Shih Tzu Aggression...

Question
Hello Nancy!

My husband and I have a 1.5 yr old Shih Tzu, (he was abandoned), for 4 months now. He is house trained, loveable, and definitely has a personality of his own! BUT...for the third time last night, in the past month, he has shown low level aggression towards me...I was calling him to see what was in his mouth (later I found it to be a piece of his chew toy), and he proceeded to walk away, I called him, then followed him to his bed, and he turned around in a stiff stance and growled at me, and almost lunged at me. He ran to my husband, I followed him and yelled "NO" to him, but he was still very in this snapping mood, and finally my husband got to see it, and he grabbed him to calm him down, and he tried to bite him, so my husband used stronger force to hold him and told him to calm down. This normally lovable 8 lbs. of joy actually frightened me! I am pregnant with our first, and afraid this aggression will be displayed towards the baby. What can we do to get a grip on this dominance aggression? Thank you for any feedback!

Answer
J
Yes this aggression can go to the baby if you don't get a handle on it.
Put a pinch collar on him and a short leash.  Start walking him and make him stay at your side. At this stage of the training, he is not allowed to do anything unless you say it is ok.  If he walks somewhere in the house, grab the leash and bring him back to where he started and tell him "stay".  Do this each time he moves until you tell him to "go to his bed"  "freedog" (which means he can go wherever he wants.  He will need intensive training for about a month to break him of this aggression.  Your husband did the right thing by holding him.  Make sure the "calm down" command is said in and authoritative, but calm manner.  Under no circumstances should it be said in a soothing way as this reinforces the trait that he is exhibiting at the time. He can be placed on his back or picked up by the nape of the neck in a severe situation.  If he overreacts to either of these methods  HANG ON  anyway.  It is important  even if he starts to screech or growl and snap.  It is important for him to know that his actions don't dictate a release response from  you.
His aggression may be more around food than other things.  Take a chew toy that he likes, and teach him to "wait".  Put the treat on the floor (about 2 feet away) and tell him to "wait" and not touch it.   If he goes to get it, pick it up and say "no" and try again until he hesitates.  When he hesitates, say "goodboy" and give him a treat, NOT the chew toy.  Repeat the process the next day.  As you move the chewy closer to him, make his reward treats better and better.  Work your way up from chicken to ground beef and then liverwurst should be given when he actually lets you take the chewy out of his mouth.  Whatever you do, only go as far as you are comfortable with,because if you are fearful, he will take advantage.
nancy
If you are afraid, ask your husband to start him off and then you continue
good luck