Williams: Training tips for small dogs

While the most popular breed of dog in the United States (according to 2008 American Kennel Club statistics) might be a Labrador Retriever, it’s no surprise to me that 12 out of the top 20 most popular breeds are toy or small breed dogs. Big dogs certainly have their fans, but little dogs have their own unique appeal.

They’re portable, don’t take up a lot of room, don’t eat as much and much easier to sneak in places! In New York City, little dogs can ride on the subway (provided they’re in a carrier), and even cab drivers are more apt to accept a four legged-fare if he or she is under 20 pounds! Even still, small dogs have acquired an unfavorable and unfair reputation of lacking manners. When Andrew and I appeared on “Greatest American Dog,” many people marveled at how obedient he was and how well he kept up with (and often outshined) the bigger dogs. Well I am here to say that Andrew was not an anomaly!

When small dog owners put in the necessary time and attention to training, little dogs can be just as well behaved, socialized and obedient as their larger counterparts. Here are some tips to help turn your tiny terror into a mighty mite:

1) Create a social butterfly: Far too many small-dog owners keep their dogs tucked away for too long, missing out on the critical socialization period when a dog forms his opinion of the world around him. Once your small dog or puppy has the proper immunizations (several distemper/parvo virus boosters and a Bordetella vaccine), it’s time to get him out and about to meet a variety of people, spend time in many different environments, and learn how to play and interact with other puppies and friendly older dogs. Just remember, all interactions must be positive and enjoyable for the puppy.

2) Walk a mile in his paws: Have you ever imagined how big the world must look to a five-pound, 8-inch tall dog? Every once in a while, get on the floor and take a look at the environment from your dog’s perspective. You might even find some potential hazards you never thought of. When training, consider putting her on a raised surface such as a grooming table so she doesn’t have to look up so far to see you. When teaching your small dog to walk on a leash, and yes, you definitely should leash train even the smallest dog, using a target stick will help protect your back by providing a focal point for your dog that doesn’t require you to bend over.

3) Don’t segregate or discriminate: Don’t treat big dogs like the bogey man! In fact, go ahead and enroll him in a reputable obedience class with dogs of all sizes and taught by an experienced instructor. It’s only natural to be a little protective of your petite pooch, but dogs are very perceptive and can sense when we’re uneasy. If your pup sees that you’re okay with bigger dogs, chances are he’ll be OK with them too.

4) Form a partnership/Give him a job: Most dogs, even the tiniest ones, were bred to assist man or perform some type of job or duty. Training your dog to perform certain duties or allowing him to participate in dog sports and activities will not only build his confidence, but will give him a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

5) Remember your little dog is a dog, not a tiny human: Even though we love our dogs like one of the family, and certainly one of the best things about little dogs is they look like perpetual puppies their entire lives, we do them a tremendous disservice by attributing human characteristics to them and imposing human expectations that they can't possibly ever live up to. Have realistic, fair expectations and remember that mistakes will happen — they’re dogs!

Laurie Williams is a Stafford business owner and contributing columnist for the Stafford County Sun. She appeared last year on the television show, “Greatest American Dog.”