| By nature, Shih Tzu is generally not an aggressive type | | | | his eyes; holding the head low, body hunkered down, |
| of dog. However, there are exceptions and in this | | | | tail tucked or held low, which is the canine equivalent of |
| article I will discuss 4 types of dog aggression that | | | | waving a white flag. Treatment of aggression |
| could be a warning sign to the owner that his Shih Tzu | | | | between dogs is not easy. You can, however, keep |
| is in need of professional help. | | | | your interdog dominant Shih Tzu on lead when he is |
| Four types of dog and possibly Shih Tzu aggression | | | | likely to be confronted with other dogs. Seek |
| are: | | | | professional help if your Shih Tzu continually exhibits |
| 1. Dominance Aggression Toward People 2. Interdog | | | | this type of aggression. |
| Dominance Aggression 3. Fear Aggression 4. Territorial | | | | Fear aggression: Fearful and insecure dogs or Shih |
| Aggression | | | | Tzu may exhibit aggression whenever they feel |
| Dominance aggression toward people: Dominance is | | | | threatened. Often there has been a point in these |
| the driving force behind all canine aggression. Without | | | | dogs' lives when they were exposed to some |
| dominance dogs and Shih Tzu also would not be able | | | | unpleasant experience involving a person or another |
| to stand up for themselves. Even a Shih Tzu with a | | | | dog. Many Shih Tzu from rescues, pet shops or puppy |
| submissive type temperament will have a small | | | | mills may acquire fear aggression. A Shih Tzu |
| amount of dominance behaviors, enough to warn | | | | purchased from a reputable breeder and then |
| intruders off a favorite food, toy or circumstance. | | | | mistreated by new owners can also acquire fear |
| Protection of the Shih Tzu's valued assets can be | | | | aggression. Fear aggression involving people are often |
| virtually the only sign of dominance. An aggressive | | | | men and children, and almost always strangers. |
| response by a dominant Shih Tzu may also occur | | | | Professional help is often needed for this type of Shih |
| when the Shih Tzu is prevented from doing something | | | | Tzu and most often the cause for the fear aggression |
| it wants to do, in response to manipulations around the | | | | can be ascertained. |
| head and neck or when the Shih Tzu is disciplined. | | | | Territorial aggression: Some Shih Tzu aggressiveness |
| Different dogs and different Shih Tzu have different | | | | to strangers and other dogs occurs when they are |
| priorities with regards to what will "tick them off." | | | | approached within their own space or territory. The |
| Dominance aggression is also dependent upon the | | | | territory can be the owner's home and property. They |
| time, place and circumstance. Dominant Shih Tzu is not | | | | will bark and otherwise attempt to intimidate intruders |
| likely to become aggressive toward the person he | | | | until such time as it is clear that the visitor is welcome |
| perceives as his leader. Dominance aggression is the | | | | by the owners. |
| primary way dogs and Shih Tzu establishes their | | | | One very positive side of dog aggression is that a |
| hierarchical structure and relationships with each other. | | | | good guard dog is better than any alarm system. A |
| Therefore, some dominance aggression in dogs and | | | | house with a dog is far less likely to get burglarized. |
| Shih Tzu is to be expected. | | | | Many times the house with the dog or dogs remains |
| Interdog dominance aggression: This is a dog or Shih | | | | unmolested. Just having a dog with you as you walk is |
| Tzu that constantly picks fights with other dogs. The | | | | a deterrent for many would-be attackers. |
| subordinate dog defers to a dominant dog by averting | | | | |