Do You Have an Aggressive Shih Tzu?

Small dogs can develop aggression problems as well as large dogs, and an aggressive Shih Tzu can both hurt people and upset a household.

Even though he is cute, you want to avoid having a snapping, growling and aggressive little Shih Tzu. Not all aggressive dogs are pit bulls, Rottweilers, or German Shepherds.

Preventing the Problem

First of all, it is easier to prevent the problem than to cure it. When you are picking out a puppy, do not choose the one that bites a great deal or mouths your hands more than other puppies do.

STOP AGGRESSIVE SHIH TZU BEHAVIOR

An aggressive Shih Tzu puppy can easily become an aggressive adult. Keep in mind, though, that most puppies bite in play.

Once you have your puppy at home, be careful how you play with it. Do not allow the pup to chew your hands; this can teach it bad habits. The pup will need to cut its teeth, like a human baby, and you should provide many chew toys such as pig ears for this purpose. But do not allow chewing on your hands!

All puppies tend to bite in play, but you should teach your pup that biting is not acceptable. When your pup bites a little too hard, yell “Ow!” very loudly, turn your back on the puppy, walk away and refuse to play with him for several minutes.

This is how another dog would treat him if he bit too hard, and he will soon learn that biting is not permitted. Also, be aware that mouthing your hands is a dominance gesture and can lead to aggression problems in the adult Shih Tzu; you should discourage this in the pup.

Gently take hold of the pup’s mouth with your hand, hold it shut, and say “No” very firmly. Never hit the dog, however, as this will only make him fearful, and fearful dogs can become aggressive.

SocializationYour Shih Tzu needs to be well-socialized, preferably when he is young. This means he needs to meet lots of people, of both sexes and many different age groups. A puppy which is used to people of all kinds is less likely to become a frightened or aggressive adult Shih Tzu.

Invite your friends and family over to meet your new dog, and take him for walks to meet strangers. Ideally, he should meet people both inside and outside your home, and should be familiar with crowds.

If something does frighten your Shih Tzu, or he becomes over-excited, it is usually best to ignore his behavior. Do not speak to him in soothing tones or give him treats, as these things are rewards and actually encourage aggressive or fearful behavior.

Veterinary ProblemsOnce your puppy is grown, however, he should not have aggression problems because the Shih Tzu is not normally an aggressive breed. An aggressive Shih Tzu may be a sign of a veterinary problem.

Take him to the vet and make sure that some pain or discomfort is not putting him out of sorts. Also, some endocrine conditions, such as thyroid problems, can cause personality changes in dogs.

Take ChargeOther than this, your Shih Tzu needs to know that you are in charge in the household. Take him for walks and be sure to make him follow you or walk by your side. Do not let him go ahead. This emphasizes to him that you are in charge and he is walking with you, not the other way around.

PREVENT AGGRESSIVE SHIH TZU BEHAVIOR