Given his eight-pound size and your ability to simply pick him up if he doesn’t follow directions, training him to heel perfectly on the leash is not likely to be at the top of your list. Getting the shivering little guy to urinate outdoors instead of on the carpet in the dead of winter, however, will most definitely be at the top of your list. The inconvenience of his jumping up on your legs or chewing on your belongings will never present the kind of frustration it would if he were a seventy-pound shepherd, but the snapping at your toddler grandkids may be a great deal more serious. It’s really a whole other ball game with these sensitive, and often fragile, canine companions.

Safety and comfort (and, of course, you) are paramount to him. Much of his potential “misbehavior” will arise out of his simply feeling uncomfortable. Given his small size and emotional nature, he can easily become overwhelmed by the world around him (other dogs, strange people, loud noises, etc.) and overreact to those events. Becoming angry or punitive with him for being upset will only make things worse. You’ll have to be proactive in order to prevent him from boiling over in the first place. Step aside just a few more feet to wait out the pack of kindergartners strolling by and give him a little morsel for keeping quiet about the whole thing. Calmly scoop him up before he starts to panic and shriek about the oncoming terrier traffic on Main Street. Be picky about which dogs you allow to socialize with him to ensure he doesn’t become overwhelmed by their size and strength. You can’t blame such a little guy for becoming defensive if he finds himself in a situation in which he feels vulnerable.

Though not all toy dogs will need such accommodation, it may be wise to provide your toy with helpful aids that will prevent him from feeling unnecessarily distressed. Strollers, slings, and other little dog carriers offer a surprising amount of security (and sometimes even a sense of invisibility) for many toy dogs in busy environments such as festivals or bustling city streets. Teaching your dog to relax in one of these pieces of equipment can be quite valuable.