Stop small dog syndrome

A TERM given to the bratty behaviour of small dogs, small dog syndrome is when the animal will bark at their owners continuously until they get what they want. Because small dogs appear innocent and harmless, some owners forget that they are dogs and not little humans. To stop the syndrome developing into something that could end with a lawsuit, or a trip to the hospital, follow these simple rules.

Act as the alpha dog. Have black and white rules that everyone can follow. But don’t hit, put it in a small dog crate for several minutes.

Don’t condone the behaviour, just because the dog is small and cute. Do not make a mistake of letting a bad behaviour go unpunished.

Set limits in the house. No eating on the counter or table, no jumping on the couch if uninvited, no jumping on people’s laps if uninvited, no barking to get what it wants. Reward good behaviour with a toy or treat.

Let a small dog be a dog. Treating them like a baby by feeding them by hand, carrying them continually, or yielding to their whining will surely develop the small dog syndrome.