Toy dogs were made to want to live in a person’s lap (or as close as possible). As a result, the absence of their person can present one of the greatest challenges for a toy dog in a modern age that keeps us humans so busy, and out of the house, for long periods of time. A toy dog, given the breed’s ancestral purpose, is inherently more vulnerable to a kind of hyperfocus on and bonding with their person. This can lead not only to difficulty with separation but also to overprotectiveness and hypervigilance about potential threats to his beloved treasure—you. Ideally, you will prevent serious problems from developing as you socialize him to a wide range of wonderful friends and promote confidence and relaxation in a variety of circumstances. Bottom line: Adore him but do not coddle him. He is not actually your baby, and needs you to help him learn how to handle being a dog in the modern age.

Interests and Hobbies

You, you, and you. There is a little variation in the theme: Play with you, walk with you, cuddle with you, protect you, supervise you, help you, etc., but basically it’s you. If you are one of those people who can’t stand a partner that doesn’t have a life outside of the relationship, this kind of dog might not be well suited to you. Independent is not exactly his middle name.

While there are many different kinds of dogs represented in this group of littles, they have all been developed for their youthful nature and companionship . . . with you. Yes, the distant call of his once-larger heritage will continue to inspire everything from mock hunting to guarding behaviors in your living room. And yes, he will need and enjoy a great deal of physical exercise and mental stimulation just like most other dogs. He loves to play games and knows how to have a good time. He likes to snuggle and watch movies after a gourmet meal. But make no mistake about it: It’s really all about you.

Education

Try to imagine what a very different kind of world we are actually trying to prepare your toy dog for, compared to his larger canine friends. More than manners and obedience, he will need practical life skills, as well as confidence in your ability to take charge of events that unfold day to day.