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DogHobbyist.com
Darlene Arden
Small Dogs, Big Hearts
March 2, 2006

PHChristy: On behalf of all of us at DogHobbyist.com, let me welcome you to our special guest chat with Darlene Arden on "Small Dogs, Big Hearts."

PHChristy: Darlene Arden is an internationally recognized authority on small dogs and their care, as well as on general health and welfare issues regarding all canines.

PHChristy: She will be discussing the special issues of training and caring for dogs under 20 pounds, and her forthcoming book Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring for Your Small-Breed Dog.

PHChristy: Darlene is also the author of the critically acclaimed Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs and The Irrepressible Toy Dog.

PHChristy: We will open the chat with comments from Darlene, and then take your questions and comments. If you have a question or comment at any time during the chat, please type a ? or ! and then wait to be called on by the host. Please don't talk in the room during this special chat. Thank you very much for being here with us tonight, Darlene - would you like to begin?

petxpert: Thank you for inviting me. I love this chat! Everyone is so warm and welcoming!!

PHChristy: we love ya back!

petxpert: I'm really glad to be able to talk about little dogs

petxpert: Thank you!

gina_spadafori: ?

mkphid: ?

Lilbet_nr: ?

petxpert: My chat room skills are limited. Nothing fancy. And I'm a pretty slow typist. You've been warned. LOL

petxpert: I'd like to begin wherever the group would like to begin. Health? Behavior? Training? Travel. You name it!

PHChristy: Darlene, want to open it to questions now?

PHChristy: I just want to ask that everyone, both those asking a question and our guest, type "GA" when you are completely done with your comment or response or question, so we kn ow we can move on

petxpert: Yes. I want everyone to have a chance to ask me whatever they'd like. Or else I'll just ramble on about small dogs. LOL

petxpert: GA

PHBlackBear: Gina is first on queue

gina_spadafori: Do you think the trendy "purse dog" thing has hit the hight mark yet, or is it is going to continue for a while?

staffordmom: ?

gina_spadafori: GA

petxpert: Gina, it's scaring me to death. I hope it has hit its high point but I'm terrified that it hasn't.

petxpert: Too many celebs toting little dogs as if they were accessories. GA

PHBlackBear: mkphid is next

mkphid: I have a dog that exhibits crazy jumping and nipping behavior every time I try to take out the garbage...what can I do??????

mkphid: It is the only time he exhibits this behavior...

petxpert: Ahhh. The short answer is to train an alternate behavior. First, let me ask: can you relate this to a specific incident? Or do you behave differently at that time? GA

tooetpulik_nr: ?

PHSmiley: ?

Brew_nr: ?

mkphid: All I do is lift the garbage and take it to the garage...no special behavior from me, but he goes CRAZY...

mkphid: I have tried distracting him to no avail...he becomes OBSESSED until the garbage is in the can and we go back into the house from the garage...

petxpert: Give him something to distract him. Something he only gets at that time. Perhaps a Kong toy stuffed with a biscuit to keep him busy or a Buster Cube. GA

petxpert: You take him with you? GA

mkphid: Yes, the garage is attached to the house...he follows...I have tried treats and he just is not interested...he FOCUSES on the garbage and will not STOP!!

mkphid: Is there a particular sound that works really well to get a toy dog to cease?

petxpert: If you're taking him along, leave him in the house instead. Do some clicker training and then teach him to settle in one place until you return. He gets no attention from you while he's acting up. If you yell at him, that's attention. If you talk to him, that's attention. GA

PHBlackBear: Lilbet has the next question

PHChristy: good luck mkphid!

mkphid: I actually ignore him and he couldn't care less...all his focus goes right to the garbage bag and he goes on the attack...

Lilbet_nr: Darlene, thanks for being here! I was wondering, what you think of a Norwich or Norfolk for a pretty active senior?

petxpert: It depends upon what you're trying to teach and why. The only sound you use is an event marker to tell him h e has done something right. Only reward for good behavior. GA

petxpert: Lilbet, I think it depends upon the age of the Norwich or Norfolk. I like Sr dogs for Sr. people but those are very active little Terriers. GA

PHBlackBear: Staffordmom is up next

staffordmom: do you think small dogs are healthier than large dogs? GA

petxpert: If the senior is into something like Freestyle or some other activity it could work. GA

Lilbet_nr: thank you ga

petxpert: Staffordmom, small dogs have their own set of health problems. And because they live longer, they are more inclined to have the same geriatric problems that people have. GA

Lilbet_nr: ?

