Small Dogs Have BIG Needs!

Here are some ways you can make life better for your favourite dogs. 

1. Turn Meals Into Mental Workouts

Use puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys instead of a regular food bowl. This not only slows down eating but engages your dog’s brain. Some simple options:

• Kongs stuffed with wet food or frozen treats

• Snuffle mats or rolled-up towels with kibble inside

• DIY: Hide kibble under cups or tennis balls in a muffin tin

Why it works: Dogs are natural foragers. Working for their food adds structure to their day and helps burn off mental energy.

🐾 2. Add “Sniff Space” to Your Routine

Let your dog take the lead (safely) on a walk, sniffing their environment at their own pace. Sniffing reduces stress, engages their brain, and satisfies natural curiosity.

Tip: If you’re short on time, even a 10-minute sniffari in the backyard or around the block makes a difference.

This is why we will have a sniffer area at the entrance of the doggie daycare. Dogs are always calmer after a fun sniffer time. 

🎯 3. Short, Fun Training Sessions

Training isn’t just for young puppies or “problem dogs” — it’s a bonding activity that builds confidence. Keep sessions light, positive, and no longer than 5–10 minutes.

Try teaching:

• Basic cues like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it”

• Fun tricks like “spin” or “touch”

• Manners like waiting at the door or calm greetings.

Bonus: Training mentally tires dogs out — a calm mind = calmer behavior. But, only if it is fun for the dog. Remember, there is a time for the dog to obey, and a time to learn. A dog can typically need 40 – 100 repetitions before they ‘get it. Owners sometimes think a dog should ‘get it’ in 10 repetitions and 1 or 2 training sessions. This is only ‘temporary performing’, not learning. 

🧠 4. Play “Find It” and Other Enrichment Games

Hide treats or a favorite toy around the house and let your dog find them. Start easy and make it gradually harder.

Other game ideas:

• Gentle tug-of-war

• Rotate toys weekly to keep them novel

• Frozen treat cubes or lick mats for solo fun

• Snuffle mats.

• Find ME. 

• Low impact fitness (can learn at DoMoreWithYourDog)

• Learn a new trick each week. 

🐶 5. Stick to a Predictable Routine

Dogs — especially small ones prone to anxiety — do best when they know what to expect. Try to keep:

• Wake-up, meal, walk, and rest times consistent

• Play and training time part of the daily rhythm

• Quiet, cozy places for napping during the day

Why it works: Predictability builds confidence and helps reduce barking, pacing, and “acting out.”

💡 Final Thought

Small dogs have BIG needs — and giving them structure, fun, and enrichment is one of the best gifts you can give. When you meet their physical and mental needs at home, you prevent frustration-driven behaviors before they begin.

Want extra support? Our enrichment-focused indoor daycare at is built to complement what you’re doing at home — with training, fitness, and supervised socialization just for small dogs.