While a small dog is as much of a dog as any of the larger breeds, smaller breeds tend to get less training time than bigger dogs. As a dog trainer, I’ve had small dogs as frequently as I’ve had larger breeds, yet after recently bringing home a small breed puppy, I was reminded how many people are surprised that my small dogs get as much socialization and training as my large breeds do. This is because there is an assumption that smaller dogs need less training. But dogs who don’t get training are more likely to have behavioral issues, which can make dogs less pleasant to live with and more challenging to bring places.
Small Dogs Are Very Trainable
Some small dogs are given fewer opportunities to train because dog owners may think they require less training. Similarly, some small dog owners fall into a pattern of picking their small dogs up instead of addressing the dog’s underlying feelings about the difficult behaviors. Mallory Kratimenos, a Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer (VSA-CDT Online), International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC-ADT), and Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), specializes specifically in training small dogs. “At the end of the day, small dogs are dogs. They are not a separate species; the “small” is only descriptive of their size,” she says.
Unfortunately, small dogs aren’t always treated like dogs, meaning they don’t get the enrichment and training that they need, which can result in behavioral issues. Dogs of all sizes benefit from training because it allows owners to create a shared language between themselves and their dogs. Training also helps dogs understand the rules and boundaries of our homes and world. Regardless of their size, when dogs are trained, they’re more comfortable and secure navigating the world, which in turn makes them easier to live with. The amount of training and enrichment that small dogs need often comes as a surprise for dog owners. “While small dogs tend to do better in smaller spaces like apartments, they still require mental and physical exercise, as well as outlets for normal, dog-specific behaviors that we tend to label as problematic, such as jumping, digging, foraging, and so on,” Kratimenos explains. When dogs are provided appropriate outlets, many nuisance behaviors rooted in boredom naturally stop occurring.
Socialization Is Key
Like with any dog, early socialization is key for helping small dogs learn about the big world around them and how to appropriately navigate it. Small dogs sometimes have a reputation as being yappy or reactive to other dogs and people. But this isn’t an intrinsic trait of small breed dogs, who can and should be just as socialized and friendly as larger dogs. Socialize small breed puppies the same way that you would any other dog by providing thoughtful and intentional interactions with new places, people, and other animals.
For small dogs who didn’t get appropriate socialization as puppies, it’s possible to still help them to become better adjusted to their surroundings, even as adults. In these situations, Kratimenos encourages dog owners to focus on working with their dogs to interact with the world calmly. One can do this by pairing triggers “with rewards to form positive associations,” she explains. Doing this can help to desensitize your dog to new situations and prevent or minimize unwanted behaviors like barking or lunging.
Safety Considerations
When training small dogs, safety is the top priority. Because of their size, it’s easy for small dogs to get accidentally injured by interacting with larger dogs. When socializing a small breed puppy, always consider the size and level of training of the other dogs. To reduce the likelihood of accidental injury, it’s safest for small dogs to interact with dogs of similar size. If you allow your small breed puppy to engage with a larger dog, supervise closely, and make sure that you pick a large dog that is well-trained and behaves gently with small dogs.
If you’re signing your small breed puppy up for a training classes that involve play and interaction, ask the instructor in advance about their plan for appropriately sized interactions for dogs in class.
Socialization Doesn’t Have to Look Like Greeting
Having a well-socialized dog doesn’t mean they should greet every dog they see. Instead of having your small puppy interact with larger dogs, practice training at a safe distance and help your puppy learn to focus on you and ignore the distraction of the larger dog being nearby. This reduces the risk of your small dog accidentally being injured by a larger dog while greeting or playing. The goal is to desensitize your small dog to the presence of larger dogs, so they can focus on you around this distraction. This will help your small dog not to be reactive or intimidated by large dogs and help them successfully navigate a big world.
Should You Pick Up Your Small Dog?
The decision to pick up your small dog while out training is a personal one. There are pros and cons of picking your dog up. While picking your small dog up can help keep them safe from an approaching large dog, it can also make them appear like a toy which could increase the likelihood of you and/or your dog getting bitten. However, picking your small dog up is one way to protect them from a large unruly dog who is approaching.
In crowded situations or when near dogs seem poorly managed, you may choose to pick up your dog. If you think there will be times when you want to pick up your small dog, put being lifted on cue. This will ensure that your dog isn’t surprised and startled when you pick them up. Plus, it will help make being held a positive experience for your small dog.
Avoid Minimizing Your Small Dog’s Feelings
Small dogs often get misinterpreted as trying to act big or not knowing their size. Kratimenos explains that small dogs often do feel intimidated because of their size. “Many people will say that small dogs think they are bigger than they actually are, but I think the converse is true. Small dogs are aware of their size and are more likely to behave in big ways when they feel threatened.”
As owners of small dogs, the goal of training is to increase how confident and comfortable our little dogs feel. By doing so, we give them the tools to navigate the world more comfortably. This helps our small dogs to not feel as though they need to respond in big ways when they get overwhelmed. It also helps them be more relaxed and better companions at home and in public.
Working With Small Dogs
Because small breed dogs can easily be physically manipulated, it can be tempting for their owners to just pick their dog up and remove them from the environment. “The power of choice also tends to get overlooked with dogs of all sizes, but given that small dogs are easier to scoop up, I think it is even more vital,” says Kratimenos.
Instead of addressing the underlying triggers of the problematic behaviors and teaching their dogs to better respond to those stimuli, picking small dogs up can make them feel more stressed and less secure. Picking your dog up doesn’t decrease the likelihood that your dog will repeat the unwanted behavior in the future because it doesn’t address any of your dog’s underlying feelings. Instead, when it’s safe and possible to do so, we want to give our dogs the option of if they want to be picked up. Kratimenos advises that dog owners “can proactively put being picked up on cue and reward them after being picked up to help them feel good about that action.” By pairing being picked up with praise and treats, we build positive associations with being held for our small dogs.
While the training that small dogs need is no different from large dogs, how we train can look different. For example, I recommend people be more aware of how their special body pressure is impacting their dog. Most dogs find people leaning over them uncomfortable, but this is significantly more pronounced with smaller dogs. Kratimenos advises that dog owners either sit on the floor or elevate their dog on a couch or raised platform when training. When training skills like loose leash walking and heeling, where a dog needs to be on the ground, you can put a dog-friendly spreadable treat like peanut butter onto a spatula or long kitchen spoon, which can easily be lowered to reach the dog. This allows dog owners to reward their dogs without having to bend down to their level while walking. Kratimenos also recommends teaching “small dogs to put their front paws on my leg for hand-to-mouth reward delivery, so that I don’t have to bend as far down.” This can help to make training more comfortable for both small dogs and people.
Offering Small Dogs More Choices
Kratimenos encourages dog owners to offer small dogs the choice of being picked up whenever it’s safe to do so. To do this, she suggests reading your dog’s body language and respecting when they show signs of discomfort around being picked up or handled. This includes avoiding handling the dog when they display those signs of discomfort, so long as it can be done safely. “Our dogs subtly communicate so much to us that can be so easy to miss if you’re not sure what you’re looking for,” Kratimenos explains.
Kratimenos also encourages dog owners to avoid overwhelming their dogs and instead allow them to take space from situations that are causing them stress. Adding distance from stressors helps dogs to regroup, and feel more secure and empowered. By increasing their confidence and comfort, we can prevent behaviors like barking and lunging from escalating to snapping and biting. At the end of the day, small dogs are still dogs. They benefit from the same training and enrichment as larger dogs.