It is often the case that small breed dogs are chosen by owners of flats in a block of flats or by parents of young children. These dogs are often considered to be ideal couch dogs, as well as ideal companions for toddlers, as they are unable to harm them with their size. However, the idyll ends when the difficulties begin. Unfortunately, nowadays it is becoming increasingly common to see cases of aggression towards people and dogs in small quadrupeds. Where does this come from? What should you bear in mind when having a small dog under your roof?
A small dog is still a dog with needs
Because of their size, small dogs are often belittled, considered as mascots.
Often a dog throwing himself at a larger one on a walk is not a problem in society, but a cause for laughter. We may also encounter the opinion that these little ones have no needs beyond lying on the sofa. Of course, there are also many informed carers. This is why, in recent years, it has become increasingly common to see small-breed dogs in puppy training. The ancestors of these quadrupeds participated in hunting or performed other tasks around humans, and today they excel in some dog sports.
Small dogs less respectful of man
When we see a large German Shepherd or German Dog, we often approach it with respect. We do not approach it with arms outstretched, we do not enter its space, and if we already want to interact with it, we ask the handler if we can. The situation is the same if we are walking our dog. Most often, when we see a large dog, we avoid meeting it.
The situation is different with a small dog. Often passers-by pay attention to them and children are taught to stroke them. We enter their space because there is a perception that they love it. When we walk our dog, it is easier for us to get him acquainted with a smaller walker, because we recognise that he will not harm us. In a word, we do not respect and honour the signals that these dogs send us. And this is fatal.
Let’s remember that small dogs need space just as much as big dogs. Jumping on strangers does not mean “stroke me” or “take me in your arms”, but is a request to leave. What may be sweet behaviour for us can be a stress activator for a dog. Behaviour towards carers can also be a request to move away. It is very important to respect such signals, as this can be the start of aggressive behaviour towards people.
Social media and trends
Very often we can find videos on various social media sites in which small dogs growl. Sometimes the trigger for these behaviours is an attempt to take an object, and sometimes it is hugging the dog’s face. It doesn’t matter what trend the video was made for, one common element is important. Every time a small dog growls or barks, people laugh. And growling or barking is a message for us to move away!
Through such, from our point of view innocent fun, we can cause a deterioration of the relationship with our dog and, consequently, build up in the pooch an aversion to the carers. Is a few seconds of fun worth it? Remember that dogs don’t care about online popularity. If we already want to show them off, let’s show how we train with them.
Browsing through the most popular social networks, it is much rarer to come across a video where a large-breed dog growls at its handler when he puts his head to its mouth or tries to take something away from it. Large-breed dogs inspire more respect.
Summary
Small dogs have it worse in life because everything is bigger than them. As carers, let’s look after their needs and be their best friend. Let’s show that we understand them and fulfil them in training. There is a huge amount of energy in these little bodies that can be used in many dog sports and this will strengthen our bond. A little pooch running around an agility course will make a much bigger furore on the internet than a growling pooch at its handler because the handler wants to take away a treat. Let’s remember to respect the dog’s messages.
