How to train small dogs

To enjoy possession…can be prone to resource guarding, which can turn into a nightmare around children's toys,” Levy says, adding spaniels can exhibit some possessive qualities.Finally, breeds that are super sensitive or more nervous may find life difficult in busy, noisy households.Why Do Small Dogs Have a Bad Reputation?Small dogs sometimes get a reputation for being overly aggressive. While this is a pretty grand generalization, one University of Sydney study did find a correlation between size and behavior, showing shorter dogs tended to be more combative with their guardians and destructive in their homes. The study’s authors added this could have a lot to do with environmental factors, not just natural temperament.It’s possible people tend to allow nastier behavior from tiny canines than they do from bigger ones, since a Chihuahua feels like less of an immediate threat than say, a German shepherd. A poorly trained Great Dane makes us feel more vulnerable than a poorly trained Yorkie, so we focus our energy on really solidifying commands with the Great Dane and let the Yorkie have his way. A vicious cycle.Another study from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna supports this self-fulfilling prophecy: Pet parents assume small dogs are yappier and more demanding, so people give in more easily and train less consistently than they do with large dogs. On top of that, small dogs tend to respond to punishments more sensitively than big dogs, which makes chastisement a more delicate process with tiny canines.How to Train Small Dogs

Many tiny dogs were bred to be compact and make wonderful travel companions. However, a small body doesn’t always mean a small brain. Some of the smartest small dogs can outsmart their bigger cousins. A tiny trained pup can learn around 165 commands on average. A few highly intelligent small dog breeds can learn up to 250 voice commands and even learn to count.There are about 90 small dog breeds, but not all dogs are created equal. Each breed of dog has different skill sets and intelligence levels. Even within each breed, there are different types of dogs that differ greatly from each other.Intelligent canines are great companions and highly trainable. Some people prefer big dogs, while others adore tiny pups.If you’re looking for an adorable little doggo that fits your personality and needs then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the most intelligent small dogs so you don’t have to compromise between a cute pup or an intelligent one.Contents1 How to Measure Canine Intelligence1.1 1. Instinctive Intelligence1.2 2. Adaptive Intelligence1.3 3. Working and Obedience Intelligence2 29 Smartest Small Dogs2.1 1. Cocker Spaniel2.2 2. Bichon Frise2.3 3. Havanese2.4 4. Poodles2.5 5. Schipperke2.6 6. Papillon2.7 7. Shetland Sheepdog2.8 Corgis2.9 8. Pembroke Welsh Corgi2.10 9. Cardigan Welsh Corgi2.11 10. Pomeranian2.12 11. Brussels Griffon2.13 12. Miniature Schnauzer2.14 Terriers2.15 13. Fox Terrier2.16 14. Yorkshire Terrier2.17 15. Boston Terrier2.18 16. Rat Terrier2.19 17. Cairn Terrier2.20 18. Toy Manchester Terrier2.21 19. Miniature American Shepherd2.22 20. Italian Greyhound2.23 21. Norwich Terrier2.24 22. Silky Terrier2.25 23. Australian Terrier2.26 24. Border Terrier2.27 25. West Highland White Terrier2.28 26. Japanese Chin2.29 27. Lhasa Apso2.30 28. Dachsund2.31 29. Englisher Springer Spaniel3 Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Small Dog Breeds3.1 Which small dog is the most intelligent?3.2 Which dog has the highest IQ?3.3 What is the easiest small dog to train? 3.4 How do you measure a small dog’s intelligence?3.5 Which smart small dog breeds are good with children?3.6 How can I keep my smart small dog mentally stimulated?4 Smartest Small Breed Dogs In Conclusion4.1 RelatedHow to Measure Canine IntelligenceIn a study, canine researchers found that dogs have the same intellectual capacity as a two-year-old toddler. Yet, humans measure animals’ abilities based on limited terms. Here are three categories to look at when measuring your canine’s intelligence.1. Instinctive IntelligenceInstinctive intelligence in dogs is their ability to do what they naturally excel in. Some dogs are bred for particular purposes like

