Comments on: Small Dog Syndrome

By: Cate

Cate — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:45:27 +0000

10 years ago I visited a little dog who was so stressed that she would snarl and snap at me, she was really scary. She would not eat the food I put out for her even after I left.
I happened to be working next to a woman who had done dog training in the UK with the original dog whisperers – (not Cesar Milan) they were a couple from the UK. They were much gentler than Cesar.
I watched their DVDs but don’t remember their names now. I put the dogs owner together with my workmate and she worked wonders with them. – They figured out that the dog thought she was the most important being – she was the Queen, and it was way too much responsibility for such a little dog, she felt she had to look after her mistress at all costs. – The trainer retrained the dog parent to act like she was the Queen and the dog was her underling. It worked wonders – the woman – the dog owner was so relieved. The dog could relax knowing her owner was in charge.

By: Virginia Moore

Virginia Moore — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 05:45:51 +0000

I enjoy your articles very much especially about small dogs as I have a Moodle.

By: Lyn

Lyn — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 23:35:00 +0000

I am definitely interested in learning more about small dog syndrome. My pooch is usually pretty good but there are a couple of larger (but friendly) dogs he just doesn’t get on with. And he’s worse when he isn’t allowed to say hello to another dog.

By: Sharyn Marshall

Sharyn Marshall — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 23:30:26 +0000

We had the same issue with our rescue one year old Maltese X. We assumed she had not had very much socialising get with other dogs and was very reactive when walking and coming across other dogs. We got a dog behaviourist who assisted us with some training and lead control when walking our dog. What we thought was a reactive dog has turned out to be just teaching our dog acceptable behaviours. The behaviourist also suggested putting our dog in day care. In only three weeks our dog is so good and she loves day care and her behaviour has improved

By: Melanie

Melanie — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 02:21:42 +0000

In reply to Michelle.

Hey Michelle,

Great suggestion! I’m working on a article focused on excessive barking so will make sure I include some advice for doggos who bark in the yard! Keep an eye out – it will be coming out in the next couple of weeks.

Melanie @ Mad Paws

By: Michael Brooke

Michael Brooke — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 04:28:36 +0000

I’ve always wondered if Small Dog Syndrome is something innate in the dogs nature or caused/compounded by the owners behaviour. If a small dog was perfectly trained from birth would it still display the same tendencies?

My assumption is that it’s a combination of both. Perhaps small dogs tend to bark more and owners are unsure how to train the behaviour out of them so it continues or gets worse.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:25:59 +0000

Hello Sarah

yes please more of correcting small dog behavior faults. We have a 15 month female Cavoodle. She is always running outdoors to our backyard and barks, at nothing, as if to scare away unseen baddies. We have tried to reward her when she doesn’t bark and scold her when she does, but it doesn’t seem to work. Are you able to offer some advice?

By: Melanie

Melanie — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 03:36:36 +0000

In reply to sarah yit.

Hey Sarah,

Glad you enjoyed this article! I’d be more than happy to write some more in depth pieces on specific unwanted behaviours – do you have any in particular you’d like to read about?

Melanie @ Mad Paws

By: sarah yit

sarah yit — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 03:29:56 +0000

Hi,

This is great for small dog owners to be aware of their dogs behaviours. I’d really appreciate more indepth, specific solutions on how to combat each of the unwanted behaviours listed above, as my dog does display those behaviours.

Thank you!
Sarah