shih tzu behavior

Question
I have a 4 month old shih tzu and she does not listen at all when I'm eating or just sitting down she starts barking at me so I sternly tell her NO and then she  gets nasty growling and snapping and the more I say NO the nastier she gets I love her and don't know what to do I was thinking of giving her timeouts but I don't know how please HELP she's driving me crazy.

Answer

Thank you for writing to me about your 4 month old Shih Tzu puppy.  I am so sorry about the delay.  My server was down for several days and I also had computer trouble and couldn't get on line.  I would like to help sort out your dog's behavorial issues.

Please remember that your dog is still a puppy and highly sensitive in these early stages of development.  Just like a small child has to be carefully taught and guided, so do puppies.

Dogs are born to want to please us and if they don't, it's because they do not understand what we want them to do.

When you are sitting down and eating and your dog starts barking and you turn to her to tell her NO, you are giving her negative attention and for a dog, negative attention is better than no attention at all.  A dog doesn't growl and snap at the word "no" so something else must be going on.  If things aren't sorted out so that there are clear messages that your dog can respond to then you may end up with an aggressive adult dog.

My suggestion is to bring in a behavorial consultant that specializes in aggression.  The situation can be studied in person and suggestions can be made that will be effective.  What you do now will determine the kind of dog you have for the rest of her life.  To find a good behavorial consultant, call your nearest vet teaching school and ask for their behavorial department.  They will recommend someone who is certified in your area. Make sure they are schooled in positive reinforcement.

Next time you are sitting down to dinner, place your dog in her crate or in another room and give her something interesting to do, like chewing on a smoked marrow bone or a toy that will challenge her brain. Whatever you do, ignore her.  She will eventually get the idea that making a fuss gets her nothing. You can also feed her while you are eating.

She should also be getting a lot of exercise to tire her out, preferably before dinner.  

Take your munchkin for puppy training classes.  There you will learn how to work together to achieve a goal.  Get some tapes and books on puppy training.  Here are some ones that I recommend:

1.  Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson

2.  Dogs are from Neptune by Jean Donaldson

3.  Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor
 
4.  Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs (Getting Started) by Karen Pryor

5.  How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar

6.  Doctor Dunbar's Good Little Dog Book by Ian Dunbar

7.  Natural Dog Training by Behan

8.  The Dog Whisperer by Owens


Any books by Ian Dunbar are very valuable reading.  You can also pick up Dog Training for Dummies, Dogs Never Lie About Love, Calming Signals, and The Dog's Mind are additional good reading.

While you are waiting to consult with a behavorist, you can try working with a trainer who uses clicker training.  Make sure they are focused on positive reinforcement training.  If this is successful, you may not need the behavorial consultant.

I wish you the best of luck and I cannot stress how important it is to estabish a language between you and your dog where you both understand one another without any aggression taking place.  The best dog training is done calmly and positively.  If you follow my advice, you will end up with the dog or your dreams.

Best Regards,
Shelley Davis