Why Small Dogs Are Actually Harder to Train Than Big Dogs

Georgie, my pint-sized Morkie, once tried to eat a rogue potato chip off the sidewalk, a feat that involved a sudden lunge, a tiny snatch, and a swift retreat with half the chip dangling from her mouth like a victorious flag. I, of course, scooped her up immediately, but not before she’d managed to inhale a good portion. If she were a Great Dane, that chip would have been a mere appetizer, easily dismissed. But Georgie, bless her fluffy heart, treats every crumb like it’s the last supper, and this insatiable curiosity, combined with her portability, makes training her a surprisingly uphill battle compared to larger breeds. (Check out our top pick: training treats.)

Most people assume small dogs are easier to train because, well, they’re small. You can pick them up. You can carry them away from trouble. This is precisely the problem. That very convenience often enables behaviors we’d never tolerate in a larger dog. Imagine a Rottweiler barking incessantly at the mailman – you’d be on that in a second, wouldn’t you? You’d invest in serious training, perhaps a professional. Now imagine Georgie doing the same. It’s “cute.” It’s “her personality.” We scoop her up, muffle her barks with a quick cuddle, or simply remove her from the situation. We inadvertently reinforce the idea that barking gets her attention (and a snuggle!), or that she doesn’t have to learn to manage her own reactions because we’ll just manage them for her. This isn’t just about barking, either. It’s about house training (a tiny puddle is easier to ignore than a large one), leash pulling (a 7-pound dog is easier to drag than a 70-pound one), and even aggression (a nippy Chihuahua is less threatening than a nippy Doberman, but the underlying behavior is still there). (Check out our top pick: dog leash.)

The truth is, small dogs often get a pass on basic obedience because their infractions seem less impactful. We forgive their little quirks, their minor defiance, their occasional “accidents” because they’re just so darn adorable and easy to physically control. We don’t feel the same urgency to instill rock-solid manners when their misbehavior doesn’t pose a significant threat or inconvenience. But a dog, regardless of size, thrives on structure and clear communication. They need boundaries, consistent expectations, and the opportunity to learn how to navigate the world politely. When we don’t provide that, we’re not being kind; we’re actually doing them a disservice, leaving them confused and anxious in a world they don’t fully understand how to interact with.

So, the next time your tiny tyrant is acting up, resist the urge to simply pick them up or chuckle at their antics. Treat their training with the same seriousness you would a giant breed.

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