Small dog Yappee Reputation. So unfair.

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Dog sitting for my daughter, beautiful pure bred miniature Chihuahua and a Chihuahua cross Bichon Frise. Go out for a walk. People/strangers lunge at them saying "oh let me stroke them" others let their great big dogs, that they have no control over rush up to them and nearly knock them over ( I save them, don't worry) and then they get accused of been "yappee" . Bet people wouldn't be like that it they were Rottweilers. Little sweeties are so loyal and brave don't deserve the bad rep. Sorry, rant over.
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as soon as you said Bichon cross, my brain went to "oh god, a screamer". I dread bichons coming in to the salon because they hysterically bark...a lot.....I mean a lot....and they have such ear piercing barks....and they almost *all* do it. I have maybe 20 bichons on my books for grooming. Only ONE doesn't bark when he's in - every single one of the others do and are excessive about it.

Second on the list for noise goes to Cockers....

However, lhasas, shih tz, Chihuahuas, poodles, yorkies, maltese CAN be noisy but they aren't excessively so. Schnauzers when they decide they're going to noise up can do so with great enthusiasm, but most are pretty good.
 
My Border Terrier gets tarred with the same brush, but he is the least barky dog I've ever met, he does a good line in meaows, squeaks and snuffles most of the time instead!
 
We have Chihuahuas too - what I really hate (and get a lot at shows etc) is people shoving their hands in their faces - it is absolutely terrifying for such a small dog - and dog owners really should know better! To be fair though, they are yappy little monsters!
 
Unfortunately a lot of small dogs are allowed to do as they please..yapping included, because they're ickle and cute. Getting them sociable and mannerly is not seen as important as getting a big dog to behave because you can just pick them up or they are too small to pull the owners arms off and drag them. It's good to hear that your daughter has a well behaved one who does not yap yap yap ;) and gets exercised properly. You're probably not doing the dog any favours by picking it up when bigger dogs approach it. It may seem scary when big dogs rush at him but they're just saying hello and yes, I agree they should be under control. I have the opposite problem with a big dog who has to cope with cute little yappies charging at him. He doesn't care about how little they are..all he knows is that it's a dog and he might be attacked.
My sympathies on the "ohhhh..cute must stroke it brigade" I get that too with a large pointer I've adopted who really does not enjoy the attention so I ask people not to stroke him.
 
Well sorry but most little dogs I have met ARE yappy. Congratulations and credit to you if yours don't, but the vast majority do, it's an entirely deserved stereotype.
 
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Crabby said:
Unfortunately a lot of small dogs are allowed to do as they please..yapping included, because they're ickle and cute. Getting them sociable and mannerly is not seen as important as getting a big dog to behave because you can just pick them up or they are too small to pull the owners arms off and drag them. It's good to hear that your daughter has a well behaved one who does not yap yap yap ;) and gets exercised properly. You're probably not doing the dog any favours by picking it up when bigger dogs approach it. It may seem scary when big dogs rush at him but they're just saying hello and yes, I agree they should be under control. I have the opposite problem with a big dog who has to cope with cute little yappies charging at him. He doesn't care about how little they are..all he knows is that it's a dog and he might be attacked.
My sympathies on the "ohhhh..cute must stroke it brigade" I get that too with a large pointer I've adopted who really does not enjoy the attention so I ask people not to stroke him.
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I would normally agree with you Crabby, we tried so hard to treat them as normal dogs, letting them socialize etc, not picking them up (which I don't do all the time, just assess situations as they occur) but there has just been too many "close calls" . Met someone with an out of control staffie the other day, it approached another dog on the lead (it was loose) and staffie owners friend shouted out "its ok its a female". What would have happened if dog on lead had been male I wonder? Oh, and last year my mums jack russell nearly lost his leg when a large dog attacked him for absolutely no reason. It seems where I live there is a high percentage of numpty dog owners.
 
My little Yorkie did used to be quite yappy in the house - if a neighbour walked past our door etc - but rarely is now due to her advancing years and partial deafness.

A family who live about 10 doors away from me have got a Samoyed (big, white and fluffy) and it's incredibly and annoyingly yappy. It's really high pitched as well, which doesn't suit the dog at all!
 
