These days, toy dogs are the new fashion. Gone are the days when the dogs of the minute belong to bigger, tougher breeds. This is the day and age of the Shih Tzu, the Yorkie, and the Chihuahua. Although these dogs may suffer for lack of stature, they tend to make up for it in heart and personality and although they may not be able to maul an intruder they do have their benefits. For one, smaller dogs ride well in totes and dog carriers.

Paris Hilton made the idea famous, and people have been trying it ever since but it must be said that trying to carry willful dogs in a carrier can have its dangers. Luckily, there are some ways to help ease the transition from riding in your lap to riding in your purse. Although it won't be an easy thing by any means both you and your pet will be rewarded with the wonderful bonding that can occur when you are able to hide them away in your bag and carry them from place to place with you throughout the day.

For those out there who are finding it rather difficult to get their dogs to cooperate with the carrier, it is perfectly normal for there to be a few problems but it will take some getting used to. To help make the transition easier for you and your pet, here are a few great tips to help get you started.

Treats Always Do the Trick

If all else seems to fail you, never forget that your pet's life revolves around a few basic necessities: you, sleep, and food. In this case, treats should do just the trick when it comes to getting your pet to venture into the carrying case. Half the battle with getting your dog to ride in the carrier is getting them to go anywhere near it, but a few fake bacon strips or a bone-shaped biscuit later you and your pet should be one step closer to mastering the dog carrier.

Do a Dress Rehearsal

Keep in mind that a dog carrier should be just for dogs and nothing else so there should be no harm in allowing them to explore the carrier when it's not high off the ground, at least from their perspective. Set the carrier on the floor or lay it on its side, and put their favorite toy in it or the blanket they always sleep with. The familiar scent on these items and their love for them should draw them to the carrier, hopefully enticing them to step in for awhile, perhaps even relax for a few minutes. The more comfortable your pet is with the idea of the carrier, the easier it is going to be for you to get them to ride in it while you cart them around town.

Don't Push the Issue

There are several reasons why your pet may be uncomfortable with the dog carrier idea. Perhaps they are afraid of heights. Perhaps they do not appreciate small spaces. Either way, there are several ways to go about making sure that they get with the program, but understand that with dogs things are going to happen in their own time.

Rushing them into the dog carrier idea is a good way to push them away from the idea at all, and you certainly don't want to instill a fear of something so silly and potentially useful to you.

Dogs trained to ride in the carrier are great; the better your dog is with riding under your arm, the more time you are going to be able to spend together but understand that things will not always come as easily as you would like them to and that just like a child, dogs have a learning curve too. Take your time and consider the personality of your dog and in time the carrier will allow you and your pampered pooch to spend more time together than you probably ever thought possible.