📢 [OPINION] - There's no such thing as small dog syndrome 🚨


Like a lot of the dog owners that will read this post, we are loyal medium to big dog people at Owen & Edwin HQ.

We love our dogs, not just because of their size, but how they integrate within our active lifestyle. We love their desire to run, there sporting breed good looks, their robustness in the backyard and their more than wonderful temperament. 

See, I personally am a big believer that your dog tells you a lot about who you, and the behaviour you both display is a representation of you. So, whenever someone tells me that their small dog has "Small Dog Syndrome", I believe it's not the dog who is to blame. So, let me explain with an example....

Sassy Torquay Beach Owen & Edwin Small Dog Syndrome Vizsla

In Australia, we are blessed with beautiful beaches and wonderful dog-friendly parks which enable your best friend to run off-leash. These places provide the happy four-legged with an opportunity to run free, socialise, make friends and have a good time (it's kinda like a nightclub for dogs when you come to think of it). 

Last month, I walked Sass along the dog beach in the picturesque Torquay (where it is said to have the one of the highest dog to person ratios in Australia). Being a Vizsla (Pointers & Retrievers in general), they're arguably the friendliest canines in existence and are more than happy playing with other dogs. However, with the lack of experience I personally have, I cannot say this about all dog breeds. 

Sassy the Vizsla saw a miniature Dachshund. Sassy was excited in fact thrilled to have found a friend on the beach. The little sausage, on the other hand, may not have been so. As docile as ever, Sass walked slowly to the Dachshund with gentleness and caution. The Dachshund, on the other hand, began to snarl and snap at Sassy as she began to cry and run in the opposite direction.Sassy Vizsla Owen & Edwin Dog Jacket Dog Blazer Torquay Victoria Australia

We weren't upset with the Dachshund or their owners initially (they were genuinely lovely people and we all laughed it off at the time), however what was interesting is how they handled the situation after they controlled their Dachshund.

Once he became aggressive, an owner would pick him up and cuddle him. 

And in this one action, it occurred to me that they weren't condoning him for his behaviour. In fact, they were rewarding him. 

With larger dogs, from the time they are small you are taught to ensure that you can handle your dog. As owners, it's drummed into our subconscious that if a big dog gets out of control, death of a human is a likely worst case scenario. If a medium to big dog barks too often, it's not cute....it's just outright irresponsible and your neighbours are likely to complain. If your dog gets snappy, you can't just pick it up so you have to drag it away and (in a worst case scenario) discipline them. 

However, is this the case with little dogs? More so, do little dog owners treat their dogs the same way?

With a smaller breed, when it's a worst case scenario you can pick up your dog. Because a little dog is smaller, you subconsciously believe that they will do less harm. When a little dog barks or even snaps, far too often the 'cuteness' of the animal will outweigh the poor behaviour in the eyes of the owner. 

It's a stark contrast. 

See, I read John Chapman's The Five Love Languages late last year, and it's more than appropriate to relate the principles to your dog (in fact, I'd recommend you read it too). Essentially, we receive and express love in Five different ways: Touch, Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time and Acts of Service. Like humans, dogs tend to express love through touch, quality time, gifts (remember when they bring things home) and acts of service (e.g. dog collects the paper from the front door). Bringing this concept back to the Dachshund, the dog received love through touch (cuddles) after misbehaving. As long as this remains the pattern, the behaviour is positively reinforced.

But this isn't just that, this is with every waking moment with your best friend. Whenever we see great behaviour, we must positively reinforce the behaviour by expressing love to your dog. Through practice and experimentation, you'll determine your dog's own love language (if you were wondering, Sassy loves Touch and Quality Time) and once you can determine that you're on your way to better days. 

Ultimately, the behaviour of your dog (much like children) lies within the environment it grows up in, the disciplined leadership demonstrated, your ability to read your dog and the standards you set for each other. With that being said, I believe (and this is more than a controversial stance) that there is actually no such thing as small dog owner syndrome, but there is such a thing as small dog owner syndrome. 

If you'd like to know more about us and our philosophy, download our FREE EBOOK Below "The 7 Habits of the Highly Effective Dog Owner" and you'll be shocked by the positive results you get!

