Is a little-dog-only obedience school a good idea?

[alaskayorkie]

A local obedience school is offering a beginning class for little dogs. I thought that was a terrific idea. Little dogs could learn their basics without having to worry about being eaten or stepped on.

A friend, a dog trainer, disagrees. She said little dogs need to be socialized around all dogs and said a class without any big dogs would not be serving the purpose of preparing them for life in the real world.

I can see her point, but I'm also guessing that many little-dog owners would be more comfortable in a class with only little dogs.

Here's a poll to find out what you think.

[Ellie May]

I'd be much more comfortable in a class with only little dogs but I don't think it makes much difference if the owners of the big dogs know how to restrain them and nothing is done off-leash.

[mblab]

I like the idea of this but don't know if we'd actually sign up to be in one for only small dogs. Zoë was in a puppy class with all sized dogs (there was Zoë and a mini pin all the way up to labradoodles and a retriever). Yes, she wound up being the smallest in the class, but she enjoyed being around the other dogs, regardless of their size. (But she LOVES all living things) The fact that there were other dogs distracted her, they could have been all big or all small that wouldn't have changed things.

I think what's most important in "mixed" dog classes are vigilant owners and trainers. Because there were times that the big dogs would go chasing after each other and Zoë was caught in the cross hairs, or when a big dog played with Zoë and batteded her harder than they should have, and no one else noticed but me. I'd watch her like a hawk to make sure she wouldn't get hurt, but it was good for her to learn to interact with all sized dogs. (Though she thinks she has to jump up, to get eye level, with all dogs even if they're small and she shouldn't have to!)

I think it's personal choice of what's best for you and your dog. (Though if a dog is enrolled in a small dog only puppy class it's important for the owner to socialize them to big dogs elsewhere.) The biggest reason I'd join a class like that would be to learn training things specific to little dogs. Because so many training methods are gears towards big dogs and not little dogs. It'd be helpful to learn things a little different that could be of use to Zoë.

All the same, great topic!

-Vicky and Zoë

[marcerella02]

I think it depends on the dog. Layla is very scared of excitable big dogs so should would benefit from that for sure!

[Moses]

I think a class for small dogs is okay. Its not like they will be in class for life. They can be around big dogs anytime. I get really scared for my boy to be around big dogs some times. You still hve to be very careful. It only takes ONE aggressive dog to reallly hurt of kill a tiny dog. I prefer not to take the chance so I am always very selective with the big dogs I allow around and I watch them very closely.

[artie merlino]

Sorry but IMO a "Training/Obedience Class" is NOT for Socialization w/Large Dogs, Yes I beleive they should be Socialized w/Large Dogs but NOT while I'm trying to learn the Class? Especially if I paid for the Class, I think my 3 Yorkies regardless of their sizes (Pom Pom 5 lbs., Abigail 8 lbs., Artie 10 lbs.)
have the right to learn the Class instead of being chased around as
"Appetizer's" for the Larger Dogs? Not only is it a good idea, it should be the Standard? They have different Weight Divisions for the Sport of Boxing and that seems Fair. Why would'nt the same apply in their case? Besides it's the Owners responsibility to Socialize their Dog on their own time. Not to insult anyone w/ Large Dogs but most of the time their Owners don't control them when their so-called just "Playing" with your Little one, they think it's cute when their chasing them?Actually that's the reason why I will NOT
ever enroll in a Class b/c they are NOT Segregated/Seperated.

[no3yshhc0la]

I do think it's a great idea to have a little dog only class, but eventually in the long run I think small dogs should be socialized with large dogs, that way they're used to them and they won't freak out if they happen to encounter one on a walk or at the dog park. Plus large dogs could help out a lot when it comes to working with distractions, but everyone has their own opinions.

[jlafred]

I have mixed feelings about small breed only classes. First of all I think most classes require a reasonable age to begin and must have all their shots first. By the time my dog had all the shots I had already socialized him. I think people should always socialize their dog before enrolling them in any kind of class. Unfortunately this isnt a perfect world and some 1st time owners dont know any better. I was pretty wet behind the ears when I started my first dog in obedience class and he was a westie,not a big dog, and his "classmates were huge! A Great Dane, a St.bernard (full grown and NOT friendly) , a collie,a sheltie, a pitbull and 2 shih-tzus. BTW the great dane was the gentlest sweetest one there along with the pitbull. The one that was the worst? Well that was the sheltie! In general I think small dogs are much more aggressive and interfering than the big dogs. Hehheh...it's kind of like your child being the littlest kid in his class yet HE is the one picking fights with the other students...LOL I think the size of the dogs matters to us humans but not to the dogs.
On the other hand...maybe in Agility classes it would be nice to have a small breed only beginner class then after that graduate on to class with the big dogs. Only because the equipment would be smaller maybe.
Interesting poll! Thanks for posting it!

[JMuedog]

I don't think you should leave it up to classes to socialize your dog. I think its a really good idea to start socialization with larger dogs as soon as possible. The day I brought Finnigan home he was introduced to my parents Chow Chows and he's been around larger dogs since. Now he thinks he's a big dog. I don't think he has a clue he's small. If the big ones get too rough he lets them know it!

Also, I would hope that one of the requirements to be in the classes is that the owner is able to control their dogs so you don't have to worry about unfriendly dogs. (but I know its not a perfect world and sometimes an unfriendly dog gets in the classes)

[Maxi]

I really like the little dog only obedience school idea!

[Lovely05]

I understand why some people with little dogs would prefer to take obedience classes offered only for small dogs, because some big dogs are aggressive towards small dogs. When I first voted on this poll, I voted only to put my dog in obedience classes for small and big dog for socialization purposes. After reading other people's post, I would love to register my dog for obedience classes only for small dogs. Reading you guys post made me think about the big dogs trying to attack my dog during our short walks in my neighborhood. Sometimes I am scared to walk my dog. Almost every time I walk my dog, an owner walking a big dog tries to attack my dog from across the street. Then the owner wants to tell me their dog is nice. I wish I could change my vote. LOL

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Lovely05

I wish I could change my vote. LOL

LOL, sorry, your pups are doomed to a life of associating with big dogs -- all because of how you voted.

Ha, I go back and forth, too. While I think it would be less stressful for me, I do think the interaction with big dogs is good. And what better environment than an obedience class where dogs are typically leashed and there's a trainer (who hopefully has a clue!) on site. If nothing else, it teaches our dogs how to let others know that they don't want to be messed with. I take my guys to weekly meetups with big dogs, and they've both learned how to get along and how to stand up for themselves. None of the dogs mess with 4-pound Jack because he yaps them into place.

Then again, I would sign up for a little-dog class in a minute just for the experience. It might turn out to be terrific.

[Sookie]

My trainer offers both classes. I am definately going to enroll Matty in the one for small dogs only because she will be so stressed by the big dogs and unable to concentrate on the lessons. Kalina is fine with dogs of all sizes. So, I believe it depends on the dog - if they can't concentrate on the lesson with big dogs around, why waste your money?

[shirlblack]

I think it's a great idea and I would enroll Bailey if given the opportunity. I'm petrified for small dogs to be around bigger ones and I'm very selective of the ones he's around.

[Yorkiedaze]

I had a foster Yorkie get biten three times and two of those times the other dog drew blood on his ear. No, I'm totally against large breed puppies or dogs being with the tiny guys.