Many small dogs bark or alert when another dog or person approaches. You may think it’s harmless, but it can be a sign that your dog feels the need to monitor and control their surroundings.
Here are 3 common reasons why:
1️⃣ Lack of Leadership & Trust
If your dog feels your anxiety through the leash or senses your fear, they may become unsure and feel the need to handle situations themselves.
2️⃣ Too Much Pent-Up Energy
Small dogs need mental and physical stimulation, too! Without structured activities, that extra energy can turn into constant watching, anticipating, and reacting.
3️⃣ Too Many Unexpected Encounters
Constantly exposing your dog to unpredictable situations without teaching them how to navigate them calmly can keep them on edge and ready to react.
🐾 THE GOAL? Build trust, provide structured activities, and teach your dog to remain calm around people and other dogs.
Other dogs and their owners should be able to walk past without feeling uncomfortable or needing to change direction.
📩 Does your small dog bark or act protective around others? DM Training With Troy to learn the right approach for your dog!
#TrainingWithTroy #DogBehavior #SmallDogTraining #DogReactivity
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