Introduction
Small dogs are a popular choice of pet for many people. They offer a range of benefits, including being lower maintenance, apartment-friendly, and having a longer life expectancy compared to larger breeds. This article will provide an overview of some of the most easy to train small dog breeds and discuss the pros and cons of small dogs to help you determine if a small dog is the right choice for your family.
First, we will look at some of the most trainable and family-friendly small dog breeds. Next, we’ll discuss some of the key benefits and challenges of owning a small dog. The article will then provide tips on housebreaking, leash training, teaching commands, and curbing problem behaviors in small dogs. Finally, we’ll outline the activity needs of small dogs and how to keep them active and engaged. With this guide, you’ll learn why small dogs can make excellent pets and how to successfully train them.
Easy to Train Small Dog Breeds
Many small dog breeds are known for being highly intelligent and easy to train. Their eagerness to please makes them fast learners who can pick up new commands and tricks quickly. Some of the most trainable small dog breeds include:
Miniature Schnauzers – This energetic terrier breed is very smart and aims to please their owners. They excel at obedience training and learning tricks.
Beagles – Beagles were originally bred as hunting dogs, so they are very focused and respond well to positive reinforcement training techniques.
Pugs – The even-tempered and sociable Pug is a people-oriented breed that is very food motivated, making training easy.
Boston Terriers – Bostons are clever, lively dogs who enjoy learning new things to entertain their families.
Pomeranians – Though independent at times, Pomeranians are intelligent and can pick up on training quickly.
Yorkshire Terriers – Yorkies are affectionate small dogs who bond very closely with their owners, fueling a strong desire to please that makes training successful.
Papillons – These active toy dogs have lots of energy and are eager to learn new tricks.
Shetland Sheepdogs – Shelties are highly trainable herding dogs who excel at agility and competitive obedience.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – The gentle and happy Cavalier is an attentive breed that responds well to positive reinforcement training.
Havanese – These sociable dogs aim to please their owners, making them receptive trainees.
Reasons Small Dogs are Often Easier to Train
There are a few key reasons why small dog breeds tend to be easier to train than larger dogs:
- Smaller bladder capacity – Small dogs have smaller bladders and need to urinate more frequently. This makes housebreaking easier as they have more opportunities to learn to go potty outside. Frequent potty breaks can be used as positive reinforcement during training. (AKC)
- Strong desire to please – Small breeds often aim to please their owners. They thrive on attention and praise. This motivates them to learn commands and tricks quickly. (Rover)
- High energy – Many small dogs are energetic and need activity and mental stimulation. Training provides this outlet and channels their energy productively. They enjoy the mental challenge. (ThatMutt)
Tips for Training Small Dogs
Small dogs can be trained using positive reinforcement techniques that work well for dogs of all sizes. Here are some tips to help make training a small dog easier and more effective:
Focus on positive reinforcement. Using treats, praise, and play as rewards when a small dog demonstrates a desired behavior will help reinforce that behavior. Punishment should be avoided as it can cause small dogs to become fearful or anxious, damaging the human-canine bond. Mark and reward desired behaviors immediately so the dog associates the reward with the specific action.[1]
Keep training sessions short. Small dogs have shorter attention spans than larger breeds. Keeping training sessions to 5-10 minutes, a few times per day, can help small dogs stay focused and motivated. End each session on a positive note with a behavior they know well.
Use high-value treats. Use very small pieces of chicken, cheese, hot dogs or other enticing treats to motivate small dogs during training. Avoiding dry crunchy treats can help keep small dogs focused on training and not on chewing the treat. Only use the high-value treats for training sessions.
Housebreaking a Small Dog
Housebreaking a small dog requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Take your puppy outside frequently, at least every 2 hours as well as after eating, drinking, playing, and waking up from a nap. Praise and give treats as soon as they go potty outside to reinforce the behavior. Limit access inside the home by using baby gates or crating when you can’t directly supervise.
Crate training can be very helpful for housebreaking. The crate should be just big enough for the dog to stand up, lie down, and turn around. Never use the crate for punishment. The dog will naturally avoid soiling in their sleeping space if taken out for potty breaks often enough. Reward calm behavior in the crate so they see it as a safe den.
Accidents will happen as part of the process. Never punish for accidents. Simply clean thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors that might attract the dog back to the same spot. Supervise closely and attract your puppy to the right potty spot outside. With patience and consistency using positive reinforcement, your small dog can be housebroken.
