Gransnet forums

Pets

Shihtsu

(67 Posts)
farview Thu 11-Oct-18 13:04:44

Have become the owner of a shihtsu (long story) he's about 6yrs old ,well behaved ..but quite a dominant little chap..have had him 12wks..in that time he's shown aggression three times..twice at me when have told him to get off the bed,he does but then really aggressively growls at me and barks fiercely...then yesterday,he got 10yr old granddaughters ball and when she tried to get it off him..he growled and actually tried to bite her but she moved quickly...he's a very muscular dog and a large jaw for a little chap ...so any advice welcome..not feeling happy about it...

farview Tue 18-Dec-18 16:06:45

Update
I absolutely love this little dog now.. wouldnt be without him..yes he's strong willed..but has accepted I'm boss (I think haha) he's clever,funny...the best bit is his cocky little walk...my H won't walk him as he's not keen on little dogs..so I walk him three times a day come rain or shine...he's made lots of doggy friends on the park..and I love chatting to their owners
So Gizmo is happy and I'm happy..the initial bumpy road has been worth it..?

icanhandthemback Tue 18-Dec-18 17:13:11

? Brilliant news.

sodapop Tue 18-Dec-18 17:16:08

That's such good news farview hope you and Gizmo have many happy years together now.

Anja Tue 18-Dec-18 17:21:59

farview well done to you and Gismo. Shih Tzu’s, like their cousins Lhasa Apsos, can be very stubborn.

farview Tue 18-Dec-18 18:27:01

That's so true Anna...but I am stubborn also ?

vickya Tue 18-Dec-18 18:34:00

I'm glad you settled together, fairview. Having the two dogs got me down from size 28 to size 14 and better health! You have to walk them whatever happens. Now I can walk less and one dog is gone and the other arthritic like me, but he still has to go out a few times a day. Dog exercise partners are good for your health!

farview Tue 18-Dec-18 18:45:28

Oh they absolutely are vickya. Anja sorry my phone decided to alter your name??

Anja Tue 18-Dec-18 20:54:30

Wow vickya ??

farview Tue 29-Jan-19 21:53:46

Was just googling something re shihtsu behaviour...and there..on Google..was my thread and ALL the posts off gransnet...and that really disturbed me/freaked me out!!!!!..

Anniebach Tue 29-Jan-19 22:18:57

fairview ?. So happy for you and Gismo. X

farview Fri 12-Jul-19 09:33:52

Well today am taking gizmo to be groomed..he looks such a mess..and much as I love him now..my tummy is in knots..as the other groomer ,a guy,coped with gizmo really trying to bite him...but this groomer is a young lady and I will warn her..he hates his legs tail rear end being touched..due to teasing by his stupid previous owner...am so tense...

Hetty58 Fri 12-Jul-19 10:04:34

I've had a lot of rescue dogs. I absolutely love them.
Training helps but won't change their basic character. Changing what you do and training (older) children is far more effective. Teach them to never touch a sleeping or eating dog. They should let the dog come to them, keep their face at a distance, never stare at it or try to take something away. You have to supervise and never leave them alone together.

No dog can ever be completely reliable or trusted. Young children and dogs just don't mix (especially if they've grown up around only adults). Keep him in his own space, behind a gate with mesh over it, when youngsters are around.

Children are killed and disfigured with depressing regularity simply because adults don't control or supervise their dogs.

grandtanteJE65 Fri 12-Jul-19 12:33:07

Are you really going to keep a dog that threatened to bite your grandchild?

I wouldn't. But perhaps you are prepared to lock the dog up when your grandchild is visiting.

I like dogs, but the child must come first.

sodapop Fri 12-Jul-19 12:36:50

We had the same problem with our last rescue dog farview we were able to help her get the past the problem by distracting her whilst the groomer did her rear end. We stroked, talked calmly and played with her ears which she loves. It took a few visits but she is fine now and I can safely leave her at the canine beauty parlour whilst I go shopping.

Hetty58 Fri 12-Jul-19 16:31:04

My lovely friendly little dog needs to be muzzled for any nail clipping or trips to the vet!

farview Fri 12-Jul-19 19:01:31

The grooming went really well..he seemed to instantly like the two ladies...they did a really good job too...he's now going every six weeks...
Re the comments about gizmo and children...he's fine now and absolutely loves them all...gets excited when he hears them on the drive....he's never left alone with any of them...as were none of our past dogs....