3 of the Biggest Mistakes Small Dog Owners Make | Episode 26

This week’s episode was inspired by the many dog owners in my neighbourhood who have recently gotten small dogs.

While watching them go on walks or hang out in their front yards, I’m reminded of the term “Napoleon Syndrome.” It basically refers to the idea of a small statured guy who overcompensates for his size with an incredible hunger for power, control and conquering everything in sight.

Small Dog Syndrome is based loosely on this premise. Many small dogs can be quite unruly, aggressive, territorial and quickly secure leadership of the household. This is not something your dog is born with, it’s something we as owners or past owners have taught our dogs.

Three of the biggest mistakes I see small dog owners making are:

1. Babying or Humanizing their Dog

A small dog allows you to easily pick the dog up and carry it with you everywhere. This often leads to no clear separation between owner and dog because of this you may see that your dog deals with separation anxiety, territorial behaviour or is often stubborn.

2. Lack of Obedience Training

Many dog owners start out with good intentions for teaching their dog basic obedience but when it comes to being consistent small dog owners are a lot more likely to drop the ball. Why is this? Because teaching your large breed dog to walk well on leash is a necessity or you may be in danger whereas a small dog that is unruly on leash is always physically manageable despite their behaviour. The same goes for a small dog vs. a big dog jumping up on people. It’s unacceptable to be greeted by a large dog jumping on you but a little doing the same is easily shrugged off because it does not have the same impact and social expectation.

3. Not Setting Boundaries

Through babying and humanizing our little dogs we spoil them with all the freedoms of the household. This leads to a lack of leadership and encourages your dog to pick up that role.

Allowing your pet on furniture at all times will likely lead to excessive or nuisance barking if you have a little dog that thinks they rule the roost. Even something as simple as regularly sharing your human snack with your dog on your lap can alter the dynamic between the two of you.

All three of these mistakes feed into one another and help to create a small dog with a big attitude.

So, how can we curb these behaviours?

Treat your dog like a dog, stop carrying them around everywhere and use a leash to guide them to the right behaviour

Go back to the basics and require manners from them; on leash, when they greet people, in the house, in the car - everywhere

Limit their freedoms, regain control by being in control of their toys, food and furniture. Adjust what they can have and when. Try switching their free meals to training sessions so that they can work on important behaviours with great motivation. Remove their ability to be on furniture and eventually work up to allowing it with invite-only.

Grab my FREE Walk Your Dog with Confidence Mini Course if you’ve struggled with walking your dog on leash and you’d like to turn that around today!