\version "2.13.9"

smallStaccato =
#(let ((m (make-music 'ArticulationEvent 'articulation-type "staccato")))
    (ly:music-set-property! m 'tweaks
      (acons 'font-size -3 (ly:music-property m 'tweaks)))
    m) 

\relative c' {
  c1\staccato 
  c4\smallStaccato d4\smallStaccato f2\smallStaccato
  \override Script #'padding = #1.5
  c'4\smallStaccato d4\smallStaccato f2\smallStaccato
}