7 Habits of the Highly Effective Dog Owner

Get your copy of "The 7 Habits of the Highly Effective" Dog Owner Now!"

* indicates required

37 comments


  • JAMES WALTON

    HOW I RECOVERED MY LOST CRYPTO ASSETS.

    Hello everyone, I’m James Walton from North Dakota, I saw an opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency and I took it, not aware of the risk involved.

    I was a victim like many others and these crypto con men stole $883,000 worth of Ethereum and Bitcoin from me. They got access to my wallet and stole all my crypto assets.
    I thought I had lost everything for good until I saw a pop-up while scrolling through the internet about Cipherspy Cyber Security Service, a team of cyber security experts with years of experience in the cyber security community.

    With their sophisticated and robust firewall technology, Cipherspy Cyber Security Service was able to recover my stolen crypto in less than 72 hours. I was shocked and out of words to describe how amazing their service was. Cipherspy Cyber Security Service will be able to recover your crypto, secure your wallet, and provide other security services for your digital assets.

    Cipherspy Cyber Security Service can be contacted via Email/WhatsApp below:
    cipherspy@cyber-wizard.com
    +447561195118


  • David Garcia

    HOW I QUICKLY RECOVERED BACK MY STOLEN FUNDS – WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF WALLDRIVE CYBER SECURITY SERVICE.

    It is very important to be vigilant and carry out enough research before investing in crypto. I was among the victims of a huge crypto investment scam that saw me lose all my money. 
    I was depressed and thought of giving up until a family friend of mine introduced me to Walldrive Cyber Security Service. This is a professional and reliable crypto recovery company with many years of experience in the recovery business. Walldrive Cyber Security Service was able to assist with the recovery of my lost crypto after I provided them with enough information about the fake investment company. I will warn future crypto investors to be extra cautious and avoid falling for any crypto scam. 

    If you need the service of Walldrive Cyber Security Service for the recovery of your crypto, data, or stolen assets, you can reach them via the following information:

    E-mail: walldriveservice @ techie . com 

    WhatsApp: +4 4 7 9 6 1 2 0 2 4 9 3


  • janel colllins

    Even though I lost a lot of money before I could get to where I am now, trading is a fantastic thing. I was unaware that I had been duped out of $979,000 in bitcoin through a fraudulent currency investment, and I had no idea what to do. I discovered a similar testimony on the internet
    about Sean Recovery’s services and how he may assist me in getting my money back that was stolen. Fortunately, I was able to get in touch with him, and within 48 hours, he assisted me in getting my money back. Send him an email at Sean recovery_recovery@cyber-wizard.com if you need help trading and getting back the money you lost to a scam   broker.


  • janel colllins

    Even though I lost a lot of money before I could get to where I am now, trading is a fantastic thing. I was unaware that I had been duped out of $979,000 in bitcoin through a fraudulent currency investment, and I had no idea what to do. I discovered a similar testimony on the internet
    about Sean Recovery’s services and how he may assist me in getting my money back that was stolen. Fortunately, I was able to get in touch with him, and within 48 hours, he assisted me in getting my money back. Send him an email at Sean recovery_recovery@cyber-wizard.com if you need help trading and getting back the money you lost to a scam   broker.


  • Devid Tukur

    HIRE A CERTIFIED CRYPTO RECOVERY EXPERT // LOST RECOVERY MASTERS ARE REPUTABLE

    Most frequently asked question by investors after losing Bitcoins to fraudsters is how possible it is to recover the digital asset. I happened to become a scam victim last summer. I became interested in Cryptocurrency trading last summer and decided to trade $425,000 worth of crypto through an online software company which promised huge returns. This all went wrong after they transferred all my funds from my coin base wallet to an unknown wallet address. I immediately had a search out on a reliable option to recover the funds back. I came across Lost Recovery Masters, a specialized group in Cryptocurrency Recovery services. I must say I have good fortune, all my lost funds have been recovered back all thanks to these experts. To any victim who has lost Crypto to fraudsters learn more on restoring back your funds Visit their website and Learn more:
    Website: https://lostrecoverymasters.wixsite.com/recoverbitcoin2024
    Whatsapp (+44(7537)-105921)
    Support Email (Support@lostrecoverymasters.com)


Leave a comment



Owen & Edwin Media Stories As Seen As