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