BIG DOG...little dog..... syndrome

[erdog3]

Looks like something to add in the training or general link here.
I actually posted in the General Chat about purchasing a new puppy/adult dog, one main point was do you have young children or other dogs.
Maybe if you could put your experiences here with BIG/little dogs. It may help in the future preventing dire consequences to our beloved friends.

Same thing applies in this thread as others for the stickies, it may be edited or condensed to make it more user friendly.

[Rip's Girl]

I have a very small, fragile dog (Unusually fragile, even for his breed) and two large dogs, and maybe I am overly protective of the small one, but I don't allow ANY rough play. My BC is very mouthy, and if I didn't catch him every time before he did it, he would have snapped my Papillon's neck by now. My Labrador bumped Ripley, rather gently even, and Ripley's patella slipped out of place. I had to hold Ripley down while I made sure it had popped back in, and he was crying in pain the entire time.
If I had known how careful I would have to be to make sure the little guy doesn't get hurt, I would have bought a larger breed.

The best advice I can offer for people mixing small dogs and big dogs is to never leave them unattended together, no matter how good they normally are with each other. A 10lb dog can be killed by a 40lb dog simply pouncing on it in play, and certain breeds are much more fragile than others. (Papillons, IG's, etc.)
If you already have a large dog and want a small dog, consider one that isn't 'dainty' as these dogs tend to be very fine-boned and easily injured.
If you have a small dog and want a large dog, think of how much time you have on your hands. I go to an online school and I'm home most of the day, and I still have my hands BEYOND full, trying to keep the hyper pup from hurting Ripley. Often I have to crate Dakota or confine Ripley to a room in order to let the other run around. It's not harmonious but it is the only way I have found that will ensure the safety of Ripley.

So the only suggestions I really have are to teach them NOT to play, from the very beginning, and if they don't respect your rule, keep them separated or keep the rowdy one leashed when they are in the same room..And when you have to leave, keep them separated. Even the nicest of large dogs doesn't know its own power, and it's better to err on the side of caution than have your small dog hurt or killed.

[Moo]

I have a small dog, small yard, small space, small dog. Very muscular, very fast, but doesn't know his own limits.

One should never get a small dog because they want less work. If you want less work, don't be getting a dog. Small dogs and large dogs are equal on the scale. Small dogs require less space, less food, but at the same time, they tend to be harder to train. This is not only because many small dogs are terriers. Lots of people make the mistake of spoiling their small dogs, carrying them, letting them on their laps constantly. In two words, that's Not Cool.

[Rip's Girl]

I agree with Moo wholeheartedly. They are dogs, just like their larger counterparts. There's nothing wrong with having a lap dog, but so many times little dogs are pampered and constantly put in an alpha position. What usually results from that is a nervous, snappy "ankle biter".
I think they are just as easy to TRAIN, but it is harder to get them to OBEY. Sometimes it's because they are so spoiled and sometimes it's just the way they are.. In my experience, large dogs in general are more obedient, even the so-called 'stubborn breeds'.

[smehta1]

I agree that small dogs are not less work. I had a mixed breed huuge dog (as tall as a dalmation with the bone structure of a lab) which we had rescued and now I have a small dog (beagle). The biggest difference is that the big dog could easily knock things down - not suitable for apartment living and knock people down - not suitable for children if play goes out of control. We got a beagle becuase we want to have a child 4-5 years in the future and beagles are patient with children and because they are small and relatively light... playing with children is ok. Point to be made - no matter what size the breed...they have to be trained well and contact with children has to be supervised.
I am not sure I agree that small dogs are tough to train in general- Chloe has been very good in training and in obedience. The problem may lie in people making the dog a lap dog (as Moo said -this is not cool) and then expecting it to obey.

[ChandraRae]

Harley weighs 40 pounds, I think Scooter may be up to 15 pounds now.. They play well together, sometimes rough, they are NEVER left unattended. Even though Scooter would probably behave, when Jason and I are both gone from the house, Scooter is in his oversized crated area. Period. End of story.

Dogs' play should be supervised to prevent accidents (or non-accidents).

Harley has a cousin (LOL) named Bud who is his bestest buddy. Bud is double Harley's size being a Golden Retriever. They play really well together in Bud's big backyard. Harley gives as good as he gets and Bud doesn't snap at Harley ever. Their play is supervised. As it should be!

