Should Small And Big Dogs Behave The Same?

[grumpette]

Should the owners of small, medium and large dogs be expected to teach their dogs the same level of manners regardless of the size of their dogs?

Are bigger dogs expcected to behave better than smaller dogs due to their size and the possible damage they can cause?

Is it all right for small dogs to react to bigger dogs due to "small dog syndrome"?

And if so, why are larger dogs not allowed to react?

I would be interested in people's opinions for two reasons:

1. I own large breed dogs that interact with all breeds of dog, small, medium and large

2. Being a volunteer instructor I am interested in all dog owners expectations of their dogs

[Staranais]

I think small and large dogs should both show good behaviour in public, as far as is possible.

I think that people do sometimes underestimate the damage an aggressive small dog can do to a child or another animal, and many people need to take aggression shown by small dogs more seriously, instead of writing it off as "cute" or "just what small dogs do".

However, I also think we'd be silly to pretend that a small dog can cause as much damage to a person or another dog as a large dog can if it were to attack, and be respectful of the fact that many people are actually very scared of large dogs. As the owner of a large dog, I am concious that many people do find her intimidating (even at only 6 months old!), and that she needs to be under good control in public.

[Lucy's mama]

I think ALL dogs should be taught mannerrs. Little dog syndrome is not an acceptable excuse for bad behaviour imo. I know several little dogs who behave very well and don't have mall dog syndrome and they are a pleasure to be around. I also know a couple of small dogs who snap at children (and adults when they feel like it) and seem to go from placid to snarling and snapping without warning , and one particular child is now terrified of small dogs.

Not fair that she should now have that intense fear, and not right that nothing is done to change the dogs behaviour. If they were large dogs it would have been seen by a bahaviouralist or destroyed by now.

I do understand some dogs are feared due to size and looks, and while I think it's unreasonable to expect more of them than any other dog, the fact is if you own a (for eg.) german shepherd or doberman people are going to read their behaviour more negatively than if you own (for eg) a cocker spaniel. So you need to keep their behaviour close to perfect for their own protection.

Edited October 12, 2009 by Lucy's mama

[poodlefan]

Should the owners of small, medium and large dogs be expected to teach their dogs the same level of manners regardless of the size of their dogs?

Yes

Are bigger dogs expcected to behave better than smaller dogs due to their size and the possible damage they can cause?

I believe that's a common expectation but not a fair one. All dogs should have manners.

Is it all right for small dogs to react to bigger dogs due to "small dog syndrome"?

I think "small dog syndrome" can often be fear aggression. No, it's not alright that dogs are put in positions where they behave aggressively, regardless of the situation. The onus should be on OWNERS to prevent such situations and to protect their dogs if necessary. Aggression, regardless of its cause is something that needs to be addressed, not explained away.

And if so, why are larger dogs not allowed to react?

Who says they're not allowed to react? They shouldn't have to tolerate aggression from any dog.

However, when was the last time you saw a large breed dog confronted by another dog that weighed more than 10 times what it did? No dog should be forced to defend itself but the frequency that larger breeds feel the need to may be less than for small dogs.

I personally believe that if every dog owner took responsibity for the control and safety of their dogs, we'd have a lot fewer of the "small dog vs big dog" threads we see here. They're all dogs and sometimes people need to remember that.

[Diva]

This is timely for me having had a few bad experiences on walks lately and needing to vent.

I have big dogs. I think my dogs think bad manners are bad manners. They may not feel as threatened by a small dog behaving agressively towards them, but they will be p*****d off, and even frightened and confused when youngsters. So then their own attitude to other dogs can get affected, and I fail to see why that is OK.

I'm lucky that I have friends and dog club acquaintances with very well behaved small dogs who I can socialise my dogs with, which is especially important when they are young and developing their behavioural repetoire.

But on the street I have had some appalling examples of people walking snarling snapping small dogs - only small - on flexi leads getting right in my dogs' faces, even though I'm almost walking in the traffic to avoid them, and off lead small dogs rushing out of yards as I walk past and doing the same.

