Aggressive Shih Tzu behavior especially when it is a family pet should be addressed quickly or it may cause danger and scare not only members of your family but also visitors and other people around you. This aggressive behavior is a condition which might have developed since it was a puppy, like being attacked by another dog or it might not like the feeling of being dominated by a master.

Causes of Aggressive Behavior in Dogs

The delicate age for a Shih Tzu behavior development is at the 6th week. Whatever the environment offers makes it influential like socializing with other dogs and training to make them people-friendly. You can apply this to a dog until it is 14 weeks old or can extend longer as you deem necessary.

The things you need to do to bring up a non-aggressive Shih Tzu are:

• Let the Shih Tzu puppy alone with its litters until 8 weeks old. Avoid using violent discipline to a puppy aged between 8 and 10 weeks but instead treat it tenderly. Talk to it softly and avoid hurting it physically if you want to grow a dog without aggressive Shih Tzu behavior.
• The Shih Tzu must learn to get along with other dogs (many dogs which are highly sociable can get along well with other pets like cats, birds, horses, etc.) and most importantly with people. At age 14 weeks, if you puppy had learned how to socialize you have great chances of an aggressive Shih Tzu.
• Provide a conducive and healthy environment when breeding up a puppy, free from mean masters, proper and adequate living conditions with socialization, and protect it from attack by not only other dogs but also other animals.
• Aggression is also characterized by hereditary and genetics influence…meaning that by nature some dog breeds are aggressive and some are friendly. But it does not follow that a naturally aggressive breed cannot be nurtured to get rid of its aggressive behavior.
• A dog that wants to establish dominance over a territory shows aggression. Your shih tzu needs to learn that you are the master of the house at a very young age.

What to Do When a Shih Tzu Shows Aggressive Behavior

Shih Tzu Dog

A dog reaches sexual maturity at the age of 14 months. When it shows signs of aggression at this stage, take appropriate actions immediately. At this time the Shih Tzu puppy must have understood it that you are the master. It should not receive any reward after showing aggression out of being scared. That will teach the dog a lesson.

From a Shih Tzu dog training your puppy can easily learn how to follow your commands. Regular, proper feeding and walking train a dog; and teach it that there is a master who attends to its needs. A dog can take freedom in your house if you only allow it.

Aggression in a Shih Tzu is sometimes a defensive mechanism wherein it can hurt you out of fear. This is the kind of dog which has not learned socialization. Protect your children from it. You need Shih Tzu dog training sessions to improve its behavior and gradually learn how to socialize.

Aggressive behavior in dogs can be prevented before it becomes a problem.  Proper care and attention should be given to growing up Shih Tzu. However, if the aggressive behavior becomes a threat your ultimate solution is to get a professional to handle the situation or use dog appeasing products like DAP.