All water retriever breeds, Poodles have the highest instinctive intelligence.standard poodleTheir adaptive intelligence and working intelligence are also high. Poodles pick up patterns and routines within the home fairly quickly. They also thrive in problem-solving and love activities that challenge them. This makes them one of the most intelligent small dogs.5. SchipperkeA Schipperke is a highly intelligent dog that needs constant stimulation, or their boredom will manifest in destructive behavior like chewing and barking. This breed has good working and obedience intelligence.Schipperke jumpingThese small smart dogs make excellent helpers to humans. As such, they are often guard dogs or search and rescue dogs.Schipperke6. PapillonPapillons are a type of spaniel breed that’s also known as Dwarf Spaniels. They get their name from the French word which means “butterfly”. This is because their head and ear shape resemble that of a butterfly.PapillonA papillon has a lot of adaptive intelligence, and they remember demands without practice. This high-energy dog enjoys showing off its tricks and is good around children.7. Shetland SheepdogShetland Sheepdogs, often nicknamed Shelties, are herder dogs that love having a job to do. They rank high in working and obedience intelligence as well as instinctive intelligence.Shetland SheepdogShetland Sheepdogs are often used on farms to guard the flock and watch for intruders. They are highly obedient and enjoy a mentally and physically challenging game that tests their agility.Shetland SheepdogCorgisThese small herding dogs are best known for their fluffy bums and fox faces. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi are highly instinctively intelligent dogs. And they will often try to herd their owners by nipping their heels.8. Pembroke Welsh CorgiThe Pembroke Welsh Corgi is quite fast and agile, making them good farming dogs. Initially, they were used for herding camels and livestock. Pembroke Welsh CorgiToday, they are more commonly used to hunt vermin and guard fowl. They are easy to train but also very independent and dominant. So, don’t expect them to do tricks every time you ask.Pembroke Welsh Corgi9. Cardigan Welsh CorgiCardigan Welsh Corgis are very easy to train and eager to please their owners. It only takes about five to 15 repetitions of commands for them to learn a new trick. Cardigan Welsh CorgiThese small dogs can quickly grasp what is expected and are good at agility training and sheepdog trials.Cardigan Welsh Corgi10. PomeranianPomeranians are popular small dogs to own and with good reason. They only weigh about

Herding, pointing, and guarding.border collieFor instance, Border Collies are instinctively good at herding, gathering, and protecting livestock. A pointer dog like a German Shorthair Pointer is instinctively good at pointing out small prey to their owners, like birds and rabbits. They are good all-purpose hunter dogs.2. Adaptive IntelligenceAdaptive intelligence measures a dog’s ability to problem-solve and adapt to environments. Dogs with high adaptive intelligence can learn tricks easier. These dogs learn from observations and pick up habits and routines from humans.3. Working and Obedience IntelligenceWorking and obedience relate to a dog’s ability to learn commands and rules from its owners. An average dog can learn up to 165 words, whereas dogs with high working intelligence can learn as many as 250 words. Additionally, canines with high working and obedience intelligence are often found as service dogs.Here are the top smart small dog breeds that you’ll loveSmall intelligent dogs make great companions because they don’t need a lot of space but usually give a lot of love. Many small dogs are both super smart, loving, and great companions. You can find some of the most intelligent small dog breeds below. 1. Cocker SpanielBoth the American and English Cocker Spaniels are highly intelligent dogs. They can learn commands quickly with only a few command repetitions. It is easy to train Cocker Spaniels, and they make good hunting dogs.Cocker SpanielThey rank high in all three intelligence measuring categories. The English Cocker Spaniel ranks a bit higher than their American counterparts for the working and obedience category.Cocker Spaniel2. Bichon FriseBichon Frise dogs do well with working and obedience intelligence. And they excel in adaptive intelligence. These little white dogs are instinctively good at companionship and quickly pick up an owner’s needs. classic bichon friseThey aren’t difficult to train and love attention. But, keep in mind that harsh training methods won’t yield good results.Bichon Frise3. HavaneseThe long and silky-haired Havanese pups have average working and obedience intelligence. They can learn new commands with little repetition and can learn them in a few hours. Havanese blackHavanese dogs excel in adaptive intelligence and can learn from previous behaviors and self-correct.4. PoodlesOut of 138 dog breeds, Poodles are the second most intelligent breed. They are also one of the best-behaved dogs that you’ll come across. They rank high in all three categories of intelligence markers. standard poodle whiteThey are gun dogs who are instinctively good water retrievers. Among

