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Little Dogs - Big TroubleA word about "portable" breeds. by Matthew "Uncle Matty" MargolisYour Dog Trainer If you have a “Tinker Bell” or a “Bit Bit” in your home, you may find this helpful. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears are not the only ones with itty bitty woofers. Tiny dogs are everywhere and they are wonderful companions, too. Little ones are interesting, unique and portable. And that’s the problem. From “tea cups” to miniatures to toy breeds, these little wonders are too portable and they can be carried anywhere and anytime. Woe is me. This leads to carrying little dogs all the time. It also fosters a host of problems for both the itty bittys and their owners. First, there is the mistaken notion that little dogs don’t need to be trained. If you want them to do something or stop doing something, you can simply pick them up. You carry them to the food dish. Carry them to the door when you answer it. Carry them to bed. Some owners of tiny dogs even carry them when they go for a walk. So what’s wrong with this? Let me count the tails. If you don’t train your little dog, you and your pooch lack the communication that leads to a more wonderful dog’s life. Your dog never has the opportunity to maximize his potential and you are constantly on edge protecting and worrying and carrying. For safety reasons alone, you need to be able to communicate and stop your lovable little one from running out the open door, dashing into the street or getting in harm’s way at every tiny turn. With training comes problem solving including housebreaking. I can’t tell you how many times I get phone calls from owners of little dogs that take potty breaks on the carpet. “How long has this been going on?” I ask. They often reply that perhaps it has been a problem for six months, or a year or several years – but, they usually tell me that it doesn’t happen all the time and it’s only a teaspoonful or some such imaginary measure. If a little dog piddles on the floor only once every other day, that’s about three and a half tmes a week, fifteen times a month and one hundred eighty-two times a year. That’s an expensive, not to mention a stinky bad habit. I’ve known marriages to break up because of this little dog syndrome. Little dogs that are not trained and are carried everywhere become spoiled, more possessive than usual and often develop obnoxious personalities. They are frequently excessive barkers and annoying to family, friends and neighbors. The lack of training and constant babying can also foster aggressive behavior. A little dog with a nasty disposition and a propensity to growl and even bite, can be a real threat. Little dog bites can require stitches and plastic surgery, too. Imagine a toy dog biting a baby in the face or tearing into an elderly person’s arm. A bite is a bite, and the liability comes with tiny breeds just as it does with larger ones. And what about a tiny dog's health? They frequently don’t get the exercise they require for good health and a longer life. So if you have a little dog or are thinking about getting a small breed, don’t do so because you think you won’t have to train the dog and that raising a little one is much easier than raising a big dog. Regardless of size, all dogs need to be temperament tested. They need training. And they need lots of love, praise and affection. Good Thoughts, Uncle Matty |
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