Small dogs might not take up much room on the sofa, but that doesn’t mean they’re always easy to train. They can be just as stubborn, excitable and full of character as their larger counterparts.
Whether you’ve got a Havanese, Chihuahua, Cavalier or another small companion breed, good training makes everyday life easier for both of you.
The good news? You don’t need to spend hours practising commands. A few minutes here and there, plenty of patience and a consistent approach can make a real difference.
Reward the Behaviour You Want to See
It’s easy to notice when your dog does something wrong. Perhaps they’re jumping up at visitors, barking at the front door or pulling on the lead.
But what about the moments when they’re behaving well?
Rewarding good behaviour is one of the simplest ways to encourage your dog to repeat it.
For example:
- Give your dog a treat when they greet someone with all four paws on the floor.
- Praise them when they’re walking nicely without pulling.
- Reward them for settling quietly in their bed.
- Encourage calm behaviour when someone knocks at the door.
These little rewards help your dog understand what you’re asking of them.
We’ve found this particularly useful with our Havanese, Nessie. She absolutely loves visitors and has always been keen to announce their arrival!
Rather than trying to stop her barking altogether, we’ve worked on encouraging her to alert us and then settle down. Rewarding the quieter moments has been far more effective than raising our voices.
Keep Training Sessions Short
You don’t need to set aside half an hour every day for formal training.
In fact, many small companion dogs respond better to short sessions lasting just a few minutes.
Try practising recall for three minutes in the kitchen, asking your dog to sit before dinner or working on loose-lead walking during your usual afternoon stroll.
The important thing is to finish while your dog is still interested.
It’s also worth remembering that dogs don’t automatically understand that a command they’ve learned at home applies everywhere else.
Your dog might sit perfectly in the living room but seem to forget everything when you’re in a busy park surrounded by other dogs.
Start somewhere quiet and gradually introduce more distractions as their confidence grows.
Make Training Part of Everyday Life
Training doesn’t always have to involve treats or a special session.
You can use the things your dog already enjoys as rewards.
For example:
- Ask your dog to sit before putting their lead on.
- Encourage them to look at you before letting them off to explore somewhere safe.
- Practise waiting calmly before going through a doorway.
- Ask them to settle before giving them a favourite toy.
- Reward loose-lead walking by allowing time to stop and sniff.
These small exercises fit naturally into your daily routine.
They’re particularly useful for dogs that aren’t especially interested in food rewards.
Just remember that training should be enjoyable, not a constant series of demands. Your dog still needs time to relax, play and simply be a dog.
Stop Bad Habits Before They Start
Sometimes the easiest way to deal with unwanted behaviour is to prevent your dog from practising it in the first place.
If your puppy keeps stealing shoes, for instance, putting them out of reach is far more effective than repeatedly telling them off.
Give them something suitable to chew instead and reward them for choosing it.
The same applies to barking.
If your dog spends all afternoon barking at people walking past the front window, temporarily closing the curtains or limiting access to that room can help while you work on calmer behaviour.
Baby gates, puppy pens and other simple changes around the home can make training much easier.
It’s not about avoiding the problem. It’s about giving your dog a better chance to learn.
Choose a Training Method That Suits Your Dog
Small companion dogs can be sensitive, particularly when faced with harsh corrections or confusing instructions.
Many respond best to patient, reward-based training that builds their confidence rather than making them anxious.
Havanese dogs, for example, are generally sociable, intelligent and keen to interact with their owners.
The Gateway Havanese training guide offers useful advice on reward-based training, including house training, barking, loose-lead walking and helping dogs become comfortable spending time alone.
Although the guide focuses on Havanese, many of the same principles apply to other small companion breeds.
The key is to break each task into manageable steps, reward progress and avoid expecting too much too soon.
Teach Your Dog How to Relax
When we think about dog training, we often concentrate on commands such as sit, stay and come.
But learning to relax is just as important.
A dog that can settle comfortably while you’re eating dinner, working from home or chatting to visitors is usually much easier to live with.
Start by placing a comfortable bed or mat somewhere quiet.
Reward your dog when they show an interest in it, then gradually encourage them to spend longer periods resting there.
Once they’re comfortable with the idea, you can practise while going about your normal activities.
Don’t expect instant results. Some dogs naturally settle more easily than others, and younger dogs may need a little more help learning to switch off.
Don’t Expect Every Day to Go Perfectly
One day your dog might respond beautifully to every command. The next, they might behave as though they’ve never heard the word “sit” before.
That’s perfectly normal.
Excitement, tiredness, adolescence and unfamiliar surroundings can all affect how well a dog responds.
When things aren’t going to plan, try making the exercise easier rather than getting frustrated.
Go back to something your dog already understands and build from there.
And remember, if your dog is showing signs of serious anxiety, aggression or other persistent behavioural problems, it’s worth seeking advice from a qualified, reward-based dog trainer or behaviourist.
You can explore dog trainers and behaviourists on The Good Dog Guide, or browse the site to find professionals in your own area.
A Little Training Goes a Long Way
Training a small companion dog shouldn’t feel like a daily battle.
A few minutes of practice, consistent boundaries and plenty of encouragement can help your dog develop good habits without taking the enjoyment out of everyday life.
Most importantly, make time to enjoy being together.
After all, the aim isn’t to have a perfectly obedient dog every minute of the day. It’s to have a happy, confident companion who understands what you’re asking and enjoys learning alongside you.
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