Should We Treat Big and Small Dogs the Same Way?

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When I take my little dog, Pepper, for a walk, it’s more like a meander. He’s 12 years old and is on pain meds for arthritis. I let him choose where to walk, which means following his nose and making sure he gets to sniff all the smells in our part of the street. When another dog has literally just walked by, he will happily follow their scent for half a block before turning to retrace our steps. Sometimes we go up and down and back again over the same 30 meters while he checks he didn’t miss anything. These "sniffaris," as I like to call them, are a great way to provide enrichment for a little dog (Todd, 2020).

But do little dogs get their fair share of enrichment and training? And if not, could that explain “small dog syndrome”?

What is Small Dog Syndrome?

Small dog syndrome is the name given to small dogs who behave in ways that are often seen as misbehavior: growling, barking, jumping up, being excitable, lunging, and snapping at people or at bigger dogs.

These behaviors may be signs that the dog is uncomfortable in that situation, such as when the dog is growling or hiding to try to increase distance, or they could simply be signs that the dog has not been trained, e.g., not to jump up.

Small dogs are very popular. Common breeds include the toy and miniature poodle, dachshund, chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier, and miniature Schnauzer. Of course, not all small dogs engage in these behaviors much.

But research suggests that people treat little dogs differently in a number of ways. So could it be that small dog syndrome is due (at least in part) to their guardians' behavior?

Little Dogs Get Less Exercise and Training

One issue is that small dogs are often not given choices. Because of their diminutive size, people pick them up and move them around instead of calling them over. Big dogs are just too big and heavy for that. People also often ignore or even laugh at growls and air snaps from small dogs because they know they are not likely to do much damage if provoked.

Another issue is that people do less with little dogs. One study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that small dogs were indeed more likely to be aggressive, anxious, and fearful than big dogs. But people were less likely to take their small dogs for a walk, train them, and play with them. They were also more likely to be inconsistent in how they treated their dog compared to people with big dogs.

This research also showed that small dogs, even more so than big dogs, are more likely to be aggressive or excitable if aversive methods like leash jerks or yelling are used in training. It’s important to use reward-based methods to train all dogs (for more, see the AVSAB position statement on humane dog training).

There are also differences in house training. Only 67 percent of small dogs are fully house-trained compared to 95 percent of large dogs, according to research published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior (Learn et al 2019). There are several reasons why this could be the case, including small dogs having a smaller bladder, being more likely to live in apartment buildings where it takes longer to get outside, and being less likely to be trained. Although this study could not give a definitive cause, the results showed that when small dogs are taken to training classes, they are more likely to be house-trained. Similarly, the more training they get, the more likely they are to be house-trained.

Doing More for Little Dogs

The results of these studies suggest that many people with small dogs could be doing more for them.

That includes:

• Take small breed puppies to puppy class to help socialize them.
• Train small breeds with positive reinforcement.
• Play with your little dog and have fun with them. Make sure they have a good selection of toys.
• Use food puzzle toys to feed some of your little dog’s meals.
• Give your little dog chances to use their nose, whether via sniffaris, scent games, or even nose work classes.
• Take your small dog for walks. Some breeds of small dogs, including the Yorkshire terrier, Pomeranian, chihuahua, miniature pinscher, Westie, and dachshund can be surprisingly athletic. But if your dog is flat-faced (brachycephalic), make sure they don’t get over-heated or overexert themselves. (Learn more about why health issues in brachycephalic dogs are often missed.)
• Consider taking your small dog to classes like agility or rally if you think they, and you, would enjoy it.
• Give your small dog choices when possible. For example, do a consent test when petting them.
• Don’t ignore it if your small dog growls or hides. Work out what is making them unhappy and see what you can do to help them.

Of course, the way we care for and train our pets is only part of the story. Genetics are important too, and it’s quite possible that there are genetic differences between little dogs and big dogs.

But it does seem that we treat little dogs differently. Most small dogs would benefit from more walks, training, enrichment (including sniffaris), and choices. That’s why I keep making sure Pepper is enjoying his walks, however short they are.

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