my friends Shih Tzu has a few problems..any ideas?

Question

She has had Gizmo for 3 years, she rescued him from his previous owners who used to kick/beat and set him on fire!

He generally is a happy dog now, loves meeting people, has learnt a few commands which he does well, he just seems to have a problem when she tries to get him to lie down or to sit as he starts growling and showing his teeth, he has gone for her before as well.

I dont think its a question of dominance as he is quite a submissive dog otherwise. Does anybody have any ideas on what to do? Any tips/tricks etc.. gratefully accepted!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

He is obviously been tortured in the past, so it is very natural for him to get stressed out in certain situations. I also have a shih tzu who has had nothing but love all his life, and sometimes he can do the same thing.

For some reason smaller dogs can get quite moody and aggravate easily but if it is excessive, it needs to be addressed. Does he only do this when trying to get him to sit/lie? if so when he is already sitting/lying pat him slowly and gain his trust, he obviously doesn't have it in this situation. Once he becomes stressed stop training him immediately because if you continue trying he will associate the command with stress and the cycle will continue.

Unfortunately when dogs have been tormented, it can take a while for them to overcome it..... they have outstanding memory. Just be patient with him and only train him when he is relaxed.

Good luck, they are wonderful dogs

Answer 2

He's getting older now and these dogs are susceptible to arthritis, joint pain, back, tail and hip problems. The key clue here is that the previous owner used to kick and beat him.

She should take notice next time this happens as to what the weather is like (damp, raining, cold, etc).

My sister in law has one of these little guys and he had a little girl slam herself full force onto his back...that was about 2 years ago when he was roughly 1...now he is in pain frequently enough that he won't let anyone get near him when he's really hurting, he won't (can't) make it up or down stairs on his own and he will show his teeth and growl if forced to.

My Jack Russell was also a rescue from an abusive home where the guy used to kick her senseless while wearing steel toed boots. She began displaying signs of painful arthritis about a year and a half ago (she'll be 4 in July). Signs of getting older and the wounds from long ago are now surfacing. Best not to force him to do something that hurts. Seeing a vet might confirm or deny this for her.

Good luck

Answer 3

It is generally hard to train an abused animal and can take sum time! However, try when the dog is fed to hold the bowl above his head and slowly take it back this should make him sit. Praise him and repeat everyday and slowly introduce the sit command. Hopefully, this will let him no that when he sits he gets something in return. For the lie down command try sitting on the floor with both knees slighty up, show him a treat and gradually bring it towards ur knee and then under if the dog wants the treat then he should lay down and crawl through your legs. Repeat and eventualy introduce the lay command but dont get rid of him shih-tzus make great pets!

Answer 4

You mention that this poor little dog was abused by his previous owners,it could be possible that little gizmo's was hurt when the command sit was used or down your friend needs to make up different words for sit i suggest relax instead of sit and cosy instead of down they could also use a clicker to train as gizmo's would get a reward for relaxing,it will take love and patience,my collie was a rescue dog and had fire works tied to her tail so you can imagine what bomb fire night is like but i retrained her to tell them off now she doesn't wet herself and hide away,i have had lots of other things to help her with she is now 13yrs and very happy.i wish your friend good luck and I'm sure with love and kindness gizmo's will stop

Answer 5

Hi this question is on here twice. Shih-tzus are stubborn by inherited genes. They can't help it and so it's a waste of time trying to discipline them and anyway, they don't need to be, as they aren't going to grow up to be yobos. They do what they want when they want as they are oblivious of instructions. What they are is lovable and they are the comediens of the dog world. Tell your friend not to make him lie down, let him wander about they love human company, so she should even let him in the bedroom. They like small toys like teddybears. If you give them biscuits, they hoard them (behind the settee or somewhere) and like to go back to them for a snack. They are the most adorable dog. I have never known one to be aggressive, it is not in their genes but this one will perhaps have terrible memories and maybe one is being made to lie down. plenty of patience is needed, lots of praise and attention and they make gorgeous friends.

Answer 6

We also have this breed of dog ( actually they tend to act more like kids than dogs )

We think that the dog may be having flashbacks associated with his previous owner's commands

Tell your friend to stay with the dog ( they are very friendly and extremely loyal ) and Good Luck

Answer 7

It is very hard to train an abused animal. I would suggest hiring a professional. The dog has had a hard enough life as it is, without an inexperienced person adding to the problem.

Answer 8

we got a shih tzu about a year ago with the same problem.

just try giving him lots of attention and give him treats and stuff like that when he is being good.try to make him trust you

whenever my dog used to snap at me i would put her in the hall.
after about 10-15 minutes i would go and get her.she got scared and started snapping when my hand got close to her face,so i would put my hand down slowly and if she started to growl i would stop.after a few months she stopped snapping at me and now she is one of the sweetest dogs ever.

Answer 9

that is a sign of domance and wanting to be the alpha this should not be allowed to happen

Answer 10

I hate Sh*t Zoo's