Small Dog Training…yes, they need training too.
Small dogs are undeniably adorable, but it's important to remember that they have the same learning needs as their larger counterparts. At Wild Child Dog Training, we often encounter small pups who miss out on developing crucial coping skills because their owners tend to pick them up at the first sign of stress. While there's nothing wrong with a little cuddling, if you always resort to carrying your dog away from challenges, you're missing out on valuable opportunities for them to build confidence and resilience.
Why It's Important for Small Dogs to Face Challenges
Building Confidence: Dogs need consistent, safe experiences to learn that they can handle different situations. Avoiding stress entirely prevents this crucial learning process.
Generalizing Skills: A puppy that only encounters new people or environments while being carried won't easily apply calm behavior in other settings like walks or dog parks.
Preventing Reactivity: Dogs that don't face and calmly resolve stress can become anxious or reactive adults.
Respecting Dog Communication: Picking up a dog can hide subtle cues like body language, making it harder to teach them alternative, desirable behaviors.
When It's Okay to Pick Up Your Dog
Immediate safety concerns (like traffic or a potential dog fight).
Medical reasons (such as an injury or vet’s advice).
Brief comfort after a genuinely scary event, but make sure to help your dog re-engage safely on the ground afterward to avoid teaching avoidance.
Helping Small Dogs Face Stressors
Start Early, Gradual, and Predictable:
Introduce them to short, controlled experiences that are interesting but not overwhelming. Gradually increase difficulty.
Pair these experiences with treats and praise to create positive associations.
Practice on the Ground First:
Allow puppies to explore new textures, sounds, and objects at their own pace with your calm presence nearby.
Reward their calm or curious behavior without rushing them.
Use Counterconditioning and Desensitization:
Pair previously scary stimuli with something your puppy loves to make positive associations.
Expose them to stimuli at low intensity first, gradually increasing as they grow more confident.
Teach Coping Skills and Alternatives:
Engage them with games like "Find it" during mildly stressful events to shift their focus from fear.
Nose work and short training sessions build focus and ease anxiety.
Teach reliable commands like recall and "settle" to give them predictable responses.
Model Calm Behavior:
Dogs sense your tension, so breathe, move slowly, and celebrate small successes.
Use a calm voice and minimize baby talk that might reinforce anxious behavior.
Manage the Environment:
Use barriers or maintain distance to control exposure rather than picking them up.
Provide an escape route so your dog can choose to approach or retreat.
Purposeful Socialization:
Introduce new experiences in short bursts, including different people, dogs, and environments.
Make these encounters positive and non-threatening.
Signs You're Pushing Too Fast
If your dog shows signs like freezing, a tucked tail, pinned ears, extreme panting, trembling, or attempts to escape, scale back to a less intense situation and rebuild from there.
A Note on Training Small Dogs
Small dogs might require different handling, like lower-intensity games, smaller equipment, and careful lifting for safety. For instance, Odie, one of our tiny trainees, has sessions tailored to his size, focusing on building confidence, socialization, and skill-based training from the ground up.
Quick Starter Exercises
Ground Introductions: Place a favorite treat or toy near a new object and let your puppy explore.
Noise Pairing: Play a low-volume recording of a noise and reward calm behavior, gradually increasing the volume over time.
Short Outings: Take 5–10 minute walks to new areas, allowing your puppy to lead occasionally and rewarding their curiosity.
If you're unsure about structuring exposures or how quickly to progress, consider booking a session with us. Guided help ensures your small dog gains the confidence and coping skills they need without becoming overwhelmed.
Ready to help your tiny pup grow into a confident dog? Check out our puppy package or reach out to Wild Child Dog Training for a free consultation.