Should Large Breed Dogs Play with Small Breeds?

Should large breed dogs be allowed to be free with very small breeds? I hear from other trainers and people who work with dogs that it’s not a good idea. Little dogs could get hurt unintentionally by playing with big dogs.

I am in agreement with that to a point. If you have a number of dogs together, you have a pack. If you are the pack leader, they will listen to you and there won’t be a problem.

However, if something triggers an excited response; i.e., they are all playing with the same toy, or focusing on a lizard, or someone approaching the property, there could be an accident or altercation due to the situation. As Cesar Millan says so well – you need to be the calm, assertive pack leader. Don’t just leave it up to them to work it out!

Use good judgment and don’t let your dogs get overly excited and then let them all outside together at a time when the little dog could get trampled. Let the big dogs out first and have the little one(s) wait. When they are calmed down from their initial excitement, then let everyone be together. Be with them.

The little guys can be instigators (a lot of times out of fear) and the big dogs get mixed signals. Since you are the REAL big dog, let them know what is acceptable behavior. Give praise and affection equally but acknowledge the next in command before the others.

Be a confident leader and whether you have a giant breed or a toy breed (or both), your dogs will respect you and the other members of the pack.