Small dog training is like other regular dog training. It isn’t true that training a smaller dog is more challenging than training a large dog. Here are a few questions about training smaller type dogs and some expert answers.

Why is it so hard to potty train my small dog?

The reason why most people find training a little dog hard is because of their natural reactions to them. They tend to carry around a little dog and this is the root of why they are hard to potty train. When you carry your small sized dog to the place where they should take care of their toilet business and then carry them back to your place, you are essentially not teaching them anything. When you carry them around too much, smaller type dogs have no way to warn their owners that they have to relieve themselves outside. Training these little dogs starts when you recognize that they are just like any other large-sized or medium-sized dog. You have to keep them on a leash and let them go to their special place where they should relieve themselves. Do not carry them and you’ll be successful in small dog training.

What kind of method is the best in small dog training?

Any kind of obedience training is suitable for smaller type dog training, but clicker training works more effectively for smaller dogs. Clicker training is a more gentle approach to small dog training. In clicker training, you can make the dog respond positively to a series of clicks. In clicker training, you allow the dog to associate the clicks to treats. You click and give a treat and do this until the dog responds well to clicks. Then, you can break down the skills you want your dog to learn. When the dog does something towards good behavior, you click and give a treat. It’s as easy as that.

Training dogs of a smaller size can be a very rewarding experience if you approach it well. Smaller or little dogs are a joy to train and learning about the basics of small dog training can increase the pleasure of having a small dog within your own home.

And, check out http://www.TrainYourDogSecrets.com to learn more about training your dog. While you’re there don’t forget to look for the free bonuses. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derric_Goodwin

And you thought litter boxes were only for cats. As it turns out, litter box can also be for dogs. That is for small dogs. Usually, it is the small dogs that stay inside an owner’s home.

It makes sense to train your dog how to poop inside – preferably in a litter box. Here are a few tips to litter train a dog.

1. Get a litter box. We suggest you get the largest cat litter you can find. Remove the top so it would be customized for the dog to use. It is also easier to clean in that way. Smooth out the edges by using sand paper, preferably a rough one. Know that dogs do their business more than cats. They also do not cover up their litter with soil. Dog poop is there for everybody to see.

2. If ever you catch your dog doing his business on another area and not on the litter box you already prepared for him, say “No!” Of course, your dog must have an idea of the verbal cues and keywords. If he understands what “no” is, he’d gather that you do not appreciate him pooping or peeing there. To correct it, you can lead him to the litter box. By constantly repeating this, your dog will understand your command.

3. Most importantly, you must help your dog to get used to his litter box. Encourage him to do his business there by praising him with the verbal cues “Good boy.” You can also instill in him the command “use the box.” In that way, it would be easier for you to get your point across.

4. The key is being consistent. The litter box should always be in that exact same spot. You talk to your dogs with a mellow and assured voice. In that way, they wouldn’t be afraid of you. In fact, they would take you seriously and would also like to please you by following your commands.

After weeks of training, eight to ten at most, your dog would have already gotten used to his litter box. You can let him roam freely, without your watchful eye.

To learn more tips for dog obedience training, please go to http://www.dog-training-techniques.info/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Lee

Over the last few years, there has been quite a shift in the ownership of dogs. It used to be that families would purchase or adopt the big, manly dogs on the market. Well, as the world has changed, so has the desire for small, petite, and tiny dogs. Nowadays, the small dogs are at the top of the food chain when it comes to new purchases and adoptions.

While there are many stores out there selling all kinds of dogs these days, finding small dogs puppies for adoption is becoming just a bit easier. As the small dogs population grows, so do the amount of small dogs puppies liters out their up for adoption.

A lot of times you can just go to the classified section of your newspaper and find “free” puppies to a good home.

Although this may not seem like a form of adoption, it most certainly is. You are adopting the pet from the previous family and in some circumstances; do not be shocked if the family actually asks for an adoption fee! It is really not that out of the ordinary and it takes care of all the expenses they incurred with the new puppies after birth. Neutering, flea and tick treatment, rabies vaccinations, heart worm medicine, and that is just a few.

Other more common pet adoption services are usually in the form of pet rescues, adoption groups, and animal shelters. You can find these locally by getting out your phone book and just giving them a call to see what puppies they currently have. I prefer to use the internet, and one of the best things about the internet is these groups have been able to team up together to bring us one centralized place to see thousands of pets up for adoption at one time.The number one site I have personally found for this service is http://www.petfinder.com and it currently has feeds coming in from over 13,000 plus different adoption groups and would surely be my first place to look! It also allows users to post classifieds just like you would see in your local papers for the “free” pets to a good home we talked about earlier.

