"Small Dog Syndrome"

[kaycountrygal]

Hmmm, I read most of the article. I've never thought of my 5 lb LilGirl as snappy because she is not. She is the most friendly outgoing little dog I've ever been around. She likes everybody. Now sometimes she does bark a lot but usually it is because Annie the BIG dog outside starts barking & that makes LilGirl bark. As for getting on the couch, I WANT LilGirl next to me on the couch or my lap or my shoulder LOL. I love to hold her. Both LilGirl and Annie are friendly and well behaved and I dont think either one of them has any bad habits. Maybe some little dogs are snappy but not mine. Kay in NC

[Twisterdog]

My small dogs get on the furniture, sleep in bed with us, and are generally quite spoiled. However, none of them are snappy, aggressive or yappy. It's just like with human kids ... you can love and spoil them, and still teach them and provide discipline.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I see way to many dogs with this issue every day in the veterinary field.... they are snappy, unhappy, little brats to be honest with you! They are very babied by their owners. They are dogs, and need to be trained and disciplined like any other dog should be, no matter what the size or breed. They do not need to be carried everywhere, let the dog walk! If he/she is bad on the leash, the dog will get over it the more you use the leash.
Ugh... sorry for the rant, but this is a big pet peeve of mine!

[dab_20]

My small dogs get on the furniture, sleep in bed with us, and are generally quite spoiled. However, none of them are snappy, aggressive or yappy. It's just like with human kids ... you can love and spoil them, and still teach them and provide discipline.

I agree! And it's those owners who "spoil" them (although many of those dogs are actually UNhappy), that give little dogs the yappy and snappy "bad name". My grandma is one of those people. Her little maltese/shih tzu mix I just cannot STAND! I know it's not his fault, but he's just an aggressive (bites you!), yappy, little shi*. And it's just the way she "spoils" him and let's him get away with everything!

Lablover, (I'm sorry your name has slipped my mind once again!), I totally agree with you. Interning at the veterinary office, the majority of dogs that were aggressive were small dogs. And it's just the way you treat them.

Although I don't necessarily agree with all the article says, (I let my smaller dogs sleep near my head and jump on me), it is an interesting one.

[pomtzu]

My small dogs get on the furniture, sleep in bed with us, and are generally quite spoiled. However, none of them are snappy, aggressive or yappy. It's just like with human kids ... you can love and spoil them, and still teach them and provide discipline.

Agreed - 100%. That's the life of my Myndi and Sparky. Neither have ever been snappy even for one second, and neither could be considered yappy either. They both will bark to alert us of anything outside that shouldn't be in their yard, and Myndi can be quite a talker (much different than yapping) with my son (those 2 carry on a real conversation everyday when he gets home from work), but she never just yaps just for the heck of it.

That article was an interesting read too - thanks for the link. It just goes to show you, that if you have a yapper and/or snapper, then it's most likely the human's fault!

[IRescue452]

I agree with most of the article. Small dogs are allowed to get away with things because people don't see the harm when the 3 pound dog "can't possibly inflict all that much damage". If they'd imagine they're same dog as 100 pounds then they might see that their dog could have seriously hurt somebody. There's personality issues as well though. My aunt has 4 chihuahuas and only 1 of them is friendly and the other three are some of the worst cases of aggression I've had to deal with. I recently dog sat and to get them outside I had to dump them out of their kennels and stand back. How did the 1 get friendly?

[snakemama]

I insist on excellent manners from Jasper...he's not a tiny dog but he's small enough that when he jumps and I correct him people often say "Oh, it's ok, I don't mind".....but I DO!

[Asiel]

My small dogs get on the furniture, sleep in bed with us, and are generally quite spoiled. However, none of them are snappy, aggressive or yappy. It's just like with human kids ... you can love and spoil them, and still teach them and provide discipline.

You have my vote on that also. My little one thinks she's a Shepherd and acts like one. Very independent little thing but also such a loving cuddly friend. She never barks except to warn us that someone is in the yard and as for snapping I don't think she even knows how. She loves all company, whoever is willing to play with her , adult or child. Being so tiny comes with privileges such as being allowed on the bed or furniture but she will never get on furniture if we have guests. She isn't bratty or spoiled, and listens as well as any big dog. She was always treated like I would treat my Shepherds so I think the owner does make the dog.