Scooter and Harley are the same breed and so at some point, they will be the same weight and when we leave the house, they will still be separated.

Even non-aggressive dogs can be provoked and strike out!

[SouthPaw]

I don't think small dogs are harder to train as a general statement. All things being equal , I would attribute trainability more to breed. I have a very small Papillon (5# 4oz.). He has been the easiest dog I've ever owned to train. He is a very "pleasing" little guy. Many things he does that I enjoy are his own additions such as hopping on the stair when I get his leash so I can reach to snap it easier. Papillons are the number 1 small dog in agility and are trained as service dogs. Debra Davis can amaze you with her little Paps who help make beds and take the clothes out of the dryer.
I do agree that extra tinys need special handling and you can not take chances EVER with these breeds. They are dogs though and can be quite protective (I know all you rottie, dobbie, & pittie people are laughing) which can lead to bad situations with larger dogs. Children need to be watched closely too. I just added a LC chi to our family. I chose one who should be close in size to Basil so that they can play and be dogs without me having to referee constantly.
When my daughter & son-inlaw are visiting or we go to their home, I watch Basil very closely with the Border Collies. Their puppy Jody was the only issue as she was just being a puppy but you can't let her jump on Basil. He played quite well with one of their younger females (sort of a peek-a-boo game of their making). Gracie, once your BC settles down, I've found them pretty good with Basil (most are not all that interested in him, sheep & frisbees are more fun). I worry more about my sister's cairns (litter mates), those rowdy little terrier terrors, also more prey motivated. Of course, I'm not advocating leaving them alone to their own devices.
My thinking, each breed has its special merits and also pitfalls. Research breed traits and compare your individual life style before getting a dog. Hopefully he/she will be with you a long, long time.

[Moo]

Rip, When I think about it, you're right. There is a big difference between training and obedience. Kirby knows exactly what I want, but he tends to be more stubborn than some other dogs. Kind of like "Yes, I KNOW you want me to run right and not left, but what is MAKING me?"

However....

Small dogs and small children : I know alot of people who got smaller dogs because they have small children. This doesn't make sense to me, unless a person is afraid that dog will smother baby.

Small dog will react just the same to the transition. Small dogs would be less suspect to be aggressive with children. But I absoluteley believe that a bigger dog is more suitable for a family with small children. Small dogs are much more fragile, and as result, can have tragic ends with a child who is not old enough to understand pain and concequence. Small dogs in general, have a lower pain threshold, and will react to smaller bumps and whacks than your bigger breeds will. Also, with small dog and baby, close in size, small dog is more likely to push for dominance with the kids.

[smehta1]

Moo, I dont have experience with too many small dogs so you are most likely right in general ...but I must make a note for future dog owners - beagles as a breed are an exception to all the rules you put down. I've been socializing Chloe with children who want to play with her - even as a puppy she is soo patient with them. One 2 year old even poked her in the eye by mistake and she did not react. She let the child hug her...kiss her and kissed it back.

[HeartSong]

I have a somewhat small dog, about 20lbs, who is spoiled beyond imagination and knows she is the princess. She knows how to look at a person and get what she wants even if another dog currently has it. She's allowed anywhere in the house and on any furniture (except tables).

But she is also the most obedient dog I've ever had and WANTS to please. She hates baths and will give me the pitiful, begging "don't make me" look complete with tail between legs, drooped ears, and large brown eyes. But all I have to do is command her "come" and "jump" and she's in the bathtub. I can put her in a stay and go into the other room for a few minutes, come back and she is in the same spot with one front paw up looking in the direction I left.

The biggest dog we have is my brother's, she's about 75lbs, and is the most stubborn dog I've ever had. She knows the command sit but also knows how to plant all four paws and look at you like "just try and make me." Obedience often has more to do with the owner and what they require of the dog.

Our big dogs and smaller dogs would never WANT to play together, so luckily I've never had to worry about that. But there are other times that the bigger ones have run into one of the smaller dogs in the yard, so even everyday activities other than play can be dangerous and watched as much as possible. Most dogs will have a better relationship with another dog their own size. So if you want to have multiple dogs that will be companions for each other, they should be relatively close in size. If you want dogs that are different in size, that's okay but you do have to be more careful and not expect them to have the same kind of relationship.