As to what little dogs get away with, Peaches gets away with more than I ever would have allowed from Tips. Size is most likely the reason. But she is learning somethings. When I got her she would go the opposite direction when called - I'm guessing calling her before meant getting punished. Now she comes when I call - almost all the time. I don't know that she won't run if off leash and not come, so we're not going to try that. But she does know sit and stay (although she has a problem with stay) and she knows to lie down (even if she thinks it should mean rolling onto her back and getting a belly rub) - I mean, just how do you say no to that? lol
I was gone for four days and returned this afternoon...she was nice enough to make me feel as if I had been missed because she hadn't eaten...then she cleaned out her dish and carried it into the kitchen and dropped it in the middle of the floor and gave me the evil eye. 
