Tips to raising Corgis
start with early socialization—introduce them to different people, places, and sounds so they grow confident. Second, keep an eye on their weight—corgis love to eat, so measure portions and be mindful of treats. And third, engage their sharp minds—puzzle toys and training sessions will keep them happy. And, of course, lots of love and playtime!
Housing and training
For housing, a comfy dog bed in a safe area—corgis love to be close to family. Corgis do really well having a safe, enclosed yard to explore—they’re curious but not escape artists if it’s secure. A doggy door can be super handy, giving them freedom to go in and out—just make sure it’s properly installed and safe. Inside, give them a cozy, quiet corner—corgis love their people, so they’ll enjoy being part of family life. Just keep an eye on them outside—no long unsupervised solo adventures, especially since they’re low to the ground and curious!
For training, keep it fun and positive—corgis are super smart, so short, consistent sessions with treats work wonders.
What to Avoid
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Don’t confine your puppy to dark rooms or limit movement — puppies need space to grow strong and confident.
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Never tie up a puppy. This can harm both body and mind.
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Be gentle with the head and ears; excessive handling can affect ear development.
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Don’t pull toys or objects out of your puppy’s mouth — this can damage teeth and bite. Gently open the mouth instead.
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Let children play calmly, but don’t allow constant carrying. Puppies need time to move and rest.
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Always lift your puppy with support under the chest and bottom — never by the paws or skin.
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A puppy’s “place” is a safe zone. No punishment or disturbance there.
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Let sleeping puppies sleep — rest is essential for healthy growth.
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Set rules early. If something won’t be allowed later, don’t allow it now.
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Avoid letting young puppies jump on furniture — their joints are still developing.
Feeding
Puppies need more frequent meals, and adults may need two meals a day.
Feeding with natural Foods
Bichons thrive on clean, gentle, and balanced nutrition. If you choose natural feeding, meals should be simple, fresh, and easy to digest. Always introduce new foods gradually.
Basic Natural Meal (Option 1):
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Boiled chicken breast with rice and steamed carrots.
Gentle Digestive Meal (Option 2):
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Baked fish (like cod) with oatmeal porridge and small pieces of steamed broccoli.
When feeding naturally, additional vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy growth and development.
Feeding with dry Foods
For corgi puppies, you’ll want a high-quality puppy formula that supports growth—look for brands like Blue Buffalo Life Protection or Hill’s Science Diet Puppy. Once they’re adults, you can switch to adult formulas—brands like Royal Canin or Taste of the Wild are popular and balanced.
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Puppy Dry Dog Food supports brain development and energy needs during growth and development, supports the immune system, and prebiotics and proteins promote gut health
Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Natural Dry Food for Puppies, Healthy Growth Formula with DHA, Savory Chicken Recipe
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Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Roasted Venison Dry Adult Dog Food, Made with High Protein from Real Venison
Grooming Tips
Regular brushing is key to manage their double coat, and occasional baths. Keep their nails trimmed and ears clean, and you’ll have a happy corgi companion!
A gentle, puppy-safe shampoo I often recommend is Burt’s Bees Puppy Shampoo—super mild and natural. For adult corgis, a great brand is Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe—hydrating and soothing. Just make sure whichever you choose is free of harsh chemicals and designed for dogs
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Burt's Bees for Pets Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk, 2pk, 95% Natural Origin Formulas, Best Tearless Shampoo for Puppies - Gentle Dog and Puppy Shampoo Tear Free
Earthbath, Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo - Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs, Itchy, Dry Skin Relief, Dog Wash, Made in USA, Cruelty Free, Fragrance Free Pet Shampoos
Deworming
Current research says you should only deworm when they need it. How do you know when they need it? You should do "poop patrol" regularly and check for signs of parasites. You may also pull down your doggy's lower eyelid and see what color it is. Dark pink means that your dog is not anaemic and most likely does not have any blood-sucking worms. If you notice your dog is very skinny, the coat is pale and dull, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, a change in appetite, itching, and signs of skin irritations, it might be time for deworming. However, we should be aware of Dewormer Resistance.
Dewormer resistance by Deborah Niemann: "You have probably heard of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, which resulted from the overuse of antibiotics. A similar phenomenon has occurred with chemical dewormers and internal parasites. Veterinary professionals thought parasites could be eliminated and began recommending the routine use of chemical dewormers in healthy animals. Although this worked in the short term, the long-term result has been dewormer-resistant parasites. Using a dewormer when it isn’t needed means you have just taken one more step towards dewormer resistance and the day when a dewormer will be needed and it no longer works."
Please continue to read an article from an excerpt by Deborah Niemann: Dewormer Resistance
Nemex 2 is the best dewormer for pups and grown dogs, eliminating roundworms and hookworms. It can be given directly or mixed with food. Puppies should be wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age. After six to 12 months every three months
Vaccination
I give my pups 3 shots: 5-way Solo-Jec 5, starting at 7 weeks of age, and repeat with a 3-week interval.
Rabies should be done when the puppy reaches 4 months old. For regular shots and Rabies, I recommend
mobile vet clinics. They are very convenient for preventive care. Services include: Vaccinations (including Rabies), Microchipping, Fecal Test, and Nail Trim. Clinics are held at Tractor Supply stores, usually once a week; no appointment is necessary. Prices are great too!
Spay / Neuter
Early spaying/neutering of your dog (before 1 year old) can result in health problems such as Hip Dysplasia, Cruciate Ligament Tears, Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer), and behavioral disorders. "When a dog's reproductive organs are surgically removed, the sex hormones they produce also disappear. The sex hormones are responsible for more than just sexual behaviors, and one of their responsibilities is regulating growth. Breeders can readily spot the difference between an intact dog and a neutered dog: neutered dogs have longer limbs, narrower heads and bodies, and they are lighter in bone. When the sex hormones are removed, the growth hormones are missing important regulatory input, and the bones continue to grow longer than they ought to. Studies have proven this to be true (Salmeri et al, JAVMA 1991). Please continue to read articles from Dogs Naturally Magazine:
NAME TAG AND MICROCHIPPING
One of the first things you should do is order a name tag with your telephone number on it. The best color for your pup is a nice leather color with a name tag on it! I would also recommend microchipping. Better do it before you register your pup in AKC. This way, you will have a microchip number on his pedigree. Register your dog in
AKC Reunite Lost Pet Recovery website in case your pet go missing
Just a friendly disclaimer: the information I shared here is based on my own experience, supported by reputable articles and research I have conducted over the years, and should not be taken as professional advice, but rather my personal insights and suggestions.
Green Days' happy customers. Thank you for choosing us!
Sincerely, Olga Kaminker