Small Dog Syndrome

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[ThinkingBuddha]

Many behaviors we humans do not allow large dogs to get away with we find “cute” in small dogs. For example:

If a German Shepherd were to growl at your guest, you and your guest would both know there is a problem. Something has to be done. However, if that tiny 6-pound Chihuahua growls, well, it's just what he does. He's a Chihuahua, right? Wrong. There is no difference, in a dog’s mind, for a German Shepherd to be growling at a human than there is for a Chihuahua.

If your 5-pound Yorkshire Terrier decides to bark and growl at another dog while you are walking down the street, or as another dog passes by your house, it's almost seen as cute, because you see it as your tiny dog thinking it is a big dog. However, if your 120-pound Akita barks and growls at another dog, the Akita is more likely to be put in its place and told to stop. The fact is, no dogs should ever be allowed to display dominant behaviors...........

[Don W]

For some reason (I think it likely he’s too small for the contacts to contact his skin properly) the bark collar had NO effect on Spazz whatsoever.

Toy dogs are a whole different critter. I’ve had many dogs over the years, but this guy is something I’ve never seen.

I’m not sure how big your dog is, but what I’ve learned during THIS dog’s training, the ONLY way to deal with a toy is the firm hand of an unrelenting, fervent, and loving leader.

I was very lucky in that my brother had a lab-a whip-a-bull (Zoot) that fell in love with Zippy the day they met, and mentored him when they moved into my house. She taught him how to be a good dog. That, and the fact I was in some tight financial straits and able to spend ALL my time with him turned him into the best little guy.

Unfortunately Zippy is getting a little lazy due to his approach to dotage, so the burden falls to me.

Best of luck, and let the FR pinglist know how it goes!

[lysie]

Handsome pup.

[kanawa]

bump

[Grumpybutt]

I have two miniature schnauzers... the rescue we’ve had for 3 years and is almost 12, the other, from a breeder is almost 2... Sunday morning my 12 yr old bit me. Took him to the vet yesterday - they kept him and sedated him for x-rays as he’s had what we thought were “hip” issues for a couple years. Turns out, the x-rays show that at some point in his life, he was shot with a shotgun. There’s bird shot still in him and he has one missing and one severely compressed disc in his back.... hence why he bit me... lifting him up wrong. When the vet told me this, my heart broke for him. We’re continuing his medications and glucosamine/chondrtin therapy for now.

After a tetanus shot and starting antibiotics, my hand will be ok, tho sore - the wounds will heal. We bought a muzzle for him for things such as combing him out...

Our 2 year old... she’s the one with the small dog syndrome. I swear if we ever get her trained it will be a miracle.

[Cronos]

we trained our dog not to do this. Well, we had it easier as we have had her since she was a puppy

The trick is that this is joy on the dog's behalf -- they are overwhelmed with joy at someone coming in. The solution is: when you or anyone else comes into the house, ignore the dog -- even if she is jumping up and down, desperate to get your attention.

Greet everyone and wait for the dog to calm down -- don't even say "Calm down" to her. Ignore her utterly and she will calm down on her own.

After a few days or weeks (depending on the dog) it will take its effect and she will be able to "contain" herself :)

[A.A. Cunningham]

You just have to know how to talk to them.

[tob2]

So I have. Recently while walking my chihuahua, we encountered a great dane and his human. Chihuahua 1, great dane zilch. Of course, a great dane is a total couch potato and typically non-agressive. Anyway, never underestimate the power of a small dog’s bite or aggressiveness.