Corgis are one of the cutest dog breeds on the planet, hands down. But sometimes having the cutest dog can be a problem because everyone wants to say “hi.” While most Corgis are pretty social, like other herding breeds they can sometimes act aloof. They can also be anxious about new environments, other dogs, and definitely reactive toward moving and loud objects. The key is to address things that bother your Corgi as quickly as possible and to do that, you must be able to tell when your Corgi is upset. The following are five signs your Corgi is stressed.
#1 – Whale Eye
“Whale eye” is when the white in your dog’s eye – around the iris – is visible. Sometimes, the eye may actually bulge out if your Corgi is very stressed.
#2 – Whining & Barking
A stressed Corgi will often whine. Some will pace, and some will stay in one spot. If your dog is whining and you know he doesn’t have to go outside to go potty, he may be stressed. Whining can turn into stress barking if the source of the anxiety has not been removed and his anxiety heightens. It’s important to realize that if your Corgi is reactive (barks at things), he may actually be fearful and not aggressive.
#3 – Ears Back
Those satellite ears are usually up and perky on a Corgi. If yours has hers laid back, she is upset about something.
#4 – Won’t Eat
Another sign of stress your Corgi may display is an unwillingness to eat. Whether you are training or just offering him his meal, a stressed dog often won’t eat. Or, they may eat but take the food very hard and accidentally bite you. In both cases, your Corgi is most likely anxious about something.
#5 – Cowering
One of the most obvious and universally understood signs of stress is cowering. Your Corgi may try to run and hide under or behind things – even if they are on leash. This is a dangerous situation because if your Corgi cannot get escape, some will resort to aggression to get the object that is scaring them to go away (fear aggression).
