Follow these tips and tricks to help introduce your small dog to a new big friend, or vice versa! Remember to always start slow and work your way up to a let-loose play time. Jamie and Pirate say, “we may be different sizes, but we are the two best friends ever!”
3. Teach the large dog that when their small dog friend might growl or snap at them, that means GREAT things happen from you across the room. This could mean a treat, special play time, you getting exciting and making a fun fuss over them, etc. If their small dog says “I need space” and the other dog immediately gets rewarded across the room from you, this will help to teach them how to listen to the small dog’s request by walking away and finding something else to do instead.
While it may seem funny, small dogs and big dogs can make the best of friends! Take best friends Jamie and Pirate for example! These two learned how to be great companions who know how to play safely & kindly. Sometimes, small dogs need a couple extra breaks as well as a few safety precautions to ensure a fun time. Check out these tips on how to successfully introduce small dog and big dog friends!
We have a webinar replay all about training with Small Dog friends! In this webinar, Summit Head Trainer Amber shares lots of the tricks of the small dog training game that she has been using to raise Jameson, her little Papillon. This includes reinforcement strategies for small bellies, why small dogs do what they do, how to help our small dogs think on their own four feet, safety skills & considerations, adventure skills for small dogs, and how to create safe and positive relationships. Check out the replay here!
Small dogs can be awesome adventure buddies! While much of the training for small dogs is the same as with larger breeds, there are some nuances that can make training your small dog a potential headache, or a dream!
On-Leash Greetings Usually Aren’t The Safest
Some encounters are more triggering than others.
When a dog is on a leash during an encounter, they may feel cornered. Even if they’re excited to meet the other dog at first, that dog might be just a little too pushy, just a little too overzealous with that butt-sniffing.
A dog’s normal reaction to an overwhelming encounter is to step away. When they’re on a leash and can’t do that, they may growl, or even snap at the other dog. This can start a full-blown fight in seconds.
In the past, I allowed Matilda and Cow to greet other dogs for a maximum of three seconds, then I’d say, “good girls! Okay, bye!” and move along. That way, there wasn’t time for tension to build.
Nowadays, I notice that people typically do not even try to let their dog greet mine. I think people are becoming more aware of how risky on-leash greetings can be.
So now, I rarely stop to greet other dogs. It does happen sometimes, especially if we do not have time to cross the street. Usually, my dogs get a quick sniff in, and we move along.
If you are going to let your dog say hello on-leash, try not to walk directly towards the other dog and walker, instead, approach towards the side and make sure the dogs have plenty of space to get away.
The dogs should ideally be able to sniff around and enjoy the environment alongside one another, rather than be in one another’s face.
If either dog has a stiff posture, hackles raised, tail straight up in the air, or shows any other sign of discomfort, quickly move along.
Not all on-leash encounters have to be dangerous. If you get your dog in a habit of very quick, short greetings, and they always have positive experiences, you most likely won’t have a problem.
However, you cannot control the other dog, you don’t know their history, and you don’t know if your dog will do something to tick them off.
Small dogs can be some of the most amazing dogs! However, sometimes people associate little dogs with certain undesirable behaviors, such as yappy barking, ankle biting, cowering when people approach, or increased aggression when approaching their space. It’s important to consider why these behaviors are happening so they can properly be addressed.
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Sometimes when a dog is scared, they’ll show fearful body language, such as cowering, pinned back ears, or laying flat on the floor. Other times, that fear can turn defensive and a dog can exhibit aggressive behaviors, such as growling, barking, snapping, or biting. The easiest way to eliminate these behaviors is to make sure that the dog doesn’t get to that level of fear or anxiety. Remember, the responsibility of protecting your dog lies with you. Here are a few things that you can do to help create a comfortable environment for your small dog so that he doesn’t feel fearful or aggressive.
Most of all, it’s so important to be considerate of our small dogs. Even though their cowering might not be as big and their barks as loud, it’s still absolutely imperative to consider their environment. In order for a small dog to productively exist in their world, they need to feel comfortable. The only way to ensure that their environment is comfortable is to hire their number one advocate to do the job—and that’s you!
It isn’t okay for any dog to be biting or engage in other aggressive behaviors, no matter what size they are. Similarly, we want every dog to be comfortable in their environment so that they don’t feel fearful. But, the reality of the situation is that we live in a big big world that can be really scary for little dogs. Take a look at what a small dog has to go through. If you’re able to, lay down on the ground and place your head around the same height that your small dog’s would be. The world gets a lot bigger, right? Now have people walk by and stand over you. It can be intimidating! That type of intimidating environment can be very scary for a small dog.
Cesar Millan Explains: Little Dogs Playing with Big Dogs
My 80-pound Labrador, Logan, was quivering in excitement to meet his new little brother. “Little” was not an exaggeration. My new Papillon puppy, Finian, weighed a scant 1.2 pounds. Was the size difference between the two a big deal? Yes! Planning ahead, I had prepared everything for a safe, positive introduction.
I sat on the couch with Finian in my lap, which put him at about Logan’s height. My friend Jenny was with me to manage Logan should he get too excited. Logan was well trained, but he was so excited I didn’t want to take a chance on anything going wrong. He had been raised with my previous Papillon, so he was used to little dogs. Finian, however, had yet to meet a large dog.
Logan approached and shoved his blocky head under Fin, checking him out thoroughly. Finian began kissing Logan’s head, then bopped him happily with his front paws. In that moment, they were best friends.
Just because initial introductions went perfectly didn’t mean I immediately let them run loose together unattended. Finian needed to gain some weight and grow up some before I would consider the two to be safe with one another. Logan was extremely friendly and a registered therapy dog, but he was a happy-go-lucky Labrador. One friendly paw swipe could have easily catapulted Finian across the room. Plus, Finian was no saint as a puppy. He would latch onto Logan’s jowls and tug! They needed careful monitoring and further training before they could safely coexist together.
Big dogs and little dogs can safely live together, but there are precautions you need to take to ensure all goes well.