Indoor Dog Fence Training for Small Dogs

Small dogs̵1;dachshunds, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire terriers̵1;are often kept inside as companions. As much as you love your petite pet, you may not want him to have full access to your home. Indoor fences and gates can keep your dog confined to particular areas of your house. Getting your pup to accept your restrictions without complaint involves respect, socialization and obedience training.

  1. Indoor Fences

    • People choose to confine their small dogs to certain areas of the house for many reasons, including health and safety. Keeping a dog outside the kitchen or dining room can prevent unwanted germ transfer. Confining a dog to a tiled area can cut down on accidents on carpets during housetraining. Preventing a small dog from sleeping with you or your children can eliminate nighttime allergies. Whether you use a portable or permanent indoor fence, your next step will be to train the dog to accept the fence̵7;s boundaries.

    Small Dog Syndrome

    • Little dogs are often excessively pampered and allowed to ̶0;run the show̶1; because they are so cute. Their antics make you laugh and scolding or correcting them seems uncaring. When pet owners neglect correcting bad behavior, many small dogs exhibit what is commonly known as ̶0;small dog syndrome.̶1; They may refuse to obey, growl over their food or toys, jump up on friends or strangers or even nip or bite. If your dog develops these behaviors, she will not respect your boundaries. Even if she remains behind an indoor fence, she may whine, claw doorways or shred the carpet beneath the fence. Keep this tendency in mind when dealing with a small dog.

    Respect Training

    • One of the most important aspects of training is to demand your dog̵7;s respect. If your dog does not see you as the pack leader, he will choose when and where to obey you. Keeping a dog out of a room may be as simple as installing an indoor fence too high for a small dog to jump over, but getting your dog to respect that boundary will depend largely on whether he sees you as the rightful owner of every area in your home. Always act as pack leader.

    Socialization

    • Some people need to keep small dogs behind an indoor fence because of their inability to interact properly with people. Some dogs are over-affectionate, jumping up on people and licking their faces. Others are fearful, bolting, knocking things over or urinating. Some dogs are aggressive, barking and even trying to bite. Socializing your dog from an early age helps decrease these behaviors. Introduce them to a wide variety of people and places throughout their puppy stage and continue to socialize them as adults. Even if you require them to remain behind an indoor fence, a socialized dog is comfortable and calm when separated from you and others.

    Obedience Training

    • Long before you install your indoor fence, train your dog to be obedient. Practicing behaviors like sitting, staying and lying down on command will help your dog react automatically when you place her behind a fence. Before you pass through a gated fence, place your dog away from the gate and tell him to sit. Once the dog is in position, approach the gate, open it, then pass through. Check your dog̵7;s position after each step. Start over if your pet gets up at any point in the process before you release her.