Little Dog With Small Man Syndrome

[charlie mouse]

Hi

I have a 1 year old shih tzu x who is doing really well with obedience, clicker and even doggy dancing, we are just starting agility and he loves it.

He is a really happy boy at home and with dogs he knows but gets scared with new dogs and growls, barks and lunges as soon as they look at him. I try to avoid getting close to dogs when we walk to avoid him stressing but occassionally we get close during training classes or walks and he goes crazy i just wandered if anyone has helped a dog get over this problem. I am willing to try anything to help the little guy.

Edited August 26, 2009 by Muckypup

[redarachnid]

Sorry, can't really help with training. But i can assure you it is not in a Shih Tzu's nature to act as you describe toward other dogs.

My mum bred and showed them for over 30yrs and they are very friendly, happy little dogs.

It may be possible the behavior of your dog may exist in his line somewhere... but it is not a common Shih Tzu trait to act as you describe.

If he is a Shih Tzu cross, then that may be where it comes from.

I hope someone can help you with your problem. Good luck, sounds like your little one enjoys a very full and active life!!

Edited August 26, 2009 by redarachnid

[charlie mouse]

sorry didnt mean to offend he is a cross but he mainly looks shih tzu

[Erny]

Muckypup ..... first I applaud you for doing all those activities with your Shih Tzu (x Maltese?). So many of the SWF's I am in contact with are given not much more to do than to look cute and sit on laps. So well done for engaging in the activity of obedience, doggy dancing and agility .

As for your dog being reactive to other dogs - that's a more complex matter and it is the 'cause' that needs to be addressed. In addition to the cause being addressed, the symptom (which is the reactivity itself) needs to be managed.

I would strongly suggest that you contact a trainer/behaviourist to assist you in this. That person should be able to assess, address and evaluate any pack issues (between yourself and your dog) and adjust them where necessary and possible. He/she should also be able to instruct you in strategies of what to do and when so that you can help your dog learn a new coping mechanism that is more acceptable and amenable in the presence of other dogs.

I don't think you caused any offence in your OP. You weren't blaming the breed. And any breed (or breed cross) has the capacity to be aggressive. I did not read your post as though you were assuming that trait on the breed, but only that you were asking for help to solve that behaviour in your dog. Another step in the right direction .

Edited August 26, 2009 by Erny

[Kaz]

I'm with Erny - fantastic you are socialising your dog with large breeds. And a behaviourist is the way to go.

As a big dog owner, I am aways wary of anything small and fluffy because so many of them are attack dogs due to their lack of training and socialisation.

[Aidan]

As you are doing so many cool activities with your dog, including agility, I strongly recommend "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt. It mainly addresses excited dogs at sports like agility, but some of the exercises look very similar to the ones I use in my reactive dogs class.