They are yappy but I do wonder if its because of the owners. My terriers don't bark unless I'm out and someone knocks at the door. The neighbours terriers bark incessantly at the gate, all day, every day. However, they are treated like little emperors and never get to go out for a walk.

It's easy to spot a well socialised dog. The owners smile a greeting and are relaxed and either put the dogs on a lead or carry on without a fuss. Daft owners get stressed and grab their dogs or start shouting instructions to the other owner and then they wonder why the dogs cause a problem.
 
Crabby said:
Unfortunately a lot of small dogs are allowed to do as they please..yapping included, because they're ickle and cute. Getting them sociable and mannerly is not seen as important as getting a big dog to behave because you can just pick them up or they are too small to pull the owners arms off and drag them. It's good to hear that your daughter has a well behaved one who does not yap yap yap ;) and gets exercised properly. You're probably not doing the dog any favours by picking it up when bigger dogs approach it. It may seem scary when big dogs rush at him but they're just saying hello and yes, I agree they should be under control. I have the opposite problem with a big dog who has to cope with cute little yappies charging at him. He doesn't care about how little they are..all he knows is that it's a dog and he might be attacked.
My sympathies on the "ohhhh..cute must stroke it brigade" I get that too with a large pointer I've adopted who really does not enjoy the attention so I ask people not to stroke him.
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Totally agree, as an owner of big dogs it is always small off lead dogs that are allowed to run up to them snapping away while the owner tries to catch them, its great that yours have been trained but sadly my experience is that you are in the minority.
 
dogatemysalad said:
They are yappy but I do wonder if its because of the owners. My terriers don't bark unless I'm out and someone knocks at the door. The neighbours terriers bark incessantly at the gate, all day, every day. However, they are treated like little emperors and never get to go out for a walk.

It's easy to spot a well socialised dog. The owners smile a greeting and are relaxed and either put the dogs on a lead or carry on without a fuss. Daft owners get stressed and grab their dogs or start shouting instructions to the other owner and then they wonder why the dogs cause a problem.
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Our dog gets walked, she's fairly well-socialised but can be funny with some dogs (usually large dogs), we don't pick her up in those situations, yet she still barks. Not constantly, usually when Mr JB is playing with her, or if we're getting ready to go out & she gets excited. She barks when someone comes to the door, or if she perceives that there's a threat outside.

Barking is not always a symptom of a lack of training. Some dogs just bark more than others. I think people object to "yappy" dogs more, because the bark is more high-pitched, personally I can't stand my dog's excited bark, although her protective one is much lower in tone and therefore less offensive to my ears.
 
fankino04 said:
Totally agree, as an owner of big dogs it is always small off lead dogs that are allowed to run up to them snapping away while the owner tries to catch them, its great that yours have been trained but sadly my experience is that you are in the minority.
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As an owner of a small dog, I have the opposite view. I find big dogs rush up to my Westie which can scare her; she almost never rushes up to other dogs, she waits for them to come to her.

Please don't tar all dogs with the same brush; there are good and bad amongst both large and small dogs. Personally I take each dog on it's own merit, not on it's size.
 
I'd agree that yapping isn't always due to poor training, some dogs are just very vocal. However, the small breeds do attract the owners who want a subsitute baby and allow small dogs to have an over inflated sense of self.
They wouldn't be able to get a Rhodesian ridgeback on their lap or in a handbag, but then big dog owners attract their own type of quirky owners, don't they ?
 
JennBags said:
Me too Amy :wink3:

Nothing like a good bit of stereotyping, eh?
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Well, I suppose the same goes for those with big dogs - inferiority complex and all that :D

Seriously though, we all have reasons for choosing the dogs we do. And to label owners for those choices is rather silly.
 
hmm, as the former owner of minpins, and currently with a border terrier and two poodles (one in a very poncy trim) I should probably be uber high maintenance with the fake tan and nails and speak in baby talk.
 
dogatemysalad said:
I'd agree that yapping isn't always due to poor training, some dogs are just very vocal. However, the small breeds do attract the owners who want a subsitute baby and allow small dogs to have an over inflated sense of self.
They wouldn't be able to get a Rhodesian ridgeback on their lap or in a handbag, but then big dog owners attract their own type of quirky owners, don't they ?
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Utter nonsense. I do not want a substitute baby, I want a dog and the one I have at the moment happens to be a Lhasa Apso.
 