So, finding small dogs puppies for adoption is not as difficult as it may seem and just requires a bit of diligence. However, knowing where to look and understanding the process of adoption can save tremendous amounts of time and money!

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Just because you live in a small home or apartment doesn’t mean you can’t have a dog. There are many small and toy breeds that make excellent pets for small homes. But even small dogs like variety and exercise, so it is important that you are prepared to spend time with your dog, take her for walks and ensure that she gets the best care. Once you have made that commitment to yourself, you can choose which breed of dog is most suitable to you and your lifestyle.

Small dog breeds make the cutest puppies, and one of the cutest small dog puppies around is the Maltese. This popular small dog breed generally grows to no more than six or seven pounds in weight, and has a beautiful white coat. The Maltese is a very ancient dog breed and has a strong constitution, though it should not be kept in very hot areas, due to the thick coat. The Maltese enjoys walks and is very playful. A great companion if you want a lively little pet and will enjoy the grooming chores.

Another delightful long haired small dog breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This lovely small dog is as courtly as its name and weighs about twice as much as a Maltese. The King Charles is a friendly and sociable small dog, well known for giving a lifetime of loyal attachment. This is the ideal dog if you prefer to lead a quiet life.

Top of the line in long haired small dog breeds is the Lowchen, as long as you enjoy spending long hours brushing, and don’t mind the hefty price tag. The beautiful `Little Lion’ dog can cost around $1000. A true indoors dog, the Lowchen is no exercise fanatic but owners have reported `separation anxiety’ to be a problem, so don’t get this dog breed if you are away for long hours every day.

If you want a pet with a shorter coat, try the Miniature Fox Terrier. This lively little dog will need lots of exercise, and appreciates having a collection of toys. Fox terriers can be yappy, so your pet may need to go to obedience school if she annoys the neighbors. This is a healthy and low maintenance dog breed, suitable for the owner who just wants to enjoy having a pet without all the grooming fuss.

A more sleek and elegant short haired pet is the Italian greyhound, and if you want a pet that enjoys exercise, this is the dog breed for you. Owners report that the Italian greyhound is a very well behaved dog, but prone to stress, so it is not a suitable pet where there are small children. This dog breed grows to a height of about 15 inches but is very lightweight – around 5 pounds.

The Welsh corgi is one of the classic small dog breeds, and very popular with Queen Elizabeth II of England. They will be popular with you, too, if you want a playful, affectionate pet. The Welsh corgi comes in two breeds, the Cardigan and the Pembrokeshire. The Pembrokeshire is smaller and more popular than the Cardigan, but both make faithful pets for small homes.

Finally, there is the ultimate small dog breed for apartment living – the toy poodle. Naturally popular in Europe, the toy poodle is somewhat high maintenance regarding its fluffy coat, but a surprisingly undemanding pet. Toy poodles love to play and appreciate having their own toys, but they are easy to train and adapt to their owners. Like most pets, the toy poodle prefers company to being left alone, but if you spend a lot of time away from home, perhaps you should think twice about getting a pet anyway!

Copyright © 2005, Ian White

Author Ian White is founder of Dog-Breeders.biz. This extensive online directory includes listings by private breeders, kennel clubs, and occasional hobby or family breeders. Those seeking dogs can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz automates the matching of dogs for sale with puppy wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all parties. Find Purebred Breeders in your area. Email notification of available puppies Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_White

Small dogs or lap dogs or comforters as they were once called have a very extensive history, encompassing several thousand years. Small breeds were often kept by nobility and given as presents to royal figures. It was also thought that small breeds were good for ones health. The Pekingees, pug and King Charles Cavalier Spaniel are three examples.

Many dog owners have a preference for small dogs over larger breeds, and for many different reasons. However, by virtue of their diminutive size, these dogs are much more affordable to keep, need less exercise in relation to larger breeds in general, and are simple to transport for example.

Many owners of larger dogs, and often those thinking of caring for a new dogs avoid smaller breeds, because of the perceived differences in their behaviour, in relation to larger dogs. It is thought, and wrongly of course, that smaller dogs are by nature, yappy, aggressive, possessive, over protective and demanding,, and so on.

If this assumption is not true, then why do so many small dog owners experience problems with their dogs behaving aggressively towards other dogs and humans and displaying possessive and demanding behaviours etc?

To get an understanding of the problem, we need to begin at the beginning. All puppies are cute and adorable, even the largest breed was small and cuddly at one time. However, the small breeds tend to retain their puppy looks and size, long after the cute Rottweiler puppy has grown and gained 50 Kg in weight, for instance

Researchers have found that humans have developed a biological response to ‘cute’ things, especially baby animals. It is thought the need to nurture and protect, perceived defenceless creatures is automatic.

