Small dogs seem to get a lot of negative comments about them. They have a reputation for being ‘yippy’ and annoying. Well, I am the proud owner of a small five and three-quarter pound Toy Poodle and I want to list a few reasons why they make a great house pet.

* If you train them correctly… they are No ‘yippie.’ Yes, her bark won’t be as deep as a larger dog’s, but if your pet is well-trained, she’ll only bark when you approve. One way to help a dog stop barking is to train him to ‘speak’ on command. It sounds strange, but once they know what’s labeled, it’s easier to make them stop whenever you want.

* They are excellent lapdogs. Dogs by nature are very affectionate and these little ones like nothing more than sitting with you. You will never lose a small dog in your house because he will always want to be by your side.

* Their food is very cheap. My little toy poodle consumes on average a quarter cup of kibble a day! This means I can buy a small bag of dog food (for about $20) and have it last for months.

I hope that anyone reading this who is considering a small dog for a pet will do so. You definitely won’t regret the decision to bring such joy into your home and heart!