I have had her from 7 weeks she is now 3.5 years ld and she sits and stares at me constantly, she also follows me everywhere i love her to bits but she is freaking me out. I have heard that some kinds of dogs think that their owners are actually their mothers is this true?
2006-12-09 00:05:49 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
You think one is bad try having 8 all doing the same thing. Shih Tzu are bred to love people and to be love back. I have 8 of these little darlings and I wouldn't give them up for anything in the world. Shih Tzu do what they do best and that is LOVE. Please give it back to them. Don't complain what she is doing.. she is doing what Shih Tzu's do. This is why I love older people getting a Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu are lap dogs and the elderly have a lot of lap to give to these little guys, and the special time to give them. As I have always said "For The Love Of A Shih Tzu."
2006-12-09 00:43:33 · answer #1 · answered by china 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are pack animals, very social. So if its just the two of you, you are her pack and she wants to be with her pack as much as possible. That is normal. Also, I'm not sure if you are a male or female. But if you are male, then you have another dynamic going on in the pack hierarchy. If you are male, she might consider you the Alpha Male and herself as the Alpha Female. That would also be a factor in her bonding to you.
Shih Tzu's are also very social, they were bred for that trait. So that enforces the drive for human companionship.
The staring is simply because she wants your attention. If you ever watch dogs interact, they use eye contact for a variety of reasons. But its always to get attention from another dog for some reason. Sometimes its to "stare down" a strange dog or to stare down a pack member for something they want. Other times, its to get the other dog's attention to initiate a game of play.
If it really bothers you, get her a playmate.. another small dog or cat.
But overall, the bottom line is that Shih tzu's are dogs, bred to be companion animals for centuries. She is just doing what is in her nature and that she has been bred to do. Completely natural behavior.
There are many good books out there on canine behavior as pack animals. Well worth reading if you have the time.
I've been breeding and showing dogs for 20 years, so while I don't claim to have all the answers, I have some experience with pack behavior.
2006-12-09 00:21:31 · answer #2 · answered by Jaztyme 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My westie is 6 years old and she has always acted like this. I go to the loo and she waits outside. If I am in the bath she pops her head over the side to check on me! Wherever I am she is never too far away. She used to sleep downstairs and mess the kitchen so I put her pet bed in my bedroom and she is fine....no mess and she sleeps all night. I do work during the day so she isn't with me constantly and also I have a hubbie and 2 kids and she isn't like this with them. I read about a sydrome called 'velcro dog' where the dog hates to be separated from its owner. I think your dog has attached herself on to you.
2006-12-10 09:25:53 · answer #3 · answered by KAZ M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well,my dog does the same thing and he is a big 50lbs pitbull.i love it.he follows me everywhere,i will go down stairs and do some laundry he will follow me and lay on this blanket i have set up for him.the funny thing is my fiancee will go to do luandry and he stays upstairs with me.pets hate being alone.they cling to the female more because we are more giving and also they can fell the motherly love vibe that us woman give off.so be thankful that he does follow because maybe one day you will be in some kind of danger and he will be the only one there to protect you.so just give him lots of love because you may need him one day.
2006-12-09 01:42:22 · answer #4 · answered by Rachel T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are pack animals, and you are the leader of the pack! Your dog would rather be where you are than miss out on something. Its a nice trait, enjoy it! If it really bugs you, you can train the dog to stay on command if you work it, but shih tzus can be stubborn and hard to train (voice of experience).
2006-12-09 00:09:13 · answer #5 · answered by moto 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its because she loves you.
I have a toy poodle and he follows me everywhere! when i come back into a room, after even a few seconds, he goes crazy as though i've been gone for days!!
Just remember you are her world, her pack leader, and she loves you so much =) and its all unconditional. you won't get that anywhere else - only God Himself!
2006-12-09 01:04:31 · answer #6 · answered by jelliebabe7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Masterof wins the doggie prize! You are the alpha, as am I. Think of it as doggie adoration and revel in the love. Teach her to "go lay down": put a blanket, pillow, whatever, in a specific place. ("Dog's name, go lay down") and pat the spot. When she does what you ask PRAISE! using her name first. Leave it in the same place. She'll catch on.
2006-12-09 00:17:20 · answer #7 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the baby loves you! She just needs some attention
2006-12-09 00:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by Sierra S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Doggy Mommy- She just LOVES you! You must be a nice person, dogs can tell!
2006-12-09 00:15:13 · answer #9 · answered by Didi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be thankful,you have a good friend there.My dog does the same,but it doesn't 'freak' me out!
2006-12-09 00:15:23 · answer #10 · answered by pageys 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