I have a shih tzu that is my dog (11 months) who lives in the house. My bf's Bull Mastiff (2 yrs) lives outside (always has..) the shih tzu has known the mastiff his whole life....
When the Mastiff comes inside, the shih tzu starts jumping on him and sometimes biting/tugging the mastiff's ear... never barking, but sometimes very quiet growling... the mastiff usually just lays there and takes it or swats the shih tzu w/ his paws.....
is this playing or is it showing dominance over the house?
should i try to stop the shih tzu from "torturing" the mastiff or is it all in fun?
2007-07-12 06:32:12 · 7 answers · asked by cyndia 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Nah, I don't think this is a jealousy problem. But more so "Hey! How hell have ya been!" "I miss you!" This is his way of excitement. The shihtzu already knows who is boss. Trust me. He loves his big buddy and respects him. As for the mastiff, he is okay. If not he knows how to move or let Lil bit know when he has enough. He will probably want to go back outside. Think... a dogs impression of humans when we great each other... "why is he putting his arms around her, is he hurting her? Maybe I will bite him so he could stop!" Have you ever encountered a precious moment with your bf and one or both dogs sit and stare or even bark? When dogs are being aggressive you will know and believe me big dog is not harmed in anyway!!!
2007-07-12 06:59:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shih tzu is probably just playing, especially if it is only 11months old. It's a puppy and puppies play almost non-stop. If the Mastiff starts to show signs of being annoyed, then maybe you should intervene to give him a break, and play with the puppy yourself, to distract him from the mastiff.
2007-07-12 13:38:03 · answer #2 · answered by Purple Camo 4x4 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the mastiff doesn't mind than I wouldn't stop it. It does not sound like a dominance thing to me. My dog is a min pin/chihuahua mix and LOVES to do that to my sisters Boxer when we bring them together to play. My sisters boxer absolutely loves when she comes over to play and actually goes into the submissive play mode. Dogs play by biting at each other. (just as long as it's not hurtful to the other dog, but they will let each other know when they've had enough)
2007-07-12 13:44:24 · answer #3 · answered by Bran 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Yorkie does that to the beagle. Same story. Yorkie inside, Beagle out. When it comes in the Yorkie does same thing.
Are Yorkie does it over half Jealousy/ half dominance.
We just scold the Yorkie for it. He's getting Little better.
It's hard for the smaller dog, because they feel like a safe (there place) inside, and outside is were te trapms go...abviously not THINKING' those words, but just interrupting.
We don't let the Yorkie in the bathroom, and when the beagle goes over there, the Yorkie gets even more upset.
My vet told me that it's just Dominance/ jealousy.
2007-07-12 13:39:37 · answer #4 · answered by JaneD. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like playing to me. Some dogs will growl a little when they play. A good indicator you can use to judge if its play or not is the tail. If the dogs' tails are wagging, they are playing, if it goes rigid that usually means that it might be aggressiveness.
2007-07-12 13:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dominance theory takes some careful reading to understand it. Here's a start:
http://4pawsuniversity.com/trainers.htm
2007-07-12 14:29:19 · answer #6 · answered by Misa M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fun that 's what they do
2007-07-12 13:35:34 · answer #7 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