My two Shih Tzu males have starting fighting all the time and it is really bad. We separate them and give them time out either outside or on leashes..... They are really getting out of hand they are both one year old and we have had them about four months. Janet York
Well you have two options here. 1) Get a new pet which won't behave in this way towards other people (such as a goldfish or hamster) 2) Get your dog trained and disciplined before something terrible happens.
Usually there are several reasons why dogs can become protective towards their owners (and aggressive with it). If you have had this pet for a long time, they will have formed habits based on the discipline and training you have given them (much like a small child).
* Spoiling your pet - giving him/her constant affection and treats regardless of whether they have been well behaved or not
* Not using your voice correctly to help distinguish when you are pleased or displeased with the dog. This confuses them greatly, even if you wave your finger at them when you get angry.
* Allowing your pet to be aggressive and not doing anything to remedy it. If you don't treat this behaviour on the spot with a low, angry voice and perhaps banishment from the room, the dog will think you don't mind it biting your guests.
It goes without saying that if you have not trained or disciplined your pet it is likely they will be extremely difficult to manage. Dogs are intelligent creatures and learn quickly how to get their own way.
You should take responsibility for this problem immediately by seeking specialist help. Although you could learn the techniques used to coax dogs back into behaving properly (such as high pitched noise distraction) you would do well to hire a dog trainer on this occasion.
I'd suggest some immediate changes to the way you treat your Shitzu. These dogs are particularly yappy types who can bite and bark for no reason anyway, but it's usually down to the owner. 1. Don't hold and handle the dog so much. If he/she jumps up onto your lap, without speaking, remove her and place her back on the floor. Even after a few times of doing this she will learn not to jump up. 2. Don't feed her your food, or give her lots of treats without reasonable cause. Make her eat from her own bowl in a special area of the house, i.e. In the corner of the kitchen. 3. If you have guests and she starts to be aggressive, without speaking to her or making any sudden movements, remove her from the room and shut her away. She will bark, but this shows that you do not appreciate her behaviour.
My Shih-tzu is very protective of my mom, grandma, and sometimes me. My shih-tzu is 6 yrs old and HATES my dad. My dad will come by my mom and say hello when he comes home from work and my dog (Willow) will growl and attempt to bite my dad. It is totally out of hand. I could use some help too because I'm trying to train my dog because my family and I have been wanting another dog but it just can't happen because of how aggressive Willow is.
