Autumn 2014 Training Tidbit:
You can try this at home!
In my line of work, I hear debasing comments about small dogs all the time. They have a reputation of being “yappy,” “ankle biters,” and difficult to train.
If you’re looking for agreement from a dog trainer, you’re talking to the wrong one. I love small dogs. I used to think I was a “big dog person,” until I saw the light: having a small dog is just like having a big dog, except they’re more portable. I think of them as “travel-sized.” So why do they have such a bad reputation?
It’s important to know that small dogs come programmed with the same brain as big dogs do. They come with the same hard-wired needs and behaviors. They are not dumber or harder to train or different in any way. The problem is in how differently people treat them.
1. Many small dogs are undersocialized. While very tiny dogs are more physically fragile than larger breeds, isn’t healthy for a Chihuahua puppy to be raised in isolation (read: in a purse) any more than it is a German Shepherd or a Labrador. This leads to fear and aggression problems, the same as it would in any other animal. For some reason, socialization is always very important to large dog owners, but not so much for those who own small dogs.
2. Many small dogs are underexercised. That little dog has a perfectly good set of legs, and he needs to use them regularly. Small dogs need walks, fresh air, play dates, and extracurricular activities just as much as big dogs to maintain good behavior and health.
3. People aren’t as concerned with a small dog’s behavior. The first time a small dog barks and lunges at a person, it’s considered funny and even encouraged with teasing. The first time a Golden Retriever does it, it’s considered a serious behavior problem and it’s take care of immediately. Why is that? Both dogs are in an equal amount of distress.
4. And on that note, people tend to take the house training of a small dog less seriously. If a toy Poodle has an “accident” on the carpet, it’s easy to clean up. If a Great Dane has an “accident” on the carpet, it’s a major project. If this goes on for 6 months, which one of these breeds do you think is more likely to work with a professional to get it under control? It’s not that small dogs are hard to housetrain; it’s that accidents are much harder to miss or ignore until the habit is ingrained.
5. People don’t respect a small dog’s right to say “no.” Let’s say you’re a fluffy little Pomeranian whose favorite spot is in your owner’s arms. You hate being touched by strangers (perhaps because you didn’t meet many as a puppy); it’s violating. But, when you’re in your owner’s arms, you have no way of escaping. You try to say “no thank you” with a sharp look, hard stare, freeze or growl, but you’re so darn cute, people pet you up anyway and laugh when you’re grumpy. How long will it take you to figure out that growling is ineffective, but a bite makes people back off REALLY fast? Considering how smart most small dogs are, my guess is not long.
The moral of the story: Treat that small dog like a big dog. Ask yourself, would this be okay if my Rottweiler did it? Be aware that small dogs are more physically fragile than big dogs, but mentally, they are the same, so pretend you have a Labrador retriever instead of a Shih-Tzu and you will have a much better behaved dog!
Have an idea for a Training Tidbit? I’d love to hear from you!
Hi, I loved this post on small dogs. I would like tips on socializing a mini schnauzer who wants nothing to do with dogs or people. He lives with his brother who we got as litter mates and an older shih-tzu. As a pack they are fun loving and playful. One schnauzer and the ST love dog parks, formal and informal and love greeting other dogs. The one with the, say we call it, scared behavior has nipped a couple friends in the back of the leg once with walking along side another dog and owner and once at home unprovoked while a friend was grooming their dog at my house. They have all been to 2 separate trainings and behave very well for my husband and me. They all come, sit, stay, working on down stay, recall in the park when I go off leash without any distractions. Very attentive. Also, they love other family who visit and their dogs are welcome and they play together regularly. I put the little scared one in a great dog daycare a few times and he is fine there, no problems. As his owner I think he’s in the right home because I have learned to help him be successful and he’s very affectionate and attention seeking at home with all the people he knows and trusts. The puppies are 16 months. Comments??
Hi Terri,
Each dog will have his or her own comfort level. If your little schnauzer isn’t the one with the lampshade on his head in social situations, but rather the one with the crossword puzzle and a cup of tea in the corner, that is okay. As long as he’s happy and comfortable.
That said, dogs who bite or threaten to bite are always very, very stressed. A bite is a dog’s last line of defense, so in his mind, that was the only way to go (no matter what it looked like to us humans). Perhaps there are more steps you could take in the situations that trigger his anxiety to help him feel more comfortable. Private training is the perfect way to learn how to advocate for your “wall flower” properly – if you’re interested, call or email me and we’ll set it up. If we do it right, he should not only be less of a bite risk, but also have more confidence to handle social situations and be a happier dog in general.
Joanna