Training a Small Dog to Walk on Leash
Leash training a small dog requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. The key is to start slow and set your dog up for success. Begin indoors first in a low distraction environment. Keep training sessions short, about 5-10 minutes and end on a positive note.
Use treats and praise to reinforce good leash manners. Reward your dog each time he walks next to you without pulling on the lead. High value treats like small pieces of chicken or cheese are best. As your dog improves, give treats at more intermittent intervals.
No-pull dog harnesses can help curb pulling by making it uncomfortable for your dog when they lunge or pull. Ensure you get the proper size and fit for your small dog’s body.
Be patient and persistent with leash training. With daily practice and positive reinforcement, your small dog will be walking politely on leash in no time. Always end each session on a positive note.
Teaching Basic Commands
Small dogs thrive on structure and training. Teaching basic cues helps instill good manners and provides much-needed mental stimulation. Focus on teaching the following essential commands:
Sit
Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose. Move your hand up, allowing their head to follow the treat and causing their bottom to lower. Once seated, say “sit” and give praise and the treat. Practice this often until your dog associates the verbal cue with the action of sitting (source).
Stay
Ask your dog to sit. Hold your palm out in front of them and say “stay.” Take a few steps back, then return and reward. Gradually increase the duration and distance. Always reward for remaining in the stay position (source).
Come
Call your puppy’s name in an excited, happy tone. When they come, give praise and a treat. Start inside with no distractions. Slowly train in more distracting environments. Always make coming to you fun and rewarding.
Down
Ask your dog to sit. Hold a treat to their nose, slowly moving it down to the floor. Their head will follow as their elbows lower to the ground. Once down, say “down” and reward. Pair the treat lure with the verbal cue until they lower down on just the command.
Leave It
Place a treat on the floor. When your dog goes for it, cover it with your hand and say “leave it.” Praise when they stop trying to get the treat. Repeat until they resist temptation. Slowly build up to higher value items.
Drop It
Give your dog an item to hold. Say “drop it” and offer a treat in exchange. Praise when they release the item. Practice with toys and inappropriate items. The treat swap encourages them to give up what’s in their mouth.
Curbing Small Dog Behavior Problems
Small dogs can develop some irritating behavior problems like excessive barking, nipping, jumping, and chewing. It’s important to address these issues before they become ingrained habits. Some tips for curbing common small dog behavior problems include:
To reduce barking, try training your dog to stop barking on command, don’t inadvertently reward the barking with attention, block access to windows where they can see people passing by, and use praise and treats when they are quiet (AKC).
For nipping and biting, say “no” firmly and walk away to show that biting ends playtime. Provide appropriate chew toys instead. Consider clicker training to reinforce good behavior (Spruce Pets).
To reduce jumping, turn your back and ignore your dog until they are calm with all four paws on the floor. Use baby gates to restrict access. Teach an alternative behavior like “sit” for attention. Reward calm behavior with praise and treats.
For destructive chewing, provide plenty of appropriate chew toys and rotate them to keep your dog interested. Use bitter tasting spray deterrents on furniture. Consider crate training if chewing occurs when you are away.
Addressing these issues early and consistently training good behavior is key to curbing problematic behaviors in small dogs.
Activity Needs of Small Dogs
While small dogs have lower activity needs than larger breeds, they still require daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. Short 10-15 minute walks once or twice a day are usually sufficient for most small breeds. Indoor playtime such as fetch or tug-of-war can also help meet their exercise needs. Puzzles and interactive toys provide important mental stimulation when inside.
According to Small Dogs Big Hearts, understanding the exercise needs of small dogs is key to their well-being. Tailoring activities based on breed, age, and health ensures they get an appropriate amount of physical activity.
SheKnows recommends both daily walks and indoor playtime for small breeds to expend energy. Though compact in size, small dogs still need outlets for their high activity levels.
Conclusion
In summary, small dogs make wonderful companions for many reasons. They are often easier to train than larger breeds, especially when it comes to housebreaking. Their small size makes them portable and well-suited to apartment living. Small dogs require less exercise and food than bigger dogs. They also tend to have longer lifespans than larger breeds.
The best small dogs for training are intelligent, eager to please breeds like the Papillon, Miniature Schnauzer and Shetland Sheepdog. Using positive reinforcement, keeping training sessions short and fun, and being patient are keys to successfully training a small dog. With time and consistency, even notoriously stubborn small breeds like the Chihuahua can master basic obedience.
While small dogs are low maintenance in many ways, they still require training, socialization, exercise and quality nutrition. Providing the care small dogs need will lead to a long and happy life with your pint-sized companion.