Are you a Shih Tzu parent? If yes, you must be familiar with the usual behavior problems of this lovable little breed.
From barking to aggression, Shih Tzus can come with a lot of challenges – but the good news is that it is definitely possible to manage these behaviors.
In this blog article, we’ll explore 12 common Shih Tzu behavior problems and discuss how to remedy them.
So if you’re ready to make your Shih Tzu’s life a little bit growing keep reading!
Shih Tzu Behavior Problems
Some common behavior problems with Shih Tzus include being stubborn, barking excessively, chewing on things they’re not supposed to, being aggressive with other pets, and being destructive.
If you notice one of your Shih Tzu behaving in a way that is not typical for the breed, it is important to take the time to investigate the cause of the behavior problem.
Some common causes of Shih Tzu behavior problems include being spoiled, having a lack of socialization, being anxious or stressed, or being bored.
If you think your Shih Tzu is having a behavior problem, it is important to take the time to address the issue.
So, let’s keep reading and explore the common Shih Tzu behavior problems and discuss how to remedy them:
1. Barking excessively: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite entertaining.
However, they can also have some behavior problems that may require your attention. One common issue is excessive barking.
If your Shih Tzu is barking excessively, it could be due to a variety of reasons.
It may be because they are bored and need more stimulation or exercise.
They may also bark out of fear or anxiety if something has scared them. Or, they might just be trying to get your attention!
No matter the reason, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible.
Start by making sure your Shih Tzu is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day.
Take them for walks or play fetch in the yard. You can also give them interactive toys that will keep their minds busy while you’re away from home
2. Jumping up at people: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, you know that these little bundles of joy can bring lots of love and laughter into your life.
But sometimes their behavior can be less than desirable! One common problem is jumping up at people when they come to visit or when out on walks.
Jumping up at people can be a real nuisance, and it’s important to nip this behavior in the bud as soon as possible.
Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to help your Shih Tzu learn better manners!
First of all, make sure that you’re not inadvertently encouraging the behavior.
If your Shih Tzu jumps up at you, don’t give them any attention or reward them in any way.
Instead, turn away and ignore them until they stop jumping. This will help to teach them that this type of behavior is not acceptable.
3. Destroying furniture: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite mischievous.
Unfortunately, this means they may develop some behavior problems if not properly trained. One common issue is furniture destruction.
If your Shih Tzu is destroying furniture, it’s important to take action quickly.
The first step is to identify the cause of the problem. Is your Shih Tzu bored?
Do they have enough toys and activities to keep them occupied? Are they seeking attention or trying to get a reaction out of you?
Once you’ve identified the cause, it’s time to start training. Start by teaching your Shih Tzu basic commands like “sit” and “stay.”
This will help them learn that they must obey your commands before getting what they want.
You can also use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior.
It’s also important to provide your Shih Tzu with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Take them for walks, play fetch, or teach them new tricks.
This will help keep their mind active and prevent boredom-related behaviors like furniture destruction.
4. Not listening when called: Are you having trouble getting your Shih Tzu to listen when called?
If so, you’re not alone! Many owners of this breed experience the same issue.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps that can help you get your Shih Tzu back on track and listen when called.
First off, it’s important to understand why your Shih Tzu may not be listening.
This breed is known for being independent and stubborn, so they can sometimes ignore commands if they don’t feel like following them.
Additionally, their small size means that they can easily get distracted by other things in the environment.
The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to help your Shih Tzu learn to listen when called. Here are a few tips:
A) Make sure you’re using positive reinforcement when training your Shih Tzu. This means rewarding them with treats or praise when they do something correctly.
This will help them understand that listening to you is a good thing and can be rewarding.
B) Keep training sessions short and sweet. Shih Tzus have short attention spans, so it’s important to keep the lessons brief but consistent.
5. Destroying food: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite mischievous.
Unfortunately, this means they may develop some behavior problems if not properly trained.
One common issue is destroying food or other items in your home.
If your Shih Tzu is destroying food, it’s important to take action quickly.
This behavior can be dangerous for your Shih Tzu and lead to serious health issues if they consume something that isn’t meant for them.
The first step is to figure out why they are doing this in the first place.
It could be that your Shih Tzu is bored and looking for something to do, or they may have a medical issue such as an upset stomach.
If you think it’s the latter, take them to the vet right away. Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can start to work on a solution.
One way to prevent your Shih Tzu from destroying food is by providing them with plenty of toys and activities that will keep them entertained.
This could include interactive puzzles, chew toys, or even just playing fetch in the backyard. You can also try feeding them at regular intervals throughout the day.
6. Being aggressive with other animals: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite entertaining.
However, they can also have some behavior problems that need to be addressed.
One common issue is aggression towards other animals.
If your Shih Tzu is displaying aggressive behavior towards other animals, it’s important to take action right away.
This type of aggression can be dangerous and should not be ignored.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help your Shih Tzu learn how to interact with other animals in a more positive way.
The first step is to identify the triggers that cause your Shih Tzu to become aggressive.
This could be anything from a loud noise or sudden movement, to another animal getting too close.
Once you’ve identified the trigger, it’s important to remove it from the situation as soon as possible.
Next, you’ll want to work on teaching your Shih Tzu how to respond in a more appropriate way when they encounter other animals.
This can be done through positive reinforcement and reward-based training.
For example, if your Shih Tzu is displaying aggressive behavior towards another animal.
