• Owning a corgi as a full-time worker – Reddit

Corgis hate being alone

So there you have it.

Corgis are a social dog breed and need constant ways to expend their energy. This can be accomplished through daily walks before/after work or school, and you can use alternative means if you can’t spare the time.

No dog should suffer because of time commitments, as this is something that all owners should be considering before adopting. If you can’t devote the time to properly care for a corgi, consider going with a less-demanding breed.

Don’t be that owner that ends up neglecting the dog! This is exactly what we want to prevent. So help your future dog out and do your research!