Tell me about having a tiny dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

What I really want are issues related specifically to size. For example, I've heard that hypoglycemia can be an issue. I also know that socialization is important for all dogs, and particularly for dogs that will hopefully be spending time in classes and settings with a lot of other dogs, but I don't know how that works with a tiny dog. Is it risky for a tiny dog to socialize with bigger ones?

We have time to make this decision, hopefully a lot of time since I don't think we'll add a new dog while our older dog is still with us. He's doing OK, but he's 16, so he won't be with us forever. But I know that these breeds can have waiting lists for puppies that are checked out, so we want to research now.

Small dogs have the same needs as large dogs. Mental and physical stimulation, training, housebreaking, etc. They really aren't any easier/harder. People let them get away with more because a 10 lb dog jumping on you isn't the scary danger that a 100 lb dog jumping is, but it's the same process to train it. Housebreaking might take longer because their bladders are little, but I haven't had a noticeable difference.

A good sports dog is handler focused, not interested in other dogs. "Socializing" a sports dog (of any size) means exposing them to things but asking them to focus on you. When you are on course and there are barking dogs and judges shouting scores and teeters banging and timers buzzing and the next dog walking into the ring, you want your dog to look at you. We practice walking through petco without "saying hi" to any people or dogs, rewarding focus. Standing on the corner as the cars and busses go by and training goofy tricks as vehicles rumble. Walking on 9283579 different surfaces and textures and things of various levels of stability. I put my puppies on grass, concrete, carpet, tile, wood...but also bubble wrap and warped cookie sheets that make weird noises and those blow up butt cushion things that wobble a little bit and a trash can lid that collapses when they go over it. My puppies get used to car rides and crates and people touching their ears and paws (we go to the vet/chiro a lot...I need them to be comfortable with being manipulated) We go to the dog park and stand 10 feet outside the fence practicing sit/down/stay with chaos on the other side--we never go in.

My sports dogs (both large and small) have only ever interacted with a handful of known dogs. The most critical skill they can learn is to walk through a crowded staging area on leash without approaching any other dog or person to go to the line focused and ready to work. There are a lot of super reactive, overstimulated sports dogs that will justifiably snap at nosey dogs that get in their space.

I have never had a hypoglycemic episode with any of my dogs (all under 20 lbs). I feed them 3 times per day as puppies, but only once a day as an adult.

Common small dog issues are teeth. Their teeth are almost universally too big for their tiny mouths, so they have to have some pulled/end up with dental issues.

Many papillon breeders will not sell to a house with a large dog or small children. They are fragile. Sports breeders seem to be more flexible than show ring breeders (but also much rarer). You will just have to reach out and see.

Sara Brueske is a phenomenal trainer who just got a papillon named Pop Rocks for sport (she also has border collies, koolies, and malinois). She's created a patreon to detail her journey taking a tiny puppy to what will surely be a successful agility career. Might be worth checking out. https://www.patreon.com/poprockspuppyjournal

Thank you! I might get him that patreon as a gift, so he can learn more and see what he thinks.

We don't have any small kids, and our current dog is about 25 and likely won't be with us if/when we get a puppy. So, that should help us find a breeder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i had a neighbor with a papillon and it was one of the most high strung, bitey dogs i've ever met. would literally bite strangers' ankles. 0/10 do not recommend.

i have known a few delightful apartment-dwelling havanese. they are clever and eager to please. that is the dog I would pick.

I have never heard of a havanese doing agility. I don't think they have the right build.

Go over to havaneseforum.com lots of havanese doing agility.

[Anonymous]

I have a 12 pound miniature poodle. He is a true athlete and is up for anything. And since he is a poodle, he is very smart, and was very easy to train.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i had a neighbor with a papillon and it was one of the most high strung, bitey dogs i've ever met. would literally bite strangers' ankles. 0/10 do not recommend.

i have known a few delightful apartment-dwelling havanese. they are clever and eager to please. that is the dog I would pick.

I have never heard of a havanese doing agility. I don't think they have the right build.

Go over to havaneseforum.com lots of havanese doing agility.

Some do, some are the most stubborn dogs ever. Ours could, but wouldn't. But, great dogs, and so glad we got ours. But, dog doesn't do well home alone and very high maintenance in terms of grooming and not liking being alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My small dog is really opinionated and refuses to do that stuff.

Same for me with my dog. A lot of attitude to be just 9 pounds and not earning money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i had a neighbor with a papillon and it was one of the most high strung, bitey dogs i've ever met. would literally bite strangers' ankles. 0/10 do not recommend.

i have known a few delightful apartment-dwelling havanese. they are clever and eager to please. that is the dog I would pick.

I have never heard of a havanese doing agility. I don't think they have the right build.

Go over to havaneseforum.com lots of havanese doing agility.