This is where problems often begin; the owner over protects the dog, may carry him round, let him sleep on the bed or jump on the furniture when he chooses, and picks him up in the presence strange dogs, and gives in to his demands for attention. This is often done through the misguided notion that the dog needs protecting, by virtue of his size and ‘baby like’ qualities.

So how is this all worked out in the dogs mind? Although our domestic dogs are very different in many ways to his ancestor, the wolf, he has inherited much of his ancestors instinctual behaviours. A part of this instinctual blue print,comes the desire to be part of a group or pack. Although most dogs are more than happy to be the follower in their human pack, if their is no obvious leader, or the dog is getting signals from his owner that he is the leader of the pack, then the dog will have no option but to fill the role, as this is how life is played out in the dogs world.

Over time, the dog may show behaviours that to the experienced eye would be considered dominant, however, to the dogs owner these behaviours are seen as either breed specific, for example, ‘that’s how Chihuahuas’s are’, or part and parcel of the dogs personality, eg ‘he’s always been this way’. This kind of behaviour would be a cause for concern if seen in a larger dog, but somehow overlooked, or not considered serious in many smaller breeds.

There are a number of behaviours that are common to small dogs acting dominantly, so much so, that this type of behaviour observed in smaller breeds, has inherited the label ‘small dog syndrome’ or ‘little dog syndrome’. Some of the common behaviours that characterise ‘small dog syndrome’ are listed below.

• Your dog has developed the habit of sitting on you, or jumping on you, or next to you, when he pleases.
• Your dog does not allow you near him when he is eating or has a toy he is playing with
• Your barks excessively to get your attention.
• Your dog is over protective when other dogs or humans come near you.
• Your dog growls when you attempt to move him from his favourite resting place.
• Your dog is generally stubborn and refuses to follow commands given to him.
• Your dog displays an exaggerated reaction to being left alone, characterised by constant barking, or destructive behaviour.

Much can be done to turn this problem around, however, owners must first consider the role they play in encouraging this type of behaviour in their dogs. Owners must come to realise that their small breed dogs are in fact animals and not little humans.

Secondly, owners must understand that it is natural for dogs to be a part of a ‘pack’ and more importantly, a pack in which they would much prefer to be a follower, than a leader. Understanding these two concepts alone, will help greatlyreduce the problem.

In terms of retraining, owners must communicate to their dogs that they are the leader, provider, and protector of the team. This can be done by controlling all of the dogs resources, for example, food, toys, treats, walks, and favourite places of rest, and allowing the dog access to them when the owner decides.

All demanding behaviour, for example barking for treats or to be picked up and so on, should be ignored, and all appropriate behaviour praised.

Aggressive and possessive behaviour towards other humans by the dog can be dealt with by having a place for the dog to go to when the owner is interacting with others. This may be to his crate, or a cushion in the corner of the room for example.

Owners should be aware that retraining takes time, especially in the case of dogs who have been allowed to display this kind of behaviour for a long time. With patience and repetition however, the dog will be content to become a follower, rather than the leader, of his human pack.

I have been training dogs since the late 1980′s. I now live in France, where I continue to train dogs, and also write about dog behaviour, care, and training related topics. If you would like free further information about dogs, and their training and care, please visit my blog at http://www.toptrainingtips.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ivan_Ojounru

If you think that dog beds for small dogs are different that any other beds, you may well be right. Many little pups are pretty opinionated about what they like, which is why we decided to dig a little deeper to see things from their point of view. So here are some thoughts to mull over.

Pets like to sleep with their masters – that’s a given. And, while you may not mind sharing your bed with a small dog, sometimes you just need to get a good night’s sleep without having to shift positions to accommodate your pet.

When you go to bed at night, if you go to sleep easily it’s probably because you have a space that feels safe and warm. So It’s understandable when your small dog wants to enjoy the same warmth and relaxed feeling by being right next to you.

While it may be very flattering that your dog likes to sleep on your bed, you may actually prefer him to have his own perfect spot so you both can enjoy a contented night’s sleep. That’s where dog beds for small dogs come in. And this is very achievable with the beds that are designed with their needs in mind.

For example, some companies have designed pet beds that are covered with materials that look and feel like animal fur or, are even shaped like an animal with a nesting spot in the middle.

Most dogs will feel very drawn to this type of bed, because if you think about it dogs in the wild were used to snuggling up with their “fur covered” pack family for warmth, companionship and the feeling of security. Small dogs and puppies will like the feeling a faux-fur-type bed gives them. But even some bigger pooches will respond to the call of the wild!

