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MYTHBUSTER #3: all small dogs are yappy!
We may come to some conclusions about small dogs being yappy because, frankly, some of them really are! Of the many clients I’ve seen over the years, the worst issues with relentless barkiness often fell into the category of little dogs. I must admit, I have a mighty intolerance for noisy barking. I honestly don’t know how some folks live with all that noise without going mad, and am very glad when I’m able to help them create a more serene home environment.
All my life I’ve had big dogs, until I decided I needed a toy dog I could take along on a plane for live demos at workshops. Enter my first papillon, La Miette! In advance of choosing a papillon, I did quite a bit of research and was aware the breed enjoyed exercising their vocal chords a bit more than I’d find amusing. So I decided I’d work on promoting and rewarding QUIET behavior from day 1. And, guess what? Miette was a very quiet papillon.
Next came two miniature pinschers, another papillon, and two chihuahua mixes. Following the same strategies, I was very pleased to have another five littles who were/are pretty darn quiet. It’s a heck of a lot easier to promote quiet behavior from the get-go, rather than undoing a multi-year habit of yapping, but even that is possible.
What has been your experience with small dogs and yappiness?
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4 Replies
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I’m crunched for time, but just popping on to say I LOVE this photo of Miette! Good dawgly, she was one adorable girlie.
I keep saying, “When I’m old, I’ll have Papillons”… it’s getting closer!!
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I can’t recommend them highly enough!!
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I agree with your Myth #3, @virginiad; however, I think that SOOOO many people who adopt small dogs are the culprit and weak link! There are TONS of small dogs who never receive training, manners, b-mod….all because either the owner thinks their small dog can’t be trained (too stubborn) or they actually think the pint-sized behaviors are cute!
I have met a lovely Papillon, named Skipper, who barked when I came in (I only saw them twice a year for pet sitting and his sister was an extremely sensitive long-haired GSD). But, after a few minutes, he realized, I know this lady! and gave me sugar!????
Other breeds I’ve met who aren’t crazy barkers, unlike what the myths say:
Dachshunds, chihuahuas, terrier-mixes, a Sheltie; those are off the top of my head
Lovely ones who ARE noisy barkers, but I still enjoyed: a min-Pin, mini Schnauzer, a couple Shihtzus, maltipoos…
My 13” Beagle was NOT a “ghost hound” (there are silent Beagles, and that’s what they call them, LOL) She was noisy and vocal and had an amazing repertoire of “a-roo’s” and howls and just silly contented sounds. She actually LOVED lying under my piano bench while I was singing and sleeping, LOL. But, I was a 23 year old owner, newly married, and we DID end up finally getting private training for her for an array of B-mod and stubbornness….
It all starts with consistency at home. If the people think those behaviors are cute, or let them be that way, nothing is gonna change.
I like vocalizations in small dogs! (But I’m an opera singer). ???? I don’t like incessant, out of control barking though.
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You are so right, @bernerlabreclectus . Some folks let the teeny dogs get away with such egregious behavior — stuff that would never be tolerated in a big dog.
Even something simple like a pee accident: no biggie to clean up a chihuahua’s teaspoon of pee, but the small pond created by a Dane is far more likely to motivate consistent potty training!
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