LIKE most owners of large dogs I have had my share of little dog encounters.
It usually starts with the little dog overreacting to the large dog's approach by charging, barking, snapping and sometimes attempting to bite the large dog. Often, the owner of the small dog expects the owner of the large dog to keep their dog in control at all times to ensure the safety of the small dog.
Recognizing the unfairness of this situation I got to thinking one day: when or how did this overreaction of small dogs towards large dogs start?
Dogs, be them large or small, are not born with a fearful nature. This fear, unfortunately, develops as they enter their imprinting stage (the puppy stage between eight weeks and four months of age). Owners don't make enough effort to socialize their small and large dogs with each other.
Even when owners do socialize their dogs these efforts can go awry if both parties (the large and small dog owners) can't recognize when their dogs are not engaging with each other in a way that will promote happy future encounters.
Initially, when two dogs meet they approach each other nose first, then head around to sniff each other's hind end. Then one initiates a play bow or they move on their way if they are not interested in being social.
When dogs are of equal size this usually goes off without a hitch. But when a small dog and a large dog meet problems often arise.
The small dog, due to its size, often can't finish the greeting process. The large dog can certainly bend over to touch noses with the small dog but when it comes to sniffing the hindquarters the small dogs . . . fall short. This is where the confusion sets in as nature dictates that dogs follow the proper greeting protocol in order to gain information and establish status.
The greeting process continues to fall apart when one of the dogs initiates play. A large dog pouncing into play in front of a small dog can be intimidating and the small dog, for fear of being trampled, will often show behaviours that are considered aggressive, when it is simply trying to get the large dog to settle down and back off so it doesn't get hurt. Owners viewing this get incensed, the small dog is often picked up and the large dog is viewed as a bully. Future encounters often resemble the last one as a positive and proper encounter is never achieved and the cycle of inappropriate greetings continue.
There would be a far better outcome if the owners of both the small and large dog took control of the situation early and taught each dog how to greet those of a different size properly.
Dogs are dogs. They don't look at each other at first glance and say, "Wow, you're tiny, I have to approach you more gently," or "Hey you're big, I need to have confidence that I'm not going to be trampled." But we can certainly teach them how to do that.
One way is to use a greeting command. This controlled greeting exercise has a dog approach either a dog or human calmly and in control by the handler.
While on leash, a dog is requested to sit and give attention to the owner. Once attention is given the dog is guided - usually with a treat - to keep their focus towards the object they are to greet.
Once they are close the dog sits again and only when it is calm is allowed to greet the person or dog.
To a small dog this can ease a great deal of anxiety around large dogs approaching and it can temper any aggression a small dog may have developed when it greets large dogs.
This can also be used to control any prey drive a large dog may have triggered when it sees a small dog.
As always, being proactive, taking control of the situation and acting responsibly can help everyone and every dog become a more social and happy dog.
