Dan's Papers -February 13, 2009 - Pet Agree - Little Dogs, Big Issues: Dealing with Behavior Issues

When people think of "little," especially as it pertains to dogs, they think of cute, baby, sweet, innocent and less work.

Not so! Little dogs can have big issues so it's time to undo the fallacy that "little dogs are easier."

1.You can scoop them up and carry them anywhere.

2. Their "output" is smaller.

3. They can use wee-wee pads.

5. They're less destructive.

6. They're easier to walk.

1. They need more care nutritionally - especially as puppies.

2. They are more susceptible to illness and complications like hypoglycemia and dehydration.

3. They tend to bark more than large breeds.

4. They don't like to go out in rain nor bad weather, nor do they like to walk on wet grass.

5. They are easily injured.

6. The smaller the dog the more difficult to train!

Now you're thinking, why did she say that? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE little dogs and have my own. But as a trainer, I get more calls from people with small breeds than large ones. I actually get calls about Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkies and other teeny beasts that rule the roost to the extent that their human families fear their snapping, biting and terrorizing of other members of the household. When I visit such a home, the owners may actually have the dog locked in a kennel because they're afraid it will bite me! This is not a joke, and getting bitten is certainly not funny. So if you have a situation like that, here's some advice.

Because of all the adjectives I mentioned, like cute and baby, people tend to carry little dogs around and pick them up when they're doing something wrong or annoying instead of trying to correct or teach them. You know the expression, "You can't be a little bit pregnant"? It means you either are or you aren't. When it comes to a dog's behavior for a dog, it's the same: he either can or he can't. If he does something wrong and is picked up, you just validated for him that he CAN continue that behavior. By holding him, you gave him affection for eating your Jimmy Choo shoes. You told him that barking and biting your leg was the way for him to get attention. So he will, without a doubt, keep doing it. The next thing to remember is, the higher the dog's head, the more he is in control. So 90% of the time when I go to a house with a small dog that is terrorizing everyone, his first instinct is to jump up on the highest part of a couch or chair so that he is now bigger than life. As soon as you get him off the couch, his attitude will change. If you're down on the floor with him in a puppy play position, he will take charge.

So what do you do? First, put a leash on him inside the house and keep him on the ground. Use a strong voice if he does something wrong, and tell him "NO." As soon as he stops, tell him "Good boy" and pet him. He'll get the idea. Little dogs also tend to get less exercise. Get out there and take that little guy for a walk, play ball with him, and stop letting him make his own decisions. He's a teenager testing his limits. Well it's time to take away the car keys!

It's a hard concept for most people to understand but dogs prefer structure and having a "place" in the family unit. Dogs are very smart and, big or little, they will do what ever they can get away with doing ... just like us.