7. Not obeying verbal commands: Are you having trouble getting your Shih Tzu to obey verbal commands?
If so, you’re not alone! Many owners of this breed struggle with their pup’s behavior.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps that can help get your Shih Tzu back on track and make sure they understand what is expected of them.
Shih Tzus are known for being independent and stubborn, so it’s no surprise that they can be difficult to train.
However, with patience and consistency, you can teach your Shih Tzu to obey verbal commands. Here are some tips on how to do just that:
A) Start with basic commands: Before you move on to more complex commands, make sure your pup has mastered the basics like “sit” and “stay”.
This will help them understand that they need to listen when you give a command.
B) Use positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is key when it comes to training your Shih Tzu.
Whenever they obey a command, make sure to reward them with treats or praise.
This will help reinforce the behavior and encourage them to listen in the future.
3) Be consistent: Consistency is essential for successful training. Make sure you’re giving the same commands in the same way every time.
This will help your Shih Tzu understand what is expected of them and make it easier for them to obey.
D) Be patient: Training a Shih Tzu can be challenging, so don’t expectresults overnight.
It may take some time for your Shih Tzu to understand what you’re asking of them, so be patient and don’t give up!
Shih Tzus can be a lot of fun, but they do require patience and consistency when it comes to training.
8. Being destructive in the home: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little bundles of joy can be quite mischievous!
Unfortunately, some Shih Tzus may develop behavior problems that can cause destruction in your home.
If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, or barking excessively, it’s important to take action quickly.
Not only can these behaviors be annoying and disruptive for you and your family, but they can also cause damage to your home.
The good news is that there are a few simple steps you can take to help curb your pup’s destructive behavior.
First, make sure that you are providing plenty of exercises and mental stimulation for your Shih Tzu.
These little dogs need a lot of activity to stay healthy and happy, so be sure to take them on regular walks or playtime sessions in the yard.
9. Being overly clingy: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite entertaining.
However, they can also have some behavior problems that may require your attention. One common issue is being overly clingy.
If your Shih Tzu is constantly following you around, demanding your attention, and not giving you a moment’s peace, then it may be time to take action.
This behavior can become quite annoying and even disruptive if left unchecked.
Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to help curb this clingy behavior.
First, make sure that your Shih Tzu is getting plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day.
This will help to keep them occupied and less likely to be constantly seeking out your attention.
You should also set some boundaries with your pup so they know what is expected of them.
10. Not tolerating other dogs: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite entertaining.
However, they can also have some behavior problems that need to be addressed. One common issue is not tolerating other dogs.
If your Shih Tzu is not getting along with other dogs, it can be a source of frustration and worry.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help your pup learn how to interact better with their canine friends.
The first step is to make sure that your Shih Tzu has plenty of positive experiences with other dogs.
Take them to the dog park or on walks where they can meet and greet other pups in a controlled environment.
Make sure that you are supervising your Shih Tzu at all times so that if there is any aggression, you can intervene quickly.
11. Not being house-trained: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite mischievous.
Unfortunately, this means they can also develop some behavior problems if not properly trained.
One common issue is not being house-trained. If your Shih Tzu isn’t house-trained, it can be a frustrating experience.
Not only is it unpleasant to clean up after them, but it’s also embarrassing when guests come over and find puddles on the floor.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help your Shih Tzu learn the proper etiquette.
First, make sure you’re consistent with your training. Set a schedule for potty breaks and stick to it.
Take them out at the same time each day and reward them when they do their business outside.
This will help reinforce good behavior and let them know that going outside is the right thing to do.
Second, be patient with your Shih Tzu. Shih Tzus are smart dogs but they can take a while to learn new things.
Don’t get frustrated if it takes them longer than you expected to get the hang of house-trained.
12. Being overweight: Are you the proud owner of a Shih Tzu? If so, then you know that these little dogs are full of personality and can be quite mischievous at times.
Unfortunately, some Shih Tzu behavior problems can arise if they aren’t given proper care and attention. One common issue is being overweight.
Shih Tzus are small dogs, and they can easily become overweight if their diet isn’t monitored closely.
An overweight Shih Tzu may be more prone to health issues such as joint pain, diabetes, heart disease, and breathing problems.
It’s important to make sure your Shih Tzu is getting the right amount of exercise and eating a healthy diet.
If you’re concerned that your Shih Tzu may be overweight, there are some simple steps you can take to help them get back on track.
Start by measuring their food portions carefully and making sure they’re getting the right amount of calories for their size and activity level.
You can also switch to high-quality, low-calorie food that is specifically designed for small breeds.
In addition to diet changes, make sure your Shih Tzu is getting plenty of exercise.
What Are Some Causes Of These Behavior Problems In Shih Tzu
The following are common causes of behavioral problems in Shih Tzu:
- Lack of attention from the owner
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of mental stimulation
- Poor training techniques
- Lack of socialization
- Fear or aggression
- Separation anxiety
- Habit formation
- Genetic disposition
How To Remedy These Behavior Problems In Shih Tzu
The following are how you can address or remedy these behavior problems in your Shih Tzu:
- Identify the behavior problem.
- Offer specific, positive steps to address the problem.
- Be consistent in your approach.
- Be patient.
- Reward good behavior.
- Ignore bad behavior.
- Get help from a professional.
- Make changes to your environment.
- Remember that every dog is different and will respond differently to different approaches.
