My shitzu is MEAN......really mean?

Question

he is a boy, we are the second owner, he still has all his boy stuff intact and he attacks EVERY man who enters our house.

We have been to the vet who basically attributed it to anxiety. We have been to "classes". We are at a loss. This dog does not have much time left in this house (his only saving grace is my daughter...who adores him) until we put him up for adoption to a home with NO MEN.

Any ideas........PLEASE?

Crap......(I spelled it incorrectly on purpose....LMAO)
GREAT, GREAT feedback so far. Just a note, we brought our 7 year old Golden Retriever in the house (who is a honey) and well trained. Our mean baby actually excites HIM and we have a horrible time. UGH

Answer 1

he's trying to show that he's the alpha male, and best thing to do is discipline him. vets will tell you that if you prove that you're the alpha dog to them, that this type of behavior will stop. when he does it, turn him over onto his side, and hold him down on the floor by the neck,,, don't hurt him, of course, just hold him down until he stops fighting back, and tell him NO very sternly. it mimics what the alpha in the pack would do to another dog.

Also, don't feed them until you and your family are done eating. first to eat is the alpha. keep that in mind.

good luck!!! most dog behavior is status related... the humping the leg thing, the mean about food behavior, growling at men,,,,,, everything is part of it. try that for a week or two, and see what happens.

our shitzu used to do that too, now, shes just to old to care....
my dauschund used to hump legs, till i tried this, and it worked sooooo well, it only took one day and it broke her of it.

and if he starts barking, don't yell at him, just go and hold him down. yelling at him, mimics barking in his language, so, he'll just continue doing it, even louder.

good luck!!!

Answer 2

You may have to give it away. In my part of the country,that is such a popular breed that breeders sometimes in-breed them to make extra money off the puppies. Just like with humans,in-breeding produces mean offspring. I had a friend that had to put a cocker spaniel down because it was snapping at her grandaughter. And low and behold,the dog was a product of the mother and an uncle (of the dog).

Answer 3

I have never heard of many mean shih tzus and the one I have come from homes with abuse and neglect. Its going to take time a patience to socialize him and if your not able to provide this make sure you interview people before you give hime away. This is the least you can do the poor dog hasn't done anything wrong...

Answer 4

With lots of TLC a dog can be trained but it would take time. Your daughter, since she adores the dog would be the best trainer for the dog because the dog will sense that she adores him. She will need to love him and expose him but like I said previously, it will take time. My dog, Tiger, was aboused and HATED tall blonde men. Now my dog is the SWEETEST little thing alive!

Tiger~ Yorkie and Chihuahua mix!

Answer 5

The dog whisper has very good books to deal with all sorts of dog behavioral problems. He also has a program of the national geographic channel. I have been told to ignore my dog until he settles down when I get home. Not to praise him or pet him until he is good and calm. Maybe that will help, and possibly getting him neutered. Good luck!

Answer 6

Apparently your dog was mistreated by the previous owner. We found a dog that wasn't to crazy about men..myself included. So what I did was wait for EBONY, our found and abandoned dog, mix breed, come to me. I didn't approach her, I let her come to me. If you have male friends over for company, tell them that she doesn't like men. Hopefully the males will avoid approaching him. This will eventually help out. If your not going to breed your dog, then I would suggest neutering him. It may or may not work, but at least your helping control the pet population, should he get loose and smell a female, in the area, thats in heat.

Answer 7

Shih Tzu is correct spelling... you are probably 3rd owner.. if you count the owner who originally sold him as a puppy

is he NEUTERED?? this is very important.. more classes too. and practice at home - he needs socializaton - however it must be said that he will have no trouble finding a new home - they are very in demand..
how old??

Answer 8

HI , i work for petsmart i ahve seen dog like that .. it could be one reason possible previous owner has abused or tease him or somthing.. or he just scare of big things.. there nothin gu can fix it but only way to stop him is just to discipliet (Spell) him or let him know it ok dont bite stuff like that ok .. try that if nto let me know

Answer 9

Some animals just do not like one gender or another,a specific person,an age or size...animals have quirks just like people do,and unfortunately it's not something you can fix...I used to have a dog that didn't like 'big people',and didn't like boys/men(I think it was because my brothers teased him),and I was the only one in my family he didn't try to bite...So we had to get rid of him.It's sad,but something you have to do.He might have been abused by a man at some point...

Answer 10

sounds like he's been abused by a man. You can try a behaviorist (your vet can recommend one) or a private trainer. If you do decide to part with him please consider giving him to a shih tzu rescue.