Little Dog Syndrome

You know when you're watching a bad horror film and the one lone surviving woman is about to walk into the dark basement and all you want to do is scream “NO! STOP!” at the TV because you know exactly what’s about to happen?

That’s kinda how it feels watching dog owners treat their dogs—especially the small, fluffy ones—like human babies. And I’m not talking being LOVED like a baby or spoiled with lots of toys and cute collars (ya girl is a sucker for cute collars—as both my husband and Amazon delivery guy can attest to) I’m talking about able-bodied pocket pooches being overly coddled and carried around like they’re not capable of walking.

Look, I KNOW they are cute. Trust me. But when we treat these dainty doggos like baby dolls and expect them to just cuddle with us on the couch all day, we neglect their needs and true nature, and we create huge problems (anxiety, reactivity, fear, aggression, etc.). Eventually, a small, ankle-biting monster is born.

These little fluffs need exercise (some of them need A LOT). They need rules, boundaries and limitations. They need affection at the right time—when they’ve earned it. They need calm, confident leadership to feel safe.

There’s no question we love little dogs. Love isn’t the issue. We just gotta learn their love language.

It’s time we give small dogs the respect they deserve. Let’s fulfill their physical and mental needs, and then hold them to the same standards you would hold a large dog.

So kick that doggie stroller to the curb, clip that bejeweled leash onto that blinged out collar and get to steppin’. It’s time we give “crusty” little dogs the lives (and reputations) they deserve.

Lucy doing what she loves most. Running next to the bike.

*As a brachycephalic (AKA flat-faced) breed, she can overheat faster than a normal, long snout dog. Because of this, we go for shorter runs in the AM or PM when it’s cooler, making sure she has plenty of water and time to cool down.