Another type of bed that little dogs seem to like, are ones shaped like caves. These are quite novel beds which are similar in appearance to a den. Remember dogs originally were raised in dens that resemble caves – you may have seen some abandoned animal dens, often built on the side of a hill.

Do you see the connection here?

Also, the hood on these cave-type beds can be pulled down over the pet for an even greater feeling of security. Likewise, it’s easy to image in the past, that the mother of a pack would guard her cave by pulling some brush across the entrance.

There’s one other similar nesting type of bed that surrounds a dog for a cozy night’s sleep and then can be flattened out for casual daytime snoozes. It really looks cozy!

Not All Dogs Have The Same Needs If you’re at all familiar with small dogs, you probably know some that have very bold and even bossy personalities! These little dogs often have big egos for their size and like to be pampered. Finding the right bed to make them really happy is as simple as choosing one that them feel really special – in other words, like a top dog!

Beds in this category often have posh names or are made with unique materials and definitely have designer styling. If you have a pooch that leans toward a stylish bed, you may also be the type of owner that likes your pet’s furnishings to fit in with your taste.

Finding dog beds for small dogs that not only let your pet sleep like a baby, but also compliment your pet’s personality plus your home’s color scheme and decor, can be a fun challenge – especially if you don’t want to have to hide his bed when company’s coming! Happily, these days it can be a win, win situation with the many choices available.

Summary
Aside from all the considerations of warmth, comfort, security and style that we’ve mentioned, you may also want to choose a bed that is machine washable, because as we know, small dogs are pretty fussy about their space being neat and clean.

Find a wealth of information about not only dog beds, but all aspects of dog care at dog-spoiling-made-easy.com

V. Witt is the publisher and devoted dog spoiler at http://www.dog-spoiling-made-easy.com. She loves to share information with dog owners about how to “pamper” their pets in the most positive and nurturing ways! For more tips on finding the perfect bed for your dog, read this related article on Dog Beds. Reprinting of “Dog Beds For Small Dogs – Tips For Getting A Small Dog Bed Your Pet Will Love!” is permitted providing all live links are retained and no changes are made to the content. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=V_Witt

Not all dogs are created equal – some are born to lead while some gladly follows the commands of the pack leader. Consequently, not all dogs respond to training in the same manner – some gladly do their tasks and exercises without giving you, the owner, a hard time while others will test your temperament to its limits.

Hard-to-train dogs are by no means the lesser beings as compared to their more subservient counterparts. On the contrary, these dogs often possess several positive traits that interfere with your dog training sessions. Two of the qualities that get in the way of dog training the most are the animal’s independence and dominance. Let’s see how these qualities might jeopardize your dog training efforts.

Independence

Independence is by far the most commonly demonstrated trait by hard-to-train dogs. An independent dog can be viewed as a renegade who never needs to please anybody. While independent dogs unquestionably love their owners, their drive to please them is not as strong as those of other more compliant dogs. This trait often gives the owner or the trainer a more difficult time during their dog training sessions.

How could you tell that your dog is independent? Here are some telltale signs: .Independent dogs may exhibit a marked indifference to other people or animals. .They may not like being petted and disdainfully resents grooming. .They may prefer being alone. .They turn away when reprimanded.

However, independent dogs are not at all impossible to train. You just need to know what works with them and what doesn’t so that you may get the best out of your dog training efforts. A word of caution – it is a big mistake to apply force in correcting the habits of your hard-to-train dog. Physical corrections such as hitting and yanking will only lead to passive resistance on your dog’s part and make your dog training sessions close to impossible. Once your dog takes on this stance, it would be very difficult to make him or her obey your commands.

So, what is the best thing to do in training your independent dog? Utilize the “cookie power”! In other words, find out what rewards elicit a positive response and take advantage of it. With an adequate reward, your dog will surely let you have it your way!

Dominance

A dominant dog is one who explicitly shows you that he or she cannot be bossed around. While an independent dog will simply ignore your commands, a dominant dog will show you his or her discontent in being ordered around.

Dominant dogs are natural leaders. With these dogs, you need to prove yourself first before he or she recognizes your authority or else, your role will go further down the pack pecking order. Some signs of dominance may include the following: .Displays defensive behavior when guarding territory, foods or toys .Shows readiness to launch into a fight .Growls or snaps when they are not allowed to do what they want

Dominant dogs are trainable. Despite their fearsome and irritable nature, you can make them obey your commands during your dog training sessions and beyond. All you need to do is establish your role as the one who holds the alpha position. You need to establish your authority through reasonable actions and you will see that everything else will follow. Once the leadership issue is clearly established, your dog training sessions will go on smoothly without any troubles!

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dog Training Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell