Top 10 Small Dog Breeds With Pictures

Chihuahua (Long coat)

Chihuahua Long Coat

The Long coat Chihuahua is a confident, feisty, courageous, and loyal dog. He is loving, gentle and sweet-natured with his family. He likes to play games, and needs lots of attention, affection and petting. He usually becomes very attached to one member of the family in particular, and if you are his chosen one he will follow you everywhere you go. He is not easy to train and you will need a lot of patience when teaching him commands. He is notoriously difficult to housebreak. He may snap at, or even bite, a child if the child is rough with him or teases him, but he’ll get along well with your children if they are gentle and respectful of him.

Chihuahua (Short coat)

Chihuahua Short Coat

The Short coat Chihuahua is like long coat. Because of his small size, you need to be careful not to step on him or to let him jump from high pieces of furniture or he could break a bone. He is not sociable with strangers and makes an excellent watchdog because he is so alert and quick to bark when someone treads on his turf. He doesn’t need a great deal of exercise and tires easily, but he does like to go out exploring and needs short walks and romps outside every so often. He may shiver when he is nervous or cold. You must keep firm control of him when you are out, because he has no fear of larger dogs and will ferociously challenge them even if they are ten times his size!

Dachshund (Wirehaired)

Dachshund Wirehaired

The Dachshund is a bold, tenacious, devoted, loving and protective dog. He has lots of energy and can be an intense pet to live with, but he is also playful, fun, happy and outgoing. He loves to be part of everything and needs lots of attention and scratches from you. He bonds very closely to his owner and will follow you around, and can sometimes be jealous if your attention isn’t on him. He’s fairly sociable, but reserved and suspicious with strangers. He makes an excellent and dependable watchdog because he’s a quick, relentless barker–and because his bark sounds like it’s coming from a much larger dog!

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian, or “Pom,” is a vivacious, independent, outgoing, playful and affectionate

Pomeranian

companion. He is a loyal and devoted pet who wants to spend time with you and go everywhere he can with you; yet he’s not an overly clingy dog, much less a couch potato. He’s a high-energy dynamo who wants to be busy doing things! He loves to play, work and train, and is eager to please you and quick to learn new tasks. This makes him very easy to train. He will stand on his hind legs for you, spin wildly in front of you, or sometimes simply stare intently into your eyes.

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a loving, friendly, gentle, playful, loyal and happy dog. He loves people and bonds with the entire family. He needs to give and receive a great deal of love and

Shih Tzu

affection, and is not the kind of dog who can be left alone inside the house for many hours at a time, or kept outside in a yard. He is an indoor dog who needs to be petted, held, cuddled and pampered, and he is happiest napping on the couch with you for hours. Generally, he’s a docile, quiet lapdog, but can be lively, energetic, independent and spunky. He’s an outgoing and fun companion who loves to roll and play on the carpet with his squeaky toys, or romp outdoors in a safely enclosed area. He needs minimal exercise, but he does enjoy a daily, leashed walk. He loves traveling in the car, but not travel outside in the heat. He is a sweet, rarely aggressive dog who gets along well with strangers and other pets .

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire-Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, or “Yorkie,” is a dainty, lively, affectionate, happy, energetic, confident and devoted dog. He focuses completely on his family, and craves attention, love and togetherness. He wants to be near you and will sit and cuddle in your lap–but only for so long! He loves and seeks out adventure, and can get into mischief if he isn’t given enough to do. He is not a dog who can be left alone in a yard; he needs human companionship. He is a very high-energy dog who requires only moderate exercise because of his size, yet still needs to romp and play around the house, and chances to run free in the yard. He loves to travel, and he likes long, daily walks. He plays hard and seems to have a boundless capacity for fun. When outdoors, he should always be leashed or in a safely enclosed area, because he will chase after small animals.

Beagle

Beagle

The Beagle is joyful, friendly, gentle and playful, and makes a wonderful family pet. He is an affectionate yet calm dog who loves everyone, and is excellent with children and with others dogs. He loves company, and although at first reserved with strangers will quickly warm up to them. This makes him only a moderately good watchdog, since he will bark for a stranger at the door, but then quickly make friends! He loves the outdoors, but shouldn’t be left alone in a fenced yard. He can bark and howl when lonely. He loves to roam and to sniff. He doesn’t have a doggy odor like some breeds and he doesn’t drool. For walks, he should be kept on a leash to avoid his sniffing and running off to hunt after interesting smells.

Miniature Pinscher

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher, or “Min Pin,” is a bold, proud, confident, fearless dog who is also highly curious and playful. He has endless, non-stop energy! He loves to chase, play with, and chew things. He sometimes steals and chews things he shouldn’t, and can choke on small items. He is extremely curious, and will stand on his hind legs to make himself taller and see what is going on around him. He is a loving, lively dog who often bonds very strongly to one person. He is easily trained, and is a quick learner who genuinely seems to understand what you are commanding. He can be independent and defensive. He is difficult to housebreak. He is a deeply loyal and protective dog who makes a good watchdog, extremely alert and will bark loudly at anything that seems to present a danger. He may bark too much at times.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise

A cheerful, loving, lively, and naturally sociable dog, the Bichon Frise is a wonderful family companion who adores children and gets along well with other dogs and pets. Above all he wants to be close to his human family. He needs to spend as much time with you as possible, so you might leave him at home alone for a few hours, but not all day. He needs to play with you and he likes short walks. He’s not an “outdoorsy” dog though, and would be just as happy romping around the house or in your backyard. Although he’s good with strangers, he will bark or yap on their arrival, and makes a good watchdog. He is not aggressive or hyperactive. He’s relatively easy to train, but difficult to housebreak. He can be stubborn and needs clear rules to follow. He is also gentle and sensitive dog, and can nip at young children if they are too rough with him.

American Cocker Spaniel

American-Cocker-Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel is a sweet, affectionate, fun-loving, devoted, trusting, playful, working dog who wants nothing more in the world than to please you. He swings his tail so excitedly when he sees you, his entire body wags! He wants to be with you as much as possible and will stay by your side, like a shadow. He can’t be left alone for long. Without family life will begin to bark, chew, or urinate to show his distress and unhappiness. He is a sensitive dog who needs you, always tries to obey you, and is ready to work for you. He is a trainable, easygoing dog who is respectful of your authority and will rarely challenge it, but he needs gentle and encouraging training methods, as he is a “soft” dog who doesn’t respond well to harshness. He is difficult to housebreak and may urinate when excited or frightened. He is a good watchdog and makes a fine, noisy “doorbell,” barking loudly to alert you to strangers.

Top 10 Small Dog Breeds With Pictures is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

Training dog not to bark is one of the basic training of dogs. It is very uncomfortable when your dog is barking and disturbing neighborhood.
Get your clicker ready, get a lot of yummy treats ready and put your dog on a lead.

Training Dog Not To Bark Lesson 1

Walk with your dog to the fence or in the street. The moment he starts pulling you and starts barking, turn around. You can call his name and “Come”, you don’t have to, but the moment he turns around to follow you and stops barking, click and give him a treat. Repeat that many times. It will take many sessions and many repetitions, but normally, dogs love food.

Training Dog Not To Bark

You can walk with him without pulling or barking, it is time to put him on a long lead. Walk with him in the yard. The moment he starts running and barking, call him. If he turns around, click and treat him when he gets to you. If not, pull him in, let him sit in front of you, get his attention, click and treat. Repeat these exercises every day and be consistent. When you start out with this training, do not even call him when he is off lead and you know the chances are that he will not respond to your call. When you have done the training and he consistently comes to you when he is on the long lead when you call him, you can test him when he is off lead. When he does come to you, even if the neighbors dog barking, click and give a big bonus and make a big fuss.

Training Dog Not To Bark – Video Lesson

The same procedure can be followed when you walk in the street with him. When he starts pulling, do not carry on in the same direction trying to pull him back. Immediately change direction, because if you carry on in the same direction, the dog is still winning, but if you change direction, he will soon realize that you are in control. Then reward him for following you in the new direction. Do not worry if you do not even make it to the end of the block the first day. Just be consistent and success will follow.

This is just one of the training of dogs do not bark but is very effective. I hope that you will never have problems with the neighborhood and that neighborhood you will be able to gets relief from the barking of your dog.

Training Dog Not To Bark is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

Today I stumbled upon this funny video on how to train your dog to fetch – engineer way

Watch this video and comment if you like

The Lazy Way To Train Your Dog To Fetch is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

In this article, we will help you with recipes to make healthy dog food in your kitchen for your dog. You will see that recipes we recommend, are very simple to make!!!

Dog Treat Recipe – Delicious Champion Cheese & Veggies Chews

• 1/2 cup grated cheese – room temperature
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons applesauce
• 1/2 cup vegetables — what ever you like
• 1 clove garlic — crushed
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• Nonfat milk

Mix cheese, oil and applesauce together. Add veggies, garlic, and flour.

Combine thoroughly. Add just enough milk to help form a ball. Cover and chill for one hour. Roll onto a floured surface and cut into shapes.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool.

Dog Treat Recipe -  Homemade Cheesy Carrot Muffins

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup cheddar cheese -- Shredded
• 1 cup carrot – grated
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups. Combine the flours and baking powder and mix well. Add the cheese and carrots and use your fingers to mix them into the flour until they are well-distributed. In another bowl, beat the eggs.

Then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Pour this over the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the muffins feel springy. Be sure to let the muffins cool before letting your dog do any taste testing!

One muffin for medium to large dog, half a muffin for a toy or small dog.

Dog Treat Recipe – Yummy Doggie Bone Treats

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine both flours, wheat germ, nonfat dry milk, shortening, brown sugar, and salt; mix until crumbly. Add the egg and water – mix well. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth. Using a rolling pin, roll out to a 1/2-inch thickness.

Using a dog bone -shaped cookie cutter or a knife, cut out biscuits. Place on the cookie sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Of course, beware of any of your dog’s possible allergies to wheat, eggs, or dairy products.

I hope that this article helped your dog to enjoy in your homemade delicious healthy food – more than your husband

Please Send me your Dog Treat Recipes in comments

3 Simple Healthy Dog Treat Recipes is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

Training your dog to fetch should give you and your dog a good time. If you give to your dog some positive attention, he will do whatever you want!
Find the reward that best motivates your dog and stick with it. Maybe it’s a squeaky toy, or maybe a Treat Training Tube stuffed with treats.

Work with your dog daily in 5 to 15 minute sessions.

Keep training fun, and on the end reward him with something you’ll know he would like. If you feel yourself frustrated or tired, quit and try again later.

Training Your Dog To Fetch

With your dog on a long leash, give him the command “sit”. Take the object and toss it a few feet from the dog. Then, command, “fetch”, and let your dog run after the toy. Once he has it in his mouth, gently draw him back to you by means of the lead. Show him a tasty food treat and give him the command, “release” or “drop it”.

It is very important that your pet give the object to you willingly!!!

If he learned this trick quickly, he can play for hours.
Other dogs may not be so enthusiastic about “surrendering” their favorite toy, so make sure you reward your dog with praise and treats.
Once your dog brings the object back to you, remove the leash and have him fetch the object on his own. Teach your dog the names of different objects.
Once he understands the concept of “fetch”, work with one object at a time and call it by name until he can identify the object by name.
If you want your dog to get the morning newspaper, start by throwing a paper.
Then, give the command “fetch paper”. As your dog learns the names of different objects, give him exercise by laying out 3 or 4 different objects and asking for them by name. You will see how smart your dog is!!!
Continue to practice this over and over. Always use a happy voice and lots of positive reactions. Your dog will understand and will begin fetching all kinds of things.

Training your dog to fetch should be fun

The keys to success in teaching your dog tricks are 4 P’s:

1. Patience
2. Practice
3. Praise
4. Persistence

Tricks are fun – and learning how to do them should be fun, too.

Your dog has a natural fetch drive, and he naturally drops whatever he’s got, then you’re able to skip a couple of steps. However, his current age will affect his attention span, so keep realistic expectations!

Remember, patience is main key for training your dog to fetch!!!

On the end, we are hoping that this article will help you to share with us your training fetch classes!!!

Training Your Dog To Fetch is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

Dogs are exploring the world with their mouths. Chewing can be learned – it is your responsibility to manage the situation as much as possible, so he doesn’t have the opportunity to chew on unacceptable objects.

Taking Control

Take responsibility for your own belongings. If you don’t want it in your dog’s mouth, don’t make it available. Keep everything out of your dog’s reach.

Dog chewing slipper

Don’t confuse your dog by offering him shoes, socks, toys or something else and then expect him to obey. Your dog’s toys should be different from household goods.
Until he learns the house rules, choose a “safe place” that is dog proof with fresh water and “safe” toys.
Give your dog plenty of time. Your dog will not behave properly if you don’t teach him alternatives to inappropriate behavior and he can’t learn these in the yard by himself.
Take your dog to an obedience class to teach him important commands, like “leave it.”
This will help your dog burn off some excess energy.
If you catch your dog chewing on something he shouldn’t, interrupt him with a loud noise and offer him an acceptable chew toy instead. When he takes the toy in his mouth, praise him lavishly.
Have expectations – your dog will sometimes chew up something you value.
Chewing is normal teething behavior. If not, dogs will engage in destructive behavior for a variety of reasons. You must first determine why your dog is being destructive.

Play and Social Isolation

Normal play behavior can result in destruction as: digging, chewing, shredding or shaking
toy like objects.
Your dog may be chewing for entertainment if:

• He’s left alone for long time without any interaction with you or other family members.
• His environment is barren, without playmates or toys.
• He’s a puppy or under 3 years old and he doesn’t have other outlets for his energy.
• He’s a particularly active type of dog who needs an active lifestyle to be happy.

Advices

Play with your dog daily in a safe area if you don’t have a yard. Fetch is a great game that will use all of your dogs energy without wearing you out!
Go for a walk, more than just “bathroom time”. Leash walks are important opportunities to be together. Don’t forget to allow time for sniffing, exploring, instruction and praise.

Dogs chewing tug indoor

How To Stop Dog From Chewing?

Teach your dog a few commands and tricks. Practice them daily and take an obedience class.
Provide your dog with lots of toys. Rotate toys to refresh his interest in them. “New” toys are always more interesting than old ones.
Try different kinds of toys. Watch your dog to make sure he won’t tear it up and eat pieces.
Consider the various types of toys that can be stuffed with food. Putting food inside chew toys focuses your dog’s chewing activities on these toys instead of on unacceptable objects.
Make your dog’s favorite chew objects unattractive to him by covering them with heavy plastic, aluminum foil, hot pepper sauce or “anti-chew” product.
Consider a good day care program for two or three days a week to work off some of your dog’s energy.

We wish you a plenty of funny days with your dog!!!

Destructive Dog Behavior is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

How To Stop Dog Eating Poop

Coprophagia or so called Stool Eating is one of the most common dog behavior problems. We stated several reasons why do our dogs eating their own poop in our previous article Why Do Dogs Eat Their Own Poop and now we will discuss about

How To Stop Dog Eating Poop

How To Stop Dog Eating Poop

If  your puppy needs protein and there is undigested protein in the stool and your puppy seeks it out and devours the stool, it is very important to prevent this immediately.

Prevention of this behavior is essential. Redirect with the leash.Take your dog for bathroom breaks on-leash and do not allow her to return to her stool.

After the main growth spurts have passed, this instinct will pass as well.

Consider changing to a better-quality food. If your puppy is craving additional protein, you may need to supply him with a higher-quality food. There are also meal supplements that supposedly make the stool less palatable.

Eliminating The Traces Of The Other Dogs

If your dog lives in multiple-dog household, he may eat the other dogs’ stool in an attempt to eliminate the traces of the other dogs.

The solution to this problem is a bit more complicated, but

providing leadership and guidance will be essential to elimination of competition feelings and stress.

Persistent Coprophagia

While your dog is outdoors, monitor her from a remote location.

Correct with the device when your dog approaches the stool.

To prevent your dog from being scared in the yard, this treatment is not to be tried without formal obedience training and formal remote device training first.

Do you have some advices on How To Stop Dog Eating Poop?

Please Share your experiences with us in the comments

How To Stop Dog Eating Poop is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

Why do dogs eat their own poop? … This question bothers the majority of dog owners.

Why Do Dogs Eat Their Own Poop

I will try in this post to explain some of the most common reason why this is happening and I hope that you’ll help me if you have any additional information about this phenomenon.

The three most common reasons why do dogs eat their own poop are:

1. When a puppy grows, her body craves protein. There is undigested protein in the stool and your puppy seeks it out and devours the stool.
2. Adult dogs will eat their stool due mainly to stress. In multiple-dog households, dogs may eat the other dogs’ stool in an attempt to literally “eliminate” the traces of the other dogs.
3. Persistent Coprophagia in the adult dog can also be addressed with a remote-device correction.

These are the three most common reasons why do dogs eat their own poop but I am sure that there are reasons that I left out, so please, if there are still some

add them in the comments

Why Do Dogs Eat Their Own Poop is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

How to Stop Dog From Chewing

Many owners believe their dogs misbehave out of spite. After all, “I house you, I feed you, I take care of all your veterinary expenses, the least you can do is not chew up my shoes!”. Unfortunately, dogs are not grateful and don’t know what the word means.
The objectionable activity is: barking, chewing, digging. .. Your dog does not lie awake at night thinking of ways to aggravate you, but acts to satisfy a need. For example,  barking, chewing, and digging is associated with boredom and tension. It can also be attention-getting behavior. For a dog who wants attention, almost anything, even  being scolded is better than no attention at all.

