Little dogs are not forever puppies. Small dogs have earned the reputation of being yappy, snappy, jealous, protective, aggressive, wary of strangers and not the greatest child companions. Unfortunately, we are to blame.

We treat them differently because we feel they are small and helpless. So jumping and pawing for attention whenever they want seems harmless because unlike a larger dog they weigh next to nothing ,so the likelihood of us becoming injured is less. 

They lay on our laps, sleep in our beds because the floor is to hard and some, yes some, carry them around in strollers like babies and satchels like a bag of groceries, purse or pocket book because the ground is to wet.

Smaller breed dogs have begun to present large challenges for pet owners. According to a recent MSNBC report, there has been a significant rise in the California shelters becoming overwhelmed with smaller dogs.Pet owners are finding themselves faced with "big dog syndrome" and rather than try to correct the problem, they've found a solution, simply take it to the shelter.

  Pet owners have somehow found a way to justify their 4.5lb Chihuahua barking and trying to chase off the neighbors Doberman Pincher as “look how cute that is. He thinks he’s a big dog.”  However, if it were the other way around, the Doberman barking or chasing the Chi. We’d say “Oh my god what a vicious, dangerous dog ”

The behaviors that we see in our large dogs; jumping, growling, barking, chasing are the same  in a smaller ones. Either way, in both cases, this behavior is unacceptable.

So how do we prevent these mighty midgets from becoming tiny tyrants,? Treat them the same way you would a big dog.

Don’t  “baby” them. As a good leader, you should protect your pack member, but you need to do it from the ground. Do not pacify and pick up when they are nervous or insecure as this only enhances or encourages the fearful  and or aggressive behaviors.

Treat whatever it was that scared them in the first place, like it was no big deal. If you draw no nervous attention to the person, place or item, then your dog has no reason to be nervous ,fearful or aggressive towards it either.

If they are barking and lunging at another dog, person or item, correct that behavior immediately with a stern voice and/or  a leash correction if necessary and then keep moving.Take charge, showing your dog that this is unacceptable.

Smaller breeds have learned  the "master of manipulation" technique better than any other dog as they use their "cuteness" to get away with "big dog behaviors"
 

 These mighty midgets require rules, boundaries and structure just as a larger dog would. Without proper pack structure, they will become domineering tyrants in your home. Keep everything on your terms.

Maintain pack structure  and above all: "LEAD YOUR DOG BEFORE YOU LOVE THEM".

This is the most important basic instinct for their survival to a stress free life.