Of course big dogs off lead (in on lead areas) are bad too and I have experienced that as well - but the owners of these smaller dogs have acted like it doesn't matter, and is even funny or something to be proud of, because the dogs are little.

Only when I have said that I will not intervene to stop my large dogs retaliating as much as they want if they are bitten first has the look on the owners' faces changed and they have reeled their dogs back in. (It's not true, but it makes the point)

All dogs may sometimes behave badly, but if your dog is trouble, keep it close! It doesn't matter what the size is.

Edited October 12, 2009 by Diva

[Red Fox]

^What PF said ^

It unreasonable to expect large dogs to behave no matter what but let small dogs get away with aggressive behaviour simply because they can do less damage.

I think that half the problem is that owners of large dogs seem to be aware of this where-as many your average small dog owner can't see the problem.

It's the same thing as the mother who sees her unruley toddler as a 'little angel' whilst he runs around the resturant squealing, smearing food everywhere and disturbing other diners (Oh yes, I used to work in hospitality!). Whereas the mother of the 13 and 15 year old 2 tables down would never dream of letting her 2 do the same thing because it would be simply deemed as unacceptable and she would be thrown out. Had ALL the kids been well behaved it would have been a much more pleasant experience for everyone. Unfortunately society doesn't always see it that way and 'cute' and 'harmless' seems to = the ability to get away with murder

[Erny]

If people really cared about their little dogs, they should at the very least be concerned about how their little dog is feeling. Anxiety isn't good for any living being. Unfortunately many people only tend to think outside of the dog and for themselves. If it doesn't worry them (ie the people) then they often don't bother to extend their line of thinking to their dog for their dog's benefit.

This is not every little dog owner though. I have met many who are concerned enough to want their little dog to be a well-balanced dog. Not only so it can behave in a manner acceptable within the community (although this is often the driving thought that first brings them to think about their dog's behaviour) but also so that their dog can, for its own sake, become a more relaxed animal.

[grumpette]

Due to the belief of some small dog owners around here I now have a reactive dog, due to 3 separate attacks by roaming/rushing dogs (small and medium sized) when she was 12 - 14 months old. She is now hyper vigilant when out walking (always on lead) around town. I now walk her daily around areas where I am fairly certain that there are no roaming dogs. This has helped to calm her down and allowed her to regain her confidence and changed her expectation that she is going to get attacked every time we go for a walk.

However, we now have the added problem of houses being rebuilt and builders bringing their dogs to the workplace. They are not watching their dogs nor containing them, so I have to now be hyper vigilant of other dogs and call to builders to watch their dogs, without alarming my dog. The majority of the builders dogs are medium sized dogs.

Another time that I have encountered different behaviour expectations from small dog owners is at one of the obedience clubs that I attend. On many occasions we have encountered smaller dogs going crazy at us as we walk past, well away from them and on lead. The owners of the offending dogs do nothing to correct or control their dogs, allowing them to rush at us, regardless of whether their dogs are on or off lead. Some even encourage this behaviour. But if one of my dogs reacts, the owners then react and we are abused and given “those looks”.

My belief is that the size of the dog should not matter. All dogs should have manners AND all owners should have effective control of their dogs AT ALL TIMES.

[Flashsmum]

ALL dogs should be expected to have manners and be sociable if they are out and about.

We have a great dane and greyhound, and when we take them out, we make sure they behave. The number of times small dogs come up to them, and act agressively, whilst their owner thinks it's cute, amazes me. We've had SWF actually attack the great dane and latch on to her jowls. The GD shook her off and just stood there. The owner of the SWF was very apologetic, and saw that Flash did not retaliate, but someone that was across the road deemed that Flash was the agressor, and forever more, until we moved away, made comments about my agressive and out of control big dog that should be put down.

The perception that a small dog wouldn't hurt anyone is dangerous, and I certainly tell people when I think their small dog needs to be taught manners. I would much rather that the manners were taught by the owners, than have that small dog hurt if a large dog or person retaliates.

[Cavalier]

All my dogs (They range from 7kg CKCS to 50kg GSDs) are expected to behave exactly the same.

Yes my Cavs are cute - but they are treated like dogs, and need just as much training as my GSD.