Some do, some are the most stubborn dogs ever. Ours could, but wouldn't. But, great dogs, and so glad we got ours. But, dog doesn't do well home alone and very high maintenance in terms of grooming and not liking being alone.

My Havanese is stubborn too. I love her but just entirely too much attitude She is OK at home alone, but she doesn't like it. She doesn't destroy anything, though, she just doesn't like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

What I really want are issues related specifically to size. For example, I've heard that hypoglycemia can be an issue. I also know that socialization is important for all dogs, and particularly for dogs that will hopefully be spending time in classes and settings with a lot of other dogs, but I don't know how that works with a tiny dog. Is it risky for a tiny dog to socialize with bigger ones?

We have time to make this decision, hopefully a lot of time since I don't think we'll add a new dog while our older dog is still with us. He's doing OK, but he's 16, so he won't be with us forever. But I know that these breeds can have waiting lists for puppies that are checked out, so we want to research now.

This isn’t a dog expert site. I’m sure there are toy dog forums, agility forums, and even papillon in agility forums where you can get better advice. Anything you post here will devolve into anecdotes about papillons that mauled children or lectures about rescue papillons or people telling you that agility is a privilege activity. Papillons are super cute when they perk up their ears. That’s all I know about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

What I really want are issues related specifically to size. For example, I've heard that hypoglycemia can be an issue. I also know that socialization is important for all dogs, and particularly for dogs that will hopefully be spending time in classes and settings with a lot of other dogs, but I don't know how that works with a tiny dog. Is it risky for a tiny dog to socialize with bigger ones?

We have time to make this decision, hopefully a lot of time since I don't think we'll add a new dog while our older dog is still with us. He's doing OK, but he's 16, so he won't be with us forever. But I know that these breeds can have waiting lists for puppies that are checked out, so we want to research now.

This isn’t a dog expert site. I’m sure there are toy dog forums, agility forums, and even papillon in agility forums where you can get better advice. Anything you post here will devolve into anecdotes about papillons that mauled children or lectures about rescue papillons or people telling you that agility is a privilege activity. Papillons are super cute when they perk up their ears. That’s all I know about them.

Here you go. This is an old thread, but wow, they know a lot about papillons

https://www.workingdogforum.com/threads/papillons.21738/

[Anonymous]

I have two maltipoos. They are incredibly agile, easy to train, and eager to please. They are smart and crave the mental stimulation. They seem to love learning new tasks and tricks.

I have not had any health issues with my pets whatsoever. I feed them twice a day but they are not voracious eaters and I often just leave the food out and let them eat it when they feel like it. All of my previous dogs devoured their food as soon as it was put out so this is new to me.

I do think that it is different to have a toy-sized dog. For one thing, they get cold very easily and shiver with normal AC. I also think that their tininess affects the way they see the world-or maybe themselves in the world. Both of mine are wonderful at home, absolute love bugs and lapdogs. But they are extremely wary of new people and dogs. One is terrified of everything at first but warms up to people quickly. The other is very suspicious of new humans, and is hard to win over, but likes any dog upto 30 pounds and also enjoy calm larger dogs. They A LOT in a defensive manner. I have raised a lot of dogs since puppyhood and have never had these issues before.

I love my dogs to death but I do think my 20lbers were easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i had a neighbor with a papillon and it was one of the most high strung, bitey dogs i've ever met. would literally bite strangers' ankles. 0/10 do not recommend.

i have known a few delightful apartment-dwelling havanese. they are clever and eager to please. that is the dog I would pick.

I have never heard of a havanese doing agility. I don't think they have the right build.

Go over to havaneseforum.com lots of havanese doing agility.

Some do, some are the most stubborn dogs ever. Ours could, but wouldn't. But, great dogs, and so glad we got ours. But, dog doesn't do well home alone and very high maintenance in terms of grooming and not liking being alone.

My Havanese is stubborn too. I love her but just entirely too much attitude She is OK at home alone, but she doesn't like it. She doesn't destroy anything, though, she just doesn't like it.

Mine will chew on things but mainly the trim and that's mostly stopped but she will pee on the carpets (luckily usually the throw rugs) when my husband doesn't take her out quick enough and I know she's doing it on purpose as she had grass pee mats in the house to use that I change after every use.

Complete attitude. Ours does a cute little growl to when she doesn't approve. And, the food - it's worse than feeding a picky toddler. She will eat for me but often not for my husband.

But, I'd get her again in a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

small dogs are more fearful, less intelligent and a lot noiser.

[Anonymous]

Shelties are small (if following breed standard) and do very well in agility. With research you can find breeders who focus on producing agility titles. The ones I have met are also gentle and naturally quite handled-focused, which is a plus. Just a thought. I have met many in the 14-16 lb range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:small dogs are more fearful, less intelligent and a lot noiser.

i don't agree other than fearful. Yippier yes, but some big dogs are barky and much louder. Intelligent? Depends on the dog, but I haven't seen this at all.