Small Dog, Big Personality
Guarding your lap, biting your guests, demanding attention, barking at strangers... sound familiar? These behaviors are often overlooked in small dogs because they seem harmless or even cute. But look deeper and you may find that your little sidekick needs your help to feel secure and develop the skills to navigate our big world.
Small dogs of any breed can be an unparalleled joy to live with, but only if you're small dog savvy. Once you understand what makes these little canines tick, as well as how to meet their mental and emotional needs, you can build a loving, lasting relationship unlike any other.
Small Dog Savvy provides step-by-step guidance for topics such as handling and grooming, household manners, leash walking, and common behavior challenges like leash reactivity and resource guarding. Dozens of instructional videos are included to help you practice the techniques.
By following the guidelines in this book, you'll learn how to bring out the very best in your canine companion. This is true whether your dog is an impressionable puppy or a grizzled senior; whether you're looking to prevent problem behaviors from day one, or you're already in over your head with behavior issues.
What the experts are saying about Small Dog Savvy
This is the book all small dogs deserve. Kate Naito does an excellent job breaking down what life is like from a small dog's perspective, helping guardians become not only more empathetic, but also more effective in how they support their dogs. She covers the real challenges small dog guardians face and offers clear, step-by-step guidance for navigating them.
Juliana DeWillems, author of Manage It Hacks for Improving Your Dog's Behavior
If you love a small dog, you already know: they're tiny, but their feelings aren't. Small Dog Savvy helps guardians see behavior through a kinder lens, offering clear guidance for understanding what your dog is communicating and how to respond with compassion and skill. Kate Naito blends training expertise with deep respect for the emotional lives of small dogs,
sharing practical strategies that build trust, reduce stress, and support everyday success. A must-read for anyone who wants their little dog to feel safe, understood, and supported.
Malena DeMartini, author of Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Kate Naito, CDBC, CPDT-KA, FFCP, ADP-CI, MS is the owner of High Ten Dog Training in Stamford, CT. She's the author of two previous books, BKLN Manners(TM) and Play Your Way to
Good Manners, the latter of which won the DWAA Training and Sports book award in 2019. Kate's blog, bklnmanners.com, includes numerous articles, videos, and other resources related to canine manners and behavior.