Known for their elegant appearance and surprising smarts. Often described as cat-like, they’re agile jumpers and climbers with an ability to quickly pick up tricks.Japanese Chin dog27. Lhasa ApsoWith roots in Tibet, the Lhasa Apso was once a sentinel in palaces and monasteries. Their sharp bark and alert nature are testimonies to their intelligence. While they can be independent, their loyalty and wit have endeared them to many.Lhasa Apso28. DachsundThese “sausage dogs” are more than just their unique appearance. Originally bred for hunting badgers, they’re brave and smart. Their stubborn nature is a testament to their intelligence, but it also means they benefit from patient training.29. Englisher Springer SpanielWhile larger than the others on this list, their intelligence cannot be overlooked. Known for their keen sense of smell and tracking abilities, they’re often used in detection roles. Their gentle nature, combined with their smarts, makes them a favorite among families and professionals alike.english springer spaniel brownFrequently Asked Questions about Smart Small Dog BreedsWhich small dog is the most intelligent?The Papillon is believed to be the smartest small dog breed. This is attributed to their love of learning.Which dog has the highest IQ?The Border Collie, according to The Intelligence of Dogs. What is the easiest small dog to train? The miniature or toy poodle is considered to be the easiest small dog to train. How do you measure a small dog’s intelligence?Canine intelligence is measured in various ways. One common method is through adaptive intelligence, which refers to a dog’s ability to learn and solve problems. Dogs that can quickly grasp new commands, remember past training, and use their problem-solving skills are considered highly intelligent. Additionally, social intelligence, which includes understanding human cues and emotions, is also a factor in assessing a dog’s intelligence.Which smart small dog breeds are good with children?Several intelligent small dog breeds are also great companions for children. The Miniature Schnauzer is known for its playful and affectionate nature with kids. Poodles, especially the Miniature and Toy varieties, are gentle and friendly with children when properly socialized. The Shetland Sheepdog is another intelligent breed that tends to get along well with kids due to its gentle and protective instincts.How can I keep my smart small dog mentally stimulated?Keeping a smart small dog mentally stimulated is essential to prevent boredom and undesirable behaviors. Engage in regular training sessions, teaching new tricks and commands to challenge their minds. Interactive

Bark without doing any emotional harm.Whenever your Yorkie barks out of turn, shake the can to make a loud and unpleasant sound and give a voice command such as “quiet” or “no.” Be firm but do not yell the command.To round off the method, you also want to use some positive feedback. Reward your dog with a treat and some love whenever your furry friend listens to your command and stops barking.Yorkie Barking Method 2: The Squirt Bottle Method This method involves a little bit of negative feedback to train your dog to stop barking in a slightly intrusive manner.First, grab a clean squirt bottle and fill it with 75% water and 25% lemon juice. Most dogs don’t like the smell of lemon juice. With a 75/25 mixture, the smell is just enough to be unpleasant but not enough to be harmful.When your Yorkie barks in an unwanted manner, spray its face with the squirt bottle.With time, this will help train your pup not to bark.Take Obedience Classes With Your Yorkie Obedience classes are often for bigger dogs with behavior problems, but small dogs and their owners can also benefit from them.Yorkies are intelligent, so obedience classes can teach you how to use your dog’s intelligence to listen to commands. You can also tell the instructor your pup has a barking problem. The instructor can give you some more specific commands and advice.Obedience classes can do wonders to help stop your dog from barking and improve your relationship overall.The Redirection