While small dogs are often notorious for being more aggressive than some larger breeds, an ethologist has suggested that the owners could be to blame. Alejandro Carreño, who regularly shares content on social media to educate pet owners, emphasised his belief that small dogs are “the most aggressive”.
In one of his recent Instagram posts, the ethologist stressed that this isn’t typically due to the size of the dog or its breed. Instead, he places the responsibility on the owners who may frequently mishandle small dogs due to a range of misconceptions.
One of the key issues he highlights is that many people believe small dogs should only be kept indoors, thus isolating them. This can lead to significant anxiety and behavioural problems in the small dog which can, in turn, be misinterpreted as aggression.
Common mistakes owners make with small dogs
In the video, originally spoken in Spanish, Alejandro stated: “Small dogs are the most aggressive and loud. How many times have I heard this? But it’s not because of the breed, it’s not because of the dog itself, but because of the mistakes we make with these types of dogs.”
He identifies three main mistakes that owners of small dogs make. These errors can exacerbate behavioural issues and aggression in small dogs.
He added: “First mistake: overprotecting them. Let’s remember that our dogs’ interpretation of the world is greatly influenced by what we transmit to them.
“Second mistake: treating them like they’re stuffed animals. They also need their space, and like any other breed, there are interactions they enjoy and others they don’t enjoy as much.
“And the last mistake: believing these little ones are only meant to be indoors. Isolating them from the world will only cause behavioural problems and anxiety.”
Owner behaviour towards small dogs being a risk factor
A similar study into the behavioural differences between smaller and larger dogs pinpoints owner behaviour towards pets as a risk factor in aggression.
The study, published in Science Direct, examined 1,276 questionnaires asking questions about pet behaviour.
It discovered that smaller dogs were often perceived as less obedient, more aggressive, excitable, anxious, and fearful compared to larger dogs.
However, it also noted that owners of small dogs often reported being more inconsistent with their interactions and engaging less with training and play activities.
It also discovered that smaller dog owners carried out punishment more with smaller dogs than larger ones, which it interpreted as contributing more to anxiety and fear.
As a suggestion, the study recommended that smaller dog owners could improve behaviour in their dogs by avoiding habits of punishment whilst also engaging more in play and training activities.
