grumpy dog

As he's going to the vet tomorrow, perhaps you could get them to check him over to make sure he isn't ill. It seems odd that his behaviour has changed recently.

Do you think he knows?

Very uncharacteristic behaviour for a Shih Tzu. I agree with Eloethan that you need to get the vet to check him over thoroughly to see if there's an underlying cause.

Not sure if he knows but he is very subdued this morning!

Definitely get him checked, when I worked for a vet teeth/toothache was always suggested as a possible for uncharacteristic behaviour. Or it could just be the hot weather.
Has he stayed with these people before, do you think he might have felt abandoned?

Has he been neutered?

Hilda W castrated is what neutering means! Read the first post.

oops...teach me to pay attention.....oh well it will sort him out, am pretty sure that's the problem.
Charleygirl....be a bit more sympathetic to us confused types!

I agree very unusual for a Shih Tzu, I have two, brother and sister and they are very soft. The male we had "neutered" for obvious reasons but has always been soft and very friendly, although he doesn't like strangers, neither does his sister but they aren't aggressive. I would definitely get the vet to give him the once over as I know many Shih Tzus and they are always happy and very friendly to all. Will be very interested to hear the outcome seasider I hope all goes well.

HildaW I do apologise, it was after I had sent it I realised how it would read. I was then distracted (easily) and forgot to send my apology.

What a worry seasider. Hopefully the castration will calm him down a bit. Your vet can give him a full checkover at the same time. Hope things settle down - I am currently working on similar issues with my 18 month old cockapoo. I've never had a dog that was uneasy around children, but this one is sensitive to a number of things - crowds, odd noises etc. He's been well socialised etc and from talking to a local trainer/reading etc I conclude he's a reactive dog. So, I'm reading and doing my best with him. Good luck x

Castration seems to have worked for Soop's Rory. he is a changed Moggy.

He is a bit quiet today but still managed a growl at a passing dog! The vet said he is fine physically but trying to be establish his place in the pecking order. DS has to try and be more dominant with him. Will let you know how we get on! At the moment he is trying to figure out how to remove the cone he has to wear

I always think that when the dog sits down, from the back they look like art deco lamps in those things!

Charleygirl

I suspect it will take a few weeks if not months for his hormones to level off. We are no experts on dogs (first time for me and ours is a bitch) however, the nice young man at Dogs Trust who looked after Poppy before we took her in said it was much more like being a loving but firm parent than worrying about who was dominant.
She is a bit bouncy and unsure around children she doesn't know so if in any doubt we have a long 'house' lead than is firmly attached to the leg of the little sofa that she loves to sit on. She happily goes to it if we ask and then we clip the lead on her so that she cannot suddenly jump up. She is quite relaxed about it as its something we did from the very early days to calm her down. Once she feels secure and that the visitor can be trusted she is let off the lead....but usually just curls up and goes to sleep then. I think its important that she has her two walks a day and at least one daft play session in the evenings. Its all about balancing her need for exercise, activity and mental stimulation. If she's had her mad sessions then she is excellent at just lolling around and being calm and politely sociable..