The Norwich Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers, friendly and sociable for the type but still very much a driven, hardy little hunter under the charm. Most training problems come from underestimating that working drive, the energy, the prey instinct, the urge to dig and bark, because the dog looks like a cuddly companion. Respect the terrier inside and the Norwich is a delight. Here are the five mistakes that cause the most trouble, and what to do instead.
1. Underestimating the energy
The Norwich is a hardy working terrier, not a toy lapdog, and it needs real daily exercise and a busy mind. Owners who assume a small dog needs little end up with one that digs, barks, and invents mischief out of boredom. Give it brisk walks, play, and mental work every day, and the same dog is settled and pleasant at home.
2. Trusting it off-leash with prey around
The Norwich was bred to chase and dispatch vermin, and that prey drive overrides a half-built recall the instant a squirrel or rabbit appears. Owners who trust open ground too soon lose the dog down a scent or across a road. Build recall patiently on a long line, and treat reliable off-leash freedom as a fenced-area goal rather than an assumption.
3. Not providing a digging outlet
Digging is hardwired into the breed, and a Norwich with no legal place to dig will excavate your garden and flower beds. Owners who simply punish the digging get a frustrated, sneaky digger. Provide a designated digging box or patch, bury toys in it, and reward the dog for using it, so the instinct has somewhere acceptable to go.
4. Ignoring the barking early
Terriers are vocal, and the Norwich will alert-bark readily; a few cute early woofs become an entrenched habit if they earn attention or go unmanaged. Shape a "quiet" cue from the start, manage the triggers, and reward calm. Our barking guide covers the full protocol. Early management is far easier than undoing the habit later.
5. Harsh handling
The Norwich is friendly, plucky, and very food-motivated, which makes harsh methods both unnecessary and counterproductive, they dampen the cheerful boldness that makes the breed fun. Reward-based training works extremely well. Keep sessions short, upbeat, and rewarding, and the Norwich is an eager, willing little partner.
What works with Norwich Terriers
Meet the real exercise needs, treat off-leash as a fenced-only goal, provide a digging outlet, manage the barking early, and train with rewards. The throughline is respecting a true working terrier in a small package: give the drives an outlet and the Norwich Terrier is a friendly, plucky, genuinely delightful companion.
TailorPup's Norwich plan uses reward-based training, provides digging and prey-drive outlets, schedules adequate exercise, and includes a barking protocol.
Start your Norwich Terrier's plan free at tailorpup.com →
Related: How to Train a Norwich Terrier · Recall Training · Barking Solutions