The easiest way to stop your dog from chewing is by dealing with the need that brought it about in the first place, rather than trying to correct the behavior itself.

Punitive approaches will lead your dog to be afraid of you and undermine the very relationship you are trying to build. Punishment after the fact is pointless since the dog does not associate it with his bad behavior.
Behavior problems are often the effect of some cause and not a cause in and of itself. Find the cause and you can cure the problem. Lack of sufficient exercise, isolation and mental stagnation, health and nutrition problems, and unintentional training are the main causes for a variety of objectionable behaviors.
It is essential to your home for your newest family member. Keeping your pappy safe is your first goal. Puppies have no self-control or concept of right and wrong, so you do not want to risk safety by having ingestible items readily available. Hide TV, phone, and computer wires under furniture or objects. All too often, these tempting “toys” satisfy not only unsafe investigation instincts, but unsafe chewing needs as well. Also, it can cost you money in electronic repairs.

Our advice on dog chewing

Bitters extract sprays can be sprayed on items that you wish your dog away from. These tastes are so bitter that your dog will immediately spit the object out of his mouth and create a negative association with the object. Later, the smell of the spray will be enough for your puppy to remember that taste and keep away from the object. The sprays need to be reapplied every other day to completely break the habit of chewing the object.

Do you have some another experience of stopping your puppy of chewing?

How To Stop Dog From Chewing? is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast

In this article you’ll find some useful information about dog personalities. Your dog was born with a set of instinctive behaviors that he inherited from his parents.

Dog Personalities

These behaviors are grouped into three broad categories

1. prey,
   
2. pack, and
   
3. defense

they are called drives.
In each drive you can recognize his temperament, his personality, and how he perceives the world.

Behaviors in Each Drive

A dog’s prey drive includes hunting, killing, prey, and eating. This drive is activated by motion, sound, and smell. Behaviors associated with the prey drive are seeing, hearing, scenting, tracking, stalking, chasing, anything that moves, pouncing, high-pitched barking, jumping up, pulling down, shaking, tearing and ripping apart, carrying, eating, digging, and burying.
These behaviors are when your dog is chasing a cat – when he gets excited and barks in a high-pitched tone of voice as the cat climbs up a tree. He can also shake and rip apart soft toys and bury dog biscuits in the couch. The pack drive includes behaviors as playing, licking, mounting, washing ears, and all courting gestures.

If your dog exhibits many of these behaviors, he’s one who follows you around the house and happiest when he’s with you, loves to be petted and groomed, and likes to work with you.
That kind of dog may be unhappy when left alone for long periods.

The defense drive consists of the instincts for survival and self-preservation, and includes fight and flight behaviors. The defense drive is more complex than prey and pack drives, because the same situation that can make some dogs aggressive (fight) can also elicit avoidance (flight) behaviors in others, especially in young dogs.

Fight behaviors will not fully develop until his second years of age. Examples of fight behaviors are when your dog “stands tall” and stares at other dogs, or likes to
strut his stuff, stands his ground with his ears and whiskers pointed forward and his tail is held up.
He goes toward unfamiliar objects or situations, and his hackles go up from his shoulders to his neck. He may guard his food, toys, or territory from other dogs or people, and he may dislike being petted or groomed. Funny thing is that dog refuses to move when lying in front of doorways or cupboards, making his owner walks around him. Like he want to be owner of “human dog”.

Flight behaviors demonstrate that the dog is unsure about something.

Examples are hackles that go up the full length of the body, not just at the neck, hiding or running away from new situations; a dislike of being touched by strangers or a general lack of confidence.

Young dogs tend to exhibit more flight behaviors than older dogs.

Freezing (not going forward or backward) is generally considered inhibited flight behavior.

Bringing Out Drives in Your Dog

Here are the basic rules:

• Prey drive is brought out in your dog by the use of motion: hand movements, using a high-pitched tone of voice or an object of attraction – such as a stick, toy or food; chasing or being chased and leaning backward with your body.
• Pack drive is brought out by physical affection – verbal praise and smiling at your dog. Grooming and playing will also help to develop this behavior.
• Defense drive is brought out by leaning over the dog, from the front or the side, checking (a sharp tug on the leash) and using a harsh tone of voice.

Hope this article helped you to find out some new aspects in dog personalities. .. And his understanding of your willingness to become a best friends.

Dog Personalities is a post from: American Pet Enthusiast