I don't think small dog bark anymore than big dogs...it's just a different pitch which can be more irritating lol :D

I have 2 Jack Russells and neither are major barkers but when they do go, it's quite a noise.
I also have a Jack Russell cross Westie and O...M...G, I've never heard anything quite like it!! When he lets rip it sound like he's being murdered and it makes me jump every single time!! Good job he's cute...:p
 
Our neighbour has a collie and it comes out and doesn't shut up...barking and howling like a loon.
Another neighbour has a massive dog that I constantly hear but you can bet that most people would say they hear my JRT's the most even though they bark the least.
I would say that most people I come across on my travels, with large dogs ,are more annoying because their dogs are off lead and most terrier/small dogs tend to be on their leads.
 
I have giant dogs and my next door neighbour (across the fields) has JRTs and a mini-chi. My big dogs are all well behaved and surprisingly so are my neighbours miniature dogs. I believe the reason hers are not snappy, growling little things is because she has always treated them as dogs, not as little dogs. Her mini-chi runs and plays with my huge Akbash and Maremma dogs and mine love him. She never picks up her dogs when people or other dogs are around because they're dogs and most dogs who have been properly socialised know they are dogs, no matter how big or small they are. Her dogs DO yap though lol! not much you can do about that :)
 
Crabby said:
You're probably not doing the dog any favours by picking it up when bigger dogs approach it. It may seem scary when big dogs rush at him but they're just saying hello and yes, I agree they should be under control. I have the opposite problem with a big dog who has to cope with cute little yappies charging at him.
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This, 100%.

It is an absolute pet hate of mine to see people picking up their little precious Mitzi as I approach with my dog (despite the fact she's usually on the lead!).
 
Spring Feather said:
I believe the reason hers are not snappy, growling little things is because she has always treated them as dogs, not as little dogs. Her mini-chi runs and plays with my huge Akbash and Maremma dogs and mine love him. She never picks up her dogs when people or other dogs are around because they're dogs and most dogs who have been properly socialised know they are dogs
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Quite. Well said.
 
I've just been out walking my dog ( pointer ) with his best friend a lab x and the newly arrived 11 week old puppy who is a Maltese x schnauzer and tiny.. It's interesting to watch two big dogs all excited running about with the tiny one under their feet and yet not getting trodden on..it's also very funny seeing her chase my very large GSP :D good grounding for the future I think for both of them. She certainly knows no fear! Terriers lol.
 
Spring Arising. quoting spring feather I agree they should be allowed to socialise and its not good to pick them up every time, but when you have seen them bowled over and attacked time and time again, what do you do? Seriously, let them be maimed or killed " because they are dogs, let them get on with it." We have tried but I have a responsibility to keeping them safe, and if a big dog means them harm and I can stop it, I will.
 
dogatemysalad said:
I'd agree that yapping isn't always due to poor training, some dogs are just very vocal. However, the small breeds do attract the owners who want a subsitute baby and allow small dogs to have an over inflated sense of self.
They wouldn't be able to get a Rhodesian ridgeback on their lap or in a handbag, but then big dog owners attract their own type of quirky owners, don't they ?
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I don't think that is an exclusive small-dog-owner syndrome - I have seen plenty of people on here whose 17.2hh WB substitutes children rather effectively.

My dogs are my dogs, they all had the same basic training, the JRTs can yap, the spaniels don't. I don't know why they do it, but its not really an issue, to me anyway.
 
My neighbour has an american cocker spaniel that barks all the time. It has the most annoying bark ever! Mine only bark when someone knocks on the door. And even then the terriers don't bark just the big 2.
 
The worst ones we have near us are golden retrievers. I really don't care if my dog barks when we are out walking she is doing her job. She only barks in the house if anyone is knocking on the door or outside when she doesn't know them. Oh yes and she is a scottie dog!
 
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