[Diva]

We need more owners like you Cavalier

[Guest Pandii]

IMO all dogs no matter what size should be expected to act in a way the is acceptable

Nohting annoys me more than an ill trained small dog and stupid owner

I dont want your small/meduim dog jumping on me, would you like my fully grown rotti to jump on you???

[Meea]

+1 for what Cavalier said

I have all three sizes - they all interact the same with all sizes of dog. They all have manners when out and about. Small dog syndrome is just poor socialisation (bad parenting). (same goes for badly behaved biggies!)

[Lowenhart]

I do not expect every dog to react the same way in every situation.

Many small dogs get away with murder, simply because people think it's cute.

However a lot of the agression in small dogs is fear based, and going ape on the dog just exacerbates the situation. They need to be taught confidence and avoidance.

The other problem with small dogs is that some never learn dog language. They have very limited exposure to other dogs and instead learn body language and cues from humans. That causes problems as they miss the signs that other dogs are giving them and also they act in a "human" way to the other dogs. The miscommunication causes tension.

I expect my big dogs to restrain themselves with my little ones. They have to know they can't use the same level of strength when dealing with them. I also chastise my little dogs when they take advantage of that. For me, I don't mind when 2 equally built dogs sort themselves out but when the pair aren't matched then I step in and deem the "winner".

I do not believe small and big dogs should behave exactly the same. I don't expect an aloof breed to act the same as a tenacious one.

[MaKoda]

Due to the belief of some small dog owners around here I now have a reactive dog, due to 3 separate attacks by roaming/rushing dogs (small and medium sized) when she was 12 - 14 months old. She is now hyper vigilant when out walking (always on lead) around town. I now walk her daily around areas where I am fairly certain that there are no roaming dogs. This has helped to calm her down and allowed her to regain her confidence and changed her expectation that she is going to get attacked every time we go for a walk.

Another time that I have encountered different behaviour expectations from small dog owners is at one of the obedience clubs that I attend. On many occasions we have encountered smaller dogs going crazy at us as we walk past, well away from them and on lead. The owners of the offending dogs do nothing to correct or control their dogs, allowing them to rush at us, regardless of whether their dogs are on or off lead. Some even encourage this behaviour. But if one of my dogs reacts, the owners then react and we are abused and given “those looks”.

My belief is that the size of the dog should not matter. All dogs should have manners AND all owners should have effective control of their dogs AT ALL TIMES.

Well said !!

I have Great Danes & used to have an Alaskan Malamute. Unfortunately we have to leash our Danes when other dogs are in close proximity (simply to protect them) because for my Mally & now my male Dane, every encouter with a smaller dog has resulted in it snarling & latching on to them. My Mally became very aggressive due this (which I hated because I tried everything in my power to prevent it), eventually the slightest growl or snarl put my Mally on the defensive & he was ready to brawl.

As mentioned above, the sad thing is my male Dane has now been the victim of several unruly incidents with smaller dogs also & I am worried he will become the same, although he doesnt have the fighter instinct like my Mally did so I guess I am more concerned for his welfare. My biggest pet hate is dog owners that see ours on leads & they do nothing to secure theirs but instead let them run up to ours & circle them

If a large breed acted the same as a small breed it would be seriously frowned upon & deemed dangerous.

The number of times I have stressed to small dog owners to secure their dogs & get them away from mine is insane... I get so sick of it that I now say say "imagine if I let mine go??"

[Blackdiamond73]

Great post Grumpette. I agree with your comments & can definitely sympathise with your experiences, re poorly behaved dogs/owners.

I just wish I have the right words to express my anger & frustration when these instances occur? Instead, I tend to keep quiet, whilst magic ‘four letter words’ run feverishly through my head.

Any tips on how to other address dog owners at times like these? Something witty & clever, rather than just blurting expletives, I believe would be more effective?

cheers

[mita]

I think small and large dogs should both show good behaviour in public, as far as is possible.

I think that people do sometimes underestimate the damage an aggressive small dog can do to a child or another animal, and many people need to take aggression shown by small dogs more seriously, instead of writing it off as "cute" or "just what small dogs do".

