What is it with little white dogs?

[nitemares]

I think most little dogs are like that, not the dogs i walk though, at least with me they don't. they pretty much ignore, cats other dogs and humans while walking with me.

[Caledon]

I think too that most little dogs are white, got to admit they are cute, when they are not lunging and snarling at the end of the leash.

[CarrieJ]

I own a little white dog.
She's the infamous "Weasel Terrier" a Jack Russel/Papillion X. Her behavior is all JRT.
She's leash reactive, and will set the GSD off. (she's getting better) She belonged to my mother and we kept her when my mother passed.
She had absolutely no rules or structure when she first came to live with us. She didn't even no her own name barely; nevermind recall or leave it.

She now knows, leave it, down, and has pretty good recall. Oh, and is potty trained...yep, the worlds oldest puppy.
She still tries to blow me off as she's used to human females not being the one's in charge of the parade. But, for an eleven year old dog...I can't complain about her progress.

But, I see what you mean about little dogs. Without structure or rules, I treat them exactly the same as a big dog.
It is fun to walk my GSD at Santanna Row (large upscale outdoor shopping center) and watch these idiots with their purse dogs trying to lunge out of their purses trying to attack Alice. I will be a total snob and say leave it, and Alice won't react. It's also funny to watch the owner's legs fly out from beneath a table when "Fluffy" lunges out due to a dog walking by.
I'll comment to them, "Nice behavior..."

Last week a mini dauchund flew out and snapped in Alice's face and I did have to do a leash correction on Alice for the leave it, but I can't blame her as this little dog was resource guarding with a fear based behavior.
What was appalling was what the owner did.
Put the little dog on it's back (*scratches head...alpha roll??? Pin?) and procede to give it a tummy rub while explaining to the little dog that they were in public....etc.
SCARY Positive reinforcement for bad/fear based behavior....