We want a smaller dog also. How To Articles. It's the good life. Reward based training, either with praise or small treats, can help condition small dogs to behave properly. When you meet a dog, the first thing you do is pet the head and the dog likes it, right? There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Watch their body language. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Each breed recognized by the AKC (which covers the overwhelming majority of dogs) has a guide and information about grooming, temperament, care, and medical needs. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,250 times. Commonly, people reach for the top of a dog's head, however, this can seem threatening to the dog because your hand is reaching over the dog's eyes. Petting a dog you meet for the first time; 1. Before the test, make sure that your dog’s collar and leash are sturdy. While you do not necessarily need to feed them a special kind of food, some owners prefer to purchase these brands. ", https://pethelpful.com/dogs/How-To-Care-For-Small-Dog-Breeds, http://www.smalldogplace.com/feeding-dogs.html, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets, http://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_identify_overweight_pet, https://sleep.org/articles/how-much-do-dogs-sleep/, http://dogs.animal-world.com/Toy-Dog-Breeds/information/toy-dogs.php, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet, http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2115&aid=950, https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/lost-and-found-dogs/microchip-faqs/, http://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/129-bathing, http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2089&aid=384, http://www.pedigree.com/All-Things-Dog/Article-Library/The-Best-Exercise-For-Your-Dogs-Breed.aspx, http://dogtime.com/dog-health/fitness/49-exercise-needs, http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/enriching-your-dogs-life?page=2, http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/characteristics/predatory-tendencies, https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/training/socializing-adult-dog, http://thebark.com/content/9-ways-improve-your-relationship-your-dog. Always monitor small children when there is a dog present. Dogs that maintain a healthy weight can increase their life expectancies by up to two years. Most small dogs enjoy belly rubs, pats on their heads, pets, and even cuddling. Expert. Last Updated: February 11, 2020 Microchips are very small and are implanted either behind a dog’s shoulders or the scruff of their neck. Approved. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011. My puppies are five weeks old and weigh less than a pound. If your dog shows any signs of aggression such as barking, take them out of the coop and try again another time. The dog might look friendly, but if you don't know the dog, there is no way to tell how it reacts to strangers. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Introduce-a-Dog-to-Pet-Chickens-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Introduce-a-Dog-to-Pet-Chickens-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Introduce-a-Dog-to-Pet-Chickens-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5469306-v4-728px-Introduce-a-Dog-to-Pet-Chickens-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"