However, I also think we'd be silly to pretend that a small dog can cause as much damage to a person or another dog as a large dog can if it were to attack, and be respectful of the fact that many people are actually very scared of large dogs. As the owner of a large dog, I am concious that many people do find her intimidating (even at only 6 months old!), and that she needs to be under good control in public.

Well said, Staranais. Strength & size count in extent of responsibility in the human world, too. If you're going to get a punch in the face, who would you choose to do it...big, beefy bloke who's a mountain of muscle or a dainty little lady?

But having said that, it's paranoid to believe that every big dog....or every beefy bloke who's a mountain of muscle...has the make-up to be highly aggressive & dangerous. Maybe the dainty little lady with fingernails like razors might be the one to fear, in some cases. And, as you said, even a small dog can do damage to a baby or small child....especially given a child's delicate skin, and the fact they're often on face/eye-level with the dog.

So I agree with you that both big and small dogs need to be controlled in public & benefit hugely from a background where they've been socialised with all shapes & sizes of people and other dogs, from the time they're puppies.

Just my experience, but I've found, when out walking with my small tibbie girls on a leash, ..... owners of big dogs (also on a leash)...are almost pathetically grateful that I don't give them a wide berth. And am happy, under those controlled & well sussed out conditions, to let my small dogs do some socialisation. The big dogs' owners say it can be hard to find small dog owners who'll allow this.

It's very much the results of sociaslisation....& temperament, too. My tibbie girls were brought up with big dogs....one with a Tibetan Mastiff & the other with a GSD. They actually prefer the big dogs because well-cared for, well-socialised big dogs have a great air of confidence. I'm mind-reading here, but my tibbies prefer them. The dogs they don't like....& will cut dead, as if they're not even there....are the highly defensively aggressive & out of control, small dogs.

ADDED: I never take my small dogs to a leash-free park. That's not controlled conditions.....but Rafferty's Rules. Where anything can happen....& often does, so small dogs are distinctly at a disadvantage if a blue starts, whatever the cause.

Edited October 13, 2009 by mita

[raz]

If a large breed acted the same as a small breed it would be seriously frowned upon & deemed dangerous.

And so it should - in either direction. My small dogs have been victimised in the local off leash park by larger dogs. The owner turned to me and said 'oh they're just playing'. Crap. I dont care what size a dog is - they're either well behaved or the owner is at fault. If one of my small dogs acted the same he'd be taken straight home and sin binned.

[pie]

And if so, why are larger dogs not allowed to react?

Who says they're not allowed to react? They shouldn't have to tolerate aggression from any dog.

However, when was the last time you saw a large breed dog confronted by another dog that weighed more than 10 times what it did? No dog should be forced to defend itself but the frequency that larger breeds feel the need to may be less than for small dogs.

I personally believe that if every dog owner took responsibity for the control and safety of their dogs, we'd have a lot fewer of the "small dog vs big dog" threads we see here. They're all dogs and sometimes people need to remember that.

I think PF has hit the nail on the head.

Sometimes a simple thing like a playful wayward paw from a big dog can really hurt a small dog. Big dog owners (and small dog owners too) quite often can't understand this, and the fact that 'he's just playing' doesn't really make any difference.

However, it is up tot he small dog owner to protect their dog from situations like this too, which is why my dog only plays with dogs I know, because he already has fear issues mainly resulting from being hurt by big dogs playing with him (thank you puppy school).

That said I do think small dogs get away with a lot more and I don't necessarily think they should. All dogs should have manners.

[puggy_puggy]

I think small and large dogs should both show good behaviour in public, as far as is possible.

I think that people do sometimes underestimate the damage an aggressive small dog can do to a child or another animal, and many people need to take aggression shown by small dogs more seriously, instead of writing it off as "cute" or "just what small dogs do".

However, I also think we'd be silly to pretend that a small dog can cause as much damage to a person or another dog as a large dog can if it were to attack, and be respectful of the fact that many people are actually very scared of large dogs. As the owner of a large dog, I am concious that many people do find her intimidating (even at only 6 months old!), and that she needs to be under good control in public.

Totally agree.