It’s surprising how many people believe that small dog training is any different to the training methods used for any breed of dog. Just because they’re little, they’re still dogs and they still respond to the same stimulus as the larger breeds. You just need to be a little more careful with their size when you’re working together on small dog training activities.

Small dog training needs to begin at the same time as any other dog – right from day one. Your dog needs to understand that there are certain behaviors and actions that are not acceptable in your home and the only way they’ll learn this is if you teach them what makes you happy. All dogs crave your affection and attention, so teaching them that they only get these things from you if they’ll respond positively to the things you want is a positive way to begin.

Perhaps the most difficult part about small dog training is the very human instinct to pick up a little dog who is jumping up against you for attention. After all, they’re so very little that they only reach your knees at best and all they want is a cuddle and some affection. It’s instinctive for most people to reach down and pick them up. When you do give in to them, you’re teaching them that jumping is the best way to get a cuddle from you. Unfortunately this just reinforces bad habits.

Working with small or little dogs to teach them not to jump up on your friends or visitors is very simple. You will need to work on the praise and reward method and you will have to curb your instinct to reach down and pick up your small dog every time it jumps up.

The next time your dog jumps up at you, turn your back, fold your arms across your chest and look away. Your dog will wonder what it’s done to deserve a harsh penalty like this, but it should only take a few tries at this to make it understand that jumping isn’t working. It’s all about reward though, not penalties, so the moment your dog stops jumping and sits down, lavish praise on him for sitting. Give him a treat. Reach down and give him that cuddle he wanted all along. He’ll learn to stop jumping very quickly.

Another aspect of small dog training that far too many people overlook is curbing the protective instincts in many small dogs. Some people buy small dogs as companions and even substitute children. They do everything with their pets, from dressing them in cute clothes and taking them everywhere they go. Unfortunately this can also make some small dogs become very aggressive towards anyone who comes near their precious owner.

All dogs have this protective instinct, but it’s never acceptable to allow your dog to dominate your human relationships because he or she doesn’t like people coming near you. Once again, turn to the praise and reward method during your small dog training efforts to show your dog that it only receive positive attention from you when he’s doing the right thing. small dog training isn’t any different to teaching any other breed of dog when it comes to good behavior.

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