How You Train a Small Dog Makes a Difference

By Linda Cole

When it comes to dog training, the size of the dog does matter! It can mean the difference between being successful or falling flat on your face when trying to teach your small dog commands. In a way, its easier to train larger dogs because owners of small dogs often treat a smaller pet differently than they would a bigger dog.

Many small dogs belong to the terrier group. This is a group of feisty, high prey drive dogs with lots of energy. They are smart and not afraid to let their feelings be known. Small dogs can be manipulative if they get a chance, and can have an attitude the size of a Great Dane. Its tempting to let a little dog get away with things most owners wouldnt accept from a larger canine. His actions may not hold the same weight as a misbehaving larger dog, but a small dog can still be disruptive. If your small dog jumps up on someone to greet them, many will think thats cute, but if a Saint Bernard leaps up, your guest could be lying on their back with a drooling dog standing over them. Not as cool to some, but could be cute depending on your guests sense of humor.

Dogs can understand if they are being treated differently than others around them, and its important to treat small dogs just like you would a larger one. Training is about teaching your dog how you want him to act, but its also a good way for you to learn who your dog is as an individual. Small dogs can be stubborn. We can accidentally teach little dogs the wrong way to act if they are rewarded for their misdeeds or bad manners.

Part of our job is to instill confidence and trust in our pets. Treating a dog with respect, regardless of size, is one way of establishing yourself as their leader, and says you can be trusted. Dont give any treats or attention until your dog has all four feet on the ground.

Riley, my Terrier/Chihuahua mix, has been more of a challenge to train than my largest dog Max, a Lab mix. Riley had a tendency to jump up to grab a treat. I can understand why she did it – she was afraid one of the other dogs would get it before I got my hand down to her. Keep in mind how a small dog sees the world from their level if you have different sized dogs. Once Riley learned she didnt have to compete with the larger dogs for her treat, she settled down and became more willing to focus on the commands I was teaching, and not grab for her treat.

Finding the right treat is a consideration when training a small dog. The treat needs to be special and something that will get your dogs attention. CANIDAE TidNips™ treats are a favorite for my dogs. I like them because when treating a small dog, you want to give bite sized pieces they can handle, and I can easily break up the treat without it falling apart.

Small dogs need to learn the same basic commands as a larger dog. Sit, stay, come, and drop it are four commands that could save your pets life. Small breeds that were bred to hunt vermin and small game have a high prey drive, and their desire to chase is just as strong as it is in larger breeds. They are also quick and can be gone in a flash if off leash when outside. Dont take your pets small size for granted, and expect the unexpected just like you would with a Lab, Border Collie or any larger breed.

When training, get down to your small dogs level so he can see your face easier. When you call him to come, make sure he comes all the way to you, and doesnt go underneath a table or chair. A good command to teach a small dog is “stay calm, chill, settle, or quiet,” whichever word works for you to help keep him from getting over stimulated. Its a command that helps him control his energy. A small dog may have the attitude of a big dog, but they are still little, and that can be a bit intimidating for some dogs. Little dogs can be controlled by picking them up, but without training they wont learn how to behave, and could be at risk of developing small dog syndrome.

One mistake some owners of small dogs make is thinking their pet doesnt require exercise. All dogs need regular exercise to keep their mind and body healthy. Playing outside gets them out in the fresh air, and walking is a good way to keep your pet socialized with new people, sounds, sights, other dogs and places. A well socialized and trained dog is much easier to handle and less likely to get into trouble.

Photo by itarife

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For The Love Of A Good Dog What Makes A Good Cow Dog

Tiff was an accident between my sister’s purebred Border Collie bitch, and my dad’s 8-month-old Blue Heeler mutt. I’m pretty sure that she was the best dog in the entire world, but then again everyone has that one special dog that will claim the title of “favorite.” Tiff wasn’t exactly into working cows, although she didn’t mind as long as we were doing it together. After a particularly hot day spent moving tired pairs to forest allotment, Tiff started working for me like she was a veteran cow dog, heading instinctively to where I needed help the most. It was almost as if my wishing sent her straight there. I always felt somewhat insecure around other cowboys when I’d ask Tiff to work, because she wasn’t professionally “trained” and since I didn’t know the proper commands I’d just holler helpful things like, “Tiff plug that hole!!!”

When I first started thinking about writing this article, there were two sets of people that I instantly knew I had to talk to: Matt Mori from Winnemucca, NV and Jim and Julie Dunlap from Maxwell, CA. The reason being, these three cowboys are outside every day: they’re frequently alone and short-handed. The country they cover makes it imperative to have at least one good cow dog, preferably more. There are many cowboys that use dogs, but don’t really like them. They’re a tool, much like a saddle or a bit. But for Jim, Julie and Matt, their dogs are partners, someone that not only makes the job easier but is also a friend.

The overwhelming consensus from all three cowboys is that a good dog doesn’t necessarily live to work cattle, but is sharp and has enough of a connection with you personally that they want to work, just to please you.

Despite his repeated insistence that he is not a dog trainer, Matt kindly agreed to answer some of my questions about what makes a good dog, a good dog. He’s had two that have stood out above the rest, but his absolute favorite was a Border Collie pup named Freddy. Freddy was apparently very slow to mature but once he did, it happened all at once. “He wouldn’t work just to work, he just wanted to do what I wanted to do. He’d cowboy with me, and then go trap and hunt mountain lions with me. He had a lot of range, you could send him a long, long ways. He had this habit, if we were moving baby calves he wouldn’t bite very hard, just hard enough. But then if he had to turn a big cow, he was tough enough that he could draw blood. He was smart about how much to give them.”

According to Matt, you can get better and more work out of a dog that likes you rather than one with a whole bunch of natural talent (breeding).

Julie Dunlap agrees, “My favorite dog was a red Border Collie named Joe who just recently died. He was my favorite because he was very smart, I’m pretty sure he could read my mind. He always seemed to know just where I wanted him to be.” Inside I performed a small, triumphant dance as I considered Tiff’s seemingly clairvoyant abilities. So, maybe she hadn’t been that unusual. Julie continued, “Joe was a good tracker, he could find cattle that I couldn’t even see. He was very loyal and refused to let anyone else pet him. For me, a good dog is one that will think for itself. I prefer to give my dogs a little more freedom so they aren’t as dependent on me.”

Jim Dunlap echoes his wife’s sentiments when he starts talking about his favorite dog, a white Border Collie called Rush. “I love dogs and am a big advocate for using good dogs. I got Rush from a guy that was going to knock him in the head because he couldn’t sell white pups. He was smart and tough and I still have pups from him 20 years later. Dad and I were sorting a bunch of steers and heifers that had gotten mixed. We were holding them in a corner out in the field, and I had a couple of dogs so I was holding the big bunch and dad was working off the heifers. The bunch got pretty stirred up and a steer got away from me. I sent Rush to stop him and the steer ran right over him and got in with the heifers. I had to stay with the main bunch, but assumed Rush would hold that group and maybe bring them all back to the main herd. When I got a chance to look back, Rush had the steer cut out and was bringing only him back to me. I don’t know how he did it, be he sure did.”

Well Jim, maybe it was all because of your love of a good dog.

 *First published in the Nevada Rancher. Like them on Facebook or call (866) 644-5011 for a free copy. 

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