| Does your little toy dog know who is in charge? Or | | | | he is headed for trouble is a stern "NO!" He must |
| do they think they are in charge? Some people are | | | | learn this word means to stop immediately whatever |
| not bothered that their little toy dog seems to run | | | | naughty thing he is doing. That "NO" should always |
| the household and may mistakenly call this being | | | | gains his immediate attention. Remember to praise |
| "spoiled." A better description would be lack of | | | | him when he does the right thing. |
| training or failure to set limits. The life of a little dog | | | | For a puppy to remain safe he needs to learn four or |
| can become dangerous without some official "human" | | | | five commands. Teaching him the command "Wait" |
| rules. | | | | will keep him from jumping out in front of a car. Sit, |
| Dogs have excellent ability, senses and ways of | | | | Stay and Come are the other important commands |
| communicating with us. They do need to learn the | | | | to teach your toy puppy for his own safety. The |
| limits of living in our human society without allowing | | | | commands of "Leave it" and "Out" are also important |
| them to be "little people" who can just do as they | | | | commands for the curious toy puppy. Begin training |
| please. Dogs are like children. They feel more secure | | | | your toy puppy as soon as he has settled into his |
| and understand how they fit into the world around | | | | new home. Buy a good training book especially for |
| them when rules and limits are set for them. | | | | the toy puppy and look for the gentle training |
| Because small dogs are less dangerous and are | | | | methods. Even better is training classes with a |
| capable of doing less harm, aggressiveness is often | | | | professional trainer. Definitely learn whether or not |
| overlooked and uncorrected. People often put up | | | | the trainer has ever worked with toy breed dogs |
| with a small dog's aggressiveness. However, all dogs | | | | and puppies. |
| are much more enjoyable when they are well | | | | A toy puppy should also be taught to lie on his side |
| mannered. A toy dog with good manners is an ideal | | | | at a very young age. This training is especially |
| companion. Teaching good manners to your small dog | | | | valuable for the toy breeds that have a lot of hair |
| will allow him to be welcome everywhere he goes. | | | | and will require regular brushing. |
| Obedience commands are the ideal way to teach | | | | Even though your toy breed puppy is very small, and |
| small dog manners and prevent or correct problems. | | | | quite easily to pick up, and carry around, train him to |
| The first thing any dog or puppy should hear when | | | | wear a collar and leash as soon as possible. |