Small, trembling, with big ears and glowing eyes. The Russian Toy Terrier is not just a dog, it's a personality the size of a cat, but with the character of a tiger. Praise for such a pet is not just a pat on the head. It's the key to upbringing, a medicine for fears, and the number one motivator. If you don't know how to praise a toy, it will either become a neurotic or a home tyrant. That's because the toy is a breed with a delicate psyche. Let's learn to praise correctly.

Why Praise for the Toy is More Important Than Treats

Toy Terriers are social dogs. They were bred as companions. They need the owner's approval desperately. Treats are nice, but a «well done!» and a pat for them often mean more. Why? Because the toy constantly seeks contact with a person. If you scold it, it will worry for hours. If you praise it, it will bloom.

It has been experimentally proven (owners of toys know this): a toy that hears a kind word, even without a treat, will repeat the action for which it was praised again and again. Because for it, the reward is your attention and love.

But there's a nuance. The toy is very sensitive to intonation. Fake praise («ah-ah-ah, you're so good» mindlessly) doesn't work. It feels the falseness and gets upset. Praise should be sincere, emotional, with a rise in voice at the end.

How to Praise the Toy: Key Rules

Firstly, praise immediately. Dogs have a short memory for actions. If the toy pees on the blanket and you praise it a minute later, it won't understand why. The time between the action and the praise should not exceed 1-2 seconds.

Secondly, use a marker. This is a word or sound that means «now there will be praise.» For example, a clicker or the word «yes!» Clicked - and immediately give a treat or a pat. The toy remembers: «click» = I'm good.

Thirdly, vary the praise. Don't say «well done» a hundred times in a row. Mix: «smartie», «good», «bravo», «excellent», «keep it up.» So the toy doesn't get used to one word.

Fourthly, reinforce the praise with your body. Pet the toy behind the ear, scratch its chest, pat its back. But don't hug too tightly - the toy may be scared. Gentle, tender movements.

Fifthly, don't over-praise for simple things. If the toy just walks beside the leash - this is the basics, don't have to say «well done» every second. Otherwise, it will lose its value. Praise for progress: today went past the cat and didn't bark - super. And for just looking at you, a smile is enough.

Praise During Training Commands

The toy learns commands quickly, but quickly forgets if not reinforced. How to praise during training: for every correct execution - marker + treat + voice. Then the treat is removed, only the voice and the pat remain. Then only the voice. But periodically return the treat for reinforcement.

Example: the command «sit.» The toy sat down. You say «yes!» (marker), give a piece of cheese, pat and say «well done, smartie, how well you sit!» Emotionally, with a smile. Not sparingly.

If the toy did the command poorly (sat down, but crookedly), don't praise. Either don't praise or redo it. Praising for «almost» means reinforcing poor execution.

An important point: the toy may start barking with joy when praised. This is normal. Don't scold for barking during praise - the dog will be confused. Better later, in a calm setting, teach the command «quiet.»

Praise for Good Behavior at Home

The toy peed on the blanket (or in the litter box) - praised enthusiastically, gave a treat. After a few times, the treat is removed, but the voice and the pat remain. The toy has learned: doing your business in the right place is beneficial.

The toy calmly greeted guests, didn't bark and didn't jump under the feet - praised. If it barked - ignore it. Don't shout «no!», just be silent and turn away. The toy will understand that barking doesn't lead to praise and will gradually calm down.

The toy didn't grab food from the table, but sat next to it - praised. If it grabbed, ignore it, take away the food. The toy will understand the connection.

The toy came to you on the command «come to me» - praised immediately, even if you called it for something else. Don't scold first, that it ran away, and then praise. For the toy, any approach to the owner should be joy.

The toy didn't get scared by the vacuum cleaner, but just moved to the side - praised. For bravery.

Mistakes in Praising the Toy

The most common mistake is to praise when the toy is scared. The dog shivers with fear, and the owner pats it and says «it's all right, don't be afraid.» In this way, he reinforces the fear. The right thing to do: ignore the fear and wait until the toy calms down on its own, and then praise for calmness.

The second mistake is to praise and then scold. «Well done, you came, but why didn't you listen to me?» The toy doesn't understand the logic. For it, praise is devalued.

The third mistake is not to praise at all. Introverted owners who think that the dog should do everything «for nothing.» The toy becomes apathetic, uncontrollable, or aggressive under such a system. It needs feedback.

The fourth mistake is to praise for the same thing too often. It loses its value. Mix it up.

The fifth mistake is to use praise as manipulation. «You're such a good dog, and go die for me.» No. Praise should be sincere.

The sixth - to shout «well done» throughout the house. For the toy, this is stress. Praise should be quiet, joyful, but not loud.

How to Praise the Toy for Bravery

The toys are naturally shy (selective breeding for a small size and decorative appearance). Therefore, any act of bravery should be noted. The toy barked at the door when a stranger came - is that good? No, it's fear. But if it quieted down on the command «quiet» and didn't run into another room - that's bravery. Praise.

The toy approached a big dog and sniffed it without whining - praised. The toy got into the elevator without panic - praised. The toy jumped off the sofa for the first time and didn't hurt itself - praised.

Use the word «brave» as a marker. «Brave! Smartie!» The toy will remember and be more confident the next time it hears «brave.»

Praise and Routine

The toy loves rituals. If you praise it every time after a walk (for coming home without a fuss), it will look forward to this praise and be happy to come in. If you praise for lying down on its place after dinner, it will lie down.

Don't praise for things like the toy waking up and yawning - it's a natural process. Don't praise for just sitting and looking at you - otherwise, it will sit and look for hours, demanding attention. Better to praise for switching activities: finished playing and went to its place, stopped barking on command, endured while you were cooking and didn't beg.

The Impact of Praise on the Health of the Toy

Proper praise reduces the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases the level of oxytocin (the bonding hormone). The toy's appetite, sleep improves, the risk of tantrums and obsessive movements (tail chasing, endless licking of paws) decreases.

There are cases when toys stopped being afraid of thunder only because the owners started praising them enthusiastically at the first rumble (ignoring the fear). The dog switched: «Thunder - it's not dangerous, it's an opportunity to get praise.» It works.

But over-praising is also harmful: the toy becomes dependent on your approval, can't stay alone, has a tantrum if you don't praise for something. Therefore, praise in moderation, for real achievements, not for every sneeze.

Examples of Proper Praise Every Day

Morning: the toy woke up and lay quietly, without barking. You pet it: «Good morning, smartie, you've slept well.»

After breakfast: the toy left the bowl and didn't beg for more. «Thank you, good doggie.»

On a walk: the toy passed by another dog without barking. «Well done! What a well-behaved dog!»

At home: the toy brought a toy and handed it over, not running away. «Thank you, friend, smartie!»

At night: the toy lay down on its bed without demanding to be put on the sofa. «What a self-reliant! Good dog.»

Before bedtime: the toy let you brush its teeth without resistance. «Patient my, well done. Sleep well.»

Say all these phrases in a gentle but cheerful voice. You can accompany them with a short pat. And don't forget about visual contact - look into the toy's eyes.

Conclusion: Praise as a Language of Love

The Russian Toy Terrier is a breed created for communication. Without your praise, it withers. With proper praise, it thrives, becomes braver, more obedient, and happier. Learn to praise it for the smallest progress. Don't spare kind words. The toy will repay you with love, endless wagging of the tail, and a trusting gaze. And what else do you need for happiness?

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