by Zach F

Created on: May 31, 2009   Last Updated: June 02, 2009

Small dogs are not necessarily safer around children than large dogs. In fact, they can often be more dangerous.

In fact, the only type of dog which is any safer of a pet around small children than any other is a well trained dog. A well trained dog, large or small, is safe for all humans, even children, as it knows that it belongs at the "bottom" of the human "pack."

Dogs are pack animals, and as such, they are used to having strict, unchanging social hierarchies. A common misconception is that it is cruel, or that dogs do not like it, when humans establish themselves in a boss. As humans, and particularly as humans in a 21st century Democratic society, we have been taught that freedom and happiness mean being "created equal." For dogs, this is not the case. Dogs have a natural instinct to be part of a hierarchical society. They need to know at all times where they stand in relation to every other person or dog around them.

That is why it is important, even with the smallest, "sweetest" breeds, to obedience train your dog, as well as to read at least the basics of dog behavior. Many people who own "sweet," or especially small, breeds of dogs fail to do this.

For example, if your dog is not big enough to pull you down the street, why make it heel or walk behind you? The answer: because when a dog walks in front of you, it thinks it is making it clear to you that it is in charge, or the alpha.

If a 5 pound chihuahua jumps on your leg, or even your child's leg, what harm does it cause? That is a sign of dominance as well, the dog saying, "listen, I want something, and I'm the boss, so I can tell you to give it to me."

If you don't plan on showing your dog, why bother training it to sit, lay down, shake, or do anything else? Because having your dog follow your commands and receive treats for it simulates a dog pack in which the pack leader determines who eats what, when. You, as the boss, have the right to demand that your dog do what you tell it to before feeding it.

These are just a few of the many mistakes people with small dogs make. Remember, even a 4 pound teacup chihuahua has nails, teeth, and instincts designed to tear through animal flesh and bones. The only "safer" aspect of small dogs is that they cannot knock a child over. But again, a well trained dog will understand that jumping or running into a child is not acceptable. Nor will a well trained dog (be it a chihuahua, a lab or a Rottweiler) feel the need to challenge the hierarchy or the child's position within it by barking, growling, or biting the child.

The only time in which a well trained dog will show "agression" toward a child is as a sign of self defense, when the animal is hurt or feels threatened. In fact, this may be an advantage large dogs have in safety with children. A child sitting or stepping on, or poking, a 60 pound dog is much less likely to cause pain to the dog. On the other hand, a small dog could easily be hurt accidentally by a small child, and is more likely to snap at the child.

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