Scottish Terriers are one of the most easily recognizable of all the small dog breeds and they can make great pets.  Their Small Size makes them ideal for apartments and smaller homes while their strength and agility is comparable to a larger dog.  Scottish Terrier dog training is a major component of owning of these animals and you should know a bit about this breed before getting one.

Smart and alert

Despite their small size, Scottish Terriers have always been great watch dogs.  They’re always alert and pick up on even minute signals from their owners.  If someone is making you feel threatened, for example, they will pick up on this before a human.  They are also fearless and will try to protect their homes from danger.

Small dog syndrome

Some people have had trouble raising a Scottie.  They are prone to “small dog syndrome” and can be a real handful if not properly trained.  Most of the problems associated with this breed, however, stem not from the dog but from the humans around it.  These dogs are very attuned to the power structure of your home.

Scottish Terrier training is all about establishing dominance.  You’ll need to be firm and direct when giving commands.  These smart little puppies can tell when you don’t mean what you say.  If you tell it “No” but don’t seem to mean it, they won’t listen.

This dominance aspect is incredibly important because a Scottie will basically assume it’s at the top of the power structure if you don’t teach it otherwise.  They will soon feel like they’re in charge and can quickly take over a home.

Not the best for children

This need to be strong and firm with a Scottie means they aren’t always the best pets for children.  They really do well with adults who can establish their pack leader status and anyone who isn’t dominant will lose out to this little dog.

One of the biggest problems this can cause arises during play time.  While some dogs like to play vigorously, a Scottie might take this the wrong way.  If it isn’t fully convinced that you’re the dominant person in this situation, they might get territorial and see the play more as a power struggle than a simple game of tug and war.

Just be firm

Scottish Terriers can make wonderful pets but they require strict training.  You simply must be firm when giving commands and understand how to establish yourself as the pack leader in your home.  Anyone else living in your house will need to do the same.

Scotties are most happy when they know their place in the power structure and the same is true for their owners.  You would be doing both yourself and your dog a major disservice by not making it clear who is in charge.  If you can handle this sort of dynamic then a Scottish Terrier can be a loving, loyal, and happy pet.

Author’s Bio: Mark Mendoza runs Obedient-Dog.net. He is an internationally renowned dog trainer and teacher with 7 years of experience in dog training.

His philosophy is harness your dog’s energy to unleash their greatest potential and your own.