PHBlackBear: tooetpulik please ask your question

staffordmom: ?

tooetpulik_nr: the toy group is a very large group of breeds as you know...do you have a favorite?

petxpert: Oh, that's such a hard question! I love them all and my list of favorites would be pretty darned long. LOL Not every breed is right for every person so it would have to be divided into the ones I love and the ones I think I could live with. GA

PHBlackBear: PHSmiley is up next

tooetpulik_nr: thanksga

PHSmiley: My yorkie barks at cars when walking her how can I stop her?ga

petxpert: Smiley, that's another distraction issue. :-) Get her attention to revert to you by asking her to do something, like sit, turn and walk the other way, or just "look at me!" GA

PHSmiley: thanks ga

PHBlackBear: Brew is next up

Brew_nr: Darlene, my Boston Terrier is obsessed with his ball. I can't get him to stop long enough to eat, and he's driving me crazy with non-stop play. When I refuse to throw the ball after a half-hour or so he cries terribly. Any suggestions? GA

Cassie_nr: ?

petxpert: Brew, I think your Boston needs some new diversions. I'd clicker train him to do some tricks so you can give him something else to think about! GA

Brew_nr: OK. I'll try it, but he won't like it! Thanks. Brew

PHBlackBear: Lilbet is next

Lilbet_nr: I wanted to follow up on the question of a dog for a senior if I may.

Lilbet_nr: I'm referring to my mom who has always had big dogs but now that she's older, feels she'd like a small dog

petxpert: You can ask for different behaviors, Brew, to make lif more interesting. GA

Lilbet_nr: but she likes dogs with "big attitudes"

Lilbet_nr: she likes the terrier kind of looks

Lilbet_nr: but I do worry they'll be too much for her

Lilbet_nr: she's not into anything beyond walks for activity, but long walks are fine

Lilbet_nr: can you suggest any breeds I should try to steer her toward if the N/N are not a good choice?

Lilbet_nr: she doesn't need a lap dog but I don't want her to hav ea dog who is too much for her

petxpert: Of course, Lilbet. A lot of people downsize. I know a Golden breeder who got into Affenpinschers for exactly that reason! GA

Lilbet_nr: thank you ga

tooetpulik_nr: ?

Lilbet_nr: you think that's a good breed for her?

Lilbet_nr: ga

petxpert: Lilibet, I would steer her toward AFfens, Brussels Griffons, Depending on coat care, she mi ght want a Shih Tzu but keep it clipped down. GA

Lilbet_nr: thank you!

PHBlackBear: Staffordmom your up

staffordmom: the two things that would stop me from getting a toy breed is housebreaking probs and barking. Why do you think toy dogs are so hard to housebreak? GA

DnDShihTzu: Chins are small and very cat like maybe she might like want of those they are easier coat care

petxpert: All dogs are individuals, Lilbet. She would do well to adopt an older dog whose personality and activity level are known. GA

PHBlackBear: Staff, would you please repeat your question

petxpert: Staffordmom, I think the housetraining problem is two-fold: the owners don't take it seriously with a small dog, and they don't realize that it may take up to a full year for a small dog to be reliably housetrained. GA

lillyrally_nr: ?

PHBlackBear: Cassie please ask your question

Cassie_nr: My question is the age old one... big dogs and little dogs co-existing. I have Irish Wolfhounds and really would like a small dog I can take with me places, but prefer not a terrier. Any suggestions?

Cassie_nr: GA

thedoc617: ?

petxpert: IWs can coexist with small dogs if your IWs don't regard the Toy as prey. That's nature. I've known of Chins that lived with an IW. But accidents can happen and they are often fatal. GA

PHBlackBear: tooetpulik your next

tooetpulik_nr: darlene do you think there is a different nutritional requirement for toy breeds?

zoiBCPoo_nr: ?

petxpert: Yes, I do. Small dogs have different nutritional requirements because their small size means they burn food differently. Also, they ultilize their food more efficiently if their day's ration is split into two meals per day. GA

Valkyrie: ?

PHBlackBear: lillyrally please ask your question

lillyrally_nr: what do think of little dogs doing rally ?

petxpert: I love Rally! I think it has put the fun back into obedience. I think it's important for little dogs to be both mentally and physically active. GA

PHBlackBear: thedoc your next

lillyrally_nr: my little poodle is starting it

thedoc617: Another age old question, little dog syndrome, the little guys that have a big attitude. As a groomer, I have been bit by more little dogs than big ones, I have found that smaller dogs have a different sort of body language than bigger ones, and don't let you know as much when they are uncomfortable or fearful in those situations, so I'm clueless and then they strike. (Note: I have a little dog myself, so they have a special place in my heart) Any help on detecting/deciphering small dog body language?

petxpert: I think you'll have fun, Liliy. I also hope everyone will try canine musical freestyle GA

lillyrally_nr: thank you pet

Skaket: ?

lillyrally_nr: done

petxpert: Good question, Doc! Little dogs can either be very patient or not at all! I highly recommend Turid Rugaas' "On Talking Terms wit h Dogs: Calming Signals." All dogs respond to those. And you really need to move very slowly around Toy Dogs.

petxpert: Also, you can't loom over them. They see that as dominant behavior from the human. GA

PHBlackBear: zoiBCPoo next question

zoiBCPoo_nr: Why is it so common to see" tear stains" in the Toy breeds? Very common in the Toy Poodle but not the Standards..

thedoc617: !

petxpert: You will also see it in Maltese. It seems to show up more in the white breeds. Or maybe it's just more obvious. I don't have a good answer for that, zoi. I wish I did. GA

