Have you ever been hanging out with champion or family who have a diminished dog and heard them casually pretermit “ Oh yeah , she ’s definitely get small hotdog syndrome ? ” It ’s something I heard often during my 10 + yr as a canine behaviourist . But look at your midget dog ’s earthly concern from their point of view , and help them sense more impregnable can go a long way in alleviating this “ condition . ”
What Is Small Dog Syndrome?
“ Small frankfurter syndrome ” is n’t a medical consideration . It ’s not something that ’s run to harm your whelp physically . It ’s a compendium of doings that are less than worthy in your canine companion , and sometimes dangerous , often envision in low dogs . Does your small dog do any of the followers ?
Declaring Bosshood
Despite their size , they strut around like they own the spot , seek to control other dogs , braggy or small .
Barking Non-Stop
Oh boy , do they love to bark . Whether it ’s at other animals , the doorbell , or just a leaf falling outside , they ’ve got something to say about it .
Protecting Their Person
These click can get prettypossessive and territorial , peculiarly around their favourite human being . That ’s their somebody and , if they think they ’re at risk , you ’re about to get an earful .
Aggressively on Defense
They might snap , lunge , or growling if they sense threatened , even if you do n’t perceive any terror .
Guarding Everything
These little guys can be fiercely protective of their toys , solid food , or space .
Big Reactions to Small Issues
A thin push button or touch on from another dog or even just tripping when they ’re playing can lead to a full - blown barking / screaming / snapping episode .
Selective Hearing
Some dogs will act like you ’re invisible and wo n’t follow any command — at all . They can hear the food bowl , but anything you say ? It ’s like talking to yourself .
Look At the World From Your Dog’s POV
To understand the cause of small dog syndrome , put yourself in your diminutive heel ’s shoe for a moment . Imagine being that small in a world so bighearted ! call up about how everything would come out from their position .
Overwhelm
To us , their bold demeanor might seem like a crowing bold personality , but for them , it ’s their way of voyage a earthly concern that find much bigger than they are . They might appear fearless when face up with child dog or towering humans , but deep down , they might feel overwhelmed .
Fear and Insecurity
recollect of it — how are they suppose to ward off piranha being so diminished ? I mean , their sizing does n’t exactly scream “ stay off , I ’m grave ” to potential threat . It ’s kind of more like " I ’m petite and defenseless . "
Without a huge personality to back them up , they ’ve got nothin' . That ’s why some little pooch pump up the volume on their personality — to show that they can be intimidating .
It’s Not Forever
If your dog is display these behaviour , do n’t worry . It does n’t have to be forever and a day . exercise with them to direct the underlie issues and , give some clip , they ’ll be all over those nestle — they really ca n’t resist them . It just might take a bit of patience before they experience completely at ease .
Get down to their level — how does the globe look to you ? What do you see ?
Helping Your Dog Feel At Ease: Prevention and Improvement
devote some quality time with your petty doggie to brush up on their manners . Then , after their renewed training , show them unknown place and queer them to unfamiliar sound and smells . Show them the world again like they ’ve never examine it before .
Create a Common Language
Many owner give pocket-size dogs a gratuitous head onlearning the rudiments . But many do n’t realise that basic grooming gives dogs a serious confidence boost . It builds the connection and language between you both . build you happy is your dog ’s elemental mission and they ’ll learn that follow your hint does just that .
Even if they ’re already title-holder at the basic commands , why notreinforce those skills ? It does n’t hurt , correct ? Maybe you could also teach them a novel magic trick or two to give them even more assurance .
Help Them Relate to Others
socialising is important for pups with small dog syndrome . Think about it . If you were cooped up at home plate 24/7 , how would your societal skills be ? I can tell you from experience , you get a little rusty . Then you get back into the world again and , after a while , you ’re back to being a social butterfly . Our dogs are the same way .
sweep off those moth-eaten accomplishment and get them back to being a part of the frump existence . Considerbuddying them up with other dogsof all sizes . It ’s kind of like you ’re teaching them how to make Quaker with dogs that are n’t exactly like them , and then those dogs can teach them better skills .
help your small wiener learn the rudiments does more than teach mastery — it create a common language and help your dog sense more secure .
Small Dog Syndrome and Aggression
It ’s significant to note the aggressive side of small dog syndrome . I ’ve seen a lot of owner shrug off these doings as a pocket-sized blackguard with a pocket-sized bite .
But here ’s the catch : When we shrug off or even chuckle at these behaviors , we might accidentally be yield our whelp a thumbs - up to keep going . And before we have intercourse it , these tiny tantrums could change state into full - blown episodes . It ’s not that they ’re being naughty on purpose . It ’s more like they ’re frightened , trying to defend their turf , or maybe they just do n’t know they should n’t play that way of life . Consider that these are signs your dog is frightened , and you’re able to do things to help them feel happier and safer in the world .
Train small dog the same as you would big click — set clear expectations and practice regularly .
Learning Your Dog
It ’s all about suffer into your frump ’s mind and infer the cosmos from their stage of view . Imagine being a small weenie in such a big , bustle about world ! Our job is to make them feel like they ’ve get a harbor with us . address this whole small dog syndrome affair is n’t just a profits for our pups , but it help the integral household ride out passive . By laying down some primer coat rules , dedicating some clip for education now and then , and making sure we ’re not accidentally giving thumbs up to those not grand behaviour , we can help our minuscule hound build a glad life .
