Why do small dog owners feel they do not need to train their dog?
Question by ^Purrson^: Why do small dog owners feel they do not need to train their dog?
Hope this ends up in the correct place. My first time asking a question. As the title says, what is it about small breed dogs and their owners that makes them feel there is no need to train and/or correct their dogs behavior? Of course some large dog owners are just as guilty, but I have noticed over years of observation that small dog owners tend to not be as involved in training the basics, house breaking, sit, down, come, proper leash walking and such. Its not that the dogs arent cabable of learning, but NO dogs can learn without guidance. I have silently wondered this for a while. No offense to anyone but am hoping some with what are small dogs will be willing to and participate.
Cheryl aka Purr
I am not saying ALL small dogs are like that or all owners of small dogs, but I have noticed its more common among those that have small breeds. I agree that all dogs deserve the same care and training. I understand that if a toy sized breed jumps up or growls its seen as less of a threat, but the why I do not understand. I have trained several dogs of all sizes, just boggles my mind why owners shrug off responsibility so often, again not all owners…
Best answer:
Answer by pineapple girl007
i hate when ppl do that! i have 2 small dogs and they are well train they know better then to act out! i think mainly beacuse most small dog owners think its cute but if it was like a great dane acting out ppl would freak out i think its awful
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those small dog owners that do not train thier pets properly would fall into two categories. the first are those who see the small dog as a cute accessory. they dont understand nor care about the proper care and training of the dog because it is just a possession to them.
the second are people who see the dog as a baby replacement. they spoil it and refuse to discipline it becuase its thier baby and they are pouring out all thier otherwise wasted “nuturing” emotions.
I think people in general do not know how to train their dogs.
When I go to Petco, I see just as many big dogs who are ill mannered as small dogs.
(I have five small dogs right now, and all but one are well trained – the one is an ongoing project.
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People buy the small dogs thinking that they will be like living toys. They don’t prepare themselves for the fact that they are dogs and will act like dogs. It’s also easy to just pick them up and move them if they misbehave, but they don’t learn anything this way.
Oh my gosh, I have often wondered the same thing! Of course, it’s not true for everyone, I have small and large dogs, and all four of them are trained.
My neighbor has the WORST chihuahua you’ve ever seen. I had to watch their dogs for a couple of weeks, and I was attacked to the point of bleeding multiple times. When I would pick him up, I had to grab him like a rattlesnake – one hand under his chest and one around the top of his neck. He was a nightmare.
The thing is, if a person has a German Shepherd, and the dog jumps on you, it can hurt you or knock you over, so most people would train their GSD not to do that. If the person has a chihuahua, and it jumps up on you, it does nothing – so the person thinks it’s ‘cute’ and not harmful, and the dog is allowed to do it. The same thing is true of aggressive dogs. If a Saint Bernard is growling and snapping at you, the owner would hopefully correct it because if the dog attacks, it could actually kill you. When their papillon growls and snaps at you, it’s ‘cute’ because the dog can’t actually do serious damage.
Ugh, those owners bug the heck outta me. A dog is a dog, regardless of size, and all dogs need to be trained.
It’s called small dog syndrome.
ur kidding me, i trained my Pomeranian I can’t stand a large or small dog that doesnt listen
but for ur ? evry small dog Ive met has been house trained, they no commands, and they walk great
why are u putting every small dog owner into it?
I really don’t know myself why that happens with a lot of people. I think that because the dogs are small, behavior that would be downright dangerous in a large dog (like biting, jumping up, etc.) are merely annoyances. My two small dogs are quite well behaved. I have done a lot of obedience training with them (including a few classes here and there), and they get away with nothing. A lot of people seem to think that it doesn’t matter if their little dog is poorly behaved, or they get one thinking they can treat it like a doll or child instead of a dog. I hate seeing other people’s little dogs behaving like tiny rabid wolves on the end of a leash, and owners doing nothing about it. Small dogs need the same things large dogs do- training, socialization, exercise, rules, and enforcement of those rules. The rule in my home (and anywhere I take my dogs) is bad behavior= no fun for them.
While I agree that it does not just apply to small dogs, I have to agree that it seems like some small dogs get away with more.
First it has to do with the fact it is small. If the dog barks, growls or even snaps, people are nearly as alarmed as if it were a big dog, so people spend less effort stopping this behavior. People are scared of my GSDs simply by looking at them. I spend much time making sure their behavior isn’t the reason.
It is also a fact that small dogs don’t cause near the damage a large dog can. Responsible large dog owners train and socialize their dogs to avoid any possible incident. IF they don’t, they stand to lose their dog plus a lawsuit. Smaller dog bites get reported far less, cause less damage (usually not all the time). So there is less pressure to properly socialize and train.
People often find it cute when a little dog play the “big dog”, whereas when a big dog plays the big dog, it is scary.
Second, how many questions do you see on here where small dogs are trained to go on mats or papers in the house? Who does that with a large dog? I know there are a few, but far more little dog owners find it acceptable. Again, pure training.
I am not saying all small dog owners are like this. I jsut find there are some. The same as there are irresponsible large dog owners.
well i have a big dog and he hates other dogs, so i walk him on a leash and tell anyone with a dog off a leash to keep their dog away from him because he will have an appetizer. ppl are not as responsible as they should be with their dogs and these ppl should not be allowed to own a pet in my opinion
I owned a small dog for over 17 years and I always made sure he knew things . makes for a better pet right and can take him more places and can behave in other’s home when visiting. Its in my best interest to do so. Plus i liked my dog well behaved. Im not a sargent major. I gave lots of love but I also didn’t put up with bull.