PHBlackBear: Valkyrie next up

petxpert: white dogs, rather.

zoiBCPoo_nr: TY GA

petxpert: ga

Valkyrie: I'm very embarassed to ask this because as a professional I should know better... However, I made a very serious mistake with my cairn terrier when she was a puppy. For unknown reasons, even to myself, I thought it cute and funny when she chased the cats when she was SO TINY. Now she is 2.5 years old and driving me nuts and worrying me. How do I stop her now before she catches one? If they move faster than a walk she's on their tails. Getting whacked across the nose by them only eggs her on. :-( A stern NO! has done nothing. Can I undo the damage I've done? GA

Griffyaffen_nr: ?

petxpert: This is a tough one, Valkyrie. The cats are being tortured by her and, as you know, it's unfair to them. You can try to distract her but you may ultimately have to separate them, perhaps keeping the cats on one level of your house and the Cairn on another. IF you have a ranch house, it will be harder. Is she clicker trained? You can reward her for CALM behavior around the cats. But I would suggest

petxpert: going to www.iaabc.org and bringing in a behavior expert to assess the situation and work with you. GA

PHBlackBear: Skaket your next

Valkyrie: Thank you. She's a bit clicker trained, I'll work on it more and see if I can change the tides. I'll go to the website too. GA

Skaket: Is there such a thing as too much activity for a small dog? Does it do any physical harm. My ten year old Shih Tzu is still very active!

petxpert: It sounds like your ST is going to live a long, healthy life! As long as the activi ty isn't harmful, like torquing when she jumps, it's fine. :-) GA

PHBlackBear: thedoc, you have a comment

Skaket: Thank you...was a bit concerned

thedoc617: i was just saying something about the tear-stains.

DnDShihTzu: Getting back to nutrition, what do you recomend as complete nutrition for an active coated toy dog? Do you think there is a different diet needed for quality coat growth? GA

petxpert: Just be sure to supervise all activity, Skaket. GA

thedoc617: i think the reason that smaller breeds get it was becauase their eyes/nose pushed in

thedoc617: ga

petxpert: Ahhh, two people at once. I'll take one at a tim.e..

Skaket: Will do...thanks again.

PHBlackBear: Griffyaffen your question please

petxpert: Doc, not all dogs with tear stains are brachycephalic.

Griffyaffen_nr: All four of my small dogs lick, but my two puppy mill rescues are the worst...they lick incessently and everything they can reach with their tongues from the floor to furniture to my shoes. Is this common to affen and griffy breeds and how can I stop them?

Griffyaffen_nr: Or does it have more to do with them being puppy mill dogs? GA

petxpert: Griffy, they may have some other probems going on. Puppy mill dogs aren't bred with health considerations in mind. There could be neurological problems causing this behavior. GA

petxpert: They're lucky to have a loving home and be out of the mill. GA

PHChristy: ooops, we lost DnD, who had an upcoming question

PHChristy: while we wait to see if she can come back, Darlene...

Griffyaffen_nr: Hmmm. I hadn't thought of that. I did have them checked for nutritional deficiencies. Thanks GA

petxpert: If DnD returns I'll answer her question

PHChristy: I wanted to ask you about your forthcoming book. Can you tell us about it... what's in it, when it will be out?

PHChristy: ga

petxpert: Thanks for asking Christy. It's the 2nd ed. of The Irrepressible Toy Dog BUT it has been updated, revised, expanded, has, for example, an appendix with all sorts of nifty stuff like places to shop, traveling with your little dog, etc. AND along with black and white photos, has 16 pages of color photos PLUS

PHChristy: and the new title is.... ?

petxpert: I've added more breeds.

petxpert: I told you I was a slow typist. LOL GA

PHChristy: LOL

PHChristy: I know, I'm the chat room speed queen

petxpert: Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide To Caring for Your Little Dog

PHChristy: comes from what is now more than a decade of practice

PHChristy: I think that title sums up so much of what our users say about their small dogs

petxpert: I'm on a dial-up connection whch doesn' t help, Christy. LOL GA

PHChristy: although I've always also liked "Irrepressible"

PHChristy: so what new breeds do you cover?

PHChristy: ga

petxpert: Me, too. That was my working title and it stuck.

petxpert: I've added some of the small Terriers, plus the Toy Group now has the Toy Fox Terrier. I"ve also added the Lowchen, the Xolo and pictures include mixed breeds. :-)

petxpert: GA

PHChristy: I'm afraid that's all we have time for - I'd like to thank Darlene for being our guest, and thanks to all of you for coming tonight!

petxpert: The Bichon, of course

PHBlackBear: THanks Darlene

petxpert: What a great group. Thank YOU! It's been fun!

PetWiorld_nr: Thank you Aimee, and Darlene

PHChristy: I'd also like to thank syndicated pet columnists and authors Gina Spadfori and Steve Dale, who are Darlene fans, for being here tonight too. :)

Skaket: Thank you, Darlene.

petxpert: Thanks everyone, for being here!

petxpert: Goodnight!

PHChristy: Darlene, as always, it was great! You're a super guest!